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

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

Continue reading “Seiko SKX NH36 movement upgrade”

Top 15 Watch Repair Blogs

I am very pleased to announce that my blog has made it on the list of the top 15 watch repair blogs compiled by Feedspot.

It is fantastic to see my site alongside those of people who have really inspired me throughout the years.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my readers and followers, and I look forward to bringing more content on the blog.

New equipment in the workshop (Quartz testing)

I predominantly work on mechanical watches, but having completed my Quartz watch training with the British Horological Institute I thought it would make sense to add servicing of analogue Quartz wristwatches to my portfolio, as there are some really interesting higher end Quartz watches out there.

I recently invested in an essential piece of testing equipment for working on Quartz watches. Although you can theoretically service a watch without it, you would be working blind when it comes to troubleshooting and checking the health of the movement.

Horotec-Flashtest

Continue reading “New equipment in the workshop (Quartz testing)”