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MECHANICAL WATCHES

MECHANICAL WATCH REPAIR:

Mechanical watches have a lot of pressure that is applied by the mainspring to the tiny surfaces of the moving parts. Some watches have as much pressure as a locomotive's wheels pressing on the train tracks. This means these parts need proper lubrication.

Over time the oils dry out and break down and when that happens the parts start to wear. This wear damages the pivots on the wheels and can in some cases damage the jewels which the pivots ride in. If left operating in this condition eventually the watch will stop working and parts will have to be replaced.

The recommendation is that a mechanical watch should be cleaned and oiled every 2-7 years depending on the type, quality and brand. It is better to have your watch serviced before it stops running. It's like the old Fram oil filter commercials - "You can pay me a little $, now. Or a lot $$$, later."

Does your watch Stop and Start?

If your mechanical watch runs erratically or stops and starts after it is fully wound or doesn't keep good time, it most likely needs to be cleaned and oiled. There are several reasons this could be happening.

If your watch is not an auto-wind watch and you can't fully wind the watch until it stops, the most likely problem is that the mainspring is broken. To replace the mainspring on most watches requires complete disassembly.

Water and Watches

Water and watches don't mix. Even the smallest amount of water inside your watch can cause major damage. If you see any sign of moisture or water inside your watch send it to us immediately.

Don't think it will just dry out and be fine. It will take a very long time to partially dry out and while it is drying out it will be causing rust and damage to your watch. Rust can start inside a watch within a few days. Letting it sit could severely damage your watch.

If your watch has gotten wet or you see any sign of moisture or water inside the watch, send it to us immediately so we can open it and dry it out quickly which will minimize any damage.

It is very difficult to estimate water damage and we will work on an hourly rate with watches that have severe water damage. The final cost depends on how bad the water damage is.

What We Don't Do:

We don't do swish and lube jobs. The problem with this is there is no way to get the watch cleaned adequately.

Without disassembly, dirt in the jewels and mainspring barrel and so on stays there. It has no way to get out. Surface tension holds it in place in some cases and closed barrels hold the majority of worn out lubricant and dirt inside.

In addition, a product is used by these people to "lubricate" but it dries out quickly and then it turns into a green sticky, gummy mess that makes the watch run badly or not at all. It can actually make the watch worse than it was before. Sending it back again to them will result in the same thing and this can go on and on until you have paid too much and wasted a lot of time.

Places that do the Swish and Lube do not have the skills to properly service a watch. They do not care how many times you have to bring your watch back to them as they run it through the machine again and most times charge for doing so. Each time it goes through it damages the watch. The only way to stop this cycle is to send it to a company that employs real watchmakers like us.

When sending your watch to YWI the following is performed on your mechanical watch during an overhaul:

This list is not complete.

• Check winding and setting mechanism freedom

   

• Complete disassembly of the watch and movement

   

• Movement is cleaned in an ultrasonic made specifically for watch movements

   

• Case and band are cleaned in a different ultrasonic made for this purpose

   

• Check barrel arbor and endshake

   

• Jewels inspected for chips or cracks

   

• Balance is checked for proper end play and trueness

   

• Reassembled using the proper tools and replacement of any worn or damaged parts

   

  

  Pictured is a professional mainspring barrel closing tool. It prevents damage to the barrel during the closing of the barrel.

   

• Lubrication

   

• Timed using a digital electronic timing machine (a Witschi Watch Expert II)

   

  

   

• Amplitude of balance is checked

   

• Pivots are checked

   

• The watch is observed for 1-2 days to make sure it is operating properly and several tests are performed.

   

Cleaning of your mechanical watch:

Your mechanical watch will be cleaned in an ultrasonic watch cleaner except for the hairspring and balance which need special care and cleaning.

Hairsprings and balance wheels are cleaned using a special cleaner made specifically for this. Any oily residue left on a hairspring if cleaned in the ultrasonic will make the watch impossible to time. An ultrasonic cleaner will damage newer balance wheels.

Timing of your mechanical watch:

Your mechanical watch will be timed using a state of the art Witschi Watch Expert II digital timing machine. Digital timing machines are more accurate and give much more detailed information than the old style paper tape units that just put a couple of lines of dots on a strip of paper.

