Author Topic: looking for a good watch repair shop  (Read 112639 times)

Offline gapper

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 214
    • allen's posterous
looking for a good watch repair shop
« on: December 07, 2009, 05:51:07 PM »
yo guys, long time no in  ;D

i'm presently looking for a good watch repair shop (who does good job on dial retouch, bracelet/case polishing, or.. glass fitting for swiss watch like omega, rolex)

have come across the following shop (will mask the shopname.. dun worry):
1. mxtik service (Summit USJ)
2. TxC (Amcorp mall)
3. Swxss Repair (Subang Parade)

i know some of you guys pretty close with no. 1, maybe can shed some lights on his service and charges. no. 3 will be my last option, cox i've been here before... not customer orientated and they are selling Lorex homage.

any recommendation other than these?  :Praying:

Offline johnjoux

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 118
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2009, 08:46:00 PM »
Hi Gapper

Of all the 3 shops u listed... 2 are gone case. Been to all 3 .

No.1 , quite lanc... im 25 this year... but an avid watch admirer .. maybe he thinks tht i dont have money to buy. Wear seiko or casio. Not his type of thing he want to repair. So customer service... talk from far... i ask 1 question , answer 1 question

No.3 , this watch repair shop advertise alot .. claim to be 'proffesional' . dont know how pro is he but give me some impression tht they are not pro... go into the shop.. u can see any watchmaking proper place to repair ur watch etc. I cant comment much about this shop cause i have never sent anything to them before.. more like a commercialised watch repair shop

No.2 , This is the best of all .. i spoken to the watchmaker many times... very proffesional and know what he is doing. Price wise is consider reasonable for the type or service & advice given.Sent a ladies rolex for service before , changed a glass before , changed battery & did ultrasonic wash . Wont publish the exact charges given here. Pm me if want to know .

Offline gapper

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 214
    • allen's posterous
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2009, 10:48:39 PM »
hi johnjoux,

hmm... u r the 3rd person telling me the same thing for no 1. but heard he was with omega before doing his own business... naturally.. should be carried good knowledge on 'oh-my-god' watches.
look likes no 2 will be the best out of 3 then. :)

Offline takashi78

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4745
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2009, 06:24:45 AM »
Re No.1 i have been inside 2 times before. Non of the times the owner even say hello. Just look at me when i come in and continue watch his vcd.

The shop at Amcorp mall i have tried them once, to change a batt on my G-Shock Frogman as alot of shop dont dare to touch it.
Took them almost 1hr to change!
Said wanna test for leaks and seals if its still good. The apprentice did it and after change the batt there was no display. But luckily the boss fixed it and it was ok.

Offline sshark

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1828
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2009, 06:43:52 AM »
...
The shop at Amcorp mall i have tried them once, to change a batt on my G-Shock Frogman as alot of shop dont dare to touch it.
Took them almost 1hr to change!
Said wanna test for leaks and seals if its still good. The apprentice did it and after change the batt there was no display. But luckily the boss fixed it and it was ok.

Pardon my ignorant. What makes the Frogman hard to replace its batt ?

/lim/

Offline takashi78

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4745
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #5 on: December 08, 2009, 06:54:56 AM »
I am puzzled by that as well.
Most shops refuse to change because they say they dont sell it and therefore wont touch it.
And alot of shops say the size of the batt is diff and they dont stock it.

Offline Gigi

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1176
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #6 on: December 08, 2009, 07:02:20 AM »

Pardon my ignorant. What makes the Frogman hard to replace its batt ?

/lim/

If i not wrong they use rechargable battery since most frogman are solar powered*

Offline sshark

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1828
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #7 on: December 08, 2009, 07:12:29 AM »
So it is not an ordinary battery. Thanks

Hmm.. tat leads to me to start a new topic on alternate power for watch.

Offline takashi78

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4745
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #8 on: December 08, 2009, 07:25:58 AM »

Pardon my ignorant. What makes the Frogman hard to replace its batt ?

