Any watch experts here? Identification/Service

[The Fresh Prince]

I'm looking to identify and service a couple of watches.

So first I'm looking for a trust worthy service center, I'd be happier with a main dealership style place in a reputable shopping center just incase they are valuable. I don't fancy some street side repair guy swapping out original parts. Can anyone recommend a place that they've used before?

Here are the watches.

The first is a ladies Bulova, I'd like to get it serviced and possibly find out the year.



And the second is a Railway Timekepper Bentima pocket watch. It will need a lot more of a service/restoration I'd say. I'd be interested in the year too.

[Necron99]

The bentima is from the 20/30s and is worth about 20 quid in good nick.

[The Fresh Prince]

Cheers, the Bentima I'd like to have restored, find a chain that matches and have it framed. The Bulova my wife will wear as a dress watch.

[aging one]

My wife had my moms gold Omega restored. It came out fantastic and the Thai's being watch fanatics are always complementing and questioning her about it. From 1949.

[The Fresh Prince]

Where did you get it restored?

[The Fresh Prince]

I've learned a bit about how to date it from this date chart.



And here's where I need to look for the symbols and the jewels.



I'll have a check when I get home. Not sure how to open the back through.

[aging one]

Through Omega themselves. The local rep is Swatch located in the shopping area of the Conrad Hotel Complex on Wireless rd.

[Dillinger]

You will find that watch in this link, it has all of Bulovas old watches on there.

If you know the model it would be a lot quicker. There's 20 pages on there

Just been through all fukkin 20 pages and I couldnt find the kuntin thing


http://www.mybulova.com/bulova-models/A

[The Fresh Prince]

Yep cheers. I signed up with them earlier and waiting for the confirmation. I went through all the pages too.

[taxexile]

The Watch Forum

Lots of information here and on the many other watch fora on the net.

[The Fresh Prince]

Cheers. I'll take a loot when I'm back at my laptop. I had a reply from Bulova that the nearest service center is in Taiwan but they are putting me on to an expert. I've also been accepted into the mybulova forums so I'll try there too. Its a good bit of fun.

[Dillinger]

Cool, where did you find these rare ungoogleable watches anyway ?

Was Somchai your Grandfather in law flogging those around Soi Nana 40 years ago ?

[Cujo]

Cool, where did you find these rare ungoogleable watches anyway ?

Was Somchai your Grandfather in law flogging those around Soi Nana 40 years ago ?

Good one.

[The Fresh Prince]

The pocket watch was my grandfathers (UK ) and I think the ladies watch was my grandmothers, I'll be able to tell by the date.

[ltnt]

Rolex dealer is on Wireless as well and they will give you an estimate while you wait. It isn't cheap, but the service and use of original parts are excellent. cost is way out there so be prepared for the shocker!

[The Fresh Prince]

^ Cheers, That's the kind of place I'm looking for.

Well I managed to get the back off today and there is some corrosion on a couple of cogs.

But from the markings I can see that it's Swiss made, which must be good. It uses 17 Jewels and there is also a mark that looks like N0 which would mean it is 1970.



That's interesting because it might mean that it was my mothers and not my grandmother's, and my dad was a massive tight arse and would never buy anything as nice as this.

[Prem]

Rolex dealer is on Wireless as well and they will give you an estimate while you wait. It isn't cheap, but the service and use of original parts are excellent. cost is way out there so be prepared for the shocker!

===========================
When it's an old watch, do NOT go to an offical Rolex dealer anywhere in the world.
They are known to screw up your old/vintage watch.

All the "connaisseurs", collectors etc... will never go to an official Rolex dealers.

Prem

[Bower]

Cheers, the Bentima I'd like to have restored, find a chain that matches and have it framed. The Bulova my wife will wear as a dress watch.

I have dozens of silver and gold Albert watch chains FP let me know what you want, happy to help if I can.I will be in Bangkok in October can bring a few for you to choose from if you wish.

Don't be misled when looking at old pocket watches by the case, some of the best movements are found in gunmetal cases. People spent their money on what they wanted the watch for, vanity, go for the flash gold case with a cheaper movement, need good accuracy, spend it on the movement with a robust case.

[The Fresh Prince]

I have dozens of silver and gold Albert watch chains FP let me know what you want, happy to help if I can.I will be in Bangkok in October can bring a few for you to choose from if you wish.

That would be excellent cheers. I'll send some pics when I've had it cleaned up so you can see the colour.

[ltnt]

All the "connaisseurs", collectors etc... will never go to an official Rolex dealers.

I had no idea, as mine is only 12 years old and they did a super job on it imo. Perhaps its more that "old watch connoisseurs," have "specialty watch repair," people on contract rather than utilizing the run of the mill brand repair shops?

If you had a "special," watch you needed to repair or clean worth a lot of money I seriously doubt you'd entrust it to any Thai watch repair?

[Satonic]

There is a little place that deals with vintage / prestige watches next to tops supermarket on ramkamheang. Opposite soi 100 roughly. As you come into the car park it's a few doors down from the right hand entrance / exit to tops.

I have taken a few expensive (modern) watches there and been very impressed with the service. I'm not sure if its exactly what you're looking for but if you're in the area at any time it's worth checking out.

[ltnt]

^Do they use original manufacturer parts or knock offs?

[The Fresh Prince]

There is a little place that deals with vintage / prestige watches next to tops supermarket on ramkamheang. Opposite soi 100 roughly. As you come into the car park it's a few doors down from the right hand entrance / exit to tops.

There is a similar venture near the entrance of Tops Silom that I went to a couple of days ago. I only took the photo's with me but the guy showed me a couple he was working on and he had been recommended to me by someone else who has had some repairs done.

^Do they use original manufacturer parts or knock offs?

This was my worry. Also concerned about having original working parts swapped out.

[ltnt]

Also concerned about having original working parts swapped out. The Fresh Prince is online now Add to The Fresh Prince's Reputation Report Post Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiTweet this Post!

Absolutely! Gold for plastic and rubies and diamonds removed....

[Rainfall]

^ Cheers, That's the kind of place I'm looking for.

Well I managed to get the back off today and there is some corrosion on a couple of cogs.

But from the markings I can see that it's Swiss made, which must be good. It uses 17 Jewels and there is also a mark that looks like N0 which would mean it is 1970.



That's interesting because it might mean that it was my mothers and not my grandmother's, and my dad was a massive tight arse and would never buy anything as nice as this.

It's pretty, but by no means valuable. On the basis of the corrosion, it's most likely goldplated brass, and I can see no gold stamp on the the bottom. The steel parts of the movement are severly corroded, restauration will cost more than the watch is worth. Then one time out in the rain or not taken off in the shower, and it's ruined again.