Services

Asheville Precision Watch Services

Our Certified Watchmakers have an unsurpassed depth of watch knowledge from Rolex to Timex. Regardless of brand, we provide detailed, precision service for your watch.

DISCOVERY WATCH SERVICE

Watch not working? Our $20 Discovery Watch Service will get to the bottom of the problem. Most of the time it's just a battery, but sometimes watches need more serious repairs. We inspect your watch for any issues with the battery, movement, and structural soundness of the watch case and strap.

The $20 service charge goes towards your final bill.

FULL SERVICE / OVERHAUL

Full Watch Service in Asheville, North Carolina

A full service/overhaul is recommended for manual wind and automatic mechanical watches every 5-7 years. The process cleans away dirt/grime and provides new lubricants and oils, restoring a well-used watch to reliable time-keeping condition. Our Certified watchmakers take extreme care in every stage of this highly technical, lengthy process. The following is a brief overview of the steps taken:

Once a watch is taken in and before any service is performed, we provide a close estimate of service costs for labor and parts. All estimates, unless otherwise stated, will be provided within 1-2 days upon arrival of the timepiece via the customer's preferred method of contact.
We begin with the removal of the movement from the case. The case will be completely disassembled for pre-cleaning of all case components and bracelet parts.
With the movement removed, the dial and hands can be removed and properly packaged to prevent any damage. All movement parts are ultrasonically pre-cleaned, degreased, and then inspected for any signs of excessive wear or damage. Worn parts are replaced and any needed adjustments are made prior to a final cleaning.
Next, we carefully refinish the watch case, the bracelet and the bezel to remove scuff marks and scratches so that your watch will look almost as good as it looked when it was brand new, without compromising case and band integrity.
All movement parts are then assembled and lubricated with Swiss high-grade lubricants and oils during the reassembly process. Once your watch has been completely reassembled, it is thoroughly tested according to manufacturer's watch service standards of excellence, and will be subsequently tested for 72 hours to assure accuracy, water resistance, and proper operation. Any required rate adjustments will be made on our Swiss “Witschi” timing machine.

MAINTENANCE SERVICE

Watch Overhaul Service in Asheville, North Carolina

Mechanical Watch

Over time, a mechanical watch may need minor repairs or adjustments, but not require a full service/overhaul. This basic maintenance service is recommended in between service intervals and includes a rate calibration, examination of the movement and watch functions, and crystal refinishing, where applicable. The case is also tested for water resistance, if relevant. The exterior of the case and metal bracelet are ultrasonically cleaned and gaskets are replaced as needed.

Quartz Watch

A “tune up” for Luxury Quartz watches is a service recommended for luxury or specialized quartz watches every 5-7 years. All gaskets are checked and replaced if necessary. All working parameters of the movement and watch functions are examined and the battery is replaced. The case is tested for water resistance, if applicable. The exterior of the case and metal bracelet are ultrasonically cleaned.

BASIC CELL/BATTERY SERVICE

Watch Battery Service in Asheville, North Carolina

This service is a very basic install of a cell/battery in most quartz watches. This service included a new, dated battery and a freshly sealed gasket around the case back. The case back is then properly tightened down or snapped back on. Pressure proofing is performed for dive watches per request and for an extra charge. Battery prices range from $20 for most standard quartz watches, $45-65 for Luxury brands and $75+ for specialized brands. The price reflects the original cost of the watch, the delicate nature of the watch (mother of pearl dial, gold case, etc.), and the difficulty of the battery installation.

CASE AND BAND REFINISHING

Watch Case Refinishing in Asheville, North Carolina

Cleaning and polishing your watch’s case can greatly enhance its appearance. This is a brief outline of what to expect when our Certified Watchmakers handle your timepiece.

The case and bracelet are disassembled.
The watch’s movement will be removed to protect it from harmful polishing compounds.
The entire case will then be lapped and polished to restore the original factory finish.
This also includes an ultrasonic cleaning of the case and bracelet using special cleaning solutions.
After all cleaning and polishing has been performed successfully, the case is reassembled.
The watch will be inspected and all worn gaskets will be replaced.
The watch will be completely reassembled.
Finally, your timepiece will be tested for water and moisture resistance, in accordance with its original factory specifications, if applicable..

Note: This service only improves the appearance of the watch.

STEM, CROWN, CRYSTAL REPLACEMENT

Watch Crystal Service in Asheville, North Carolina

Stem and Crown:

A damaged stem and/or crown can compromise your watch’s water resistance and subject the components to damage when winding. A new stem and crown will restore the watch’s appearance, prevent the delicate watch movement from being disturbed, and will reestablish the appropriate level of water resistance.

Crystal:

The "glass" which protects the dial/face of the watch is called a crystal. There are three common types of crystals: acrylic, mineral and sapphire. A sapphire crystal (clear) is the most expensive, scratch-resistant and durable of all the crystals. Watch crystals can break or crack from impact, perhaps from dropping a watch on a hard surface. We can replace almost any watch crystal, and when applicable, we will carefully buff the crystal of your timepiece to remove unsightly scratches or marks.

STRAP / BRACELET REPLACEMENT

Watch Bracelet and Watch Strap Replacement in Asheville, North Carolina

The Watchmaker’s Shop offers an extensive selection of replacement straps and bracelets, which can greatly enhance the appearance of a well-worn timepiece. We offer crocodile, lizard, alligator, ostrich, pig, and leather straps in both custom and standard sizes and colors. We are an authorized retailer for Everest Bands and Hadley Roma.

SHIPPING YOUR WATCH

Shipping Your Watch For Service to our Asheville, North Carolina Watch Shop

It is important that you take great care in packaging your watch for shipment to The Watchmakers’s Shop repair facility to prevent additional damage to your watch in need of repair. Wrap your watch in tissue paper or place it in a clean, clear plastic bag, and then securely wrap the protected watch in bubble wrap. Do not place tape or any other adhesive directly on your watch.
Place the wrapped watch in the middle of a secure box filled with packing material (foam, paper packing peanuts, or additional bubble wrap). Do NOT send your watch in only a padded envelope—they do not offer adequate protection against damage during shipping. We recommend double-boxing your package for added security.

Important:
Do not send your watch to us in its original watch case/gift box, as it offers no protection and encourages postal theft. All watch boxes arriving to our shop/service center are discarded, and are not returned to the customer.
If your watch is worth $5,000 or less, we recommend Fedex or UPS for their superior package tracking capabilities. For watches worth over $5,000, only the USPS provides adequate insurance. USPS shipping will also cost less than Fedex or UPS in most cases. Regardless of which courier you select, please insure your watch for its replacement value, and send it with delivery confirmation and signature required.

Please ship your watch to our address:

    The Watchmaker's Shop
    1 Page Avenue #119
    Asheville, NC 28801

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