Our method
In many repair businesses, servicing with minimal effort is common practice. Watches are often only “repaired” far enough to run again and fulfil the statutory minimum warranty period of one year. The movements are full of scratches and damage, and do not function properly. The resulting loss in value is considerable and the function inadequate.
Not with us! Read more about our method under Quality
Precision servicing
Our method goes beyond an ordinary service: precision servicing.
Restoration
Always including material build-up by welding and precision lapping where necessary!
Special solutions
Even in difficult cases, we look for solutions rather than excuses!
Warranty commitment
At least two years’ warranty against defects! Accommodating and uncomplicated.
Portfolio
Alongside several repair methods that are unique worldwide, we also offer a broad range of traditional watchmaking services.
Here is a detailed overview of our services:
Service
centre
Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines, … and many other brands can be fully serviced.
Our main workshop in Oppenheim is an Omega-certified service centre at the highest level. We are also certified as an official service centre for Union Glashütte, TAG Heuer, Longines, Rado, Mido, Tissot and Hamilton.
We also receive spare parts for new watches from many other brands and can fully service and repair them, including Sinn, Ebel and Maurice Lacroix …
However, particularly for older watches or very small brands, even the manufacturer no longer has spare parts. This is where our strengths really come into their own!
PRECISION MOVEMENT SERVICE
A complete overhaul of the movement using our special method.
In many repair businesses, servicing with minimal effort is common practice.
Watches are often only “repaired” far enough to run again and somehow last through the statutory six-month period before the reversal of the burden of proof.
The movements are full of scratches and damage, and do not function properly. The resulting loss in value is considerable and the function inadequate.
Our approach to overhauling a movement, by contrast, differs greatly from the usual method. We therefore call our process “precision servicing”.
Precision servicing differs from an ordinary service in several respects. We overhaul the movement to the traditional quality standards of “haute horlogerie” – fine watchmaking – rooted in renowned regions such as Geneva.
Our quality standards therefore go well beyond the minimum requirements of the modern watch industry and the standards on the market, which have often fallen.
Our precision services are carried out so that the movement runs reliably for as long as possible. We have established special processes for this, from disassembly to final inspection.
Some features of our precision service include:
Complete epilame treatment of the movement, except for a small number of components; intensive preliminary cleaning by hand; a specially programmed, intensive cleaning cycle in our state-of-the-art cleaning machine with six baths and ultrasound; systematic renewal of the mainspring; regulation in six positions; the exclusive use of fully synthetic watch oils and greases; a detailed final inspection; and particularly careful, conscientious execution of every other stage of the work.
We also attend to details. For example, the luminous material in vintage watch hands is always secured against falling out by applying matt clear lacquer to the back.
This is also why we can offer a warranty against defects of at least two years.
CASE RESTORATION
We restore the original condition of the case to an international, top-level standard.
The original case shape is then reproduced precisely using the precision lapping machine. Polished surfaces are first finely ground and then given only a very brief finish on the polishing machine to avoid rounding the edges.
Finally, the original finishes, such as sunburst, straight-grained, belt-ground or circular-grained finishes, are usually reapplied with the original grain size. In many cases, we can even restore the NOS (“new old stock”) look. In particularly severe cases, the case can also be reshaped, sometimes reconstructing entire missing sections.
POCKET WATCH RESTORATION
We can also comprehensively restore vintage watches and pocket watches.
As spare parts are unavailable, the repairer must be able to remake every component if necessary. We possess all the skills required for a comprehensive pocket watch restoration. These include burnishing pivots; turning or replacing the balance staff, including poising; replacing set ruby bearing jewels, supported by a large spare-parts stock; repairing damaged teeth; making and fitting new pinions or arbors; flat polishing components or screw heads; counting and pinning a flat or Breguet balance spring; micro-welding to repair wear in complex components, springs or other parts; reconstructing missing or severely damaged parts in CAD and making them or having them laser-cut; and understanding and repairing various complications.
Partial
repairs
Crystal replacement, regulation, ultrasonic cleaning, battery changes, ...
When repairing high-quality, rare or complicated watches, even a small distraction can cause considerable damage. The quality of our work also suffers if demanding tasks are frequently interrupted.
