Good service in New york

[montmorcey]

Hi! Sorry for asking a question that has probably been asked millions of times; I am looking for a reliable watchmaker who can service my 1986 GMT. Either in NYC or Westchester county. Does anyone have any good experience?

Thank you!

[watchbiao]

I’d like to know too actually, thanks!


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[Saaci]

I had a 1960s JLC memovox serviced at central watch in Grand Central. They did a wonderful job with the movement, a little too aggressive with the case polish. I’m sure if you asked them to leave the case alone though they would take great care of the movement.


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[sillo]

If you're willing to ship it out there's a few very good vintage Rolex specialists around the US. I've had personal experience with Watchmakers International (Bob and Phillip Ridley) and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

I've looked around the area (I'm from Long Island) and couldn't find any one I was willing to trust with my watches.

[onthedial]

@montmorcey
Alkis Kotsopoulos located at 515 Madison Ave.
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Instagram: @onthedial

[montmorcey]

Originally Posted by sillo38

If you're willing to ship it out there's a few very good vintage Rolex specialists around the US. I've had personal experience with Watchmakers International (Bob and Phillip Ridley) and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

I've looked around the area (I'm from Long Island) and couldn't find any one I was willing to trust with my watches.

Thank you! I would potentially ship although I prefer meeting the individual that will take care of the watches.

What do you think a regular service should cost?

[sillo]

Originally Posted by montmorcey

Thank you! I would potentially ship although I prefer meeting the individual that will take care of the watches.

What do you think a regular service should cost?

I think a basic service from Rolex these days is around $700-$800.

[swish77]

This longtime New Yorker and collector/hobbyist has been down this road many times and has learned many valuable and painful/expensive lessons.

Do yourself a favor and send your watch to one of the highly recommended vintage specialists frequently mentioned on this forum, whether it's LAWW, the Ridleys, Riki, etc ....

[AS1]

Originally Posted by swish77

This longtime New Yorker and collector/hobbyist has been down this road many times and has learned many valuable and painful/expensive lessons.

Do yourself a favor and send your watch to one of the highly recommended vintage specialists frequently mentioned on this forum, whether it's LAWW, the Ridleys, Riki, etc ....

agreed

[Sirschwag]

Has anyone had recent experience with RSC in NY?

[sillo]

Originally Posted by Sirschwag

Has anyone had recent experience with RSC in NY?

I wouln't send any vintage watch to an RSC. Maybe they'll listen when you tell them not to polish or not to replace parts or maybe they won't. It's hit or miss. They might not even be willing to service your watch if you aren't willing to change parts like hands or dial.

Either way I'd rather be in personal contact with the person who's servicing my watch and I don't think RSC is going to be able to provide that.

[Sirschwag]

I'm curious if one can walk into the RSC in NY (since it's in your city) and personally talk to someone and get assurance of what you want done /not done... I've heard they are starting to recognize the value of vintage....recent thread where RSC got a Red Sub service dial even., granted it took some persistence and patience.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Sirschwag

Has anyone had recent experience with RSC in NY?

Yes, and it's been good, but it wasn't a super valuable vintage watch. My 6263, 5512 and 1655 went elsewhere.

You most likely would be fine at the RSC-NYC as long as you give VERY clear instructions about what you want done and make sure it's written on the paperwork before any work was performed. I'd have no problem taking a five-digit reference (or 6) to an RSC for service.

[montmorcey]

Originally Posted by swish77

This longtime New Yorker and collector/hobbyist has been down this road many times and has learned many valuable and painful/expensive lessons.

Do yourself a favor and send your watch to one of the highly recommended vintage specialists frequently mentioned on this forum, whether it's LAWW, the Ridleys, Riki, etc ....

Hi! Thank you! No reason to worry about putting your quite valuable watches in the mail?

Since you are from NY, do you have any experience from Alkis Kotsopoulos located at 515 Madison Ave (he was recommended earlier in this thread). I read great things about him as well.

