Time Pieces

[Spike Jones]

Does anyone know if there are any good jewellers in the UK that work on WWII time pieces ?

If there are any, the next question would be - Do you get the piece repaired or leave it as it is?

I would be interested to hear what people think.

[lambstew]

Hi Mike

Does anyone know if there are any good jewellers in the UK that work on WWII time pieces ?

If there are any, the next question would be - Do you get the piece repaired or leave it as it is?

I would be interested to hear what people think.

I'm a military time piece collector among other things. What kind of time piece do you have - wrist watch, pocket watch? Any pics? If you plan on using what you have once in a while then I would go for an overhaul. If your plans are display only then I wouldn't bother unless what you have is a high grade watch like a Luftwaffe chronograph or navy chronometre/deck watch. A high grade time piece in working condition that has been overhauled will always fetch you more money come resale time.

I don't know any reputable watch repair centres in the UK since I live in Canada.

I would suggest re-posting your question on the Military Watch Resource web site forum since those guys are fanatics and you will get other opinions. There are also many members from the UK that post there who might be able to suggest a good place to have the watch overhauled.

Regards,

Konrad

[Spike Jones]

I'm a military time piece collector among other things. What kind of time piece do you have - wrist watch, pocket watch? Any pics? If you plan on using what you have once in a while then I would go for an overhaul. If your plans are display only then I wouldn't bother unless what you have is a high grade watch like a Luftwaffe chronograph or navy chronometre/deck watch. A high grade time piece in working condition that has been overhauled will always fetch you more money come resale time.

I don't know any reputable watch repair centres in the UK since I live in Canada.

I would suggest re-posting your question on the Military Watch Resource web site forum since those guys are fanatics and you will get other opinions. There are also many members from the UK that post there who might be able to suggest a good place to have the watch overhauled.

Regards,

Konrad

Thanks for the reply Konrad.

I have a pocket watch from a Waffen-SS Knightscross winner, engraved and all that. I do not intend using it at all, but thought it would have been nice to get it working again. Do you have any good URL's that I can view?

[Erich B.]

watches

I've got 2 non working Luftwaffe chronographs--a Hanhart and a Tutima. I've found a watch maker in Germany who repairs them but would prefer to find a US place if possible. Has anyone found a reliable watch maker in the US who can do the work?
Erich

[Lee Ragan]

I've known some War Between the States reenactors who carry 19th century pocket watches & seem to have little trouble finding a reputable watch repairman in most larger metro areas. If you can get watches repaired that are well over 100 years old, repairing a mid 20th century timepiece should not be that big a problem.
I have an antique mantel clock that has been in the family for over 100 years & can get it fixxed in a town of less than 100,000 population.

[MikeB]

Time Pieces

I have to agree with Lee. I spent a few years working in an antique clock repair shop as a volunteer to learn the repair of spring driven clocks. This shop had a fellow who also repaired watches. I would recommend that you look at an antique clock shop first. While some don't have watch repairmen on their premises, they often have qualified folks that they send them out to for repair. Normally they will get a quote for you on the repair first and then get back to you with the cost. You should always ask for a quote first so that you are not surprised by a large bill when you go in to pick up your piece. Best of luck. Mike

[Erich B.]

For a regular clock or watch I would agree, but when a complicated device like a chronograph or chronometer is involved, you need a specialist--preferably an actual master watch maker. I've had a few experiences with repairers who can fix simple timepieces and who thought that they could repair a chronograph, only to find out they were in way over their respective heads and abilities. I hate to ship the watches outside the US, but it's probably a wise move in the long run.
Erich

[MikeB]

Time Pieces

Erich-
As you point out, dealing with a chronograph is alot different than doing a repair to a standard pocket watch. A pocket watch normally measures time on its face with a minute and hour hand. A chronograph usually has a stop-watch function for measuring seconds, and 2 or 3 subdials that measure minutes and hours. These operate in conjuction with other dials that enable the wearer to calculate speeds or distances. There may be many more pieces and additional functions that a chronograph performs that are not found in a regular pocket watch. I too have seen watch repair guys open up a chronograph and take it apart only to have no clue as to how to re-assemble it! Sounds like Spike has a pocket watch, so should have few problems finding someone to fix it. Let us know how it works out.... Mike

[Matt Starr]

cc

[lambstew]

I've got 2 non working Luftwaffe chronographs--a Hanhart and a Tutima. I've found a watch maker in Germany who repairs them but would prefer to find a US place if possible. Has anyone found a reliable watch maker in the US who can do the work?
Erich

Hi Erich,

Industrial Watch Works or IWW is the ONLY place i would send something like what you have if you want a place in the US. Jack at IWW specializes in military watches and the collectors who visit the Military Watch Resource swear by him.

Here is the link: http://www.angelfire.com/blues/andca...Firstpage.html

Give him an email and explain what you have.

Regards,

Konrad

[lambstew]

Thanks for the reply Konrad.

I have a pocket watch from a Waffen-SS Knightscross winner, engraved and all that. I do not intend using it at all, but thought it would have been nice to get it working again. Do you have any good URL's that I can view?

Here is the link to the Military Watch Resource website:

http://www.mwrforum.net/cgi-bin/mwr.pl

Another site worth visiting is the German Military Watch Forum:

http://germanwatch.proboards43.com/index.cgi

Good luck!

Konrad

[paddywhack]

iv a watch by TITUS from the 40s that i got off the estand and i was looking for info on it! can any of you guys help???

[Erich B.]

Thanks Konrad,
I'll call him and see what he can do--again, thanks for the link!
Erich

Hi Erich,

Industrial Watch Works or IWW is the ONLY place i would send something like what you have if you want a place in the US. Jack at IWW specializes in military watches and the collectors who visit the Military Watch Resource swear by him.

Here is the link: http://www.angelfire.com/blues/andca...Firstpage.html

Give him an email and explain what you have.

Regards,

Konrad

[lambstew]

iv a watch by TITUS from the 40s that i got off the estand and i was looking for info on it! can any of you guys help???

What would you like to know? Titus was one of many Swiss companies that sold watches to the Wehrmacht. There should be a D-H property mark on the back along with a serial number.

Seeing some close-up pictures would help as well.

Regards,

Konrad

[Spike Jones]

Here is the link to the Military Watch Resource website:

http://www.mwrforum.net/cgi-bin/mwr.pl

Another site worth visiting is the German Military Watch Forum:

http://germanwatch.proboards43.com/index.cgi

Good luck!

Konrad

Thanks Konrad