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Australian watchmaker, rep friendly!

Ohms76

Horology Curious
23/11/18
7
2
0
Is there anyone else besides Ray in Australia I can send my watch to? It seems Ray is not as active anymore.
 

thestefster

Active Member
Patron
9/6/11
488
82
28
Bump.. I also need some work done! There has to be someone in Oz willing to do this?
 

josh676

Active Member
4/8/14
221
82
28
Hobart Tasmania
Perth based I have a retired gentleman I use, he is reasonably priced and just likes watches - he works on my reps and gens all the same. Happy to give details if you want :)

He's happy to take mail ins, I have him working on a couple of 1675s now.
 
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peterpl

Put Some Respect On My Name
24/7/11
4,667
636
113
The problem is in AU there are not many options. Marrickville seems like the best bet (yes I've used him before) but what we really need is watchmakers that take care when performing work. Too many AU based watchsmiths performing work but leaving scratches in the dial, hands and dust inside the crystal etc....just basic carelessness imho.

Ensuring things like date alignment, no dust under crystal, no scratches to hands and dials etc......these are basic things that should be expected from any watchmaker. Its like taking your car to a mechanic and getting back chipped rims or scatches on your bonnet.
 

Ohms76

Horology Curious
23/11/18
7
2
0
Just completed a positive dealing with Marrickville. I've got a Longines Moonphase based on A7750 movement (which I understand is difficult to deal with.)

I sent it to him two Friday's ago and he fixed the issue (a damaged balance wheel) for a reasonable price and sent it back yesterday (in under two weeks from the time I sent it.)

Also, after reading posts in this forum saying some watch specialists leave scratches I feared that this might be the case but I was pleased to see not one scratch.

A pleasant person to deal with. Thank you Marrickville.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
 
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optical

Renowned Member
31/1/10
848
75
28
The problem is in AU there are not many options. Marrickville seems like the best bet (yes I've used him before) but what we really need is watchmakers that take care when performing work. Too many AU based watchsmiths performing work but leaving scratches in the dial, hands and dust inside the crystal etc....just basic carelessness imho.

Ensuring things like date alignment, no dust under crystal, no scratches to hands and dials etc......these are basic things that should be expected from any watchmaker. Its like taking your car to a mechanic and getting back chipped rims or scatches on your bonnet.

Yeah mate, I got a watch back with a scratched dial too, really soured it for me and now don't know who to send to. I have a Rolex datejust that needs service but the dial is shiny, so the smallest fuckup is gonna stand out like dogs balls.
 

optical

Renowned Member
31/1/10
848
75
28
I have no intention of creating a fuss here but I recently had a customer who brought several watches that he had serviced at BLK previously. There was scratch marks, stripped screws, dust on the dial, etc across a number of his watches. He didn't want to make it a big deal but what is going on here? Are there other customers who are also unhappy with his work? Oddly enough, I have only read good things about him from others so this is surprising (frankly, I recommended others to use him when I was in back order). I'm happy to be be proven wrong of course. Any feedback on this would be appreciated.
Yeah I can second this, I sent him a 7750, and it came back with a marked dial, and running barely any better (it had bad power reserve)
 

marrickville

Active Member
28/5/10
347
120
43
Australia
Yeah mate, I got a watch back with a scratched dial too, really soured it for me and now don't know who to send to. I have a Rolex datejust that needs service but the dial is shiny, so the smallest fuckup is gonna stand out like dogs balls.

To avoid any confusion here, please clarify if this was me? I'm assuming not given I don't have record of dealings with you but please confirm.

Your reply (with the respective quotation) could be read with the wrong takeaways (btw, i'm happy to receive criticism so not trying to censor feedback but want to make sure they are accurate! thanks)
 

SS72

I'm Pretty Popular
Supporter
Certified
27/9/12
2,151
5,938
113
Australia
To avoid any confusion here, please clarify if this was me? I'm assuming not given I don't have record of dealings with you but please confirm.

Your reply (with the respective quotation) could be read with the wrong takeaways (btw, i'm happy to receive criticism so not trying to censor feedback but want to make sure they are accurate! thanks)

Following this, as I'm about to send you a VSF 116610 for service.
 

optical

Renowned Member
31/1/10
848
75
28
To avoid any confusion here, please clarify if this was me? I'm assuming not given I don't have record of dealings with you but please confirm.

