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9 July 2012, 02:49 PM
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#61 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Hi, added in all comments and put in a certifications FAQ, thanks again for all the contributions!
USA ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ East Ernest Tope CMW21 http://watchrestoration.com/Experience.htm Watch Service - service@watchrestoration.com (813) 802-4884 Masterpiece Watch Restoration LLC PO Box 678 Mango, Fl 33550-0678 Rik E. Dietel CW21, member AWCI http://timecareinc.com/ rikki.234@hotmail.com 727-215-8870 Time Care Inc. P.O.Box 7489 Seminole, Florida. 33775 watchrepair.net 1499 Palmetto Park Rd. Boca Raton, FL 33486 (888)876-9282 (561)368-1211 Jeff@watchrepair.net Dominique Wieland PO Box 403 Spring Lake, Mi 49456 (800) 237-6398 http://dominiquewieland.com West RSC Contact: Giovanni 210 Post Street, Suite 704-705 San Francisco, CA 94108 (415) 982-9830 Four Crowns Contact: Shant Der Boghosian *Owned by former Rolex of Beverly Hills employees 608 South Hill Street Suite 1001 (10th Floor) Los Angeles, CA 90014 213-488-3381 office Dalton Toledo, Alex Kohut ABC Watchwerks 635 S. Hill St., Suite 807 Los Angeles, CA 90014 Tel (213) 489-1816 D's TIME SERVICE Owner - Tom Doan (CW21 Certified) 861 Sixth Ave #219 San Diego, CA 92101 Tel. (619) 696-9464 // dstsvc@gmail.com www.dstimeservice.com Mid West Universal Watch Repair 555 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 (248)723-5550 http://www.universalwatch.net/ Fine Swiss Watch Repair Owner: Kent Mikolite 55 E Washington St, Ste 736 (between Wabash Ave & Dearborn St) Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 658-0602 Central Bob Ridley , member AWCI http://www.watchmakers.com/ Email - bobridley@watchmakers.com (817) 276-1400 - Phone (817) 275-2466 - Fax Chamosa Watch Repair Owner: Manuel Chamosa 14785 Preston Road # 150 Dallas, TX 75254-7886 (972)404-9177 Australia ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Sydney RSC Australia ???? Contact? MAX SCHWEIZER SWISS WATCH SERVICE Suite 313 375 George Street Sydney Phone 9290 1469 CARL PARKER PARKER TIME Shop 1, 32 ferry Street, Hunters Hill. Phone 9816 1401 Expert Watch Repair Suite 306, Level 3. 250 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 p: (02) 9261 2229 f: (02) 9283 3405 http://www.watchrepair.com.au Melbourne Ferntree Gully Watch and Clock 117-119 Station Street, Ferntree Gully VIC 3156 PH: +61 3 9758 7740 http://http://www.ftgwatch.com.au/ Ask For Phil Gore Canterbury Clocks & Watches 209 Canterbury Road, Canterbury VIC 3126 PH: +61 3 9830 1370 http://http://www.canterburycw.com.au/watches.html Ask For Rory Macdonald UK ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Steve Hale Watch Restoration 33 St. George St. London W1S 2FL Tel: 00 44 207 495 3439 http://www.watchrestoration.co.uk William Rice Woodmansey Beverley Hull East Yorkshire Tel: 00 44 1482 873425 http://www.williamricewatches.com Canada ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Rolex Canada Ltd. Rolex Building 50 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto, Ontario M4V 3B7 416-968-1100 Damiani Jewllers 15 Jevlan Dr. Woodbridge, Ont. 905-850-4653 Chonger Authorized Rolex Service Center Location is at HWY 400 and #7 Ont. Is your watchmaker certified? Certification FAQ/Info, listed by contributor Rikki Question @rolexsport: What is the difference between cmw21 and cw21? Answer @Rikki:A CW is Certified Watchmaker and a CMW is a Certified Master Watchmaker. Certifications have been around for a long time this is the newest. Those that had a previous CMW were semi grandfathered in and only had to take 2 parts of the test I took because their CMW from before was more complicated. The AWCI hasn't as of yet put together a completely new CMW21, but they are working on it and as soon as it is ready I will test for that as well, of course after more classes and study. Also to keep your CW or CMW21 you have to take continueing ed courses and accrue between 5 and 7 credits to keep your license current every 5 years. Pretty much like doctors nurses opticians and so forth. Hope that clears it up a bit. Rikki Question @cruvon: What are the pre requisites to take it, for example number of years experience, etc.? Also would be interesting to know what the different subjects the exam covers. Also what's the duration of the Certified Master Watchmaker exam? Answer @Rikki: The 5 disciplines are 4 hour essay written test, 7750 Chronograph, eta automatic, eta quartz, and lathe work cut out a balance fit new one poise and properly center hairspring and oil. The only timed part is the written you have 3 1/2 days to complete the rest. They can induce up to 100 errors in the watches for you to diagnose and repair as well as clean oil adjust and case up. There is no CMW 21 test as of yet just 2 parts of the full test written and the chronograph and I believe you get 2 days to complete. You have to have 3 to 5 years experience to take the test. People coming out of wostep taking the test pass rate is slightly higher maybe 45 percent. So much has changed in the last 5 years alone materials oils quantities that you really have to take the prerequsite courses in order to pass the test. That's about all I got. Best thing I have done for myself and my business. Rikki Question @Cavediver: Hi RIk, Are there any restrictions on how a watchmaker advertises the certifications? For example, can a watchmaker that is certified cw21 or cmw21 have a staff of non certified watchmakers that do the majority of the services while the certified watchmaker mostly does the management part of the business? I figure that is how Rolex operates. Thanks Answer @Rikki: I believe the Rolex service center in Dallas has approximately 40 or so certified watchmakers and about 60 or so watch techs who do most of the grunt work and the certified guys do the final adjusting. I do everything soup to nuts. I believe that Rolex requires anyone who does mechanical work as an Independant be certified not so sure about detailing and case work. My actual title is Rik Dietel CW21 and can use my certification as I see fit for advertising or whatever. There are many stores or workshops where