Watchmaker ruined my watch
This is my grandfathers watch which I serviced a month ago because it was not working. It was serviced by a local watchmaker who owns a shop and it kept having accuracy issues since he handed me the watch back. I should’ve noticed the signs to not trust him again.
I took the watch back to him for a crystal replacement because the original one was absolutely beat up. I handed him the watch, and when I came back to pick it up two days later I was absolutely shocked.
First of all, he broke the watch crystal in order to take it out. I absolutely do not think that Seiko designed their cases so that you need to break the crystal in order to take it out. I’m interested in watch servicing and watch complications and every restoration video I saw, the watch crystal gets taken out with a special tool. Boom, literally 50 years of my grandfathers wristime’s result is literally gone. I was planning to store the crystal because it had sentimental value to me. It was the original crystal of the watch. He also did not tell me that he would be breaking the crystal in order to get it out.
This isn’t even the worst part
He apparently used some kind of “glass glue” in order to put the crystal back in its place. I also haven’t seen this method in any restoration video, the crystal gets reattached via friction by the evenly applied pressure of the press tool. Okay, maybe I’m wrong, maybe you do need the “glass glue”. But that does not fucking mean that you need to literally dip the crystal in the glue, and leak the solution everywhere. First of all, the glue was stained all over the gasket including the outside, leaving it with an ugly and dirty pattern. The absolute worst part was that the glue also leaked on the dial. The dial that was preserved in perfect condition for the past 50 years all to get ruined by a watchmaker. The watch glue leaked on the dial and sticked the crystal and dial together, creating a permenant damage that would lead the paint to come off if tried to remove the crystal.
When I first saw the watch, I let him know about the mark on the dial which he said it was because of its age. I of course wasn’t convinced by this so I showed him a side by side comparison (the uploaded pictures) and he said that the mark which he claimed to always exist was covered by the scratches… Crazy. He eventually accepted that it was the glue. He probably knew it before but thought I would believe his story cause I’m a gullible dumbass that has no clue about watches right.
He also charged full price after all these. I’m lost. How do i fix this. He said that there would be a high risk of damaging the dial if he tried to fix it, which is true.
Am I crazy to think that I need to be receiving my watch back in perfect condition if I paid a premium price for the replacement? He was so unbothered and nonchalant about it. Oh, the work I did turned out to be absolute dogshit? Well nothing we can do anymore, sorry, you’ll just have to take it as is…
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Very sorry to hear mate 😔
F_ck me! That is absolutely HORRIBLE!
I'd demand that he have the watch restored to acceptable running and cosmetic condition, otherwise be taken to small claims court ...
I feel for you man . Gutted
Sounds to me like the guy has completely lost interest in watchmaking. Help him in his decision to retire by taking him to court and bad mouthing his capabilities at every opportunity.
Sounds to me like the guy has completely lost interest in watchmaking. Help him in his decision to retire by taking him to court and bad mouthing his capabilities at every opportunity.
My only concern is to get the dial back to its original state. I'm so lost on how to do it. Fuck that guy, though
I suppose there may be a difference between those who service watches and those who restore them. Shouldn’t be the case and I’m sorry for your experience.
It’s times like these sending the watch back to the factory is worth the extra cost.
I’m heartbroken reading your story mate. Especially knowing it’s an heirloom
It’s times like these sending the watch back to the factory is worth the extra cost.
They wouldn't accept it. It wouldn't be logical for them to accept the risk factor of restoring an old watch
Really? I've seen crystals older than this on restoration videos getting removed very carefully without damage
I see. The crystal being destroyed is my lesser concern unfortunately
Oh man, that's hard to hear. I had a minor fear myself upon giving my watch to a watchmaker to replace the Hardlex for an aftermarket sapphire but in the end (knock on wood) everything turned out exceptionally well. And for 14€, no less.
I truly hope you can find a reputable watchmaker to maybe restore some of its old glory. Here's me "praying" for you and your Seiko 🙏🏻
I can’t tell the before pic from after pic as both look bad. So sad to hear. If just for nostalgia maybe it’s a watch that you keep on your desk don’t wear?
I think only certain watch makers are experienced with antique watches
I’m in a big city and would only trust one certain place to work on my old watches, since that’s all they do.
They wouldn't accept it. It wouldn't be logical for them to accept the risk factor of restoring an old watch
I gotcha which I’m a little surprised since most watch Companies would have loved to work on an older watch. Best of luck.
I can’t tell the before pic from after pic as both look bad. So sad to hear. If just for nostalgia maybe it’s a watch that you keep on your desk don’t wear?
I think only certain watch makers are experienced with antique watches
I’m in a big city and would only trust one certain place to work on my old watches, since that’s all they do.
Beautiful watch. I will wear the watch regardless
Yeah he fucked up, do you know if Seiko still offers sore parts for the model? Cause imma be honest here (as a watchmaker that doesn’t break crystals) it’s gonna be almost impossible to get the glue off of the dial. Best choice here is a new dial AND a new watchmaker
A new watchmaker for sure but not planning on replacing the dial
I don’t know where you’re based, but some jurisdictions have requirements that services have to be completed with reasonable care and skill.
Absolutely gutted for you.
Hope something good comes out of this.
Guy sounds more like a butcher than a watch repairer.
So so Sorry !
I was gonna send a mail but I couldn't find his e-mail, I remember finding an emaili but it belonged to some of his online shops customer support.
Shoot him a message on IG then: @wristwatch_revival
I'm heartbroken for you.
This is an affront to small watchmaking outfits everywhere. Truly disgusting behaviour.
Best of luck in getting it fixed up properly.
Shoot him a message on IG then: @wristwatch_revival
Marshal actually had a YT video where some guy sent him a watch (Rolex?) and the crystal had been glued.
I don’t know where you’re based, but some jurisdictions have requirements that services have to be completed with reasonable care and skill.
Looks like he is in Turkey...
Sorry to hear that! The only option is probably to take it to Seiko and see if there's anything they can do. It's worth a shot at least.
Oh no! That's criminal. I am so sorry. That watch dererved better.
I think you should publish his name to help us all avoid this incompetent person.
Lamento leer esto, tengo piezas que las herede de mi abuelo y no querría que pasara, lo primero encontrar un relogero que realmente ame cada pieza que le entra, desafortunada ente quedan pocos ya así que 🤞, al menos pregúntale a ese q pegamento uso. Tengo entendido que son barnices x lo que no son lo suficientemente duros como la soldadura fria
I had a similar situation. I had a titanium Citizen my wife gave me for our 20th anniversary..over 20 years ago. Took it to a local guy because the stem was bent. Local guy said he had to swap the movement.
After the repair the crystal fogged up so I took it to a different guy. He said there was no way the movement was swapped. The stem was replaced but it was wrong. The crown was loose and that caused the moisture leak. The movement is rusted and now needs replaced.
Not sure what I’m going to do with it. Good luck with yours…
Marshal actually had a YT video where some guy sent him a watch (Rolex?) and the crystal had been glued.
Yeah that’s the thing: it’s a frikkin Rolex (wohoo, presumably) and not a „lowly“ Seiko
That’s a helluva life lesson about trusting people. What a shame.