Some watches are defined by who wore them, and this is certainly the case for the Universal Geneve Tri-Compax “Eric Clapton”. His taste of watch straps may be disputable, but I remember having one of those in the early 70s as well 😉

The watch itself is of undisputed taste, and there is also a version with a dark dial with white sub-dials, referred to as the “Evil Clapton” version.

These beasts are rare enough, and even rarer when in good condition, as this one, which was sent in by a customer from Florida.

Unfortunately, the watch isn’t working, so we’ll have to find out what’s ailing it. Continue reading →

We quite often have watches in the workshop that don’t have a lot of commercial value, but have great sentimental value to our customers.
This Sicura is certainly one of those.

The repair bill will be quite a bit higher than the value of the watch is, but if the watch belonged to a late loved one, who cares? Continue reading →

Another day, another Speedmaster project 😉

This one came over from Belgium, and there are two cases, an extra dial, a spare movement, and some small bits. Let’s turn this into a Speedy! Continue reading →

I tend to write about the more exotic watches we service here, but the bread-and-butter watches can be interesting work as well!

This Rolex doesn’t keep good time, so the customer decided to send it in for a service. Continue reading →

We have settled into our fabulous new workshop, and are very happy with the new environment…

Andrew sent us his Breguet XX, as the hour recorder wasn’t working. The second and minute recorders work fine, but the hour recorder just won’t budge…

The Breguet XX was developed after the war, and was issued to the French Air Force. The Vajoux 225 movement is based on the Valjoux 22, which doesn’t have an hour recorder, so that was added to the bottom plate for the 225.

Continue reading →

When Vincenzo sent me an email asking if I would put together his Seamaster that another watchmaker took apart, I did of course decline. I don’t like to mop up other people’s mess, and think that whoever takes a watch apart, should put it back together again.

In this case, though, the watchmaker couldn’t put it back together, as he was late. So stupidly, I agree … Continue reading →