Maintenance, Repair & Re-modelling Services

Expert Battery Fitment

We can supply just a battery if required, but since most quality watches are not only of high value, but also often bear a strong sentimental attachment, taking care of your watch by ensuring the correct tools are employed to open the case, prevents the unsightly scratching & marring that so often occurs with inexpert attention
We ensure that the correct battery is fitted & that the case seals are re-greased or replaced to give your watch the best possible chance to survive the rigours of 24/7 wear.

Brendan has over 40 years experience in watch repair & takes the greatest care to ensure that your loving possession is dealt with expertly. We no longer provide a while you wait service due to Covid best practice - we sterilize incoming & outgoing repairs to ensure your safety - but will text to confirm as soon as your repair is ready

All our batteries are disposed of ecologically for re-cycling

I've had the battery on my watch changing but it's still unreliable

Whilst a failing battery is the most likely cause of erratic behaviour, watches do require servicing from time to time. Typically a 5-8 year period in between servicing is common - with a protected case however, it's not unusual for this period to extend considerably.
We try to predict service related issues by checking the battery voltage & testing pulse operation before returning the watch - however since there is no physical connection between electronics & mechanics it's impossible to be certain of reliability without returning the watch to wear, the positional/temperature variations of wear are the ultimate test

Expert Watch Maintenance Services

Watch Repairs and Water Resistance Testing -

Brendan is a time served watchmaker with over 40 years of horological experience. His workshop includes modern technology such as Ultrasonic cleaners and the latest timing computers capable of reading to 1/100th second in 24 hours, he also has his Grandfathers lathes and material extending the range of repairs that can be undertaken.

A full service involves the complete dismantling of your watch - each component is then fully inspected before being ultrasonically cleaned, re-assembled & lubricated. We then test the timekeeping in different positions to ensure reliability. We will restore the finish of the case as best we can & replace any seals/glass etc if this is possible (some components are no longer available from the original manufacturer) restoring your watch to as near new condition as is possible.
Mechanical watches require this attention at not greater than 5 year intervals - because of restrained power, lubricant deterioration leads to wear - the category image shows how wear has eroded the end of the balance pivot from a smooth cylinder to a rough indent. Photographed sitting on a 1p coin, this clock balance staff shows the effect of lack of maintenance.

The reason?-the outer diameter of a standard train  (18,000 rotations an hour) pocket watch balance of 16.1mm diameter travels the equivalent of a distance of over 5000 km in a year - London to Istanbul is just over 3000km! Don't underestimate the work your wristwatch does - most high quality watches run at another 10,000 rotations in an hour

Quartz watches, especially when the battery has been expertly replaced & the case seals attended, may last for over twice as long before needing such attention

We specialise in the repair of Vintage & TAG watches

We keep a full range of watch batteries, and our pressure testing facilities ensure that your treasured possession remains in perfect condition. We can test up to 100 metre static submersion pressure replacing seals if required and aim to give the best possible turnaround times - testing alone will usually be completed same or next working day, seals can usually be replaced within 7-10days

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Enquiries may be emailed to service@bhjewellers.co.uk

Water Resistance Testing

How long do you take to change a battery & test my watch?
We will try to compete the replacement & re-test the case the same day, if not, your watch should be ready the next working day - please read below to see why our tests take time

why should my watch be tested for water resistance?

Watches are very much taken for granted. No other precision instrument has so much expected of it with such little regard or concern.

A watch is expected to accurately function for 24hours EVERY day EVERY week EVERY month regardless of position across great variations in temperature.

The sensitivity of Quartz analogue movements pioneered the expansion of the protective watch case. There is an extremely small battery current available which the movement can convert to motive power. This makes a stabilised atmosphere critical for continually reliable operation.

Manufacturers recommend regular maintenance in order to ensure reliability, part of this regular maintenance concerns the case - it is only by having a reliable case that any the working components of the watch can be protected.

Whilst manufacturers recommend biannual testing to ensure that the seals protect, battery replacement involves penetrating the seals & therefore increases the possibility of deterioration.

For this reason, we recommend the following:-
Where the watch is used as a Primary life source (i.e Scuba Diving), it should be returned to the manufacturer for complete seal replacement and service.

Where the watch may be subjected to water submersion but is used in combination with Dive Computers etc. - we visually inspect the case seals and then:-

(1)Heat the case to remove atmospheric residual moisture
(2)Seal the case
(3)Pressurise in air through a series of pressure gradients finally testing to a maximum pressure of 100 metres for 15 minutes
(4)Rapidly De-pressurise in Air (a major air leak will expand the case and dislodge the glass thus becoming apparent before subjecting the works to moisture)
(5)Repeat the test but submerge the case in water whilst removing pressure - any leak will be apparent as a fine stream of bubbles emerging from the fail point
(6)Finally repeat the test pressurising in water to maximum pressure of 100metres for 15 minutes
(7)After the time has elapsed, the case is then heated for 10 minutes. Any micro leak will cause condensation to form on the glass inside when rapidly cooled as a final procedure

Because of the intensity of tests, we do not offer a 'while-u-wait' service - the extended procedure however, ensures that the results are reliable and ensures case integrity.

It should be remembered that many watches incorporate a single seal screw down crown. It is good practise to ensure that the crown is firmly screwed home before any submersion there is no protection from water damage if the crown is left open

Pearl & Bead Re-stringing & Re-design Services

We have an emergency re-stringing service available - we will do our utmost to accommodate rapid restringing so that you look your best for that special occasion, even "gulp" if you need it within hours!

Margaret specialises in bead re-stringing & design and would be happy to discuss design commissions as well as attending to bead restringing and repairs. Margaret is proud of her diverse collection of beads and can help produce co-ordinated neckwear for that very special occasion - making an old friend suitably upgraded to meet a new occasion.

Whatever your choice, we will complete your repair as soon as possible.

Expert Clock Maintenance & Restoration Services

Brendan has over 40 years of horological experience and is happy to undertake the repair and restoration of Antique and Reproduction clocks - unfortunately we are unable to undertake home visits, but we can provide phone support & easy to understand instructions to ease setting the clock back in its position after its repair & testing

Expert Jewellery Repairs

Our Jewellery repair workshop is happy to attend to your repairs. We can provide quotes for work necessary and our fast turnaround ensures that you are parted from your repair for the minimum of time.

It is our belief that professional and careful examination of a much loved piece of jewellery ensures that the work undertaken returns the piece to a condition suited to ensure long term reliability, our advice is based on this aim.

We give free quotes for repairs, we do make a charge to produce written documentation but this is completely refundable against your completed repair.

Expert Jewellery Design Services

Both Margaret and Brendan are delighted to discuss re-designing & commission work. Margaret's design vision, empathy with colour and bead expertise bring life to special dress accessories; Brendan, with his Gemmological & Diamond expertise can assist in bringing your jewellery visions to life. 

Jewellery Engraving Services

We have an on premises machine engraving facility which allows us to engrave many of the items purchased in store. For special engraving commissions, we can quote for hand engraving, please however, allow 21 days turnaround for any hand engraving work

We keep a wide range of different sizes & fitments of high quality Watch Straps, but if you wish, we are usually able to obtain manufacturers replacements - we can fit & make any size alterations while you wait