Our Services
INDEPENDENT HOROLOGISTS
Being independent in the world of watchmaking gives us the opportunity to serve our clients differently. The watches entrusted to us are serviced in our own Vancouver workshop, with an emphasis on transparency, communication and doing what is appropriate for the individual watch.
We are not tied to a single manufacturer or a single approach. Where parts availability, warranty requirements and technical capability allow, our job is to help you make an informed decision about your watch.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
To be independent. To offer a level of service that is transparent, knowledgeable and approachable, while being a place where those new to owning watches can feel completely comfortable and experienced collectors can feel confident in the work being performed.
Our philosophy is simple: we want to share our passion for what we do in an environment where there is no pretence, just knowledge and experience.
QUARTZ WATCHES
Quartz watches may be analogue, electromechanical or digital and require a battery, rechargeable cell or capacitor as part of their power system.
MECHANICAL WATCHES
Mechanical watches have a mainspring that provides their power. They may be manually wound by the wearer or automatically wound through the movement of the wrist.
COMPLETE SERVICING
Complete mechanical servicing normally includes disassembly, inspection, required repairs, ultrasonic cleaning, reassembly, lubrication, adjustment and appropriate final testing.
This applies to mechanical watches including manual-wind and automatic movements, chronographs and many other complications. Every watch is inspected individually before chargeable work proceeds.
MOVEMENT EXCHANGES
Where appropriate and technically sensible, a like-for-like movement exchange may be possible for some quartz and mechanical watches when the original movement cannot be economically repaired.
MODIFICATIONS & ASSEMBLY WORK
We provide selected modification services for individual clients as well as technical consultation, assembly and quality-control services for independent watch companies and microbrands.
POINT OF SALE CONSULTATION
Roldorf & Co. offers an independent consultation service for buyers and sellers involved in private watch transactions. Clients can meet at our Vancouver location and have the watch examined in a professional watchmaking environment.
CONSIGNMENT SERVICES
Roldorf & Co. offers a watch consignment service for the sale of your watch. We assess the piece and, where necessary, can service or prepare it before sale. We then photograph, list, promote and handle the sales process.
Our consignment fee structure is simple:
APPRAISALS
Roldorf & Co. can provide insurance appraisal reports for appropriate watches.
WATER RESISTANCE TESTING
We have equipment to perform both wet and dry water-resistance testing. The two methods serve different purposes within the workshop.
Wet Testing is primarily a diagnostic method used to locate a leak once one has been identified. The movement is removed and the empty case is tested under controlled pressure. A watch containing its movement is not deliberately submerged as part of this procedure.
Dry Testing allows an assembled watch to be tested without immersion. It can be used as a diagnostic reference and, where appropriate, as a final test after the case has been sealed following service.
Water resistance depends on the condition of the case, crown, crystal, gaskets and sealing surfaces, as well as proper testing equipment and procedures.
WE ARE BRAND AGNOSTIC
Our workshop has experience working on watches from a wide range of manufacturers and movement makers, from everyday calibres to high-grade mechanical watches.
What matters is whether we can service the watch properly, whether the required parts and technical information are available, and whether the work is appropriate for that particular watch.
So sit back, have a coffee, and rest assured that your watch is in experienced hands.