the owner is not even a watchmaker and subs the work out like most of the jewelry stores on the planet. Some of the subs are certified some are not it's up to the consumer to ask and because certifications started to be swept under the rug in the early 80's so jewelry stores didn't have to pay a watchmaker to change batteries lobbyied by the big jewelry store chains education for watchmakers went down the tubes. Now that more mechanical high grade watches are being produced than at anytime in history the need for qualified watchmakers is needed more than ever. If any of you out there have a genuine interest in becoming a watchmaker there's no better time, the amount of work out there is generational,and I mean really generational. Okay enough of the soapbox you'all have a nice evenning. Rikki Question @cruvon: are there any certifications that especially cater to vintage watches and their restoration (do any of the above mentioned certifications include that?), that would be the icing to the cake since though you'll know how to, many watchmakers out there have no clue about how a vintage watch needs to be handled! Answer @Rikki: That all comes with experience and trial and error hopefully more trial than error hehe. You see vintage to me and Bob are the watches we cut our teeth on. We both have serviced more vintage than probably the next 20 guys put together just because we have been around longer. We lost a local watchmaker and friend some months back and he was working full days at 84 years old imagine what he has seen and the advancement and changes in technolgy. I believe Wostep in switzerland has a highend vintage course where they give you 10 projects to complete in 9 months it's pretty intense you're making parts drawing them out lots of machining work. Barbara/Bob Ridley "In light of industry developments we..now require that all spare parts accounts maintain a membership in the American Watchmakers - Clockmakers Institute (AWCI)....AWCI is currently the only resource for obtaining the new industry-supported Watchmaker Certification, which will become mandatory for all existing Rolex spare parts accounts within the next three years." Since January 2011, AWCI certification is required in order to be eligible for a spare parts accounts. Further requirements exist, involving on-site inspection and equipment specifications. Watchmakers must maintain premium qualifications and shop standards in order to be eligible for a spare parts account. Without this account, a watchmaker cannot purchase genuine Rolex parts directly from Rolex. It is our understanding (in agreement with Rik) that an independent watchmaker with a Rolex account must have approval by Rolex (verified certifications) in order to perform mechanical services to a Rolex watch. Question @cruvon: are there any certifications that especially cater to vintage watches and their restoration (do any of the above mentioned certifications include that?), that would be the icing to the cake since though you'll know how to, many watchmakers out there have no clue about how a vintage watch needs to be handled! Answer @Barbara/Bob: Bob's perspective is that "most U.S. watchmaker curriculum focuses on current/modern watches (expected within a market-driven industry). This benefits vintage repair, given thoughtful and well-considered application of some newer techniques. Overall, though, vintage repair/restoration is as unique a niche as vintage collecting - both require passion for the watches, patient acquisition of the knowledge, and pursuit of the elusive. " NB: While this list serves to collate all vintage watch repairers forumers have possibly dealt with (from fellow forumers comments in the various threads) in one place, it in no way is a measure of the quality/originality of the work they might perform. Please conduct your own due diligence before you send in your beloved watch in for repair by asking questions on the forum, posting pictures, getting references, etc. Also please notify us of any concerns and if the forumers agree I can take them off this list.
__________________
 Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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9 July 2012, 10:43 PM
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#62 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Real Name: Mr. H
Location: Dallas
Watch: them for me!
Posts: 7,180
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It is my understanding that Chamosa is a AWCI member and CMW. He actually worked for 14 years at the Dallas RSC.
__________________
WATCHES ARE THE NEW CURRENCY!/ MEMBER 27491/OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED OLD TIMER /AP OWNERS CLUB MEMBER Instagram @watchcollectinglifestyle 
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10 July 2012, 10:09 AM
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#63 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Quote:
__________________
Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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10 July 2012, 10:32 AM
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#64 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 3,347
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Wow. Really informative thread. I wish I had found it a few days ago. Thanks.
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"Appreciate your life!" |
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18 July 2012, 03:44 PM
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#65 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Bump for any more before I update this list, only 4 countries this far!
Where's all the ones from the home of watchmaking and WOSTEP, Switzerland?:)
__________________
Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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23 July 2012, 11:00 AM
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#66 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Hi, a few updates as noted from comments above. Also for those who have a current official Rolex parts account(would be good to give the account number too if possible), could you please let me know and I can add it to the certifications!
