Manufacturer Certified Servicing

Manufacturer Certified Servicing

The premium pre-owned watch experience starts here

At Watchfinder, every pre-owned watch that comes to us is returned to its best possible performance and appearance before being made available for sale. Our state-of-the-art 4,000 sq ft service centre is equipped with manufacturer approved tools and machinery, while our brand certified watchmakers are not only highly skilled in Swiss techniques, but dedicated to their craft. Our commitment to premium service and expertise ensures you a first-class experience.

We are accredited to service

Why choose Watchfinder?

Watchmaking

Each watch is assigned to one of our team of manufacturer accredited watchmakers, who will give it a full health check. The watch will be fully deconstructed according to brand procedure so that each part can be cleaned and replaced if necessary.

Polishing

In the polishing room, 15 skilled technicians remove marks on the case and bracelet of the watch, brought about by daily wear and tear. A factory finish will be applied to the watch, using the same tools and techniques used by premium watch brands.

Casing

Each different watch model has its own particular shape and size. The technicians in our casing department are equipped with the tools and expertise to ensure every watch is taken apart and re-assembled with the greatest of care and precision.

Inspection

Every watch service, repair or refurbishment is followed by a series of thorough tests by our experts, to ensure that the watch falls within brand standards. Once they have inspected the watch, it is given a Watchfinder warranty.

Equipment

Witschi Timing Machine

This tool is one of the most vital in the servicing process. It allows our watchmakers to determine the amplitude and the beat rate of a watch—that is, whether it is keeping good time. The watch can then be regulated within the manufacturer tolerance.

Cleaning machines

Our watchmakers use three different machines for the cleaning of stripped down watches—two by Elma and one by Greiner. They offer three different cleaning cycles, lasting a total of 15 minutes, 35 minutes and 42 minutes, respectively.

ELMA ULTRASONIC CLEANERS

Our service centre is equipped with five Elma ultrasonic cleaners to cleanse watches after polishing. The watch is separated out into its component parts for cleaning, before it is then returned to be assembled according to brand techniques.

Witschi Demagnetiser

Through the ordinary wear of daily use, a watch can become magnetised, and this can cause serious problems with the timekeeping of the piece. The Witschi demagnetiser enables our watchmakers to return a watch to its proper rate.

Witschi Analyzer Q1

This piece of machinery is used for quartz watches only. It is able to measure the rate and consumption of a watch, telling our watchmakers whether the timepiece needs a new movement, needs to be serviced, or simply a new battery.

Greiner Vibrograf Poseidon LT 100

Most mechanical watches are resistant to a certain amount of pressure—and this machine is used to identify if the watch is performing as it should within brand standards. It can measure from one up to ten bars of pressure.

Roxer Diabolic-E

Similar to the Greiner Vibrograf, this piece of machinery is used to test the pressure that a watch is capable of withstanding. It makes use of water and a compressor pump, allowing watchmakers to identify where leaks are in the case.

Microscope

Movement oil is crucial to keeping a mechanical watch functioning—it ensures the components are lubricated. In order to oil the intricate parts of a movement, our watchmakers must do so under the highly magnified view of a microscope.

Caseback Opening Tool

Each watch has its own distinctive shape and size—so in order to open a watch caseback with maximum care, our watchmakers must use a caseback opening tool. It provides circular dies for a wide range of watch brands and models.

Polishing Machines

During the polishing process, a lapping machine is used to remove any marks on the exterior of a watch. The polishing wheels—each one allocated to a specific technician—are used to apply a variety of different finishes to the watch cases.

TISSIDental Neosab sandblaster

This piece of equipment makes use of two different kinds of sand, which in turn create two different kinds of sandblasted finish. This tool is used in the polishing process to create the specific sandblasted effects required by some watch models.

Astuto 2003 Neuchâtel Watchwinder

This machine simulates the movement of a watch on a wrist, rotating it continuously for a set amount of time. Used by our watchmakers to identify problems with automatic movements, it can also be used to wind automatic watches.

Witschi Proofmaster S

Used in the testing and quality control part of a watch’s service, this pressure test allows our experts to determine the water resistance of a timepiece. It has two programmable test cycles, which apply gentle amounts of pressure to a watch.

Witschi Micromat C

Another piece of equipment used during quality control, the Micromat C is a tool for ensuring that a serviced watch is keeping good time. Linked to the computers used by our technicians, it provides four different measurement methods.

WatchMakers

Head Watchmaker

A team can only be as good as its leader, which is why Rolex-trained and former Breitling Head Watchmaker Tony Williams was appointed to assemble and run the Watchfinder service centre. His decades of experience and eye for talent sets the service centre apart from others, as does his obsession with perfection and his constant drive to improve. His skill and work ethic has attracted the certification of many high-end brands.

