Specialist Watch Servicing & Restoration
HOROLOGICAL UNDERGROUND BRISTOL
Independent Bristol watchmaking atelier specialising in fine Swiss watch servicing, complicated mechanical repairs, and vintage and antique watch restoration
Our workshop is based in Bristol, find us at 13 The Arcade, Broadmead Bristol BS1 3JA [View on Google Maps]
Call or WhatsApp us at: +447745527936 , and e-mail us for a free repair assessment at horological.underground@gmail.com
Our workshop primarily undertakes complete servicing, specialist mechanical repair and restoration work. We may be unable to accept a repair where professional intervention would not be technically appropriate or where the likely cost would substantially exceed the value or serviceability of the watch. Please make yourself aware of our Warranty terms and conditions, as our guarantee does not cover damage incurred from misuse, dropping, etc., and from instances where the guidelines have not been followed.
OUR WATCH REPAIR SERVICES
- Fine Swiss mechanical and automatic watch servicing
- Complicated mechanical watch repair
- Mechanical chronograph servicing and repair
- Vintage wristwatch servicing / restoration
- Antique and pocket watch restoration
- Case resealing and water-resistance testing, where appropriate
- Watch case and bracelet restoration
- Watch crystal cutting, polishing and manufacture
- Replacement and restoration of crowns, tubes and pushers
- Manufacture and adaptation of unavailable watch parts
- Precision lathe work and micromachining
- Bespoke watch case making
EXPERIENCE WITH FINE SWISS WATCHES
- ROLEX Submariner case and bracelet restoration: Before and After
- URWERK UR-103 Watch glass making and repair
- OMEGA Filghtmaster case sunburst restoration using lapping machine
- ZENITH El Primero Moonphase Chronograph full servicing
- ROLEX Submariner 16800 servicing
- ULYSSE NARDIN UN-26 Marine Chronometer repair
- AUDEMARS PIGUET Millenary Chronograph – polishing
- AUDEMARS PIGUET Minute Repeater Tourbillon – a new gold case making
- F.P. JOURNE Minute Repeater – repeater module repair
Horological Underground is an independent watchmaking atelier and is not affiliated with the manufacturers.
VINTAGE AND ANTIQUE WATCH RESTORATION
- Vintage Breitling Chronograph Restoration
- Dial Restoration of ARSA D-H German Military Watch
- Military pocket watch hands restoration – polishing, temperature bluing
- Omega Labrador Movement Restoration
- Waltham Pocket Watch Restoration
- Vintage Le Cheminant case restoration
- Enamel Dial Feet Repair for vintage Ulysse Nardin
- Accurist – Bale shape mineral crystal cutting
- Check our SHOP section to see our repaired/restored vintage timepieces
Our objective is not automatically to make every old watch appear new. The appropriate result depends on its age, rarity, condition, intended use and historical importance.
A fine watch requires more than a general repair-counter approach. It requires correct diagnosis, appropriate servicing procedures, careful handling and an understanding of the difference between necessary restoration and avoidable alteration.
Horological Underground was founded by watchmaker German Polosin, who has worked with vintage, antique and complicated watches since 2006. Our Bristol atelier combines traditional watchmaking skills with modern equipment for movement servicing, microscopy, timing analysis, pressure testing, case restoration and precision parts manufacture.
The principal technical work is completed within our own workshop rather than being passed through a general jewellery repair counter. This allows us to maintain direct control over the work and communicate clearly with the owner throughout the process.
Sorry we do not provide clock repairs.
HOW TO GET REPAIR QUOTE BY E-MAIL OR WHATSAPP
We provide FREE work scope and price estimates. Please send us a photos of your timepiece with all its visible defects, as well as a short description what is wrong with it (not running, hands not setting, rattles etc). E-mail for inquiries: horological.underground@gmail.com or WhatsApp +447745527936.
- HOW TO TAKE PHOTOS FOR REPAIR ESTIMATE (GUIDE)
- HOW TO PACK PROPERLY AND SHIP YOUR TIMEPIECE TO OUR WORKSHOP
- OUR ADDRESS, MAP AND CONTACTS
- HOW TO CARE OF YOUR VINTAGE WATCH (GUIDE)
OUR PAST REPAIR PROJECTS
Watch Case Creations:
- Audemars Freres Petite Sonnerie Carillon Gold Case Creation
- Ulysse Nardin Gold Watch Case Creation
- Le Phare Moonphase Calendar Quarter Repeater Case Creation
Vintage and Antique Restoration Projects:
- HY MOSER & CIE Watch Rebuilding – Restoration Project
- Breguet a Paris French Verge Fusee Dial Restoration
- ZENITH Chronograph Watch Dial Restoration
- H.R. Ekegren Mainplate Pattern Refinish
- ‘Scarab Beetle’ Gold Pendant Watch Restoration, circa 1850’s
- German Military Stowa KM Watch for the Kreigsmarine – Case Restoration
- Pocket Watch With Rare Virgule Escapement and Calendar Restoration
- Dial Restoration of ARSA D-H German Military Watch
OUR WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT
Our atelier includes dedicated areas and specialist equipment for movement servicing, precision inspection, water-resistance testing, case restoration and parts manufacture. We use professional watchmaking equipment, appropriate oiling specifications, high-grade lubricants and specialist cleaning processes selected according to the individual calibre and application.
For typical watch repairs:
- Timegraphers – 3 different types for cross-check
- Elma mechanical watch cleaning machine (Germany)
- Ultrasonic machines x2
- Elma Germany vacuum WR testing machine -1 ATM
- Portescap Swiss manual WR testing machine +5 ATM
- Calypso water pressure WR testing machine +12 ATM
- Elma Antimag automatic demagnetizer
- Boley & Star staking sets (Germany)
- Favorite Swiss / microscrew jewelling staking sets
- Binocular microscopes x6
- Quality Contol Station TV-microscope 200x
- Case openers assorted
- Precision glass mounting press x2
- UV rotary table kiln 36W
- Balancing, poising, etc micro machines
For watch parts machining/finishing:
- Micro lathe 8mm (Germany) w/microscope
- Micro lathe 8mm (custom made) w/microscope
- Cowells 90ME Small Lathe (England) 400W
- Schaublin 102N Precision Lathe (Swiss) 1600W
- Boley precision micro drill (Germany) 300W
- Perlage machine (Valjoux Swiss)
- Polishing wheel machine
- Manual microdrills
- Belt sanding machine
- Disc lapping machine + turret toolset
- Sandblasting machine
- Laser engraving machine 3-axis, 30W
- Geneva Stripe CNC machine, 3-axis 2200W
- Metal/enamel temperature treatment kiln
- 3D printer (plastic filament type)
STANDARD WARRANTY TERMS
Warranty is provided for fully repaired/serviced items (except partial repair), subject to the usage and care guidelines. We can’t provide full warranty for partially repaired items (for example, just a crown replacement or scratched crystal replacement).
| High grade modern waterproof watches | 12 months movement only warranty (for exceptional item condition 24 months) |
| Vintage wristwatches, pocket watches | 6-12 months movement only warranty |
| Water resistance | Only testing. No warranty provided |
| Outer elements (glass, crown, pusher, bracelet, clasp etc) | No warranty provided |
