Estimates, Prices, Shipping
First of all, please contact me and read
this page with shipping information before mailing your watch.
For each watch you send,
please pay a
deposit of $50 (either by paypal, using this button,
or by sending a check made out to Chris Radek with the watch.) This
covers my time to partially disassemble and examine the watch, and if parts or work beyond
what is covered in the basic service cost are needed, to
make a detailed estimate. Taking the time in this situation to do a detailed estimate protects both of us, and is
required by
the NAWCC Code of Ethics:
When entrusted to repair horological items, members shall make a good
faith effort to notify the owner of all work to be performed or parts
requiring repair or replacement prior to starting work on the item.
If your watch needs any work above and beyond what is included in basic service (prices below), I will take microscopic photos of any trouble
areas. I will annotate each photo,
describing the current condition, and any parts and work necessary to put the
situation right. I will email you a PDF containing this full estimate.
If you accept, the final invoice will describe the work done, and the total will normally be
the estimate cost, plus return shipping and whatever insurance you'd like, minus
deposit.
If you decline, I will reassemble, pack, and send back your watch
Priority Mail, and the estimate is yours to keep. Your deposit does not cover
insurance for return shipping; if you would like to pay the extra for
insurance in this situation, let me know.
Many of my customers are very well informed collectors, with extensive and
detailed knowledge about the watches they have, and a keen interest in their
condition and workings. I fully respect this and I will always
communicate frankly with you about your watch, what I am doing to it, and why.
I want to team up with you to help you have the best and most useful collection possible.
Cost for basic service of undamaged watches starts at $160, not
including return shipping and insurance:
Watch Type
| Basic Service Cost
|
Accutron, any but 2185
| $160
|
Accutron, 2185 (Astro Mk2, RR Mk4 etc)
| $190
|
ESA 9162, 9164
| $175
|
Beta 21
| $210
|
Manual wind, time only (most pocket watches)
| $175
|
Manual wind, time and date
| $185
|
Automatic wind, time only
| $185
|
Automatic wind, time and date
| $200
|
Chronograph, manual wind, without 12h recorder
| $270
|
Chronograph, manual wind, with 12h recorder
| $310
|
Chronograph, more complicated
| $350
|
Repeaters, Fusees
| By estimate only
|
Pocket watches that have received
excessive shock (usually from dropping) have characteristic problems, with
some combination of broken balance staff and broken balance jewels. Many
staffs are available, but for some watches a custom staff must be made.
Balance hole jewels in settings are becoming more rare, and some need to be
made special. Prices all depend on availability.