Simon Freese Watchmakers

Simon Freese Watchmakers: watch servicing and restoration in Southend-on-Sea

Simon Freese Watchmakers is a watchmaking workshop based in Southend-on-Sea that focuses on the servicing, restoration and refinishing of mechanical watches. Its offering is built around three areas: technical servicing, full restoration and aesthetic recovery of cases and bracelets.

Servicing for mechanical watches

The workshop carries out servicing from £400, including VAT, for the majority of standard servicing work. For chronographs and complex complications, the typical cost is between £400 and £600, depending on the specification and condition of the piece.

The standard service includes complete disassembly of the movement, its cleaning, lubrication and regulation; ultrasonic cleaning of the case and bracelet; light refinishing of both where required; replacement of all necessary seals and gaskets; and water resistance testing. The work includes a 12-month service guarantee.

The company recommends servicing most mechanical watches every four to five years. It notes that lubricants degrade over time and components experience natural wear, which can reduce accuracy and place unnecessary strain on the movement. In its experience, many pieces only reach the workshop once they stop running or suffer accidental damage, whereas preventative maintenance is more cost-effective and helps preserve the integrity of the movement.

Restoration with a conservation-led approach

Restoration at Simon Freese Watchmakers is approached with precision, restraint and respect for originality. The stated aim is not to make the watch look new, but to return it to the finest possible condition while preserving its character, provenance and long-term value. The process relies on dialogue between client and watchmaker to align expectations and ensure that every intervention is deliberate and appropriate to the history of the piece.

The restoration method is carried out in several stages: an initial consultation to define the desired outcome and establish a detailed programme of work; a comprehensive assessment of the movement, case, dial and bracelet to determine feasibility and scope; and the allocation of the necessary time, as restoration cannot be rushed. It includes a complete overhaul of the movement with disassembly, meticulous cleaning and replacement or fabrication of worn components where necessary.

It also covers the preservation of aesthetic character, taking care over details to improve condition without diminishing originality or historical integrity. Case and bracelet refinishing is undertaken only at the client's request and only where it will not adversely affect value or authenticity. After restoration, extended testing is carried out to verify mechanical tolerances, reliability and performance stability. The cost is agreed transparently, reflecting the time, craftsmanship and value added by the process.

Case and bracelet refinishing

The workshop offers a comprehensive case and bracelet refurbishment service, carried out with precision and respect for the original factory finish. It includes professional refinishing of polished and brushed surfaces, restoration of sharp lines and case geometry, specialist case lapping to accurately reproduce starburst and radial finishes, and bracelet refinishing to restore consistency and definition.

All refinishing work is carried out with particular attention to preserving the integrity and proportions of the case, so that the watch retains its character and value.

Turnaround times

Due to the detailed and often complex nature of restoration work, typical turnaround times are approximately two to three months. This time allows each stage of the process to be progressed carefully, takes into account the workshop's schedule and allows specialist parts to be sourced, manufactured or fabricated where necessary. The company states that each project is approached without compromise and that, if the client has specific timing requirements, they can get in touch to try to accommodate them and provide clear guidance from the outset.

Location and contact

Email: iamsimonfreese@gmail.com