************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Global List of Vintage Rolex Servicing centres ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Vintage repair and restoration is as unique a niche as vintage collecting - both require passion for the watches, patient acquisition of the knowledge, and pursuit of the elusive..Bob Ridley USA ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ East Ernest Tope CMW21 http://watchrestoration.com/Experience.htm Watch Service - service@watchrestoration.com (813) 802-4884 Masterpiece Watch Restoration LLC PO Box 678 Mango, Fl 33550-0678 Rik E. Dietel CW21, member AWCI http://timecareinc.com/ rikki.234@hotmail.com 727-215-8870 Time Care Inc. P.O.Box 7489 Seminole, Florida. 33775 watchrepair.net 1499 Palmetto Park Rd. Boca Raton, FL 33486 (888)876-9282 (561)368-1211 Jeff@watchrepair.net Dominique Wieland PO Box 403 Spring Lake, Mi 49456 (800) 237-6398 http://dominiquewieland.com West RSC Contact: Giovanni 210 Post Street, Suite 704-705 San Francisco, CA 94108 (415) 982-9830 Four Crowns Contact: Shant Der Boghosian *Owned by former Rolex of Beverly Hills employees 608 South Hill Street Suite 1001 (10th Floor) Los Angeles, CA 90014 213-488-3381 office Dalton Toledo, Alex Kohut ABC Watchwerks 635 S. Hill St., Suite 807 Los Angeles, CA 90014 Tel (213) 489-1816 Tom Doan, CW21 D's TIME SERVICE 861 Sixth Ave #219 San Diego, CA 92101 Tel. (619) 696-9464 // dstsvc@gmail.com www.dstimeservice.com Mid West Universal Watch Repair 555 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 (248)723-5550 http://www.universalwatch.net/ Fine Swiss Watch Repair Owner: Kent Mikolite 55 E Washington St, Ste 736 (between Wabash Ave & Dearborn St) Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 658-0602 Central Bob Ridley , CW21, member AWCI, Rolex Parts Account http://www.watchmakers.com/ Email - bobridley@watchmakers.com (817) 276-1400 - Phone (817) 275-2466 - Fax Manuel Chamosa, CMW, member AWCI Chamosa Watch Repair (Owner worked for 14 years at the Dallas RSC) 14785 Preston Road # 150 Dallas, TX 75254-7886 (972)404-9177 Australia ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Sydney RSC Australia ???? Contact? MAX SCHWEIZER SWISS WATCH SERVICE Suite 313 375 George Street Sydney Phone 9290 1469 CARL PARKER PARKER TIME Shop 1, 32 ferry Street, Hunters Hill. Phone 9816 1401 Expert Watch Repair Suite 306, Level 3. 250 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 p: (02) 9261 2229 f: (02) 9283 3405 http://www.watchrepair.com.au Melbourne Ferntree Gully Watch and Clock 117-119 Station Street, Ferntree Gully VIC 3156 PH: +61 3 9758 7740 http://http://www.ftgwatch.com.au/ Ask For Phil Gore Canterbury Clocks & Watches 209 Canterbury Road, Canterbury VIC 3126 PH: +61 3 9830 1370 http://http://www.canterburycw.com.au/watches.html Ask For Rory Macdonald UK ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Steve Hale Watch Restoration 33 St. George St. London W1S 2FL Tel: 00 44 207 495 3439 http://www.watchrestoration.co.uk William Rice Woodmansey Beverley Hull East Yorkshire Tel: 00 44 1482 873425 http://www.williamricewatches.com Canada ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Rolex Canada Ltd. Rolex Building 50 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto, Ontario M4V 3B7 416-968-1100 Damiani Jewllers 15 Jevlan Dr. Woodbridge, Ont. 905-850-4653 Chonger Authorized Rolex Service Center Location is at HWY 400 and #7 Ont. Is your watchmaker certified? Certification FAQ/Info, listed by contributor Rikki Question @rolexsport: What is the difference between cmw21 and cw21? Answer @Rikki:A CW is Certified Watchmaker and a CMW is a Certified Master Watchmaker. Certifications have been around for a long time this is the newest. Those that had a previous CMW were semi grandfathered in and only had to take 2 parts of the test I took because their CMW from before was more complicated. The AWCI hasn't as of yet put together a completely new CMW21, but they are working on it and as soon as it is ready I will test for that as well, of course after more classes and study. Also to keep your CW or CMW21 you have to take continueing ed courses and accrue between 5 and 7 credits to keep your license current every 5 years. Pretty much like doctors nurses opticians and so forth. Hope that clears it up a bit. Rikki Question @cruvon: What are the pre requisites to take it, for example number of years experience, etc.? Also would be interesting to know what the different subjects the exam covers. Also what's the duration of the Certified Master Watchmaker exam? Answer @Rikki: The 5 disciplines are 4 hour essay written test, 7750 Chronograph, eta automatic, eta quartz, and lathe work cut out a balance fit new one poise and properly center hairspring and oil. The only timed part is the written you have 3 1/2 days to complete the rest. They can induce up to 100 errors in the watches for you to diagnose and repair as well as clean oil adjust and case up. There is no CMW 21 test as of yet just 2 parts of the full test written and the chronograph and I believe you get 2 days to complete. You have to have 3 to 5 years experience to take the test. People coming out of wostep taking the test pass rate is slightly higher maybe 45 percent. So much has changed in the last 5 years alone materials oils quantities that you really have to take the prerequsite courses in order to pass the test. That's about all I got. Best thing I have done for myself and my business. Rikki Question @Cavediver: Hi RIk, Are there any restrictions on how a watchmaker advertises the certifications? For example, can a watchmaker that is certified cw21 or cmw21 have a staff of non certified watchmakers that do the majority of the services while the certified watchmaker mostly does the management part of the business? I figure that is how Rolex operates. Thanks Answer @Rikki: I believe the Rolex service center in Dallas has approximately 40 or so certified watchmakers and about 60 or so watch techs who do most of the grunt work and the certified guys do the final adjusting. I do everything soup to nuts. I believe that Rolex requires anyone who does mechanical work as an Independant be certified not so sure about detailing and case work. My actual title is Rik Dietel CW21 and can use my certification as I see fit for advertising or whatever. There are many stores or workshops where the owner is not even a watchmaker and subs the work out like most of the jewelry stores on the planet. Some of the subs are certified some are not it's up to the consumer to ask and because certifications started to be swept under the rug in the early 80's so jewelry stores didn't have to pay a watchmaker to change batteries lobbyied by the big jewelry store chains education for watchmakers went down the tubes. Now that more mechanical high grade watches are being produced than at anytime in history the need for qualified watchmakers is needed more than ever. If any of you out there have a genuine interest in becoming a watchmaker there's no better time, the amount of work out there is generational,and I mean really generational. Okay enough of the soapbox you'all have a nice evenning. Rikki Question @cruvon: are there any certifications that especially cater to vintage watches and their restoration (do any of the above mentioned certifications include that?), that would be the icing to the cake since though you'll know how to, many watchmakers out there have no clue about how a vintage watch needs to be handled! Answer @Rikki: That all comes with experience and trial and error hopefully more