/lim/

If i not wrong they use rechargable battery since most frogman are solar powered*

Mine is not solar powered. If it was then i wouldnt have needed to change the batt also haha

Offline chrisyen

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5959
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #9 on: December 08, 2009, 08:17:16 AM »
no.3.... alot of branch right?

i still curse them....
advertise everyday! claim to use all genuine parts shop right?
but hire ppl with no watch knowledge to sit at counter....
ask you pay for quotation!
they just sub it to others to do...

just to share my bad experience...
they took my watch from bangsar village branch...
3 weeks later after i scolded them twice only they quoted me....
they said balance spring, balance and barrel spring to change.... rm550 1
i said ok... since this old watch has some sentimental value!

then waited for 3 months.... i called and scolded them for taking too long time...
watch back but power reserve only last 12 hours....
i sent it back again....
one and the half month again waited no news... i scolded them over the phone...
then wait for another few weeks.....
got my watch back... but they refuse to extend the warranty.... the 6 months warranty still start from 1st time i took the watch..
&**^%%$

right after the warranty over the barrel spring broke after slight force of winding!
i callled them... they refused  to replace because of warranty expired!

i sent it to a low profile watchmaker whom introduce by a watch fren...
he quoted me for replacing the genuine omega barrel spring for my genuine omega....
he told the previous shop used modified used old american watch barrel spring... thats why its easy to break and unstable!

i shoot photo of the modified and used part and email and call to the shop who cheated me !
but they deny everything !

so becareful !
the positive is i get to know my a new watchmaker who become my watch fren now!




Offline Fred

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 163
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #10 on: December 08, 2009, 08:58:30 AM »
so, would it be better to get manual winding or self winding watches rather than having hassle when comes to changing battery. But again we need to get our mechanical watches serviced. Normally i send them to AD that i usually buy from them where i find it more secure, what do you all think?

Offline ck77

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2782
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2009, 09:11:06 AM »
yenfoolun, sorry to hear your horrorable experience. Saw some of their brances in Bangsar Village and Great Eastern Mall, if am not mistaken. Their shop always empty  :thumbsdown:

Time for us to look for the honest and professional watchmaker. Do share with us your watchmaker if possible.

Fred, not doubt sending back to AD will save a lot of hassle and on top of that, they do offer warranty after the service. However, some serive center here might not be so competent. They will send the watch back to Swisszerland if the damage is complicated, thus will prolong the time and higher cost (do correct me if am wrong)  :-\

Offline Fred

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 163
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #12 on: December 08, 2009, 09:35:44 AM »
yenfoolun, sorry to hear your horrorable experience. Saw some of their brances in Bangsar Village and Great Eastern Mall, if am not mistaken. Their shop always empty  :thumbsdown:

Time for us to look for the honest and professional watchmaker. Do share with us your watchmaker if possible.

Fred, not doubt sending back to AD will save a lot of hassle and on top of that, they do offer warranty after the service. However, some serive center here might not be so competent. They will send the watch back to Swisszerland if the damage is complicated, thus will prolong the time and higher cost (do correct me if am wrong)  :-\
Yeah..i have a watch stucking there for quite some time. How i miss my watch... :Blue:

Offline chrisyen

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5959
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #13 on: December 08, 2009, 10:05:42 AM »
yenfoolun, sorry to hear your horrorable experience. Saw some of their brances in Bangsar Village and Great Eastern Mall, if am not mistaken. Their shop always empty  :thumbsdown:

Time for us to look for the honest and professional watchmaker. Do share with us your watchmaker if possible.

Fred, not doubt sending back to AD will save a lot of hassle and on top of that, they do offer warranty after the service. However, some serive center here might not be so competent. They will send the watch back to Swisszerland if the damage is complicated, thus will prolong the time and higher cost (do correct me if am wrong)  :-\

i now just go to 2 watchmaker i knew...
so pm me if u guys need to repair your watch...
because 2 of them from different part....
so i can solve most swatch group n richemont group  watches problems.....

Offline Gigi

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1176
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #14 on: December 08, 2009, 11:47:06 AM »
Its like sending your car lets say honda to a official service center (which is more expensive) or you can send to a independent service center (is will be cheaper for sure)..

I am curious how those independent reapairer able to get the spare part for certain of watches like Lolex or omega as those part are usually only avalable at official service center?

