Watches
Watch Repair
Every brand, regardless of age, and most pocket watches. Batteries and bands are usually done while you wait.
Every brand, whatever age it is
We are able to fix every brand, regardless of age, and we can fix most pocket watches too. Batteries, leather, metal and rubber bands, and band adjustments are usually done while you wait. We also handle quartz tune-ups and bracelet sizing, on the same bench where the rest of the shop's work happens.
What a full mechanical service actually involves
A mechanical overhaul means the movement is disassembled and every part is examined. Anything damaged or worn is replaced. If the case is water-resistant, it is re-sealed. The parts sit in chemical solutions that dissolve dirt and emulsify dried oils, then special oils go on at reassembly, and the bracelet is polished and cleaned. We recommend a general overhaul every three years, and testing a water-resistant case for tightness once a year.
Melby's, Repairs, appraisals and custom work done in house. Call (805) 925-1678.
Why a three year overhaul is worth doing
A mechanical watch runs on oil, and oil dries out. Left long enough, a dry movement wears itself down from the inside, which turns a routine service into a repair. A watch that is tested yearly for water resistance and overhauled every three years tends to stay a watch you keep, not one you eventually replace.