trial than error hehe. You see vintage to me and Bob are the watches we cut our teeth on. We both have serviced more vintage than probably the next 20 guys put together just because we have been around longer. We lost a local watchmaker and friend some months back and he was working full days at 84 years old imagine what he has seen and the advancement and changes in technolgy. I believe Wostep in switzerland has a highend vintage course where they give you 10 projects to complete in 9 months it's pretty intense you're making parts drawing them out lots of machining work. Barbara/Bob Ridley "In light of industry developments we..now require that all spare parts accounts maintain a membership in the American Watchmakers - Clockmakers Institute (AWCI)....AWCI is currently the only resource for obtaining the new industry-supported Watchmaker Certification, which will become mandatory for all existing Rolex spare parts accounts within the next three years." Since January 2011, AWCI certification is required in order to be eligible for a spare parts accounts. Further requirements exist, involving on-site inspection and equipment specifications. Watchmakers must maintain premium qualifications and shop standards in order to be eligible for a spare parts account. Without this account, a watchmaker cannot purchase genuine Rolex parts directly from Rolex. It is our understanding (in agreement with Rik) that an independent watchmaker with a Rolex account must have approval by Rolex (verified certifications) in order to perform mechanical services to a Rolex watch. Question @cruvon: are there any certifications that especially cater to vintage watches and their restoration (do any of the above mentioned certifications include that?), that would be the icing to the cake since though you'll know how to, many watchmakers out there have no clue about how a vintage watch needs to be handled! Answer @Barbara/Bob: Bob's perspective is that "most U.S. watchmaker curriculum focuses on current/modern watches (expected within a market-driven industry). This benefits vintage repair, given thoughtful and well-considered application of some newer techniques. Overall, though, vintage repair/restoration is as unique a niche as vintage collecting - both require passion for the watches, patient acquisition of the knowledge, and pursuit of the elusive. " NB: While this list serves to collate all vintage watch repairers forumers have possibly dealt with (from fellow forumers comments in the various threads) in one place, it in no way is a measure of the quality/originality of the work they might perform. Please conduct your own due diligence before you send in your beloved watch in for repair by asking questions on the forum, posting pictures, getting references, etc. Also please notify us of any concerns and if the forumers agree I can take them off this list.
__________________
Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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23 July 2012, 11:48 AM
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#67 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Watch: 16600
Posts: 728
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Tom Doan is CW21 certified. It is noted, but not highlighted in red like the rest. He's a top notch guy, btw.
V/R Mike
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V/R Mike |
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23 July 2012, 11:50 AM
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#68 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Quote:
__________________
Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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23 July 2012, 11:55 AM
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#69 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Watch: 16600
Posts: 728
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Sure thing! Thank you for compiling this list. It is a great help to all!
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V/R Mike |
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23 July 2012, 08:56 PM
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#70 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Quote:
__________________
Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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23 July 2012, 09:18 PM
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#71 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2010
Real Name: Dan
Location: USA
Watch: This N That
Posts: 34,251
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Another great thread San.
 Thanks for starting the discussion. I'm surprised this one hasn't achieved sticky status yet.
__________________
When it captures your imagination, that's when you know you have found your passion. Loyal Foot Soldier of The Nylon Nation. Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons |
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23 July 2012, 10:14 PM
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#72 |
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Sweden
Posts: 104
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Sweden:
Infinitum Jewelry & Watches Kungsgatan 5 411 19 Gothenburg Watchmaker: Kristoffer Polblad Independent but Rolex certified. Specialised in vintage Rolex. http://infinitumsmycken.se/ |
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23 July 2012, 10:34 PM
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#73 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Real Name: Bob
Location: Dallas, Texas
Watch: Daytona Meteorite
Posts: 3,413
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Wonderful resource. Thanks!
__________________
meteor flying to Earth onto my wrist... 116509 Daytona Meteorite, 116520 Daytona Black, 116710 GMTIIC, 16013 DATEJUST, CARTIER SANTOS 100 W20090X8, IWC Big Pilot, IWC Top Gun  "Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, it's not the end." |
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24 July 2012, 10:44 AM
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#74 | |||
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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24 July 2012, 03:22 PM
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#75 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Hi, welcome Sweden:)! Some more countries and we can holiday with our vintage Rolexes with no fear in the knowledge that a repairer is only a call away!:)