The digital timing machine we use tells us many different parameters about your watch during the timing process allowing many adjustments to be made to correct many problems or potential problems. The old style paper tape machines cannot give this information and therefore your watch could not be repaired properly.

Other Mechanical Watch Repairs We Do:

• Balance staffs replaced starting at $65.

   

• Jewel replacement starts at $25 per jewel + labor.

   

• Crystal Replacement (plastic, rock glass, mineral glass and sapphire).

   

  A new crystal makes a big difference in how your watch will look and can make an old watch look almost new!

   

  If your wrist watch has a round "mineral glass" crystal now, a sapphire crystal may be available that will fit which will give you a virtually scratch resistant crystal.

   

• Watch Bands.

   

  Watch bands, watch straps and watch bracelets. After market bands in Suede, Calf skin, Oilskin, Leather, Lizard, Crocodile, Aligator, Stingray, Shark, Snake, Metal - both Expandable and Link, PVC Sport, Nylon Sport. Rolex, Breitling, Tag Heuer and many other styles.

   

• Crown, Stem, Pushers and Case Tube Replacement.

   

  Genuine and After Market - Dress, Dustproof, Lever Back, Pocket Watch, Waterproof, Screwdown, Divers and Colored Stone Crowns. When these parts are worn, stop sealing or if you want a different style, we can replace them for you.

   

• Dial Refinishing.

   

  If the paint is coming off your dial or the luminosity is no longer working

   

  If you just want a different color(s) on the dial then

   

  Dial refinishing will make it look just like new and give your watch that look you desire.

   

• Hand Replacement.

   

  Maybe the hands on your watch are bent maybe the luminosity is no longer working on your watch hands

   

  Or maybe you just want a different style or color.

   

  We can replace the hands and repaint the hands and repaint the luminous so they glow again.

   

• Custom Part Replacement.

   

  Such as balance staffs, stems, dials, and more are available for your watch.

   

• Restoration.

   

  Do you have a watch that's in a bad way? We can restore it to like new condition.

   

STANDARD Grade Mechanical Watch Overhaul:

Pricing starts at $105 + parts.

This is only a starting price to give you an idea of the starting cost. An Estimate will be provided once the watch is inspected.

HIGH Grade Mechanical Watch Overhaul:

There are many more as well. If you are unsure if your watch is a high grade watch contact us and we'll let you know.

Pricing starts at $280 + parts.

This is only a starting price to give you an idea of the cost. An Estimate will be provided once the watch is inspected.

Warranty:

Please click on the link above to read our warranty.

A written copy of our warranty is sent with your watch when it is repaired. Any changes to our warranty pertaining to your watch will be noted on your invoice.

NOTE 1:

We do our best to ensure your watch will run properly and keep time.

Sometimes it may not be possible to get a watch to keep time properly.

This is true of low grade watches or old watches that have been neglected and those which have been damaged by previous attempts to repair your watch.

Sometimes even though everything has been fixed properly a watch will not run properly or keep time. When this happens we will do what we can for you and your watch within reason.

Estimates:

• Standard Grade Mechanical Wrist Watches: $30

   

• High Grade Wrist Watches: $60

   

Estimates are to cover time and return shipping by priority mail.

After reviewing your estimate if you decide to have your watch repaired the entire estimate fee will be credited toward the final invoice.

• NO estimates of any kind will be given unless We have the opportunity to examine the watch.

   

  The reasons for this are:

   

  #1 There is no way to know exactly what problem is causing the symptoms you are having. Most symptoms have several possible causes.

   

  #2 Some things like a broken crystal can require addtional work like a new gasket and maybe bezel if the bezel has been damaged or new hands if they have been damaged due to the crystal breaking.

   

  #3 Recently a law was passed by the US government that states all companies giving estimates for work have to be within a certain percentage of the final invoice. There are exclusions to this rule but basically there is no way to give an estimate that meets he new law without being able to inspect and determine what the exact cause of the problem is.

*10% off complete service sale is for a limited time with restrictions on certain models. Estimate and shipping costs are not discounted.

All images and text on this web site are Copyright © 2004-2010 Yellowstone Watch, Inc., All rights reserved.

Yellowstone Watch, Inc.

Physical: 1001 N. Spokane St. | Post Falls, ID | 83854 | USA

Mailing address: P.O. Box 535 | Post Falls, ID | 83877 | USA

208-262-9425

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