→ Repair of antique watches
Repair of antique watches: let's play with time?
One of the strongest human passions is the craving for collecting. People collect everything from butterflies and stamps to coins and cars. Antique clocks are a popular collectible.
Have you recently discovered an interesting piece of antique clock in the house of a long-gone great-grandmother? Well, now you have 2 options:
- Or it is profitable to sell them to an interested collector (and there will be one sooner or later).
- Or become a connoisseur of the beautiful vintage clock.
Whichever route you choose, you will need to repair antique clocks (the chances that they are still in perfect condition and do not need repair are extremely small). What for?
Then, what if you decide to sell an old watch, then their value will be much lower than the real one in case of a non-working mechanism. It is better to give the device for repair and not lose in price, do you agree?
If you decide to become a collector, you still cannot avoid the repair of mechanical watches. Of course, you can just admire antique watches. There are extremely elegant and amazing floor specimens, for example. However, these are not paintings. And it's even more pleasant to fix the wall clock by handing it in for repair, and use it for its intended purpose.
Where can I go to repair antique clocks? For real professionals, because repair in this case is special.
Restoration of antique clocks: repair as a tribute to memory
Speaking of watch repair, it is impossible not to mention the restoration. Restoration and repair are links in the same chain. However, these are different concepts.
The task of the restoration is to return the original look of the clock while preserving maximum number original parts. Clock restoration masters of each branch of the Prosper-SB household are artists who create copies. No "gags" - just following the original.
This stage is extremely difficult, because. sometimes it is simply not known how antique clocks looked before. And here the watchmaker's knowledge of history comes to the fore.
A good craftsman can remember or find in reference books what an old clock looked like centuries ago. And, when making repairs, to recreate the overall REAL picture, based on their RELIABLE knowledge. Is it possible to get the same repair in small offices?
This is a BIG question, since in the days of making antique watches, more than one specialist was required:
- The carpenter worked on the watch case;
- The watch itself, its mechanism and repairs were carried out by the watchmaker;
- The engraver decorated watches, etc.
Accordingly, a modern master, when repairing an antique pocket watch (or any other), must have knowledge in several areas. Only under such conditions will watch repair be of high quality.
There are other stumbling blocks to this watch repair.
Antique watch repair: time has erased everything
Guess what a craftsman needs to repair a Swiss watch that is, say, over half a century old? Knowledge of the mechanisms of these watches is true. What else? If the watch is in good condition, then the repair is quite simple: the glass has been replaced, the parts have been replaced, the “insides” have been cleaned.
But this is not watch repair in the sense in which many people understand it. We are talking about details. Where to get them? To come to a flea market and say: “I need a pendelfedr made 100 years ago to repair watches”?
Workshops of Barkalai Odyssey - the best option if you need to repair a prestigious watch with high quality. Master Barkalay Odysseus, hereditary watchmaker, for over 16 years adjusts, repairs and polishes watches. Watches worth more than a million rubles passed through his hands and the hands of his students - and they became like new!
We will return the watch to its original appearance, brilliance and splendor, novelty or a touch of antiquity ... Work on the restoration of watches in our workshop is carried out quickly, efficiently, inexpensively - three out of three. Sometimes it happens!
Our watch repair services include:
- replacement of a strap or bracelet, their repair;
- recovery appearance watch cases;
- hull repair;
- restoring the tightness of the watch;
- clockwork repair;
- cleaning of the case and mechanism;
- replacement of damaged elements of the mechanism;
- engraving;
- other works.
Restoration of watches, floor and wall, pocket and antique - none of this is alien to our specialists. In doing our job, we:
- We use only original spare parts and components;
- we allow only experienced highly qualified craftsmen to work;
- we ensure the safety of the mechanism, case, strap or bracelet, do not allow their damage, damage;
- we take into account every little thing;
- if necessary - we change and refine the appearance of the watch, add precious stones and metals, replace individual elements;
- the procedure must be carried out as soon as possible so as not to keep our clients waiting for a single extra minute;
- full financial transparency - you will see what your funds are spent on, what part of the costs goes to materials and components, and what part goes to our own work;
- reasonable price level Good work it is customary to pay in an orphan way;
- access to work - only for professionals, qualified experienced craftsmen with extensive experience;
- the use of modern tools and equipment is a sure guarantee of performing work efficiently and on time;
- providing a guarantee;
- provision of support and related services.
