Recommend Your Watchmaker

[cortman]

Gents I'm in need of someone to service my vintage Smiths watch. Here in the rural midwest there simply are no watchmakers within a reasonable distance, so I'm forced to rely entirely on remote service.
I have had Jay at MotorCity WatchWorks service, with moderate success, my vintage Seiko watch. However his watchmaker is something like 6-9 months out on work and I would rather not wait that long.
What are the names of watchmakers that any of you have used for servicing watches? I'd kind of like to file this info away for any future watch servicing needs as well, so no specialists needed for say the Smiths in particular.

[tommy_boy]

I have moved on from Jay.

This guy's in the Twin Cities: gkloner@gmail.com

[Sussa]

The watchmaker at Victor Settle Jewelers in Bloomington, Ind. restored a 100-year old watch for me with satisfactory results. It took a few months though. Not sure what kind of turnaround time you would be looking at now.

http://settlejewelry.com/

[recapt]

I have a guy here in Minneapolis who specializes in vintage pieces. I’ve had him overhaul a 1943 Elgin A-11 and a 60s skindiver. He does really good work and is reasonably priced (in my experience)... the problem is that he’s a strange character and might be difficult to work with remotely. He’s old school and doesn’t use the internet, so it would all have to be by phone. He also tends to take his sweet time unless you politely press him or make it clear that you have a deadline (e.g. a special event you need it back for – less believable with COVID though I suppose). He knows his stuff and has an amazing network he taps into for parts if necessary.

Anyway, meet Marshall Ferster, 612-825-8458

[cortman]

This is some great info. Thanks a lot guys. I'll be giving these folks some calls.

[col.steve]

Anymore watchmaker recommendations? I have a 60's Omega Geneve that needs service and nobody local - West Coast USA or anywhere USA! Thanks!

[Stretch44]

I'm taking my 1960 Geneve to Chatel Carmel this week for service. I have yet to use Hugues, but I've chatted with him a few times and his resume seems legit. I'll report back.

https://chatel.shop/collections/about-chatel