Because of the high demand and the current staff shortage, we must decide whether to offer simple services such as battery changes and bracelet shortening, or concentrate on repairing mechanical watches.
As traditional watchmaking and the repair of mechanical watches are particularly close to our hearts, we are discontinuing all repairs and services for electronic watches with immediate effect.
Chronograph
specialist
Chronographs are particularly close to our hearts!
Specialist
work
We are only just getting started where others have long since stopped.
We have solved many such problems: reconstructing a hand and then ordering it from a laser-cutting specialist; recasting a cracked oval, domed plastic crystal; replacing pinions; drilling in or welding on broken pivots; replating watch cases with gold or chromium; making and anodising a red aluminium chronograph pusher; turning away corroded sealing surfaces on a case; making display backs; artificially ageing new hands to match an old dial; and much more.
For some problems, it is also worth taking a creative look at the latest technologies, which sometimes allow repairs that were unthinkable until recently.
Clocks
For repairs to longcase, wall and table clocks, please contact our workshop in Oppenheim.
If a clock has run for more than 15 years, a complete overhaul is usually necessary. Several bearings are often worn, bearing pivots have suffered wear, and other parts need intensive cleaning or repair. If you have problems with your clock, or need help removing the movement, please contact us.
Brands
With so many watch and clock brands, here is a list of the brands and timepieces that we do not repair:
1When repairing high-quality, rare or complicated watches, even a small distraction can cause considerable damage. The quality of our work also suffers if demanding tasks are frequently interrupted.
Because of the high demand and the current staff shortage, we must decide whether to offer simple services such as battery changes and bracelet shortening, or concentrate on repairing mechanical watches.
As traditional watchmaking and the repair of mechanical watches are particularly close to our hearts, we are discontinuing all repairs and services for electronic watches and clocks with immediate effect.
Shipping
Please note! For most parcel carriers, such as DHL, shipping watches valued above €500 is excluded under their terms and conditions. In the event of loss, you receive no compensation!
You can send us your watch or clock for a quotation at any time.
You can visit the workshop in person during opening hours, or send wristwatches by parcel.
I can also arrange for the watch to be collected from your home by an insured valuables courier. Shipping through “Parcel Broker” is insured up to €10,000 (higher cover on request).
For this, I only need your preferred collection day (Monday–Friday), your address and a telephone number for the courier service.
You will then receive a shipping label by email, which you can attach to an ordinary parcel.
On your preferred collection day, a UPS courier will collect the parcel between 10 am and 3 pm. The cost of insured valuables shipping is €30.
If required, select “Collection by insured valuables courier requested” in the form and enter your preferred collection day. We will then confirm the date with you.
Alternatively, by WhatsApp or email:
- 01579 2316708
- werkstatt@uhrenkunde.de
Prefer to send it yourself? Address the parcel to:
- R.I.O.
- Robin Israel
- Mainzer Str. 46
- 55276 Oppenheim
Prices
For most work, a quotation is recommended. As a guide, here is a small selection from a wide range of repairs:
-Precision services include all movement spare parts*
| Precision servicing | Price from |
|---|---|
| Automatic calibre 2824/2892 or similar | 345 € |
| Chronograph calibre 7750 and family | 419 € |
| Dubois- |
489 € |
| Lemania 5100 or 1340 | 710 € |
| Breitling/Heuer/Dugena calibre 12 | 710 € |
| Venus 175 and family | 710 € |
| Rolex automatic calibres 15XX, 30XX and 31XX | 551 € |
| Typical vintage automatic wristwatches | 420 € |
*For watches in normal condition. An increased need for spare parts, such as after water damage, severe impact, unprofessional repairs or extreme overuse, is not included in the price.
For Lemania 1340, the central chronograph wheel is not included in the price. For Lemania 5100, the coupling wheel is excluded.
Alongside precision servicing, replacement of the seals is often recommended.
Water-resistance servicing includes complete disassembly and reassembly of the case and usually the crown, pushers, crown tube, seals and sometimes the crystal.| Water-resistance service | Price from |
|---|---|
| Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022 | 474 € |
| Omega Flightmaster 145.013 | Quotation |
| Typical vintage wristwatch, including acrylic crystal | 171 € |
| Some Rolex models, including polishing of the acrylic crystal | 125 € |
For many Rolex models, the seals in the crown and crown tube can be replaced, so the crown and tube are not replaced in these cases.