Again for those who have a current official Rolex parts account(would be good to give the account number too if possible), could you please let me know and I can add it to the certifications! ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Global List of Vintage Rolex Servicing centres ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Vintage repair and restoration is as unique a niche as vintage collecting - both require passion for the watches, patient acquisition of the knowledge, and pursuit of the elusive..Bob Ridley USA ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ East Ernest Tope CMW21 http://watchrestoration.com/Experience.htm Watch Service - service@watchrestoration.com (813) 802-4884 Masterpiece Watch Restoration LLC PO Box 678 Mango, Fl 33550-0678 Rik E. Dietel CW21, member AWCI http://timecareinc.com/ rikki.234@hotmail.com 727-215-8870 Time Care Inc. P.O.Box 7489 Seminole, Florida. 33775 watchrepair.net 1499 Palmetto Park Rd. Boca Raton, FL 33486 (888)876-9282 (561)368-1211 Jeff@watchrepair.net Dominique Wieland PO Box 403 Spring Lake, Mi 49456 (800) 237-6398 http://dominiquewieland.com West RSC Contact: Giovanni 210 Post Street, Suite 704-705 San Francisco, CA 94108 (415) 982-9830 Four Crowns Contact: Shant Der Boghosian *Owned by former Rolex of Beverly Hills employees 608 South Hill Street Suite 1001 (10th Floor) Los Angeles, CA 90014 213-488-3381 office Dalton Toledo, Alex Kohut ABC Watchwerks 635 S. Hill St., Suite 807 Los Angeles, CA 90014 Tel (213) 489-1816 Tom Doan, CW21 D's TIME SERVICE 861 Sixth Ave #219 San Diego, CA 92101 Tel. (619) 696-9464 // dstsvc@gmail.com www.dstimeservice.com Mid West Universal Watch Repair 555 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 (248)723-5550 http://www.universalwatch.net/ Fine Swiss Watch Repair Owner: Kent Mikolite 55 E Washington St, Ste 736 (between Wabash Ave & Dearborn St) Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 658-0602 Central Bob Ridley , CW21, member AWCI, Rolex Parts Account http://www.watchmakers.com/ Email - bobridley@watchmakers.com (817) 276-1400 - Phone (817) 275-2466 - Fax Manuel Chamosa, CMW, member AWCI Chamosa Watch Repair (Owner worked for 14 years at the Dallas RSC) 14785 Preston Road # 150 Dallas, TX 75254-7886 (972)404-9177 Canada ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Rolex Canada Ltd. Rolex Building 50 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto, Ontario M4V 3B7 416-968-1100 Damiani Jewllers 15 Jevlan Dr. Woodbridge, Ont. 905-850-4653 Chonger Authorized Rolex Service Center Location is at HWY 400 and #7 Ont. Australia ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Sydney RSC Australia ???? Contact? MAX SCHWEIZER SWISS WATCH SERVICE Suite 313 375 George Street Sydney Phone 9290 1469 CARL PARKER PARKER TIME Shop 1, 32 ferry Street, Hunters Hill. Phone 9816 1401 Expert Watch Repair Suite 306, Level 3. 250 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 p: (02) 9261 2229 f: (02) 9283 3405 http://www.watchrepair.com.au Melbourne Ferntree Gully Watch and Clock 117-119 Station Street, Ferntree Gully VIC 3156 PH: +61 3 9758 7740 http://http://www.ftgwatch.com.au/ Ask For Phil Gore Canterbury Clocks & Watches 209 Canterbury Road, Canterbury VIC 3126 PH: +61 3 9830 1370 http://http://www.canterburycw.com.au/watches.html Ask For Rory Macdonald UK ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Steve Hale Watch Restoration 33 St. George St. London W1S 2FL Tel: 00 44 207 495 3439 http://www.watchrestoration.co.uk William Rice Woodmansey Beverley Hull East Yorkshire Tel: 00 44 1482 873425 http://www.williamricewatches.com Sweden ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Kristoffer Polblad Infinitum Jewelry & Watches Kungsgatan 5 411 19 Gothenburg Independent but Rolex certified. Specialised in vintage Rolex. http://infinitumsmycken.se/ Is your watchmaker certified? Certification FAQ/Info, listed by contributor Rikki Question @rolexsport: What is the difference between cmw21 and cw21? Answer @Rikki:A CW is Certified Watchmaker and a CMW is a Certified Master Watchmaker. Certifications have been around for a long time this is the newest. Those that had a previous CMW were semi grandfathered in and only had to take 2 parts of the test I took because their CMW from before was more complicated. The AWCI hasn't as of yet put together a completely new CMW21, but they are working on it and as soon as it is ready I will test for that as well, of course after more classes and study. Also to keep your CW or CMW21 you have to take continueing ed courses and accrue between 5 and 7 credits to keep your license current every 5 years. Pretty much like doctors nurses opticians and so forth. Hope that clears it up a bit. Rikki Question @cruvon: What are the pre requisites to take it, for example number of years experience, etc.? Also would be interesting to know what the different subjects the exam covers. Also what's the duration of the Certified Master Watchmaker exam? Answer @Rikki: The 5 disciplines are 4 hour essay written test, 7750 Chronograph, eta automatic, eta quartz, and lathe work cut out a balance fit new one poise and properly center hairspring and oil. The only timed part is the written you have 3 1/2 days to complete the rest. They can induce up to 100 errors in the watches for you to diagnose and repair as well as clean oil adjust and case up. There is no CMW 21 test as of yet just 2 parts of the full test written and the chronograph and I believe you get 2 days to complete. You have to have 3 to 5 years experience to take the test. People coming out of wostep taking the test pass rate is slightly higher maybe 45 percent. So much has changed in the last 5 years alone materials oils quantities that you really have to take the prerequsite courses in order to pass the test. That's about all I got. Best thing I have done for myself and my business. Rikki Question @Cavediver: Hi RIk, Are there any restrictions on how a watchmaker advertises the certifications? For example, can a watchmaker that is certified cw21 or cmw21 have a staff of non certified watchmakers that do the majority of the services while the certified watchmaker mostly does the management part of the business? I figure that is how Rolex operates. Thanks Answer @Rikki: I believe the Rolex service center in Dallas has approximately 40 or so certified watchmakers and about 60 or so watch techs who do most of the grunt work and the certified guys do the final adjusting. I do everything soup to nuts. I believe that Rolex requires anyone who does mechanical work as an Independant be certified not so sure about detailing and case work. My actual title is Rik Dietel CW21 and can use my certification as I see fit for advertising or whatever. There are many stores or workshops where the owner is not even a watchmaker and subs the work out like most of the jewelry stores on the planet. Some of the subs are certified some are not it's up to the consumer to ask and because certifications started to be swept under the rug in the early 80's so jewelry stores didn't have to pay a watchmaker to change batteries lobbyied by the big jewelry store chains education for watchmakers went down the tubes. Now that more mechanical high grade watches are being produced than at anytime in history the need for qualified watchmakers is needed more than ever. If any of you out there have a genuine interest in becoming a watchmaker there's no better time, the amount of work out there is generational,and I mean really generational. Okay enough of the soapbox you'all have a nice evenning. Rikki Question @cruvon: are there any certifications that especially cater to vintage watches and their restoration (do any of the above mentioned certifications include that?), that would be the icing to the cake since though you'll know how to, many watchmakers out there have no clue about how a vintage watch needs to be handled! Answer @Rikki: That all comes with experience and trial and error hopefully more trial than error hehe. You see vintage to me and Bob are the watches we cut our teeth on. We both have serviced more vintage than probably the next 20 guys put together just because we have been around longer. We lost a local watchmaker and friend some months back and he was working full days at 84 years old imagine what he has seen and the advancement and changes in technolgy. I believe Wostep in switzerland has a highend vintage course where they give you 10 projects to complete in 9 months it's pretty intense you're making parts drawing them out lots of machining work. Barbara/Bob Ridley "In light of industry developments we..now require that all