If you want to restore your grandfathers gold watch from the 50's you have many choices in New York City. There are watch repair shops all over Manhattan. After I got my Grandfathers Bulova "Wrist Alarm" mechanical watch back from the shop around the corner from my apt in the West Village I was deeply disappointed to see the quality of the work. They butchered the face and replaced the gold pyramid hour markers with luminescent paint. I complained, but as is all too common, the shop on the corner did not preform the work himself and ultimately all I got was a deep discount, when truth be told, I would have happily paid double just to have the job done right the first time. And therein lies the problem with the watch repair shop on the corner, they farm out a lot their work, the quality and reliability of which, while fine for your average watch of lesser value, is not high enough to restore that precious gold watch worn by your heirs 60 years ago. In my opinion they're not even qualified to open the back and cleaning an automatic, COSC certified, mechanical chronograph (if you're lucky enough to own one).
Take it from me, don't risk it. And if your thinking "I would NEVER do that, I would only take my watch to a reputable dealer." Perhaps say Tourno Corner in midtown. Well, they are no better, in 2006 I took one of my watches to the mid-town location for a cleaning and after countless un-returned phone calls and 11 months I finally got my watch back and only after I wrote a scathing letter to Tourno's Corp Headquarters recounting my horror story with the Mid-town location. To add insult to injury, Tourno Corner swapped out the factory ETA based quartz movement for an after market one without consulting me. It was not a particularly expensive watch to begin with, but it was a luxury brand, so i just picked it up and left without paying Tourno a dime. The store manager was not happy with me, Corp HQ must have given him hell for that one.
As you can tell, watch repair shops are as about as reputable as pawn shops, high end or local corner matters not. so, when I heard of a true watch repair craftsman with the reputation and experience befitting my Grandfathers Bulova I felt I had to share it with the rest of the world.
Classic Watch Rebuild and Restoration
Dimitrie Vicovanu
"Masters of Time"
15w 47th St, Booth 8
Diamond District, NY
Masters of Time specialize in the restoration of old watches with exacting historical detail. They also clean and calibrate mechanical watches old and new starting at $175 (suggested once every 3-4 years). chronograph cleanings start at $500. Masters of Time is recommend by Sotheby's auction house for watches in the worst condition and requiring the most love.
Other Reliable Watch Craftsmen
Jacob Khalif
10w 47th St, Booth 21
Diamond District, NY
Also recommend by Sotheby's for basic watch maintenance.
Alkis Kotsopoulos
Swiss Watch Repair Co.
515 Madison Ave. Ste. 1230
Recommend by Antiquorum auction house and is a A. Lange & Sohne specialist.
I'd sooner ruin a watch myself than have someone ruin it for me. If I ever run into a problem I'll trust your recommendations though. You seem to be in the know.