jewellers broke my watch

[tracykirkbride]

HI

I am new to the forum so I apologise for any problems in advance. I am desperate for any help that you may be able to give me.

I have a Rotary watch that was stopping and starting so i presumed that i needed a new battery. While visiting my aunty in hosp i passed an Event jewellry shop in the corridor and decided to get the battery replaced there as we were passing.The lady took my watch in the back and after 5 mins returned stating that the seconds hand was stuck and she did'nt think the problem was the battery but there was another woman working Sun who had ben working with watchs for twenty years and if i could leave it she would look at it. I did just that and after three days collected it with my partner still to no joy as they said they had tried another battery in it and it still did not work so i took my watch and left the shop. Later that week i took it to my local watch man who after taking the back off saw immedietly that the wax seal was off a screw? and that they had thumbed the battery in and in doing so had broken a cog, in effect rendering my watch useless and needing £50 to repair it. My issue is as no money changed hands and no paperwork where do i stand here. what rights do i have etc... Any help would be very appreciated.

Sorry for the long post.

[MARTIN3030]

Presumably if the event shop had managed to fix it by replacing the battery there would have been a charge.

They admitted they tried another battery,the Master Jeweller made a determination that the damage had been caused by the attempt.

There is your expert witness,The event shop had a duty of care towards you and your property.

I think you need to present the event shop with the findings and if you have not already got that in writing on the receipt,ask the Jeweller to provide it.

[MARTIN3030]

If you get no joy from the outlet,here is the Company Registered office and the sole directors name.

 

Malcolm George Cole

EVENT JEWELLERY LIMITED

FYFIELD BUSINESS PARK,

FYFIELD ROAD

CHIPPING ONGAR

CM5 0GN

[Andy77799]

Good luck! BlQQdy Jewlers put new battery in my dive watch and it flooded at 1m!!! Always send off to Casio now!

[raydetinu]

Generally if you get battery changed at jewelers they cannot reseal it and they tell you that, or should do!

The only way to get it resealed for water is to send it back to manufacturer or authorised repairer.

Should also tell you that in the Manual.

[ScarletPimpernel]

There are some good independent watch repairers who can repair and pressure test watches. I recently had my Panerai repaired by an independent who was recommended on a watch forum, and there's a watch shop near my home that can do proper sealing and pressure tests. Just as well - auth repairers for high end watches charge like a wounded rhino.

[MARTIN3030]

This is an interesting subject.

I have a good friend who is in the trade and maybe will ask him to give an insight from his perspective.

[raydetinu]

had watch battery change in local jewelers and Timpsons, and both told me, battery ok but we cannot guarantee water proof seal.

[MARTIN3030]

Suppose they are covering themselves.

Its like a gasket on car engine components,once the component has been split,then the surfaces have to be cleaned and a new gasket fitted,or else has to have some sealer.