Recommendations for watch repair in Seattle?

February 23, 2007 10:18 AM

Any recommendations for watch repair in Seattle?

When my 50's-era manual-winding Omega Seamaster (similar to this one) stopped working, I took it to the downtown Ben Bridge on 4th Ave. They came back with an estimate of $660 for all the cleaning, parts, and repairs. This came as quite a surprise since the whole watch is only worth around $200. If the watch didn't have a bit of sentimental value, I would just forget about it. But, since it does, I'm asking for any recommendations for a reliable watchmaker who can provide a second opinion. Is it possibly worth poking around at the North Seattle Community College horology program for a referral?

posted by mhum to clothing, beauty, & fashion (6 comments total)

You should be able to get an answer in one of the the Omega-specific forums at TimeZone or WatchUSeek, or the general Poor Man's Watch Forum. Community members tend to be quite a helpful lot, and if they can't give you specifics for watch repairs Seattle, they should at least be able to point you in the right direction.
posted by SteveInMaine at 11:02 AM on February 23, 2007

I like Tiempo.
posted by owhydididoit at 11:03 AM on February 23, 2007

If the Ballard Time Shop is still there, I had good experience with them, but mostly low end stuff, not big repairs.
posted by jessamyn at 11:10 AM on February 23, 2007

The TimeZone forums are a great place to get recommendations. You want to send your watch where collectors send theirs. I recommend the vintage forum more than the brand-specific forums.

You should not worry about where the repairman is, and you will probably not find one local. This does not matter if you send the watch Registered mail and insist that it's sent back that way (any reputable repairman will insist on that anyway.) Do NOT take a good watch to a random local jeweler without good reason (recommendation from someone who knows watches).

As you already know, the $660 estimate is crazy and you'll only get that from a jeweler who thinks you may have more money than sense.
posted by putril at 11:29 AM on February 23, 2007

Thanks for the pointers everyone. After looking on the Omega website, I suspect what they're actually proposing for my watch isn't merely a simple repair but a full-on restoration. I'll check out these other places to see if my watch really needs all that work.
posted by mhum at 11:30 AM on February 23, 2007

North Seattle Community college has a watchmakers school that may be helpful. I once met a fellow that, as one of his projects, restored a very nice watch and added many of his own touches to it. It was probably one of the coolest watches I have ever seen.

As I understand it, they are one of the few programs like this on the west coast.

I don't know if they have a public facility for repairs, but I would imagine someone there would know shops in the area.
posted by Chickenjack at 2:04 PM on February 23, 2007