spare parts accounts maintain a membership in the American Watchmakers - Clockmakers Institute (AWCI)....AWCI is currently the only resource for obtaining the new industry-supported Watchmaker Certification, which will become mandatory for all existing Rolex spare parts accounts within the next three years." Since January 2011, AWCI certification is required in order to be eligible for a spare parts accounts. Further requirements exist, involving on-site inspection and equipment specifications. Watchmakers must maintain premium qualifications and shop standards in order to be eligible for a spare parts account. Without this account, a watchmaker cannot purchase genuine Rolex parts directly from Rolex. It is our understanding (in agreement with Rik) that an independent watchmaker with a Rolex account must have approval by Rolex (verified certifications) in order to perform mechanical services to a Rolex watch. Question @cruvon: are there any certifications that especially cater to vintage watches and their restoration (do any of the above mentioned certifications include that?), that would be the icing to the cake since though you'll know how to, many watchmakers out there have no clue about how a vintage watch needs to be handled! Answer @Barbara/Bob: Bob's perspective is that "most U.S. watchmaker curriculum focuses on current/modern watches (expected within a market-driven industry). This benefits vintage repair, given thoughtful and well-considered application of some newer techniques. Overall, though, vintage repair/restoration is as unique a niche as vintage collecting - both require passion for the watches, patient acquisition of the knowledge, and pursuit of the elusive. " NB: While this list serves to collate all vintage watch repairers forumers have possibly dealt with (from fellow forumers comments in the various threads) in one place, it in no way is a measure of the quality/originality of the work they might perform. Please conduct your own due diligence before you send in your beloved watch in for repair by asking questions on the forum, posting pictures, getting references, etc. Also please notify us of any concerns and if the forumers agree I can take them off this list.
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Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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25 July 2012, 12:02 PM
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#76 |
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TechXpert
Join Date: Jun 2009
Real Name: Rik Dietel
Location: Seminole Fla
Watch: 5512 s/s Sub
Posts: 1,818
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I have a Rolex ,Omega, Patek, Tag, IWC parts account and to many to list. Account numbers are like credit card numbers confidential and not to be shared. but thanx for asking. Rikki
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Century 21 Certified watchmaker Omega Service Provider Trained Omega OWME Certified. Rolex Parts Account Holder. |
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25 July 2012, 01:10 PM
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#77 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Quote:
Offcourse that's not to discount those watchmakers that are technically good but have other means of sourcing original Rolex parts or even those watchmakers in other countries who might be servicing a very small market and so find the costs of maintaining a Rolex parts account prohibitive. But as a client who has access to a competitive marketplace, one ought to know that such differences exist just like with the certifications, so that they can make the choice of whom to go with themselves after taking all these factors into consideration!
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Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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26 July 2012, 01:19 PM
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#78 |
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TechXpert
Join Date: Jun 2009
Real Name: Rik Dietel
Location: Seminole Fla
Watch: 5512 s/s Sub
Posts: 1,818
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Okay this is the way it works assuming first that you qualify and get a Rolex parts account it remains in force until you break the rules then at Rolex's discretion they may terminate their business association with you. As a parts account holder you cannot sell parts to a non parts account watchmaker it's pretty much game over. I am allowed to sell parts to anyone as long as I do the installation. There isn't a day goes by when someone on this or any number of other forums asks me to sell them parts which I of course have to say send me the watch and I'll be glad to service or install the part for them for me to risk my livelihood to make a few bucks is crazy because I'm in this for the long haul. Now that being said they're thousands of original parts in the market place because these rules apply for the US and is different in all other countries why this is I'll let you try to figure that one out. Since I have been a watchmaker I have bought out over 30 retired or passed away watchmakers tools and parts and most have had some new old stock Rolex parts. You see 15 to 20 years ago you could buy Rolex parts from any watch supply house there were no restrictions on the sale and or use of these parts, but things change and this is how it is now so if I want to have a nice life and make a good living I dance the dance and walk the walk and don't have a problem with it. Now whether Rolex has a department that you could call and ask if a particular person has a parts account I imagine that they might but it would also be a very busy phone line. I have had a parts account for over 20 years or more with the companies I listed earlier and am in good standing with them all. So maybe you might have to take my word on this one or check if you like your call. I think that the standards that Rolex is trying to achieve is admirable and in the long run very good for the owners of their fine timepieces. Rikki
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Century 21 Certified watchmaker Omega Service Provider Trained Omega OWME Certified. Rolex Parts Account Holder. |
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26 July 2012, 03:23 PM
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#79 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Quote:
__________________
Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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27 July 2012, 01:16 AM
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#80 |
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Banned
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 31
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Very interesting reading, thanks
Has anyone got anymore UK recommendations, as there are only 2 listed so far? Thanks and all the best |
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27 July 2012, 11:33 AM
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#81 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Brooklyn USA
Posts: 17
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Dominique Wieland is a pro.
I sent my 16750 to Dominique Wieland. He did a great job and was very accessible and easy to work with. He was in constant contact and was happy to source any parts that I required. I was looking for original hand, neither of us were able to find what I was looking for, but he was game for the hunt. He is A+.