[nycpassat]

Originally Posted by montmorcey

Hi! Thank you! No reason to worry about putting your quite valuable watches in the mail?

Since you are from NY, do you have any experience from Alkis Kotsopoulos located at 515 Madison Ave (he was recommended earlier in this thread). I read great things about him as well.

Alkis is the authorized service tech for A. Lange. I did not know he worked on Rolex vintage however he did an amazing job on my Datograph 39mm two years ago. The movement and dial was botched by some independent watchmaker prior to my ownership and he restored it to factory specifications.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by montmorcey

Hi! Thank you! No reason to worry about putting your quite valuable watches in the mail?

Since you are from NY, do you have any experience from Alkis Kotsopoulos located at 515 Madison Ave (he was recommended earlier in this thread). I read great things about him as well.

Well, presumably you're not just sticking your watch in the mail. You need an insured, trackable package that's sent overnight priority through a well-known service like FedEx and requires a signature. If you do use USPS, pay for the Express Mail overnight service.

Is there a risk? Yes, and you occasionally hear horror stories about lost packages. But there's also a risk that you'll get mugged on the way to a local watchmaker and have your watch stolen. Stuff happens.

However, it's unlikely you'll have a problem as long as you use the right shipping service and options. Heck, I shipped a full set 6263 Big Red Daytona three times! Gulp! Places like LAWW and Watchmakers International get millions of dollars in vintage Rolexes sent to them this way every year. If there was a high risk, you'd know about it.

As for Alkis in NYC, no, I don't know him. I'll only send my vintage pieces to the above-mentioned watchmakers nowadays.

[montmorcey]

Originally Posted by nycpassat

Alkis is the authorized service tech for A. Lange. I did not know he worked on Rolex vintage however he did an amazing job on my Datograph 39mm two years ago. The movement and dial was botched by some independent watchmaker prior to my ownership and he restored it to factory specifications.

Hi! Thats excellent.
I just had my watch with a Official Rolex shop, and they want to replace the dial and hands because it seems some of the paint is flaking off. from my perspectvice, this is a nightmare. I love this watch because of the patina.
Do you think Alkis can fix the dial and hands, without replacing them? is that even possible?

[Gepetto]

Central Watch is pretty good, though pricey. You can also send to Rik Dietel in FLA (Time Care Inc). Also, a local watchmaker who has done spectacular work for me on all my Rolexes is TruePatina on Instagram.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Gepetto

Central Watch is pretty good, though pricey. You can also send to Rik Dietel in FLA (Time Care Inc). Also, a local watchmaker who has done spectacular work for me on all my Rolexes is TruePatina on Instagram.

I considered going to Central with my 1966 Sub once and decided not to after hearing their assessment of the piece, and suggestions for service....not to mention the price tag!...after all I wanted was the crown serviced as it was loose. It was a less than encouraging experience, to put it kindly.

[Gepetto]

Central does go overboard in their estimate. Though, if you just tell them to do one thing, they will do it (usually). They will always recommend a full service (which they do very well), but if you request a specific thing after that they will limit themselves. Regardless, they do great work and Steve is great to work with, and is open and honest. in my experience. And they have a Rolex account so you'll get whatever parts you need. They do have sensitivities to vintage watches and understand that keeping whatever possible original is important. Rik is probably cheaper, though that means sending your watch to Florida. You can always ask Greg at True_Patina on Instagram, too. He's under the radar but used by a growing number of collectors around here. He will even give you video of him doing the service, if you request it, so you can see exactly what he's doing and why.

[montmorcey]

Alkis Kotsopoulos located

Hi! Do you know How to get in touch with Alkis?

[onthedial]

Originally Posted by montmorcey

Alkis Kotsopoulos located

Hi! Do you know How to get in touch with Alkis?

Swiss Watch Repair
515 Madison Ave, Suite 1230
New York, NY 10022
(212) 758-3224

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Instagram: @onthedial