How to find a good watchmaker?

Good question.

I just got lucky. My guy has been in business for 40 years and just happens to be located 8 miles from me.

That's really ideal. How did you come to find this watchmaker? Word of mouth, internet?

I think I just did "watch repair near me" on Google maps. Of course you need to filter out jewelers that only change batteries and other unwanted results. There's a place with Watch Repair in their name in Newark, DE.

I'm not sure if you're asking how to suss them out once found or not, so I won't go on about that separate topic. You can also try looking up clock repair, as I've found great overlap.

Thank you for the insight.

I have a vintage Omega that I would like to get serviced. When I have called places in the past (mostly jewelers), the associate answering the phone wouldn't have much, if any, information about what types of servicing the watchmaker performs, how they perform it, or how long a service may take. I'm hesitant to shell out a few hundred dollars with little to no information.

You briefly alluded to the topic of sussing out a watchmaker. Do you have any information to direct me to more information about this?

Thank you for the guidance. As I'm sure you can tell, I don't have much experience in this aspect of watch collecting.

I meet mine at a local watch meetup.

If they're vague on the phone it may be that they are useless, or it may be that the watchmaker is busy and only the person on the phone is unknowledgeable and noncommittal. They're not wrong to say "bring it in and we'll take a look." At some point you need to just pay a visit of whoever's viable. In my experience, assuming the watchmaker himself (there may be female ones too, who knows?) is around, they like to pop the case to give a rough estimate.

Unless there is some sterling reputation, if you're still getting dodgy answers, move on. You should be convinced that they are competent and honest. In general I'd say to play cards close to vest. Act like you have this watch that you know nothing about and are considering service, want to know worst case scenario. Then they have to sell you on it. But do act like you're willing to spend money or you risk getting blown off.

Another aspect I've noticed (someone else please confirm) is that a good place tends to have a few vintage/used watches on display for sale. I always presume these to be things abandoned by customers. That means they are a finished product of their work, and shows what grade of item they've worked on.

But generally, go with your gut.

A lot of great information. Thank you kindly, @PoorMansRolex.

99% of watchmaking in North America now is replacing batteries. The ones that can actually fix them are either too old to move or live in the big cities but mostly Europe. They have schools for them there.

I picked a random city in Northern Delaware (Middletown.)

Then I went to Google, and entered: horologist near Middletown, Delaware

Among the more interesting finds were:

https://www.veteranswatchmakerinitiative.org/

https://www.clockology.com/

https://www.itsabouttimede.com/

https://yeoldeclockshoppe.biz/

https://marylandclockandwatch.com/

Hope this helps! 😀👍

I found mine after trying to have a battery replaced at one of those Batteries Plus+ shops. He couldn't open the case on mine so the guy said I'd better check out this jeweler down the way. Been taking pieces to him for a few years now, bought a new watch from him too! They have taken good care of me.

It was back when we used the Yellow Pages to look for services. I needed a watch repaired,looked up "watch repair" and the rest is history. I was also very lucky to have a Swiss trained master watchmaker close by that was listed in the Yellow Pages.

I'm gonna guess that a large percentage of WC members never heard of the yellow pages😀

Here is my experience how I found a watchmaker. I am not sure if this is to be replicated, but it is worth a trial:

I had a watch that was not working anymore, and I walked into the local Omega boutique, asking if they have a repair service. The person I talked to asked to see the watch, and a brief conversation about watches and repair ensued. Then, he took out his cell phone and started dialing, and asked his contacts if they would accept my particular watch for a repair. I left with two addresses and phone numbers. This was a very good experience.

General recommendation: Go to places where a lot of watches are handled and who do not have a self-interest to get your business, and listen. I have found that watch people help one another.

But the question was about a good watchmaker. A recommendation from a person who deals with a lot of watches (the person in the Omega boutique) is a good start. The missing piece can only gained by experience. I look for a clean workshop with good lighting, and a dedicated person that repairs the watches. I personally do not care if there is a certificate from the great grand watchmaking school of Val de Cordon-Bleu (or any other meal) on the wall. I judge by timely repair, not necessarily fast, but do they stick to the promised deadline. I judge by communication. And I judge how the bill looks like. Itemized? List of parts replaced? Time grapher details? Warranty on the repair?

This is a bit like finding a dentist. Eventually you got to do it, and everybody claims to have a good one.

