Blacktown Watch Express - Review of Rep-friendly Watchsmith in Sydney, Australia

[Ifcowscouldfly]

1. Summary

I wanted to write a quick post on the very positive experience I had with Ray at Blacktown Watch Express (BLK.W.EXPRESS).

He did a great job with my watches and was extremely responsive and professional throughout the whole process. Pricing and turnaround time was also great. I highly recommend him if you need a watchsmith in Sydney/Australia.

I did not and will not receive anything for posting a positive review here. In the interest of full disclosure, Ray offered me $10 credit towards future work for posting a Google review on my experience, but I don't get anything for sharing my detailed thoughts with you guys (and this post is much more detailed than my Google review).

I like supporting local businesses and I've been looking for a local guy to service my watches for ages, so I hope this helps Australian members in a similar position. If you have any other recommendations for local rep-friendly watchsmiths who are currently accepting work from new clients, I would be very happy to hear those too.

2. Background

A very common question by us RWI members in Australia is "who should I take my reps to for repairs or servicing?"

Many of the more reputable watchsmiths in Australia expressly state that they do not work on reps, while the local shopping centre watch repair kiosks always look a bit dodgy. I tried contacting a known rep-friendly watchsmith in Australia on RWI, but I never got a response as I understand he had a full book of work and was not accepting new clients.

While browsing the "Australian watchmaker, rep friendly!" thread, I came across a number of recommendations for Ray at Blacktown Watch Express so I decided to give him a go and sent him a PM to get things started.

3. Watches for Service

I sent Ray two watches with the following issues for a full service:

• ZF IWC Pilot Chronograph 3777-14 (A7750 movement) - Screw down crown no longer screwed into case and day wheel would only change half-way on the day after I manually adjusted it. I asked Ray to shorten the stem and make it a pull/push crown.
• OMF Omega Speedmaster Co-axial Chronograph (A7750 movement) - Chronograph minute hand was not resetting to 12 o'clock (reset to 11:55)

4. Timeline

• 17 January - I express posted the watches and Ray picked them up from his PO Box.
• 22 January - Ray finished servicing the watches and put them into QC. There was also communication in-between on how I preferred proceed on the screw down crown for the IWC.
• 25 January - Watches passed QC with no issue. I paid via PayPal and Ray delivered the watches to me that night (he was passing through my area).

5. Results

All issues with the watches were fixed and both watches run now great and wind smoother than prior to the service. In particular:

IWC

• On disassembly, Ray found that the stem could actually screw lock into the case when the movement wasn't present. His diagnosis was that the stem was actually slightly too long out of the factory, and was able to shorten it so it could screw in perfectly. Accordingly, there was no need to convert it into a pull/push crown.
• The day wheel issue was caused by some poorly fitting parts out of the factory. In order to fix the issue, Ray modified those parts so they fit better.

Omega

• The chronograph hands were tightened to fix the issue.

Apart from the repairs, its hard to really comment on the servicing without 6 months to a year of wearing the watches post-service. However, I'm really happy with the results so far. That said, should either watch explodes on my wrist (or if any smaller issues arise), I'll revisit this thread and update accordingly.

6. Dealing with Ray

I've never had watches serviced before so I was a bit nervous about leaving them with a stranger. However, I was very happy with how responsive Ray was throughout the whole process, which made me feel very comfortable dealing with him.

Ray responded to questions via PM within a few hours/same day and was also very responsive on Whatsapp / telephone. He was also extremely professional and friendly in all my dealings with him and was not at all pushy. When Ray dropped off my watches, we had a nice chat outside about watches in general (whilst getting eating alive by mosquitoes).

7. Modding

Ray also mentioned that he is happy to assist with modding and has done work on various in-house movements. This might be helpful if anyone in Sydney requires work on a 3135 or Noob Daytona clone movement. I'm thinking of ordering some of Prof's 2x AR crystals and Ray will be my first port of call if / when that happens!

 

[TheSav]

Plus one for Ray. Just picked up two watches from repair today. A Pam 243 that had stopped running and a BR123 that needed a new crystal. Turnaround time was just under 2 weeks and communication throughout was exemplary. He even sent photos through the whole process showing me what the issues were and what he’d done. Pricing for the repair of the 243 (including regulation) and the replacement glass was $120AUD which is extremely reasonable.

I highly reccommend ray (Blacktown watch express) to anyone.

 

[Dreams watch]

Just to add, Ray can also work on watches from interstate customers. I am in Adelaide and have sent my 16610 JF with the 3135 movement serviced. Watch now works great and keeps excellent time!!

 

[AP81]

Another happy customer chiming in to sing praises for Ray.