Restoration of clock mechanisms is the work of returning the clock to its original appearance. The purpose of its implementation can be both refreshment and rejuvenation of the appearance, its renewal, and, conversely, artificial aging of watches. But always - this is a procedure for giving them a spectacular appearance and full restoration of working capacity.
This procedure is necessary for both ancient and even antique, and modern models, to maintain their attractive appearance or to restore it after damage. The damage itself - in the form of scratches, chips, dents, curvature of the case, cracks, etc. - accumulates over time.
Moreover, metals tend to age, and their condition is greatly affected by natural processes: the drying of the lubricant, oxidation under the action of oxygen and moisture from the air. Add here careless handling, blows, shakes, scratches.
Yours deserve special attention. wrist watch. These are most susceptible to external factors, mechanical stress. Most people swing their arms when they walk. Bumps against walls, protruding corners of objects are inevitable.
Of course, this service is carried out only in relation to expensive, exclusive, original or simply commemorative and individually significant items.
Restoration of various watches in Moscow, performed by our specialists, is a unique opportunity to restore their original appearance. Regardless of the model and brand of watches, the complexity of the design. We will cope with the work in the shortest possible time, and our prices will pleasantly surprise even skeptics.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the repair of antique watches is a real art. Masters deal with unique rarities, and the standard approach to watch repair is unacceptable in this case. As a rule, to our repair shop wall clock are treated in case of serious damage to the case or mechanics, when very delicate work with ancient mechanisms and a special restoration technology are required.
There are many good watchmaking workshops in Moscow, and our workshop occupies a worthy place among the best of them. watch workshop on Prospekt Mira provides services to individuals and organizations in Moscow. Watch repair(wall, floor and desktop) is carried out in the workshop. The craftsmen have accumulated extensive experience in repairing all types and brands of watches, from the simplest items to the most complex mechanisms, from watches made more than a hundred years ago to modern chronographs.
In our workshop antique clock repair handled by a watchmaker with extensive experience.
Not all watch shops will be able to repair vintage mechanisms.
There are two types of repair of antique watches: repair of the mechanism and repair that does not require intervention in the mechanism (repair and restoration of the case)
Watch repair with intervention in the mechanism is produced approximately according to the same scheme, regardless of the watch brand. The work of a watchmaker is divided into several stages:
1. Disassembly of the mechanism with subsequent cleaning of parts.
2. Fault detection.
3. Elimination of breakdown.
4. Assembly of clockwork.
5. Accuracy adjustment.
The cost of watch repair is determined by the level of complexity of the repair. The cost of repair depends on the model of the watch, the complexity of the mechanism and the year of its release.
Restoring table and wall clocks, we do our best to give them a second life. In case of any damage to the watch, you can contact our professional craftsmen who will inform you about the real state of the watch and perform all the necessary work while maintaining the original shape of the case and the original mechanics. Both owners of single copies and collectors who own large quantity table and wall clocks purchased at auctions in Moscow.
The old clock is still running...
The clock must always run. If they have not worked for a long time, to start them, you need to remove the mechanism again, clean it, and so on. Watches, like people, are so different that the approach to them must be strictly individual. No real vintage clock will work in the same way: some will work slower, others a little faster. Even their fight is unique for each of them.
There are few watchmakers in Moscow who can repair both modern watch movements and an old breguet. Such a master should understand different systems watches, be able to not only replace damaged parts with factory parts, but often make them yourself. Some craftsmen can restore the clockwork simply according to the drawing: they are aware of all kinds of watch innovations and work on modern equipment.
Watchmaker must have the qualities of a sniper - sharp eyesight, with a firm hand and endurance, and also patience, patience and patience.
Antique watches include watches produced between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 20th century. However, in the category of rarity (rare) watches, more "young" models of watches of experimental and small-scale production can also fall into the category. The peculiarity of this category of watches is their uniqueness.
Most often, antique clocks require repair and repair. At best, you can get by with just cleaning and adjusting the mechanism, but this is rare. Often, vintage watches will not start simply because the old grease has thickened, and the watch needs to be cleaned and lubricated.
Mechanical watches need regular lubrication In addition to lubrication, watches require regular cleaning. Even if you do not use the watch for a long period of time, it must be wound regularly. The grease that keeps the watch running smoothly and accurately thickens much faster when the movement is idle.
