Knowing the cost is, understandably, a key part of your decision as to whether or not to restore/repair your clock or pocket watch. When it comes to providing a firm cost, however, horological repairs are no different than other types of mechanical repairs in that determining a specific length of time to complete the repair can be difficult, if not impossible. Remember that time your garage mechanic repaired your car that "was making a noise" or when your plumber tackled a tub "that wouldn't drain"!  What is wrong is sometimes hidden from view. The fault may not be evident until after your timepiece is completely disassembled. Worse yet, sometimes it shows up only after it has been re-assembled and tested.  Consequently, the best that can be done is provide you with cost estimates for "Complete Movement Servicing". 

Above said, in many instances "Complete Movement Servicing" returns your timepiece to "good running order" (GRO) and the cost estimates provided on this page will be a reliable reference for you. In those instances, where the repair may exceed the original estimate, you will be consulted regards how you wish to proceed. 
Complete Movement Servicing includes these steps:
  • Complete disassembly
  • Inspection of all parts for faults and wear
  • Cleaning in a multi-stage process
  • Repair worn bearing holes with new bushings
  • Replacement of set or broken mainsprings with new mainsprings
  • Remove wear from pallets, levers, cams & pins
  • Re-Assembly, lubrication and testing
  • Your timepieces's history (Identification, Dating) 
Other factors that affect pricing...
  • The cost of repairs is also reflective of the usual types of business costs such as the cost to purchase and maintain machinery and tooling. Add to this the premiums typically paid for the necessary antique/vintage horological machine and specialized hand tools. 
  • The cost to maintain a parts and raw materials inventory. Add to this the  premiums typically paid for horological parts, particularly new old stock parts that may be considered rare or uncommon and this needs to be factored into the cost.
  • The usual, general operating cost of a horological repair shop.  
  • Whether the clock is antique/vintage or modern affects the pricing as well. Beginning with clock movements produced in the mid 1970's, instead of using solid steel for their arbors, manufacturers  changed to a soft steel with a nickel coating. These do not restore well. As a result, instead of restoring these movements, they are replaced with a new movement. The cost to do this can be somewhat less than a full restoration and comes with a full one year parts and labor warranty. 
  • The condition of the clock or pocket watch can significantly affect the cost to restore. A filthy, dirty clock with worn bearings and tired, worn out mainsprings is not uncommon and that is priced into the General Movement Servicing. However, it can be missing parts or parts broken due to mishandling or misplaced curiosity. This requires the fabrication of parts or the puchase of parts to bring it back to good running order and this, of course, adds to the cost of repair. 
  • Housecalls could be required for your clock if its a Grandfather clock or very large wall clock and this is an additional charge. In these instances, the movements are removed from their cases with the movement only being brought to the shop and the cases staying with the customer. 

RESTORATION & REPAIR COSTS

 Table, Mantel, Wall, 400 Day Anniversary & Cuckoo Clocks:  
                                     Time Only       Time & Strike       Time, Strike & Chime
Repair Costs:        $325 - $425       $450 - $550              $550 - $750
  • Above represents cost  estimates for "Complete Movement Servicing" of an antique/vintage clock. Replacing a modern movement with a new movement could be somewhat less depending on the make and model.
  • Customer is responsible for shipping costs and/or delivering and picking up the clock to and from the shop. 
 Grandfather Clocks/Very Large Wall Clocks:
Typically, restoration and repair of Grandfather clocks or very large wall clocks require two housecalls. The first housecall is required to remove the movement and to inspect/troubleshoot. The second is to re-install the restored or new movement. Repair costs for these types of clocks typically start at $750. 

Pocket Watches & Their Cases:
  • Complete Movement Servicing: $275 - $375
  • Replace Mainspring: $55
  • Replace Jewels: $55 each
  • Replace Bows or Crowns: $75 each
  • Replace Stems or Sleeves: $75 each
  • Replace Open Face Crystal with plastic crystal: $75
  • Replace Open Face Crystal with mineral glass: $125
  • Replace Hunter Case Crystal with plastic crystal: $95
  • Replace Hunter Case Crystal with mineral glass: $155
  • Replace "American" Bulls Eye Crystal: $105
  • Replace Pocket Watch Hands: Cost dependent on the specifics of the job.
  • Removal of Dents/Case Repair: Cost dependent on the specifics of the job.
  • Balance Staffs: Costs dependent on the specifics of the job. 
  • Customer is responsible for shipping costs and/or delivering and picking up the pocket watch to and from the shop. 
  • These estimates are for pocket watch movements with no complications. 
  • These repair cost estimates are generally applicable to antique car and vintage aircraft mechanical clocks.
  • In the instance of pocket watches, mainspring and jeweling repairs are typically perfomed during the "Complete Movement Servicing" and are in addition to the "Complete Movement Servicing" charges. 
  • If the movement is in good running order (GRO), case repairs can be performed independent of "Complete Movement Servicing". 
Clock Parts Fabrication & Restoration:
  • Wheelcutting (Train, Escape & Ratchet Wheels): Cut, spoke & fit new wheel: $155
  • Replace broken or missing train wheel teeth: $75 for 1st tooth; $45 for each therafter 
  • Replace broken or missing mainspring wheel teeth: $95 for 1st tooth; $45 for each thereafter
  • Repivot arbor: $55 for each pivot
  • Rebuild lantern pinon: $55 each
  • Note that every attempt is made to maintain the originality of the movement and its parts. 
House Calls:
Typically, house calls are necessary for grandfather clocks or very large wall clocks. The charge for these service calls is $250 and includes all travel and service work that can be completed outside the shop. Typically, a service call takes from two to three hours to complete and includes the movement being removed from its case, inspected, bearing surfaces cleaned, movement lubricated and then returning the movement to its case and set to run. Please be aware that in some instances the movement contains excessive dirt and wear or a broken/missing part and cannot be made to run. This can only be determined after a movement is removed from its case, inspected and efforts made to clean and lubricate. The full $250 service call charge is still due and payable in these instances.  

Warranty:
Complete Movement Servicings, Restoration Work and New Replacement Movements come with a Full One Year Warranty!