Watchmaker Recommendation around Seattle Area

[zerocool]

Hi all,

I've been inactive for some time but wanted to reach out to the experts here with the hope of finding a quality watchmaker around the Seattle area. I moved here not too long ago and unfortunately left all my good contacts behind.

Should be able to work with vintage Rolex 727 (and Omega 321 also ideally.)

Many thanks

[hutch300]

Many will suggest Nesbits but they are not into working on anything old.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by hutch300

Many will suggest Nesbits...

That was my first thought also.

Originally Posted by hutch300

but they are not into working on anything old.

and that was my second thought.

They will just send it to RSC or Swatch.

[Tools]

Nesbit's is a family shop and has been in the Seattle area for decades.

They used to be a West Coast Omega Service Center and did an excellent job of a '60s Seamaster that I still wear on Formal occasions. Pretty sure they can handle either of your watches.

Alternatively, Ben Bridge has a large Service Center in the area where they send their watches from around the US for service, including Rolex.

[hutch300]

Originally Posted by Tools

Nesbit's is a family shop and has been in the Seattle area for decades.

They used to be a West Coast Omega Service Center and did an excellent job of a '60s Seamaster that I still wear on Formal occasions. Pretty sure they can handle either of your watches.

Alternatively, Ben Bridge has a large Service Center in the area where they send their watches from around the US for service, including Rolex.

Nesbits is fine for modern rolex. They will refuse to service many things that are simple. Live here and use them once and a while. He is winding down his career and I get it. Work is solid. Ben Bridge has a dedicated vintage watchmaker here or at least they used to.

[zerocool]

Thanks all, familiar with both of them but unfortunately sending a vintage watch into a Service Center (Rolex or Omega) will all but ensure the watches external parts will get taken off and at times, won't be returned. For example, Rolex may switch the hands/bezel/dial for a new version and destroy the watches value. I had a very bad experience with Omega Service where they actually lost a 105.003 tropical dial.. lesson learned.

If anyone knows of a professional, independent watchmaker in the area who understands how to work with vintage watches, I'd very much appreciate it.

Thanks to all who have responded

[829maxx]

Try Ethen at Aubrey’s clock gallery. He’s done some minor work for me on a Speedy. Not sure his full range of skills, but I know the shop works on old clocks and he seems quite knowledgable.

[PabloJerry]

It's a little south but I highly recommend Benjamin and Sons in Olympia. Family run independent shop that does great work and is very transparent. They'll do a full service or only replace/not polish what you want.

I had them work on a couple vintage Rolex and Omegas before I moved.

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[PabloJerry]

Originally Posted by zerocool

Thanks all, familiar with both of them but unfortunately sending a vintage watch into a Service Center (Rolex or Omega) will all but ensure the watches external parts will get taken off and at times, won't be returned. For example, Rolex may switch the hands/bezel/dial for a new version and destroy the watches value. I had a very bad experience with Omega Service where they actually lost a 105.003 tropical dial.. lesson learned.

If anyone knows of a professional, independent watchmaker in the area who understands how to work with vintage watches, I'd very much appreciate it.

Thanks to all who have responded

Benjamin and Sons in Olympia,WA won't do that crap. If you want to keep the old parts they'll let you do that.

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[hutch300]

Their watchmaker moved and they only service clocks now.

[PabloJerry]

Originally Posted by hutch300

Their watchmaker moved and they only service clocks now.

Dang, well good to know. Thanks.

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