I sent him a rep Rolex DSSD and a Chinese Nesun carousel watch. The DSSD went in for a full service and the Carousel watch needed a marker glued on as it was hard to distinguish the hour pointer. It also needed a regulation as it was quite out of whack. Two watchmakers knocked back the Nesun as too hard.

Ray was very enthusiastic and friendly from the get go. He was very upfront about the pricing (which was extremely competitive) and laid out all the options, asking me questions along the way with photos. He custom cut a marker to fit which came out beautifully, something which a lot of watchmakers wouldn't attempt. Got it regulated perfectly too.

The DSSD is running beautifully and he even threw in a complementary polish.

Both watches are my fathers, who has stage IV lung cancer and has built and restored clocks as a hobby for nearly 40 years (particularly grandfather and latern clocks, including hand fabricating parts). He is a hard man to please with high standards, and usually services his own watches, but has lost his dexterity and ability to focus due to chemotherapy. He was extremely pleased with the work Ray done to say the least.

It's refreshing to see someone who has pride in their work and goes the extra mile. I don't mean to gush, but Ray is awesome and I will be sending more business his way.

Edit 1: I also posted the watches to him, so I didn't even have to go anywhere!

Edit 2: Added costs as per request below.

Prices are in AUD and is inclusive of return express post.

Full service for ETA 2824-2 (service, regulate, clean crystal) - $150
Custom marker cut for carousel movement -$25
Regulation for carousel movement - $25

Any full service includes regulation as part of the service.

 

[r0b9502]

Very nice and detailed review. My suggestion is you disclose cost of servicing too. It is important in the general picture. I read twice, but if I missed it in your post, I apologize.

I dont live down under, but knowledge of costs (with the detailed description of services you provided) will help readers across the globe.

I actually spent a week to two in Sydney a short while ago. With this review, I would have visited him, even if to shoot the breeze for a few minutes. I am replying to the thread as a bookmark.

 

[AP81]

Very nice and detailed review. My suggestion is you disclose cost of servicing too. It is important in the general picture. I read twice, but if I missed it in your post, I apologize.

I dont live down under, but knowledge of costs (with the detailed description of services you provided) will help readers across the globe.

I actually spent a week to two in Sydney a short while ago. With this review, I would have visited him, even if to shoot the breeze for a few minutes. I am replying to the thread as a bookmark.

I've added pricing. Usually I don't include pricing because other factors may influence it, but that is what I paid which is more than reasonable.
My Sinn 104 with Sellita SW-220-1 cost $300 at my local watchmaker for a full service. Next time I'll use Ray.

 

[NoNations]

I had my JF AP 15400 serviced by Ray, it is more than 30 minute drive from where I live, but he dropped it off to my house as he was in the area. I would recommend him, he never asked for a positive review, but exceeded by expectations.

 

[r0b9502]

I've added pricing. Usually I don't include pricing because other factors may influence it, but that is what I paid which is more than reasonable.
My Sinn 104 with Sellita SW-220-1 cost $300 at my local watchmaker for a full service. Next time I'll use Ray.

Thanks. Most importantly, regards to your father and wish him the best.

Servicing prices are interesting to know. From what I know, minimum wage down under is AUD 25. Student fruit pickers are paid this, but let me know if I am wrong.

 

[r0b9502]

(clarification) AUD 25/h

 

[AP81]

(clarification) AUD 25/h

Minimum wage in Australia is $18.93/hr. Part of the reason why everything is expensive. I know a few people that get their expensive watches serviced in Singapore when they are on holiday or travelling for business, more often than not close to half what you'd get charged in Australia.

 

[RobLive7]

Plus one for a super positive experience with Ray over at BLK.W.EXPRESS

Dude is so helpful - gave me great advice on future mod parts.

Very recently got my SH3135 serviced there and couldn't be happier.

Definitely plan on going back for future work and service.

100% recommend you check him out if you are in Sydney.

 

[Interesting]

He helped service and fix my deep sea. very good service and friendly.

 

[shanej]

Must also agree, extremely professional

Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk

 

[TastyTreats]

Well what can one say but simply - 'My experience with Ray was nothing short of excellent'.

His customer service and watch-smith work was all to a very high standard. His advice was welcomed and it was from a place of knowledge.

I would recommend Ray for anyone who needs modifications, servicing or general advice on movements and their beloved pieces.

 

[Chadles]

Does anyone have a contact for Ray? I've pinged him on here but havent got a response

 

[DiggerOfWatches]

@Chadles have a read back a few pages from this thread here:

Australian watchmaker, rep friendly!

Needed some TLC on my DJ 41, @marrickville was absolutely a legend. Super easy to deal with, told me what was wrong with it, sent me updates and photos and everything went smooth. I cannot recommend it enough. I'm located in Melbourne and it was an easy transaction even if he is in Sydney...

forum.replica-watch.info

Mention of two good ones, Ray has dropped off the radar a bit