Mechanical Watch Servicing & Restoration

Jon

What a great site James has created, I messaged him about stuck pushers on a watch, and he got back to me within minutes and gave me some advice to follow, which I did and hey presto a working watch. Great service and highly recommended.

Duncan Tee

I had a Frederique Constant heartbeat watch that was anything but constant. I sent it to The Vintage Balance and from the start had a very good communication with James. Within days the watch was sent back with a comprehensive video of the steps take and a fully working watch.

Duncan Tee

My problematic watch, that most wouldn't even look at, was carefully and professionally treated by James who is now the only true watch repairer I'll ever use! More than highly recommended and 11/10 for service, communications, expertise and dedication. All at an extremely fair price too! Thanks James, keep up the good work.

Stuart Menges

Having had the pleasure of personally meeting and dealing directly with James, his enthusiasm and expertise is truly inspiring. I would certainly recommend his services and have no hesitation in using him for any further watch work.

Nick Peters

I can't speak highly enough of James and his workmanship. He managed to save a hugely significant piece for my family and I and I'll forever be grateful. I genuinely thought the watch was gone but its not only working its been restored beautifully to as close to original as possible. Exceptional service.

Heliotrope

A rare blend of kindness and skill. My 60 year old Longines is beginning its new life.

Alec Bowman

My late mother's Cyma watch wasn't working. She had been given it in the 60s and it had been with her in East Africa. I feared that it might have suffered from the climate and wouldn't be repairable. Within a couple of days it was cleaned and serviced with the movement lubricated, the watch not only running but also keeping excellent time. I can't say enough how impressed I am. Definitely a 5 Star service.

Loz H

I came across The Vintage Balance and sparked my interest as some time ago my old TAG Heuer 2000 I got as an engagement present was languishing in the box unused as the crown had come apart and unusable. Its value is sentimental but TAG Heuer or other repairers made it not worth having repaired the cost far outweighed its value. Talked through issue with it and came away confident it would be looked after... well I was not disappointed...Was contacted all throughout including photos of it disassembled, the crown had been secured wrongly by TAG themselves at last service! It was cleaned,serviced and returned in a lovely box and sent a slideshow summary of the works done and all details of work done explained to me. The price of repairs was incredible value...the quality of work done and communication worthy of a Rolex Service centre. I now have my treasured watch back and love wearing it again... a couple more to send off next .... Try The Vintage Balance you will be as happy as me to have your mechanical timepieces looked after so well.

Alan Griffin

Excellent Watchmaker...cant fault him. Really good work, prompt and a pleasure to deal with.

Martin Port

Outstanding workmanship and customer service! James at The Vintage Balance took my dad's 1957 Tissot that would only run for a matter of seconds and breathed new life into it. Tracked down and fitted a new old stock main spring, cleaned and serviced the internals, fitted a new glass and returned it in a matter of days. Communication was excellent throughout and the watch arrived back complete with a presentation box as well as the old parts replaced. His dedication to getting it just right is admirable and rare these days – even more so when you consider that high street repairers wouldn't touch the watch because they deemed it 'not worth it'! To do all that for the price of parts plus a donation for his time at the going rate is just astonishing. Would highly recommend and will definitely be sending more work his way!

Patrick Horsman

Four watches sent to The Vintage Balance for attention. Three for cosmetic work and one a complete movement overhaul. Very pleased with the work and the manner in which James conducts business.

Alan

Bath

I've used these folks to service a vintage Certina. A first class job done and a prompt turnaround. A real pleasure to deal with, and I'll most certainly be using them again.

Andrew Willis

James is providing a service far-beyond what's ever expected of a 'hobbyist'. I'm not sure what he does for a living, but he's outperforming many full-time businesses with his responsiveness, attention to detail and turnaround times. James serviced two vintage and sentimental watches for me at incredible speed. Both returned promptly with all issues resolved. He also went above and beyond by polishing the watches, providing a fresh watch strap and an excellent watch case as part of his service. Very, very impressed and will be using again in the future.

Nick

London

I sent my grandfathers watch to The Vintage Balance as it had been in a drawer for 20 years. It came back full of life and felt like new. So pleased, I feel like he is with me every day I wear it.

Sean

Camberley

Beautiful restoration job of the watch my dear dad gave me. As I'd had no luck in being able to get it fixed, I'd almost given up hope of being able to wear it again. To finally be able to do so is quite something. A priceless connection to my father.