Tony Williams

Head Watchmaker

Since his apprenticeship at Rolex, Tony has dedicated his life to watchmaking. After working for the brand for many years, he became head watchmaker at Breitling. With 34 years of experience, he holds a long list of brand accreditations, including IWC, Panerai, Cartier, Audemars Piguet and Swatch. His expertise ensures that the work done at Watchfinder's service centre is second to none.

Owen Fortt

Senior Watchmaker

Owen has a wealth of experience gained from 30 years of watchmaking. After apprenticing at Rolex, he worked for the brand in both the UK and Australia, earning manufacturer accreditation. At Breitling, he became a Level-3 watchmaker, as well as establishing a service centre for the brand in Australia. He also served as head watchmaker at WEMPE’s Bond Street service centre.

Trevor Pilkington

Senior Watchmaker

Trevor's 50-year long career spans virtually the full spectrum of positions at Rolex, starting out as an apprentice and working his way through the ranks to become UK Technical Manager, a role he upheld for 23 years. He has always been hands-on, even while supervising hundreds of watchmakers around the UK, and his love for watches—and for Rolex in particular—is unparalleled.

Nelia Bekker

Senior Watchmaker

Nelia joined Watchfinder in 2016, bringing with her ten years of experience. She began her training with Breitling, where she was sent to attend the British School of Watchmaking in 2009. After graduating in 2011, Nelia continued to work for Breitling at its Bond Street boutique, becoming a Level-3 watchmaker. She then went on to become a Level-2 watchmaker at Swatch, earning brand accreditation.

Sarah-Jane King

WatchMaker

A new generation of watchmakers is growing through Watchfinder & Co.’s Servicing facility. Sarah-Jane is an example of the burgeoning interest in mechanical watchmaking, and has learned her craft under the guidance of Watchfinder Head Watchmaker Tony Williams. Having worked previously for Rolex UK, she has five years of experience and is accredited by Swatch.

Alex Elston

WatchMaker

After beginning his journey as an apprentice at Breitling in 2006, Alex continued to develop his watchmaking expertise over the next eight years, starting in the polishing room and working his way up to the watchmaker’s bench, becoming a Level-2 watchmaker. He became a part of the Watchfinder & Co. Servicing team in 2014, and now has over ten years of experience under his belt.

Departments

WatchMakers

Our service centre brings together the skills of qualified experts, while embracing the enthusiasm of a new generation of watchmakers. With over 150 years’ experience between them, our experts are dedicated to preserving Swiss tradition.

Polishers

Applying a finish to a premium watch can be a tricky process, with every brand and piece having its own specific technique. Our technicians are manufacturer-trained in each individual finish, whether it’s brushed, polished or sandblasted.

Quality Control

Nothing escapes the painstaking attention to detail of our quality control technicians. Using a timing machine and pressure test, they ensure that every watch sold by Watchfinder meets the industry’s ideals for accuracy and condition.

Administration

Our administration team keeps the service centre ticking over. They oversee the watch’s journey through its service, using barcode and scanner technology to log where the watch is at all times and documenting what work is done to it.

Looking to have your watch serviced?

Begin by entering the name or model number of your watch below, or navigate our catalogue to find the watch you wish to service.

Or select from manufacturer

Rolex

Cartier

IWC

Omega

Tag Heuer

Longines

Zenith

Rado

Panerai

Audemars Piguet

How it works

Complete the form

Fill in your details and find the watch you wish to service. You can do this by searching the model number.

Post us your Watch

We’ll email you an estimate, and if you're happy, post the watch to us. We recommend using a courier with insurance.

Watch Serviced

When we receive your watch, it will be serviced at our 4,000 square foot, manufacturer approved service centre.

Back on your wrist

Once serviced and polished, we will request payment. When paid, your watch will be posted back you.

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Frequently asked questions

Why use Watchfinder?

Watchfinder has the largest independent multi-brand service centre in the UK. Every watch repair or service is undertaken by one of our highly skilled, brand-accredited watchmakers using manufacturer-approved tools. We’re dedicated to providing a first class service, so we offer a quick turnaround time for the work we complete, as well as a comprehensive warranty.

How long will the service take?

If the work is completed internally, a watch service typically takes between 2–3 weeks—dependent on the availability of parts—from the date you give us the go-ahead to service.

Is there a warranty provided?

For every overhaul service that we undertake, we provide a 24-month Watchfinder warranty on the work we have done, giving you that extra bit of peace of mind.

When is payment due?

You will need to make payment once the repair work or service has been completed.

What is the watch servicing process?

Once you have made an enquiry, we will send you an estimated quote for the work. You will then need to send the watch to our service centre, or drop it off at one of our nationwide boutiques. We will send you a final quote after inspection, so that you can give us authorisation to begin your watch repair or service. The work will be completed by our manufacturer-accredited watchmakers using brand-approved tools and machinery. Once complete, your watch will be passed to quality control for a rigorous inspection. Then, once you have made payment, your watch will be returned to you by Royal Mail Special Delivery, or made available for collection at one of our locations.