Your reply (with the respective quotation) could be read with the wrong takeaways (btw, i'm happy to receive criticism so not trying to censor feedback but want to make sure they are accurate! thanks)

My Apologies if this can be interpreted the wrong way, I quoted your post afterwards as you were asking if others had issues with BLK, and my post was regarding BLK's service.
 
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theSubterfuge

Known Member
2/9/17
119
3
18
Perth based I have a retired gentleman I use, he is reasonably priced and just likes watches - he works on my reps and gens all the same. Happy to give details if you want :)

He's happy to take mail ins, I have him working on a couple of 1675s now.

Hi Josh,

I'm in Perth too and would like to consult with your watchmaker on some of my reps. If you're uncomfortable sharing here, could you kindly PM me?

Thanks.
 

theSubterfuge

Known Member
2/9/17
119
3
18
I have no intention of creating a fuss here but I recently had a customer who brought several watches that he had serviced at BLK previously. There was scratch marks, stripped screws, dust on the dial, etc across a number of his watches. He didn't want to make it a big deal but what is going on here? Are there other customers who are also unhappy with his work? Oddly enough, I have only read good things about him from others so this is surprising (frankly, I recommended others to use him when I was in back order). I'm happy to be be proven wrong of course. Any feedback on this would be appreciated.

i've sent Ray a JF 16610ln and noob 116710ln to work on in the very recent past, he sent the latter back to me only earlier in December. I actually stopped coming on RWI for a while so I didn't know he's retired from the scene in August - he's still been replying sporadically but still took on the job anyway. I just messaged him about the misaligned dwo on my 116710ln but he hasn't replied.

Look, Ray is a friendly guy to work with and when he was still active in this community, his whatsapp responses were prompt. The quality of his work isn't as great as his personality however. I had to send my 16610ln back to him 3 times to get my watch regulated, at one point it wouldn't hold power reserve for more than a day and on more than one occasion, the dwo was badly misaligned. He did willingly take it back to fix it each time but i had to pay for postage to Sydney. I'm happy with the state of my 16610ln now but the most recent job was installing a hangzhou movement in my borked CHS noob v7 116710ln. The whole job took a while to complete, he had my watch since before his retirement which could explain why he was still responding to me in December.

my GMT is keeping time well but the dwo is just badly aligned, this seems to be one of his weaknesses i feel. Fortunately, he hasn't permanently scratched or damage my dials, i'm hoping this is also true for the movement.

I only wish Ray and his growing family the best as he's a genuinely good bloke, but perhaps be a little cautious of his workmanship.
 
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treadmark501

You're Saying I Can Sell?
31/8/11
36
2
8
Australia
Hi guys, like many of you I've been looking for areputable watchsmith in Sydney and it seems "marrickville" is the recommended guy to go to.

Is anyone able to share his contact details with me besides just messaging him on this forum?

Thanks guys.
 
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DiggerOfWatches

Senior Member
Gold Patron
Certified
4/7/19
1,561
5,656
113
Down Under
treadmark501 send him a PM with the watch details and what you want done.

He’s very busy so give him some time. He may not be dealing with junior members. If that’s the case, I suggest you chase up the Perth contact suggested a few posts back in this thread.
 

DiggerOfWatches

Senior Member
Gold Patron
Certified
4/7/19
1,561
5,656
113
Down Under
Sorry mate. Didn’t read your thread properly.

Im not keen to share his details unless he’s willing for me to.

I’ll drop him a message
 

treadmark501

You're Saying I Can Sell?
31/8/11
36
2
8
Australia
DiggerOfWatches

Thanks for dropping him a message for me, appreciate your help.

I've been in this forum since 2011 so I am not a spring chicken :cool:

I used to send watches back to China to get stuff fixed.
 

DiggerOfWatches

Senior Member
Gold Patron
Certified
4/7/19
1,561
5,656
113
Down Under
DiggerOfWatches

Thanks for dropping him a message for me, appreciate your help.

I've been in this forum since 2011 so I am not a spring chicken :cool:

I used to send watches back to China to get stuff fixed.

Yes you're old school mate! I was thinking of another thread someone posted in regard to Sydney rep friendly services.

I'm yet to hear back from him, if I do I will let you know