Do not make my mistake and stay away from this charlatan.
I was looking for a watchsmith in the UK as my vfs Starbucks was running slow.
Since I knew that onthebench had a long waiting time, I decided to go with BuiltbyReece as he had good (fake) reviews (just afterwards I realised he was not a trusted watchsmith).
I sent the watch around the 20th of March with special delivery. Soon after I was quoted £195 for the service, which I paid, even though it seemed a bit steep compared to other watchsmiths but I told myself, fine, if he does a great job I don't mind.
A month later I was told the watch was ready. I asked for pictures of the service and I was only sent a few pictures of the case and bracelet being polished. Nothing about the movement.
I asked for proof of the service being performed. Nothing.
Since that moment, I had to chase him every week till yesterday and on many occasions I was told the watch had been shipped but it hadn't. When pressed he eventually shipped the watch on the 21st of June. Still no evidence of the service being done but fine. At this point I was done, I just wanted my watch back.
I got the watch today and the watch is still running slow. Exactly the same as when it was sent. The position 1 and 2 when pulling the stem to change the date are fucked. They were fine before. When winding the watch grinds big time. The bezel action is stiff (it was smooth like gen. He did tell me this happened but that doesn't make it ok), the case is scratched below the bezel and the bracelet is scratched both sides of the lugs.
I spent £215 between service, shopping etc. Waited for over 3 months and got my watch back fucked. Paid with PP FF.
I am sharing my experience to warn everybody to stay away from this incompetent liar and also remind everybody to only use trusted watch smiths. I am out of pocket big time as I have a watch that has been ruined and paid an extortionate £195 for it to be worse than before. Lesson learnt. Do not make my mistake.
I was looking for a watchsmith in the UK as my vfs Starbucks was running slow.
Since I knew that onthebench had a long waiting time, I decided to go with BuiltbyReece as he had good (fake) reviews (just afterwards I realised he was not a trusted watchsmith).
I sent the watch around the 20th of March with special delivery. Soon after I was quoted £195 for the service, which I paid, even though it seemed a bit steep compared to other watchsmiths but I told myself, fine, if he does a great job I don't mind.
A month later I was told the watch was ready. I asked for pictures of the service and I was only sent a few pictures of the case and bracelet being polished. Nothing about the movement.
I asked for proof of the service being performed. Nothing.
Since that moment, I had to chase him every week till yesterday and on many occasions I was told the watch had been shipped but it hadn't. When pressed he eventually shipped the watch on the 21st of June. Still no evidence of the service being done but fine. At this point I was done, I just wanted my watch back.
I got the watch today and the watch is still running slow. Exactly the same as when it was sent. The position 1 and 2 when pulling the stem to change the date are fucked. They were fine before. When winding the watch grinds big time. The bezel action is stiff (it was smooth like gen. He did tell me this happened but that doesn't make it ok), the case is scratched below the bezel and the bracelet is scratched both sides of the lugs.
I spent £215 between service, shopping etc. Waited for over 3 months and got my watch back fucked. Paid with PP FF.
I am sharing my experience to warn everybody to stay away from this incompetent liar and also remind everybody to only use trusted watch smiths. I am out of pocket big time as I have a watch that has been ruined and paid an extortionate £195 for it to be worse than before. Lesson learnt. Do not make my mistake.