Professional case restoration
A water-resistance service is always required alongside case restoration. Restoration includes building up deep dents by welding wherever possible, as well as using the precision lapping machine where appropriate.| Case restoration | Price from |
|---|---|
| Standard | 156 € |
| With sunburst finish or additional work | 236 € |
| Complex work, faceted cases and specialist cases | 350 € |
| Surcharge for restoration without a movement service | 125 € |
Unfortunately, attempts are often made online to sell watches that look almost new externally but have a movement in very poor condition. To prevent such attempted fraud, I only restore a case without also servicing the movement if the movement is in perfect condition.
A complete maintenance service
…is recommended for servicing Omega wristwatches. The complete maintenance service includes the movement service, the water-resistance service and case restoration, as well as all spare parts required for these.| Maintenance service | Price from |
|---|---|
| Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022, including Hesalite crystal | 1000 € |
| Omega Flightmaster 145.036, including crystal | 1450 € |
| Omega Speedmaster Mark II 145.014, including crystal | 1350 € |
| Omega Speedmaster “Mark IV,5” 176.012, including crystal | 1350 € |
| Omega Seamaster 300m 168.1503 | 800 € |
| Omega Vintage Seamaster 165.024 | 800 € |
| Sinn 140/142, calibre 5100, including crystal | 1182 €* |
*For Lemania 5100, the coupling wheel is not included in the price. It currently costs €202 including VAT.
Restoration is necessary for older watches and clocks.
Expert restoration demands all of a watchmaker’s skills and, alongside precision servicing, usually also requires making parts and using the watchmaker’s lathe and pivot burnishing machine. Historical materials and working methods are used in restoration.| Restoration | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Pocket watch, approx. | 499 € |
| Standard pocket watch chronograph, approx. | 1199 € |
| Pocket watch minute repeater, approx. | 1499 € |
| Balance staff replacement from | 350 € |
As the amount of work required for very old watches and clocks usually varies considerably, these prices serve only as a guide.
A “minor service” is required as the basis for partial repairs.
The minor service includes removing and refitting the movement, ultrasonic cleaning of the case and bracelet and other small tasks. Additional work, such as replacing the crystal, is charged separately.| Partial repair | Price from |
|---|---|
| Minor service | 70 € |
| Crystal replacement (standard-sized crystal) | 50 € |
| New crown (standard-sized crown) | 40 € |
| Balance staff replacement from | 350 € |
Replacement of brand-specific parts (rather than standard parts) is always carried out following a quotation.
Collection and shipping are also available.
| Shipping | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard shipping with DHL or UPS | 7 € |
| Parcel Broker, insured up to €10,000 | 30 € |
| Insured valuables shipping within the EU, covered up to €10,000 | from €65 |
DHL shipping is permitted only for watches with a total value of up to €500. For watches with a total value of up to €10,000, insured valuables shipping is recommended. More valuable watches can also be collected and shipped on request.
Some other work
Partial repairs to wristwatches, conversion to a display back, renewal of luminous material in hands (also in the colour “Old Radium”), movement replacement, metal bracelet repairs, polishing plastic crystals, …
Price list valid from 2026
All prices are minimum prices and apply subject to condition, for watches with normal signs of wear. Rust, impact damage, previous unprofessional repairs or excessive wear may result in substantial additional repair costs.
Customer reviews
Kai B.
I had a watch serviced by Mr Israel. The result is outstanding: the watch runs perfectly again and looks like new …(Google review)
Philipp
If there were 10 stars, I would award them. It doesn’t get any better. Mr Israel truly is a master of his craft …(Google review)
M R
I entrusted my Speedmaster, which is over 20 years old, to Robin Israel for a complete service, and I am delighted. Shipping, communication and the work carried out: all excellent! …(Google review)
Paco Voegelin
Excellent service! I entrusted my Speedmaster to Mr Israel for repair. From the initial contact and communication about the quotation to return shipping, everything went absolutely perfectly …(Google review)