Offline gapper

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 214
    • allen's posterous
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #15 on: December 08, 2009, 12:49:27 PM »
oledi sent my watch to RSC lastime for complete movement overhaul, already cost me rm2k+
the RSC guy told me nothing much being replaced, just re-oil, re-calibrate and cleaning. wanted to get the bracelet change also, but was quoted 2.5k+ lastime... i was like..

RSC.. i scare scare... now want to do glass replacement n some cosmetics touch-up, i dun wan to be cut like that lor... economy bad ler.

will go to no 2 n hv a peep first.

Offline Scott C.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2345
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #16 on: December 08, 2009, 02:03:23 PM »
Hi Gapper,

I just got back my Sub from RSC and complete overhaul cost around 850MYR, got some part changed too (i think few gears and crown)...

Is your RM2K included the bracelet?

I find the Rolex service is the cheapest so far... I once sent back a JLC and it cost me MYR1.5K++ and the time will not accurate...   :Scolding:


scott.


Offline Gigi

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1176
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #17 on: December 08, 2009, 02:37:32 PM »
Hi Gapper,

I just got back my Sub from RSC and complete overhaul cost around 850MYR, got some part changed too (i think few gears and crown)...

Is your RM2K included the bracelet?

I find the Rolex service is the cheapest so far... I once sent back a JLC and it cost me MYR1.5K++ and the time will not accurate...   :Scolding:


scott.



wao.. all the while i tot reparing lolex watch would be very very expensive... err is that cost only maintanace of the movement or is it the totally full service (polishing)  ???

Offline takashi78

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4745
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #18 on: December 08, 2009, 02:53:57 PM »
yenfoolun, sorry to hear your horrorable experience. Saw some of their brances in Bangsar Village and Great Eastern Mall, if am not mistaken. Their shop always empty  :thumbsdown:

Time for us to look for the honest and professional watchmaker. Do share with us your watchmaker if possible.

Fred, not doubt sending back to AD will save a lot of hassle and on top of that, they do offer warranty after the service. However, some serive center here might not be so competent. They will send the watch back to Swisszerland if the damage is complicated, thus will prolong the time and higher cost (do correct me if am wrong)  :-\

My fren, welcome to the world of owning a mechanical watch. Be prepared to pay for service. Its just a fact of owning these beauties.

Offline Fred

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 163
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #19 on: December 08, 2009, 04:07:46 PM »
seems like owning these watches is a nightmare to me. Feeling regret to get hooked up with this hobby... :HammerHead: kidding...

Offline lilpronaz

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 178
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #20 on: December 08, 2009, 06:07:33 PM »
no.3.... alot of branch right?

i still curse them....

Wow...me too. Banned them. Screwed up the power reserve of my Tag too.

Offline johnjoux

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 118
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #21 on: December 08, 2009, 08:53:54 PM »
seems like owning these watches is a nightmare to me. Feeling regret to get hooked up with this hobby... :HammerHead: kidding...

Imagine have few patek & some with complications perpetual ... 5 years once also chiak beh liao..

Offline Scott C.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2345
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #22 on: December 08, 2009, 10:17:13 PM »
Myr850 it's complete service and some parts changed.. The polish is FOC I asked them not to do it for my Sub since it doesn't have much scratches and not ding.. Don't want to thinner the case but frequent polish... Further more, should leave some history behind :D

Rolex is consider less maintainance cost, but don't underestimate other brand.. Not to mention AP, PP VC etc...
I heard AP ROOS normal service cost 4K myr ... Really sweating!!!

Offline chrisyen

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5959
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #23 on: December 09, 2009, 09:25:58 AM »
haha... thats why i maintain good frriendship with 2 of my watchmaker frens...
1 work at richemont !
the other has a close buddy in swatch !

Offline ck77

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2782
Re: looking for a good watch repair shop
« Reply #24 on: December 09, 2009, 09:29:19 AM »
haha... thats why i maintain good frriendship with 2 of my watchmaker frens...
1 work at richemont !
the other has a close buddy in swatch !

He he, from now on, I wanna be a close buddy of yours  :Laughing_on_floor: