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Enter into the world of Horology
at Roldorf & Co.

Horology is not only the study of time, but also the instruments used to measure it.

Our Experience

This field of study is truly unique, and one that is not often planned unlike most other professions. Due to its uniqueness, there are only a few schools available to offer training to those few that feel the intrigue and passion of a career in Horology.

As England and Europe are the historical epicenters of this craft, that is where most of the schools can be found. In more recent times, some of these schools opened workshop/classrooms in locations around the world where there was a demand. Apprenticeships were a common path but only as good as the watchmaker or clockmaker that offered them. As such, training standardization and certification was necessary to ensure quality and a base level knowledge. An accredited school is just like a university with checks and balances in place. This is to ensure that the graduating students have the required knowledge and skills to perform well for both you and any company they represent.

We choose to hire from these accredited schools: British Horological Institute, WOSTEP, SAWTA and KHWCC. Currently there are no schools with these accreditations for curriculum in Canada.

Our Philosophy

Is to be independent. Offering a level of service that is transparent and best in class, while being a place where those that are new to owning watches can feel completely comfortable, and yet collectors can feel confident in the work being performed. Our philosophy is simple: we want to show our passion for what we do  in an environment where there is no pretense just knowledge and excellence to share.


Independent Horologists

Being an independent in the world of watchmaking & horology provides us with a unique opportunity to serve our clients in a very different way. We service the watches we receive in house, and out in the open, therefore offering complete transparency. As an independent, we are not "governed" by policies driven by watch companies. This means that you as a client, are in control  of the work you would like done to your watch, and not the other way around. There are some exceptions to this,  for example, when we are unable to obtain the parts required to provide the service or in some circumstances when the watch is under warranty.

Our Services

Quartz Watches

Quartz watches are analogue (electromechanical) or digital, and require either a battery or a capacitor in order to function.

 
Batteries ☑️
Capacitors ☑️
Service ☑️
Crystals + Crowns ☑️
Marker Replacement ☑️
Movement Exchange ☑️
Polishing/Refinishing ☑️
Modifications ☑️
Restorations ☑️
Water Resistance Testing ☑️

Mechanical Watches

Mechanical watches have a spring that provides the power. Therefore, they require winding for them to operate. Some mechanical watches are manually wound by you or automatically wound by arm and wrist motion.

 
Service ☑️
Crystals + Crowns ☑️
Marker Replacement ☑️
Movement Exchange ☑️
Polishing/Refinishing ☑️
Modifications ☑️
Restorations ☑️
Water Resistance Testing ☑️

Modifications & Assembly Work

We provide customers with a convenient "modding" service, as well as contracted full consultation and assembly services for micro-brands.

 
Consultation ☑️
Parts Acquisition ☑️
Crystals, Bezels,  Dials, Hands, Lume Mods & Painting ☑️
Movement Upgrades ☑️
Full Assembly Services ☑️
Quality Control ☑️
Calibrations ☑️
Water Resistance Testing ☑️

Point Of Sale Consultation

Roldorf & Co. offers a consulting service for buyers and sellers, where clients can meet at our Gastown location.

 
Sell condition report ☑️
Buy condition report ☑️
Private Meetup Space ☑️
Virtual Consultation ☑️

Consignment Services

Roldorf & Co. offers a competitive watch consignment service for the sale of your watch. We will list and promote it, handling every aspect of the sale.

We assess, and if necessary, service the peices brought in for consignment. Our Certified Pre-Owned watches hold a guarantee for a period of two years.

Our consignment fee structure is simple:

IN-STORE SALE: 20% commission

ONLINE SALE: 25% commission

 
Condition Report ☑️
Standard Fee Structure ☑️
Community Advertising ☑️
No Sale No Fee Promise ☑️

Appraisals

Roldorf & Co. can provide insurance appraisal reports.

 

 
Professional Imagery ☑️
Standard Appraisal ☑️
Triplicate Reports ☑️
Standard Pricing Structure ☑️
  • COMPLETE SERVICING

    Complete disassembly, repairs, ultrasonic cleaning, reassembly, lubrication and re-calibration. This is a standard service for mechanical watches including manual wind, automatic, chronographs and watches with other complications.


  • MOVEMENT EXCHANGES

    Making a "like for like" exchange of the movement module - if available - for quartz watches and some mechanical watches, if cost effective.


  • MARKER REPLACEMENT

    Sometimes hour markers and hands fall off. We'll put them back on!


  • WATER RESISTANCE TESTING

    We have the equipment to do both wet and dry water resistance testing.

    Wet Testing is done to find a leak when one is discovered, like trying to find the puncture in a bicycle tyre. The movement is removed and the case is submerged under pressure. We do not wet test watches with movements in, AND THEREFORE IS NOT A FINAL TEST!

    Dry Testing is done as both a quick reference for water resistance and as a final test once the movement is in and the case is sealed after work has been performed. Dry testing simulates two states: resistance with reduced outside pressure (altitude) and resistance under increased outside pressure (submersion).

⚠️ It is VERY important to only trust the testing of your water resistant watches to watchmakers that have both sets of equipment. Many do not have dry testers due to the expense of the equipment and its required calibration and maintenance. ⚠️

NOMENCLATURE

WE ARE BRAND AGNOSTIC

WE HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF EXPERIENCE WORKING ON MOST WATCH COMPANY'S MOVEMENTS. ROLEX, OMEGA, VACHERON, CARTIER, EBEL, AND LONGINES ARE ONLY SOME OF THE BRANDS, BUT WE ALSO WORK ON EVERYDAY MOVEMENTS TOO SUCH AS ETA, SEIKO, AND MIYOTA.

SO SIT BACK, HAVE A COFFEE, AND BE REST ASSURED THAT YOUR WATCHES ARE IN SAFE HANDS HERE.