Repair & servicing
From a stopped wristwatch to an unstable longcase clock, the useful question is not which package fits best, but what the movement actually needs to work correctly and safely.
York · Watch & clock workshopCore services
We separate maintenance, fault repair and restoration because each has a different objective. A routine service aims to restore correct operating conditions; a repair addresses a defined fault; restoration may also involve stabilising age-related damage while protecting original material.
For hand-wound and automatic watches where wear, contamination or degraded lubrication is affecting performance.
Battery replacement is only one possibility. A stopped quartz watch may also have contact, coil, gear-train or movement faults.
Older pocket watches often combine mechanical wear with fragile dials, cases and previous repairs. We evaluate the whole object, not only the escapement.
Mantel, wall, carriage and longcase clocks are assessed for power delivery, train freedom, escapement geometry and striking or chiming function.
Straps, bracelets, crystals, crowns and hands can affect usability, but external work is kept separate from unnecessary refinishing.
Useful before restoration, inherited-piece decisions or when repair history is uncertain. We identify visible condition and likely priorities.
What a service is for
A movement can be clean and still run poorly if pivots are worn, endshake is wrong, the mainspring cannot deliver power correctly or the escapement is not functioning as intended. Proper servicing combines cleanliness with mechanical inspection and adjustment.
For older watches, we also consider whether replacement parts are available, whether a worn original part can be repaired, and whether intervention would reduce historical integrity. These decisions are discussed before the job grows beyond the agreed scope.
Opening a case can affect sealing. Any water-resistance claim depends on case construction, component condition and appropriate testing. We do not assume an older watch is water resistant simply because it once carried such a rating.
Service sequence
We record the stated problem, visible condition and useful background such as recent impacts, intermittent stopping, repair history or transport issues.
The mechanism is examined far enough to identify the likely cause and to determine whether further dismantling is needed for an accurate scope.
Necessary repair is separated from optional work. If dismantling reveals a materially different condition, we stop and discuss it rather than silently adding work.
Approved tasks are completed with attention to component fit, lubrication, train freedom, escapement behaviour and the relevant functions of the timepiece.
We check the operation that can reasonably be assessed at the bench, document notable limitations, and provide handling or setup guidance where it matters.
Clocks need context
Level, beat, pendulum position, case stability and transport can all affect operation. Longcase clocks in particular depend on correct installation. When relevant, we explain the setup points that help distinguish a mechanism fault from an installation issue.
For striking and chiming clocks, we also check sequence and synchronisation so that the displayed time and the striking train agree.
You do not need to diagnose it yourself. Describe the symptoms and the type of timepiece; our first task is to establish what kind of work is actually appropriate.