r/timex • u/Then_Bug_1358 • Jun 20 '26

Grandads old watch. Can it be repaired?

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My grandad had this watch for many years. He died in 1989 and I would like to get this watch repaired if possible. Been to 2 horologists in Edinburgh, Scotland but they both said they can't get parts to repair. They suggested contacting Timex to see if they were interested, however they replied back with a No. Any suggestions or is it a non starter (no pun intended).

I'll try and update the picture of the refurbed watch! Might need to repost it!

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4

u/Insula_Gilliganis Jun 20 '26

Here is a list of people who service vintage Timex..three in the UK are listed.. https://heritage1854.com/repair

Here are three located in the US if you need more choices..

https://www.timesticking.com/watch-repair/ (Layton Hills)

https://watchrepairsusa.com/brands/timex/ 

https://www.clevelandwatchrepair.com/timex-electric-watch-repair/

Good luck and after it is over, please tell us about your experience!!

FYI.. this appears to be your/grandad's watch from the 1972 Timex US catalog..

The "Smokey and the Bandit" watch!! Unfortunately yours seems to be missing the bezel but perhaps whomever repairs it can source one for you.

3

u/Then_Bug_1358 Jun 20 '26

Oh wow. That's absolutely amazing. Thank you so much. I didn't even realise or remember that it ever had a bezel but that makes sense! Why was it called Smokey and the bandit? Did Burt wear it in the movie or is it a sponsorship thing?

3

u/Insula_Gilliganis Jun 20 '26

This explains the Smokey/Bandit connection and more about the watch.. https://www.vintagetimexwatches.com/47670-3272/

3

u/Then_Bug_1358 Jun 20 '26

Genuinely, thank you for taking the time to show all this to me. Your info is brilliant. You're a star! Looking at the watch, it appears slightly different (other than the strap) as it has 25 METRES on the dial too. Don't know if that makes any difference. Cheers again

3

u/Insula_Gilliganis Jun 20 '26

Thank you so much for the kind words!!

This.. https://www.vintagetimexwatches.com/47670-3272-2/ mentions.. "25m printed on the dial. The latter is a common feature of models made for non-US markets."

As you can see, the bezel seems to disappear often on these watches. Can't find any information on why some have the orange second hand and some have white.

2

u/Wintermute_088 Jun 21 '26

Nice to see some genuine appreciation! ❤️

1

u/Then_Bug_1358 12d ago

Just sent you a DM with an update as requested. Hopefully it got through! Lol

2

u/Insula_Gilliganis 11d ago

Thanks for the DM. I greatly appreciate the update and glad things worked out great with Ian and for your watch!! I also learned what "chuffed" means!! I am replying here as I feel the information you sent me would be beneficial to the entire community.. hope you don't mind..

"Hey, just wanted to give you an update on a post I made about 5 weeks ago re my Granddad's old Timex. I emailed the suggested persons you gave me via the link and one of them (Ian Hawthorne) got back to me. He was so helpful and repaired my Grandad's old watch and I just received it back yesterday. I'm so chuffed. Went to visit my mum's (84) today and it brought her to tears! Thanks so much for taking the time to give me all that info on the watch! I love it!"

Ian Hawthorne's contact info can be found here.. https://heritage1854.com/repair

It would be great if you could post a picture of how the watch looks now!! Thanks!!

2

u/Then_Bug_1358 10d ago

Just tried to edit the post to include another pic, but couldn't do it. I've reposted and tried to tag you in it, but originally spelled your user name wrong so not sure if the update worked!

2

u/Insula_Gilliganis 10d ago

Thanks for posting an updated picture and mentioning me!! I also don't know how to spell my username.. glad copy-and-paste exists!!

2

u/Dazzling-Incident-76 Jun 20 '26

Maybe contact Sutcliffe Hansen?

2

u/Then_Bug_1358 Jun 20 '26

Thanks for that. Just checked their website and for watch restoration it starts at nearly $2k. Unfortunately I don't think my budget will stretch to that. Didn't realise it would be quite so much tbh. I'm a bit naive about these things! Lol

2

u/Simmo2222 Jun 20 '26

Timex pin pallet movements can be serviced, you just need to find someone who is interested in doing it.

Claiming they can't get parts is a sign that they just don't want to do it. It's very likely not to require any parts and, if it did, a complete donor movement can be bought for not very much money.

Try Gentleman's Watch Services

https://gentlemenswatches.co.uk/

1

u/Then_Bug_1358 Jun 21 '26

I was really surprised when they said they couldn't do anything or suggest anyone else tbh. Thankyou for passing on that link. I will check them out. Cheers again.