Waltham Watch Repair Near Me

Waltham watches are American timepieces made by the American Watch Company between 1850 and 1957. The American watch company has been defunct for over 70 years. This blog post discusses finding a repair shop for your Waltham watch, as well as what to expect when you need service or repair work. I’ll also share my experience with the Waltham watch repair near me.

Map of Waltham Watch Repair Near Me

For “Waltham watch repair near me”, see the map below…

Who Can Perform Waltham Watch Repair Near Me

Waltham watches are antique timepieces from a defunct manufacturer. That essentially means there are no authorized service centers, warranties, or restrictions on getting one repaired.

Here are the three most common places to get a Waltham to watch fixed:

Local Watch Repairs Shops

Local watch repair shops can perform work on a Waltham watch depending on what the issue is. Simple issues like a strap replacement or resizing I think are fine for a vintage Waltham. Anything more complicated like issues with the movement should be taken to a watch restoration shop.

Local Jewelers

Similar to local watch repair shops, I think it’s fine to seek a local jeweler for basic work. More complicated work should be brought to a restoration shop.

Watch Restoration Shop

This is the ideal place to bring a vintage Waltham wristwatch or pocket watch. Even if you are seeking restoration, but just repair work, they will understand the parts and the value of your timepiece. Timepiece restoration shops will know how to find original period correct parts. This is important to maintain the value of your watch.

Pocket Watch Repair Shop

If you have a Waltham pocket watch, then you should look for a specialized pocket watch repair shop first. While the internal mechanics are similar between wristwateches and pocket watches you want an expert for these. A pocket watch shop will know how to find the parts and period correct pieces for your repair.

Can you Fix a Waltham Watch Yourself?

You could, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Waltham watches are complicated mechanisms with many delicate parts. If you’re not experienced in watch repair, it’s easy to make things worse.

I would only recommend attempting to fix a Waltham watch yourself if it’s something simple like replacing the strap or adjusting the time. For anything else, leave it to the professionals.

What to Expect When Getting a Waltham Watch Repaired or Restored

The first thing you need to do is find a reputable watch repair or restoration shop. Once you’ve found a few shops, give them a call and describe the issue. They may be able to give you a ballpark estimate over the phone.

When you take your Waltham watch in for repair, they will start with a diagnostic. This will help them determine what is wrong and how to fix it. The diagnostic may be free or have a small fee.

Once the watch is diagnosed, the shop will give you an estimate for the repairs. If you approve the estimate, they will repair or restore your watch.

If you’re having your Waltham watch restored, the process will be more involved. A full restoration can take several weeks or even months to complete. The shop will likely give you regular updates on the progress of the restoration.

Less is More for a Restoration…

Given the value and collectability of these timepieces, you need to understand that less is more when it comes to restoration. Some collectors would rather have an original watch that doesn’t work than have a working watch with fabricated parts.

This also applies to polishing the watch. When you bring in a watch to the Waltham watch repair near me, they ask if you want it cleaned or polished. Collectors tend to value the patina look more and therefore polishing the watch may decrease its value.

Other Resources for Waltham Watch Repair Near Me

I often contact a Waltham repair shop near me first, but sometimes I need more information. If you’re still looking for ideas after reading this post, try these additional resources:

• Waltham Watch Wiki Page
• Reddit R/Waltham
• WatchUSeek Waltham Fourm
• NAWCC Forum
• Pocket Watches Facebook Group

Finding the Value of a Waltham…

The company engraved every watch movement produced in the early 1950s with an individual serial number. By inputting that data into a special database, you can approximately determine the date of production. Volunteers have meticulously cataloged Waltham serial numbers, models, and grades, over time to create this resource.

The watch company’s archives are held by Harvard Business School’s Baker Library Special Collections division at Harvard University. The material, which comprises 52 archival boxes containing 111 linear feet of material dating from 1854 to 1929, is kept in 52 archival boxes at the archive.

Popular Nixon Watch Models

When you call the Waltham watch repair near me, the first question they ask is, “what model do you have”. This is important info for a technician to determine the age, functions, and movement type of the watch. Here is a list of iconic Waltham’s:

List of Iconic Waltham Watch Models:

• Model 1857 pocket watch
• Vanguard Railroad pocket watch
• Depollier Khaki wristwatch
• A11 Navigational watch
• A17 Pilot watch
• Vacuum

Waltham Watches Today

Waltham, while no longer the original company, is now swiss made watches by WatchAngels. For a while, they were maintained by Invicta.

Waltham Watch Repair Near Me – Conclusion

There are a few different options for Waltham watch repair near me. You can take it to a local jeweler, watch repair shop, or even restoration shop. It’s important to find a reputable shop that understands the value of your timepiece.

A full restoration can be a complicated and involved process, so it’s important to choose a shop that you trust. The shop should keep you updated on the progress of the restoration and let you know if there are any changes. Ultimately, the decision of whether to repair or restore your watch is up to you. If you’re not sure what to do, I would recommend talking to a few different shops and getting their quotes and expert advice. That’s my experience with the Waltham watch repair near me.