Repairing antique watches is fundamentally different from repairing modern watches. Disassembly and assembly diagrams, lubrication charts, standard assemblies - all this is usually absent for vintage watches. It is necessary to get acquainted with each ancient mechanism, understand its strengths and weaknesses, choose a repair option that will preserve the original details.
Repair of vintage and antique watches
If a old clock won't start or run, then this may be due to damage to parts or thickening of the lubricant in the mechanism due to its long non-use. In a non-working watch, the ratchet is crushed, the teeth on the drum, the pendulum holder or the winding spring are broken. Antique watches are quite vulnerable to shock and do not have moisture resistance, so some damage is due to the watch being dropped or water getting into the case. There are frequent cases when, after disassembling the watch, not only wear and deformation of parts is detected, but even their complete absence. This is the most difficult repair of antique watches, because the original parts are no longer on sale, and the craftsmen need to painstakingly select replacements for them or make parts manually using special equipment.
During work, a watchmaker often does not have instructions and diagrams for disassembling and assembling watches at hand, but experience and qualifications allow our craftsmen to perform the most complex repair of wall and table clocks in Moscow.
A separate area in the repair of antique watches is case restoration especially if the grandfather clock needs to be repaired. According to the technologies used, the restoration work performed by the watchmaker is close to the restoration of antique wooden furniture. In this case, it is required to recreate the appearance of the case with maximum reliability using special varnishes and technologies of grinding, tinting and varnishing. Carved elements that adorn the case of antique watches require special attention.
I would like to note that we often have to eliminate the consequences of unskilled repair of antique watches and restore them bit by bit. Therefore, if your rarity is dear to you, then contact our watch workshop immediately.
Let's preserve and increase the heritage, protect the memory! The old clock will go more precisely than before, not lagging behind and not hurrying for a second ... Tell me, is it impossible? And we will answer: who said that?
Our watch repair services in Moscow include:
- full restoration of working capacity;
- increasing the accuracy of the course;
- replacement of worn-out elements of the mechanism;
- restoration work;
- case and glass polishing;
- applying or restoring engraving;
- cleaning the mechanism and case, bracelet and chain;
- bracelet, chain repair;
- prevention.
Vintage watch repair requires special care and scrupulousness, in particular, it involves:
- the use of original spare parts, if possible - of the same age as the watch (especially those elements that make up the appearance of the product);
- especially careful handling of the clock mechanism (comparable to the degree of accuracy when repairing expensive Swiss watches);
- the need to perform additional operations, such as restoration of watches, restoring their original appearance;
- engaging experienced qualified craftsmen, experts in their field, who are ready to fully immerse themselves in the work - so as not to miss a single, even the most insignificant detail;
- perseverance, perseverance and more perseverance.
Not many people can boast of having an old clock. Hours that would be passed down from generation to generation, becoming a cultural heritage and the property of the whole family. And therefore, the desire of the owner of such devices is completely understandable - God forbid, what will happen to them - to repair, restore them.
The watch repair procedure is a complex and responsible action, because not only the working capacity of the mechanism depends on the correctness and accuracy of all operations, but also the preservation of the appearance of the entire device, which, sometimes, is much more important.
The repair of old clocks is carried out by experienced personnel who specialize in working with clockwork. If necessary, we will also clean the case, bracelet and movement.
Repair of rare watches in Moscow
Antique models deserve special mention in the context of the repair of ancient mechanisms. Repairing such watches is doubly time-consuming and difficult. The difficulty comes from:
- when repairing, as a rule, the master does not have diagrams of the mechanism and must carefully study and fully understand it before starting work;
- often watches are brought in for repairs after attempts to restore their performance by low-skilled inexperienced watchmakers, whose work only increases the number of breakdowns and damages;
- the complexity of the task can vary from a simple change of lubricant to the repair of many damages accumulated over many years of continuous operation.
Do not confuse antique clock repair with just old clock work. Repairing old watches is less time consuming, simpler, easier. As a rule, there are no schemes, drawings. At least they can be found. These watches were often made to order, the old ones were mass-produced, and they are often of little value to third parties.
Of course, this does not mean at all that the repair will be carried out carelessly, as G-d puts on the soul. On the contrary, a family heirloom that keeps the memory of bygone times deserves no less, and perhaps even more attention than an antique device.
And the masters of Barclay's Odyssey understand this. We work at a convenient time for you, in Moscow. You can reach us by car and metro.