Pocket Watch

Acquiring a pocket watch through either an inheritance, a gift, or a personal purchase can be an exciting occasion, especially if you are a first time owner. There is something classy about a pocket watch, and when it is running properly this beautiful and stately mechanism makes a wonderful timepiece. If it is inaccurate or has stopped running completely, however, you need to find a reputable repair shop either in your area or online.

If you are able to make a face-to-face visit with a pocket watch repair person, do not be embarrassed to ask for proof of reputability. You are entrusting a valuable combination of jewelry and mechanics to this person, and you want to be assured that your watch will not be further damaged by someone who is inexperienced or incompetent. You may want to do some research on your own to become acquainted with the workings of a mechanical timepiece so that you can ask intelligent questions about the repair procedure. Also, establish the cost, if any, for diagnosis, ask for an estimate before repairs are made or parts are ordered, and determine a timeline for completion of the work.

A good pocket watch repair person will first clean and lubricate the watch as this may be all that is needed to put it into working order. If this does not solve the problem, however, each assembly should then be isolated to determine where the difficulty lies. For example, the mainspring assembly commonly needs repair or replacement. If this is not the source of the problem, the balance assembly is the next one to isolate. Ask your repair person exactly what procedure he or she intends to follow.

An alternative is to find a reputable establishment online. The normal procedure is to first make contact via phone or email and describe the watch and its condition. If they accept the work, they will give instructions on how to package and send the watch to them. You will probably be asked to include a nonrefundable fee for the estimate, which will be applied to your bill should you accept their diagnosis and go ahead with the repair. Your watch will be insured during transit, and the work will be guaranteed. Once you find the right establishment to repair your pocket watch, return regularly for maintenance and cleaning so that your watch will serve you for a good long time.