2024 update

As we stride further into 2024, it’s time for a brief update from the atelier!

I had just opened my new workshop at the time of my last update, and I am thrilled to say the new space delivered everything that I hoped for in 2023. I see the workspace as an essential part in the delivery of high-quality work. That’s why last year I embarked on the task of creating a new workshop, designed by myself specifically for watchmaking. Clean and dust free environment at the bench,  with MEV (mechanical extract ventilation) and air quality monitoring, separate rooms, and a generous amount of space for the many machines I acquired through the years, all contribute to an excellent workflow, and ultimately benefit every watch going through the workshop.

Reflecting on the past year, 2023 was another very busy and exciting year at the bench. Allow me to share a glimpse of the many interesting projects I got to work on in recent months:

Once again, the workbench has hosted a diverse array of brands, with vintage watches taking centre stage alongside some of their modern counterparts. There were many of the “workshop favourites”  such as vintage Omega, Rolex, CWC, Heuer and O&W watches to name only a few. From routine maintenance to intricate repairs and complex restorations, each project has been executed with the passion and uncompromising commitment to detail that is so important to me.

I am immensely grateful to my loyal clients for entrusting me with their cherished timepieces. As always, I extend my sincere appreciation to each of you for your ongoing support and encouragement.

As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch for any enquiries.

Best wishes

Olivier

2023 Update

As January 2023 is already behind us, I thought I would publish a short update. I would first like to wish all my clients, followers, suppliers and fellow horologists a very happy and healthy new year.

Looking back at the past year it is fair to say that 2022 has been an exciting one. Busy times, and many watches went through my workshop. I always enjoy some variety in the work, and last year certainly delivered that. I included below a couple photos of watches that I serviced in 2022. They are quite typical of my workload. Most brands are represented, predominantly vintage watches, but also some modern watches. Projects range from manual wind to automatic and chronograph watches, and also from mechanical to quality quartz watches.

The end of the year was particularly eventful. In November 2022 I had the honour to receive the BHI prize for best serviced chronograph for 2021. COVID prevented the ceremony from taking place in the previous years, but it was definitely worth the wait! We had a fantastic day at the British Horological Institute in Upton Hall, which I was very thankful to share with friends and family.

BHI 2022 Awards day

I also moved into new premises in December 2022. Having outgrown my previous workshop, I had been on the lookout for the right space to take the business forward for some time. I am delighted to have now moved to the new workshop. The space was designed and built to my own spec, with a clean room for watchmaking, and separate machine room, cleaning and polishing rooms.

More room means more space for machines and equipment, and I am pleased to report that I recently acquired a high precision CNC milling machine.

My CNC programming experience dates back from the early 2000s, so it is nice to get to use my mechanical engineering skills in my horological career. I always thought there are a lot of crossovers between engineering and horology.

CNC Milling machine

 

This new addition to the workshop is an exciting prospect as I will soon be able to manufacture some watch parts, opening the door to more varied and complex projects.

 

 

As always, thank you very much for reading, and do not hesitate to get in touch!

All the best

Olivier

2021 BHI Prize award – Best serviced chronograph watch

BHI prize best serviced chronograph

I am very proud to see my name again amongst the prize winners in the official journal of the British Horological Institute. I was awarded the ‘Best Serviced Chronograph Watch’ BHI prize for 2021. With a grade of 99% following the two-day practical exam, I could not be happier 🙂. Your chronograph is in good hands!
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All the best
Olivier

Rolex Oyster Royal 6426 Calibre 1215 – Service

Featured on the blog today is this lovely vintage Rolex Oyster Royal 6426 Calibre 1215. This particular watch was produced in 1955 according to its serial number, and it is powered by the excellent and beautifully finished Rolex Calibre 1215: a  manual wind movement, with centre sweep second, Breguet hairspring and shock resistant settings on both balance and escape wheel, a very nice spec for that era.

Rolex 6426 Service

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Seiko SKX NH36 movement upgrade

 

UPDATE: I have now setup a new website dedicated to Seiko mods – for details please visit http://suwamods.co.uk 

 

 

The NH36 movement upgrade can be carried out on the SXK007 or SKX009 (7S26-0020) watches as detailed below. It consists of the replacement of the original 7S26 movement with a “modern” Hattori NH36 (or Seiko Calibre 4R36), which has a hack and wind facility.

Seiko 7S26 Hack and Wind mod

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Bulova Automatic Divers Watch Waterproof 666 feet Calibre 11ALAC – Service

This interesting Bulova automatic divers watch came in for a service. It is a  very collectable model, the “M7” on the caseback and movement indicates that it was produced in 1967. It has a lovely bakelite bezel insert and  is powered by the 17 jewels Bulova Calibre 11ALAC, self winding movement.

Bulova 11ALAC

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