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27 July 2012, 11:34 AM
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#82 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Quote:
__________________
Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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27 July 2012, 11:38 AM
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#83 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Quote:
__________________
Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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28 July 2012, 12:32 AM
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#84 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Dallas
Posts: 1,075
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Quote:
As mentioned above in this thread, if a watchmaker does not maintain CMxx certifications, they cannot hold a Rolex parts account. Unfortunately (as of a few years ago) Rolex will only hand you a AWCI card and send you on your way. Just to clarify, just because a watchmaker is a member or CMxx certified, it does not mean they have a Rolex parts account. There are ways to verify with Rolex RSCs, but those methods are not direct or simple. Cheers, CD |
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28 July 2012, 01:56 AM
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#85 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: weehawken
Posts: 847
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Quote:
Rik wont even sell me a screw bar for my band.. but me  Rik anyway!!
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28 July 2012, 06:49 AM
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#86 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Brooklyn USA
Posts: 17
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Quote:
Spring Lake, MI 49456 |
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1 August 2012, 11:36 AM
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#87 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Quote:
__________________
Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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1 August 2012, 11:50 AM
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#88 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Quote:
__________________
Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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2 October 2012, 06:36 PM
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#89 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Bump for more countries and repairers. Also added address details for RSC Sydney and Melbourne, please let me know if they need updating! Anyone has the address for RSC Bexley(UK)?
Also I don't think is worth advertising the Rolex Part Account details of repairers since is not possible to verify with Rolex and I haven't got details about whether any repairers on the list besides Rikki and Bob Ridley have a Rolex Parts acccount after I last asked here. So please ask the repairer directly if that's a concern to you since Rolex unfortunately doesn't advertise details of their Rolex Parts Account holders for us to be able to verify them. Still accepting certifications info though! ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Global List of Vintage Rolex Servicing centres ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Vintage repair and restoration is as unique a niche as vintage collecting - both require passion for the watches, patient acquisition of the knowledge, and pursuit of the elusive..Bob Ridley USA ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ East Ernest Tope CMW21 http://watchrestoration.com/Experience.htm Watch Service - service@watchrestoration.com (813) 802-4884 Masterpiece Watch Restoration LLC PO Box 678 Mango, Fl 33550-0678 Rik E. Dietel CW21, member AWCI http://timecareinc.com/ rikki.234@hotmail.com 727-215-8870 Time Care Inc. P.O.Box 7489 Seminole, Florida. 33775 watchrepair.net 1499 Palmetto Park Rd. Boca Raton, FL 33486 (888)876-9282 (561)368-1211 Jeff@watchrepair.net Dominique Wieland PO Box 403 616 East Savidge Street Spring Lake, MI 49456 (800) 237-6398 http://dominiquewieland.com West RSC Contact: Giovanni 210 Post Street, Suite 704-705 San Francisco, CA 94108 (415) 982-9830 Four Crowns Contact: Shant Der Boghosian *Owned by former Rolex of Beverly Hills employees 608 South Hill Street Suite 1001 (10th Floor) Los Angeles, CA 90014 213-488-3381 office Dalton Toledo, Alex Kohut ABC Watchwerks 635 S. Hill St., Suite 807 Los Angeles, CA 90014 Tel (213) 489-1816 Tom Doan, CW21 D's TIME SERVICE 861 Sixth Ave #219 San Diego, CA 92101 Tel. (619) 696-9464 // dstsvc@gmail.com www.dstimeservice.com Mid West Universal Watch Repair 555 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 (248)723-5550 http://www.universalwatch.net/ Fine Swiss Watch Repair Owner: Kent Mikolite 55 E Washington St, Ste 736 (between Wabash Ave & Dearborn St) Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 658-0602 Central Bob Ridley , CW21, member AWCI http://www.watchmakers.com/ Email - bobridley@watchmakers.com (817) 276-1400 - Phone (817) 275-2466 - Fax Manuel Chamosa, CMW, member AWCI Chamosa Watch Repair (Owner worked for 14 years at the Dallas RSC) 14785 Preston Road # 150 Dallas, TX 75254-7886 (972)404-9177 Canada ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Rolex Canada Ltd. Rolex Building 50 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto, Ontario M4V 3B7 416-968-1100 Damiani Jewllers 15 Jevlan Dr. Woodbridge, Ont. 905-850-4653 Chonger Authorized Rolex Service Center Location is at HWY 400 and #7 Ont. Australia ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Sydney RSC Sydney Level 39, Tower Building, Australia Square, 264 George Street Sydney 2000. New South Wales Australia. Tel: +61 2 9251 8988 MAX SCHWEIZER SWISS WATCH SERVICE Suite 313 375 George Street Sydney Phone 9290 1469 CARL PARKER PARKER TIME Shop 1, 32 ferry Street, Hunters Hill. Phone 9816 1401 Expert Watch Repair Suite 306, Level 3. 250 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 p: (02) 9261 2229 f: (02) 9283 3405 http://www.watchrepair.com.au Melbourne RSC Melbourne 70 Collins Street Melbourne 3000. Victoria Australia. Tel: +61 3 9654 3988. Ferntree Gully Watch and Clock 117-119 Station Street, Ferntree Gully VIC 3156 PH: +61 3 9758 7740 http://http://www.ftgwatch.com.au/ Ask For Phil Gore Canterbury Clocks & Watches 209 Canterbury Road, Canterbury VIC 3126 PH: +61 3 9830 1370 http://http://www.canterburycw.com.au/watches.html Ask For Rory Macdonald UK ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Steve Hale Watch Restoration 33 St. George St. London W1S 2FL Tel: 00 44 207 495 3439 http://www.watchrestoration.co.uk William Rice Woodmansey Beverley Hull East Yorkshire Tel: 00 44 1482 873425 http://www.williamricewatches.com Sweden ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************ Kristoffer Polblad Infinitum Jewelry & Watches Kungsgatan 5 411 19 Gothenburg Independent but Rolex certified. Specialised in vintage Rolex. http://infinitumsmycken.se/ Is your watchmaker certified? Certification FAQ/Info, listed by contributor Rikki Question @rolexsport: What is the difference between cmw21 