Services and Pricing
Personally, I like to know a rough cost before buying a car or getting work done to the house, so I think you would like to know how much it is going to cost to service your watch.
Here are some mock watch services with examples of the kind of prices you could expect. Obviously, every watch is going to present its own issues, so I cannot cover all options here, but I hope this will give you some rough prices to consider.
These examples are only a guide for your consideration before sending your watch in to me for inspection and bespoke written estimate. If you would like an estimate for your watch service, please send me an email to the address below. If possible, please include pictures of the front and back of your watch.
email: josephcooperwatchrepair@gmail.com
For now, I am only able to service watches sent from the UK. Sorry for the inconvenience to my watch enthusiasts from around the world.
(If you have sent in your watch for a service, have been in communications with me, or have already had an estimate before the 10th January 2026, then all the prices discussed are still valid)
The vintage mechanical watch
A three-handed watch that is manual wind, no date complication, no automatic complication, just a clean, simple timepiece. In need of a service and a bit of work.
Full service - £320
Fixed stud carrier, beat error adjustment - £30
Non-shock protected balance - £30
New mainspring - £25
New winding stem and crown - £20
New strap - £20
New acrylic crystal - £15
Postage - £10
Total rough estimate - £470
Approximate duration of service: 3-5 weeks
The automatic watch
An automatic watch that features a date complication, probably the most common type of watch that I see, whether it is modern or vintage. In need of a maintenance service.
Full service - £380
New mainspring - £30
New caseback gasket - £10
Postage - £10
Total rough estimate - £430
Approximate duration of service: 4-6 weeks
The chronograph
A six-handed watch, with date and automatic complications, this watch can tell the time and keep track of laps at the same time. In need of a maintenance service.
Full service - £725
New mainspring - £35
Postage - £10
Total rough estimate - £770
Approximate duration of service: 5-8 weeks
The quartz diver
A quartz calibre in a dive watch case, featuring a date complication, for those wanting the most accurate timekeeping experience. In need of a service and a smarten-up.
Full service - £300
New battery - free
Clean and lubricate bezel - £30
New crown and caseback gasket - £15
New crystal (sapphire) and crystal gasket - £35
Postage - £10
Total rough estimate - £390
Approximate duration of service: 3-5 weeks
Notes
A full service includes the disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, adjustment, lubrication, regulation, and testing of the movement, cleaning the case (and bracelet), and a water pressure test (if applicable).
Royal Mail Special Delivery will be used to return your watch in most circumstances, and I recommend sending your watch to me using Royal Mail Special Delivery as well.
Factors such as long shipping times for replacement parts may delay the service.
If the caseback has been opened, the watch may not be waterproof if returned without a service.
I do not offer any guarantee on the water resistance of any watches I service, even if they pass a water pressure test.
I do not offer any guarantee on the performance of any watches I service. I endeavour to get the best possible performance out of every watch I service, but there are limitations due to the wear on components, especially with vintage watches, so without replacing every wheel and every pivot hole, a watch’s timekeeping may vary from the original specification.
There is an inspection fee only if the watch is returned without work being done. This is typically £20 plus postage, but may be more for more intrusive inspections.