need to find watchmaker that is reasonable

[elginvanguard]

hello ,i am hoping that someone can point me in the right direction.I am a collector of illinois railroad watches.my problem is i cant find anyone i can trust to do service and repair work for me.My watchmaker i have been using for past few years is just getting to old and it is taking to long for him to get them done.I took a bunn in early sept. that needs a new staff and i still havent got it back.meanwhile i have had several watches that have problems and others that just need service.and a few more that i have new dials for.I love my watches but i do not have the ability to repair them.I live in Indy but would consider shipping them out of state if i could find someone whom you experienced members collectors would reffer me to.at the current rate that jewlers around here charge i just cant afford to have work done as i have at least a dozen that need attention.All of my watches are american made pockets and almost all are illinois.Any help would be greatly appriciated,thanks for your time Bill Schlueter

[jim miller]

Dear Bill,

I might be able to help if you don't mind sending out of state. My prices are reasonable . My pride and joy is a wathcmakers bench made in 1887. It has a good lathe with all attachments for gear and screwcuttng. Contact me thru private email for details.
jim miller nawcc member since1978

[Tom McIntyre]

Bill, do you attend Chapter 18 meetings? I live too far away, but I have the impression that there is a pretty good group of watch people there. They should be able to help you find someone locally.

It would really be good to have someone just to talk to about your watches. I have many watches that I will never have repaired. They are interesting, but there is not enough value to justify the cost of repair. I can learn all I want from them in their current state. ;)

[Jake]

That is not possible. Watchmakers, by their very nature, are unreasonable. Jake Bunn
[
quote time=1171458802 user=elginvanguard uid=5617 fid=3 tid= rid=0]hello ,i am hoping that someone can point me in the right direction.I am a collector of illinois railroad watches.my problem is i cant find anyone i can trust to do service and repair work for me.My watchmaker i have been using for past few years is just getting to old and it is taking to long for him to get them done.I took a bunn in early sept. that needs a new staff and i still havent got it back.meanwhile i have had several watches that have problems and others that just need service.and a few more that i have new dials for.I love my watches but i do not have the ability to repair them.I live in Indy but would consider shipping them out of state if i could find someone whom you experienced members collectors would reffer me to.at the current rate that jewlers around here charge i just cant afford to have work done as i have at least a dozen that need attention.All of my watches are american made pockets and almost all are illinois.Any help would be greatly appriciated,thanks for your time Bill Schlueter [/quote]

[FredWJensen]

Unreasonable watchmakers, Well!!!!

I knew a watchmaker that paid $5,000 a month rent.
Boy did he charge a lot for a simple cleaning.
Instead of a watch cleaning, he took his customers to the cleaners.

Seriously, Try to find someone who doesn't have a fancy shop, high overhead, and knows what they are doing, and someone who truly loves watches. Perhaps someone who is retired but wants to keep in the business part time. Someone who treats problem watches like great puzzles to be mastered and truly loves the work.
True, some of the well worn movements today need extensive rebuilding after a century of use and may not be able to be completely restored for a reasonable price. But, if such a watch holds great sentimental value these these still may be worth restoring.

[Kent]

You might consider The Escapement
http://static.flickr.com/45/120095643_673b3aa186_o.jpg (http://members.aol.com/stdwatch)
Click for info.

Good luck,

[elginvanguard]

thanks for your info,i think i have found someone through this posting.They seem to care about watches and the rates are attractive.I see they are a major contributer to this forum.So they won my confidence.i will be sending you a few this weekend thanks again everyone,Bill