and cw21? Answer @Rikki:A CW is Certified Watchmaker and a CMW is a Certified Master Watchmaker. Certifications have been around for a long time this is the newest. Those that had a previous CMW were semi grandfathered in and only had to take 2 parts of the test I took because their CMW from before was more complicated. The AWCI hasn't as of yet put together a completely new CMW21, but they are working on it and as soon as it is ready I will test for that as well, of course after more classes and study. Also to keep your CW or CMW21 you have to take continueing ed courses and accrue between 5 and 7 credits to keep your license current every 5 years. Pretty much like doctors nurses opticians and so forth. Hope that clears it up a bit. Rikki Question @cruvon: What are the pre requisites to take it, for example number of years experience, etc.? Also would be interesting to know what the different subjects the exam covers. Also what's the duration of the Certified Master Watchmaker exam? Answer @Rikki: The 5 disciplines are 4 hour essay written test, 7750 Chronograph, eta automatic, eta quartz, and lathe work cut out a balance fit new one poise and properly center hairspring and oil. The only timed part is the written you have 3 1/2 days to complete the rest. They can induce up to 100 errors in the watches for you to diagnose and repair as well as clean oil adjust and case up. There is no CMW 21 test as of yet just 2 parts of the full test written and the chronograph and I believe you get 2 days to complete. You have to have 3 to 5 years experience to take the test. People coming out of wostep taking the test pass rate is slightly higher maybe 45 percent. So much has changed in the last 5 years alone materials oils quantities that you really have to take the prerequsite courses in order to pass the test. That's about all I got. Best thing I have done for myself and my business. Rikki Question @Cavediver: Hi RIk, Are there any restrictions on how a watchmaker advertises the certifications? For example, can a watchmaker that is certified cw21 or cmw21 have a staff of non certified watchmakers that do the majority of the services while the certified watchmaker mostly does the management part of the business? I figure that is how Rolex operates. Thanks Answer @Rikki: I believe the Rolex service center in Dallas has approximately 40 or so certified watchmakers and about 60 or so watch techs who do most of the grunt work and the certified guys do the final adjusting. I do everything soup to nuts. I believe that Rolex requires anyone who does mechanical work as an Independant be certified not so sure about detailing and case work. My actual title is Rik Dietel CW21 and can use my certification as I see fit for advertising or whatever. There are many stores or workshops where the owner is not even a watchmaker and subs the work out like most of the jewelry stores on the planet. Some of the subs are certified some are not it's up to the consumer to ask and because certifications started to be swept under the rug in the early 80's so jewelry stores didn't have to pay a watchmaker to change batteries lobbyied by the big jewelry store chains education for watchmakers went down the tubes. Now that more mechanical high grade watches are being produced than at anytime in history the need for qualified watchmakers is needed more than ever. If any of you out there have a genuine interest in becoming a watchmaker there's no better time, the amount of work out there is generational,and I mean really generational. Okay enough of the soapbox you'all have a nice evenning. Rikki Question @cruvon: are there any certifications that especially cater to vintage watches and their restoration (do any of the above mentioned certifications include that?), that would be the icing to the cake since though you'll know how to, many watchmakers out there have no clue about how a vintage watch needs to be handled! Answer @Rikki: That all comes with experience and trial and error hopefully more trial than error hehe. You see vintage to me and Bob are the watches we cut our teeth on. We both have serviced more vintage than probably the next 20 guys put together just because we have been around longer. We lost a local watchmaker and friend some months back and he was working full days at 84 years old imagine what he has seen and the advancement and changes in technolgy. I believe Wostep in switzerland has a highend vintage course where they give you 10 projects to complete in 9 months it's pretty intense you're making parts drawing them out lots of machining work. Barbara/Bob Ridley "In light of industry developments we..now require that all spare parts accounts maintain a membership in the American Watchmakers - Clockmakers Institute (AWCI)....AWCI is currently the only resource for obtaining the new industry-supported Watchmaker Certification, which will become mandatory for all existing Rolex spare parts accounts within the next three years." Since January 2011, AWCI certification is required in order to be eligible for a spare parts accounts. Further requirements exist, involving on-site inspection and equipment specifications. Watchmakers must maintain premium qualifications and shop standards in order to be eligible for a spare parts account. Without this account, a watchmaker cannot purchase genuine Rolex parts directly from Rolex. It is our understanding (in agreement with Rik) that an independent watchmaker with a Rolex account must have approval by Rolex (verified certifications) in order to perform mechanical services to a Rolex watch. Question @cruvon: are there any certifications that especially cater to vintage watches and their restoration (do any of the above mentioned certifications include that?), that would be the icing to the cake since though you'll know how to, many watchmakers out there have no clue about how a vintage watch needs to be handled! Answer @Barbara/Bob: Bob's perspective is that "most U.S. watchmaker curriculum focuses on current/modern watches (expected within a market-driven industry). This benefits vintage repair, given thoughtful and well-considered application of some newer techniques. Overall, though, vintage repair/restoration is as unique a niche as vintage collecting - both require passion for the watches, patient acquisition of the knowledge, and pursuit of the elusive. " NB: While this list serves to collate all vintage watch repairers forumers have possibly dealt with (from fellow forumers comments in the various threads) in one place, it in no way is a measure of the quality/originality of the work they might perform. Please conduct your own due diligence before you send in your beloved watch in for repair by asking questions on the forum, posting pictures, getting references, etc. Also please notify us of any concerns and if the forumers agree I can take them off this list.
__________________
Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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5 November 2012, 11:56 AM
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#90 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Bump for some more!
__________________
Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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