Todays watch market

When I open a watch, I’m fully aware that I’m looking at a mechanism with a valuable history and evolution behind it. I’m looking at a piece that has required hundreds of thousands of hours of work.

As a watchmaker today, I’m just a small part of that history—my role is to maintain this mechanical heritage as best I can. And I truly love every facet of my job.

The evolution of the watch

A lot has changed in watch production over the years, but the principle remains the same: measuring time using balance—whether through a pendulum or a vibrating crystal.

What I see most in my work are mechanical wristwatches produced over the past 70 years.

In my experience, mechanical wristwatches are highly popular today. In my opinion, this is due to a unique combination of timeless design and quality craftsmanship. Beyond that, a mechanical wristwatch is extremely well-suited for everyday use.

The 1960s sparked a leap in watch development

In the 1960s, innovation in watchmaking really took off. Efforts focused on improving precision and water resistance.

At the time, most watches were made with reinforced plastic crystals, aluminum bezels, and rubber components.

Manufacturers also began experimenting with precision—and succeeded in making significant improvements.

Today, the most common materials used in watch movements are steel and brass. These have been the most popular materials in the industry for centuries, thanks to their self-lubricating properties when moving against each other.

Movements from Major Manufacturers

Fifty years ago, there were many factories producing movements and watch brands. By the late 1970s, the production of both movements and watch brands had been significantly reduced. At that time, only a few large factories were still producing movements.

Most of today’s watches contain movements from one of the major manufacturers, while the more exclusive brands aim to produce their own movements in-house.

One brand that has always produced its own movements is Rolex. Today, Rolex is almost a currency in itself. The brand has also led the way in the development of many features that make a movement robust and precise.

In the past, Omega produced its own movements, but in the 1980s, the brand transitioned to using ETA movements. Today, Omega has returned to making its own calibers. In fact, they have acquired ETA, which has long been Switzerland’s largest movement manufacturer.

Warranty

Rolex

Rolex has been a leader in developing new watchmaking technology and design for many decades. This brand is truly one of a kind.

It is sheer pleasure to work with Rolex watches and see how generous the developers were in its every detail in their production. However their generosity stops there.

Rolex is particular in choosing their retailers and does not freely distribute spare parts. The consequence is that the few authorized dealers sustain high prices on service. We do our utmost to obtain original spare parts and keep reasonable prices, so that many can continue using these beautiful watches. When original parts aren not available, we offer spare parts of comparable quality.

We offer service and restoration of cases for Rolex watches, as well as exchange of parts if they are available.

The most common issues with Rolex watches are caused by the fact that that they go too long without being properly serviced. The o-rings that keep the watch waterproof wear out and open up for dust and rust. If the watch is serviced in time it usually does not need its parts changed in a very, very long time.

We offer service and restoration of cases for Rolex watches, as well mas exchange of parts if they are available.

Omega

Omega is a well-known brand and has a wider customer circle than Rolex.

When digital watches entered the market, the brand was not in demand for a couple of decades, however it is trending again. They are slowly beginning to make their own movements, but the ETA movements are still widely used.

Omega follow Rolex’ strategy and limit the number of their authorized dealers, too.

This means that customers have to pay a higher price for the maintenance of the same watch.

Maybe some feel more exclusive, but most probably feel disappointed. Even here we try to push the limits.

We can order many spare parts for Omega watches, we offer maintenance service and case restorations.

Breitling

Breitling has the same quality level as Omega, although some may say Omega is one bit higher.

They do not produce their own movements but improve the movements they source in.

Breitling has its own service center and channel all their repairs there in order not to sell spare parts to others.

Overhaul

Prices