Chris Heal Watchmaker

[T S Magnum]

I know it's dangerous to 'flame' an individual/company on a forum from one personnel experience with them but having used these guys recently I feel I have to share my opinion.

I sent them my 3-year old Seamaster Automatic for service and repair of a stiff bezel and 2 weeks and £80 later the watch came back looking refreshed and with working bezel. Great I thought, but I then noticed the two new scratches on the bracelet. The next morning to my annoyance I found the date number had got stuck halfway through its change (it never used to do that). The watch now seemed to run a bit fast also.

These were all glaringly obvious things you'd surely expect to be noticed before the watch was returned.

When I spoke to ..... I was told- 'If I had a penny for everyone who told me their watch was better before the work...' and 'that's watches for you'.

I couldn't believe his attitude. There was no apology

The watch went back to him and 2 weeks later nothing had happened. I e-mailed him (his answer machine is always on and full) and was told returns take as long as normal jobs- they basically rejoin the back of the queue.

The contempt was amazing. Again no apology.

I now have the watch back again, working fine but with what looks like a small splinter stuck on the face.

I'm just so angry about the whole episode. I haven't had the watch long, I was a big treat to myself for turning 25 and I just wanted it perfect.

Has anyone else had a similar treatment or must I have offended him in a former life?

You're right about naming and shaming - please don't do it when you know it's not allowed.

Edited by Nubbin on Tuesday 5th February 09:06

[F355GTS]

I've used him once before, have to say I was very impressed

[tertius]

I'm sorry to hear that. I've used him a few times, and always been pleased (except for how long he takes), in fact he has one of my watches now.

[uktrailmonster]

Was thinking of using him to service my G-P. Not sure now

[T S Magnum]

I must have been caught him at a bad time.

Of course I'm pleased that you guys have had better experiences.

[RT]

Don't feel bad - I have heard similar stories to this before.

[GCH]

Not to do with but a story none the less.
I recently got my carrera back after a ridiculous 5.5 months...
While it was there (duvalls unbelievably!) they managed to break off the keeper on the strap, make the chrono not reset to 0, and not fix the bloody thing it was sent to them from my usual servicer for in the first place- which was the power reserve was only lasting 25 instead of 50 hours (manual wind).

I rejected it,- it went back to them and back to me all fixed and with a complete brand new strap fitted, not just a new keeper too- in just over a week. Returns take priority it would seem...

So even the manufacturers can screw uop sometimes- but at least they will hold their hands up and carry the can for it.

T S Magnum said:

When I spoke to Chris I was told- 'If I had a penny for everyone who told me their watch was better before the work...' and 'that's watches for you'.

That little nugget has made it highly unlikely I will be putting any business their way in the future...

Edited by GCH on Saturday 2nd February 03:02

Edited by GCH on Saturday 2nd February 03:04

Edited by GCH on Sunday 3rd February 16:40

Edited by Nubbin on Tuesday 5th February 09:04

[uktrailmonster]

The power of the internet!
One or two bad experiences can be quite damaging to a reputation. So who would people recommend for watch servicing/repair?

[x200sxy]

I've just got my Breitling back from Breitling for some warranty work as it began to lose some accuracy (originally losing 1.5 secs/day, then step change to losing 6-7 seconds a day). Have been told they "tweaked" the movement. It took three weeks and now loses 30 seconds/day!

Needless to say it will be returning to the AD again this week.

[Roop]

My Omega goes to Les Ambassadeurs in Geneva. Top effort all round.

[dawson2k5]

I have to say that when things go wrong people are rather cagey about fixing it.
have had this with a breitling recently, talked to an AD about moisture in the face and straight away they switched off and said it would be 12 weeks.
yet i send it to the jewellers i bought it off (ian blowers) and they have had it for a week and it is on its way back to me today fully repaired.
What can i say everybody is different