Reliable watch repair in Providence?

January 8, 2009 3:47 AM

A while ago, I had the battery to my (nice) watch replaced while on vacation. Since it was water resistant to a decent depth, I had the store do a water pressure test, post-replacement. Not too long after, but definitely after the vacation, the watch stopped working. It would also fog up inside the watch face. I want my watch to work again, but I've lost a bit of faith in the average jewelry store. I live in Providence RI. Do you know any reputable, reliable, and skilled watch repair persons?
posted by vaguelyweird to shopping (4 comments total)

Don't know if Boston is too far for you, but Tourneau will set you up. Will feel overpriced but they offer peace of mind.
posted by jeremias at 4:45 AM on January 8

The US licensed repair center for Mondaine happens to be very close to you:

PROVIDENCE WATCH HOSPITAL INC.
Garden City Shopping Center 168 Hillside Road
Cranston, RI 02920

Online: http://www.watchhospital.com/, which also lists a Wakefield location and gives hours.

I have no experience with them (I found out about them when I got a Mondaine automatic as a gift), but I'd give them a try if I were you.
posted by brianogilvie at 6:46 AM on January 8

I have gone to Saltzman's Watches on Reservoir Avenue in Cranston many times. They are very professional, and have always fixed my timepieces right the first time. I would recommend them over the Providence Watch Hospital.

Saltzman Watches
1024 Reservoir Ave
Cranston, RI 02910
posted by LouMac at 7:31 AM on January 8

The Watch Hospital isn't exactly Sloan Kettering: I took a couple of watches there -- one awesome but cheap Disney wristwatch and one old pocket watch -- and got apologetic shrugs. (At least they didn't charge me.) For my ten-y.o. Colibri pocket watch they were happy top swap batteries, but they also wanted to sell me a $49 cleaning.

Do you have a good (i.e., "not in a mall") jeweler? They could probably tell you who does their watch repairs.

Honestly, the kid with a cart in the Emerald Square Mall has done a few battery changes for me and even gave me a spare watch band post for free last time.
posted by wenestvedt at 9:09 AM on January 8