Good luck

Looking into them now, thanks so much for taking the time, @TwiceTollingClock!

@LouCoBay A lot of really great information that only comes with experience. I thank you for taking the time to respond, greatly appreciated!

The last time I remember using the Yellow Pages was when I used it as a booster seat at the kitchen table as a kid 😂

I am a librarian. It's what I do. 😀😉 Good luck! ✨✨

I found mine from Instagram, try type it out along with your city/states/country in the search bar

My last one, when I was living in Denver, someone recommended to me online. My current one, here in Seattle, I'm not sure if he's good yet or not, I haven't needed his services yet (I did inquire once regarding my 1947 Omega bumper, but he doesn't work on them, so I had to send it back to Denver to get it regulated), so I don't know how good he is. He was recommended by a salesman who collects vintage at Ben Bridge Jewelers so I'm hoping he's good.

Honestly, I used Google and then started driving around.

Thankfully I found a very reputable watchmaker about 10 miles from where my parents live.

So anytime I bring the fam home, I always pack a few watches for service etc.

Yellow pages!!! That's how I found my plumber (and frequent contractor) 20 years ago (went down the list when I had an emergency and picked the first one (out of many) that I called who could come almost immediately). Forget paying Google to move your link to the top. All you needed back then was the alphabet. AAA Plumber (or Watchmaker) would be the best listing.

Can't remember the last time I even saw the big fat Yellow Pages.

I began with a YouTube video; a well-known Australian vlogger talked up 'his guy' in Sydney in one of his videos. I tried contacting this guy three times, even mentioning where the recommendation came from... and he never replied! Business must be really good and/or he's just a c***. So I started again by looking at Google Maps, re: which watchmakers were in Sydney. I then read their reviews. I then contacted the top three. The most friendly and interested reply won my business (one of the replies was, I swear, gave the vibe of, "come in or don't come in, we don't really care"), and he was an absolute gem. Has done multiple jobs for me now.

I began with a YouTube video; a well-known Australian vlogger talked up 'his guy' in Sydney in one of his videos. I tried contacting this guy three times, even mentioning where the recommendation came from... and he never replied! Business must be really good and/or he's just a c***. How else could I take it?

So after that false start, I started again by looking at Google Maps, re: which watchmakers were in Sydney. I then read their reviews. I then contacted what I perceived to be the top three. The most friendly and interested reply won my business (one of the other replies, I swear, gave the vibe of, "come in or don't come in, we don't really care"), and he was an absolute gem. Has done multiple jobs for me now.

My sense is that watchmaking - like watches in general - can attract some real oddbods. So it might be a hit and miss process for you, too. I get the sense that some of these folks probably don't do the best with interpersonal contact - which is why they love the solitude of watchmaking - but it remains part of the business, especially when you're out there trying to find someone and basically connect with them.

I'll give you a recommendation not far from you: Chronotek. They were recommended to me by Martin Pulli, who runs a shop that sells mostly high end Independents and has close relationships with the likes of Kudoke and Habring. I've used them for several vintage and modern pieces, and at this point I trust them with my most irreplaceable pieces. They're not the cheapest or the fastest, but they are excellent and really nice people to boot. http://chronotekinc.com/isgggtriymtpzw.html?p=home

A combination of recommendations from WIS friends and a dash of Yelp.

I grew up with mine his family has been doing high end watch making since before I was born.

Your last paragraph contains some good points re: the sometimes reclusive nature of matchmakers. I suppose you can see this tendency in many types of people. But it certainly can hold true with those in watchmaking realm.

Lucky guy! Now that's ideal.

@mphonic Thank you so much for your reply. This is going to be my first choice! I went on their Facebook page and, man, it was great. A lot of really interesting a high-quality work done. Would have never heard about them otherwise.

For my Rolex and Omega I found a great business in Seattle - Nesbitt’s. It came from Google and Yelp searches. I took the first risk with my Seamaster 300 and they were phenomenal

Kinda lucky, My mom told me where her boss takes his watches. At first I just needed a battery swap and sizing. After that initial first visit and realizing he was a watchmaker of 50 years I brought him my Opa’s pocket watch for service. Impeccable keeps time to within +/~ 1 second a day. Now my old man brings his Watch collection to him. Yes it was my fault that the old man got addicted to the hobby.