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Watch workshop

Beyer’s ten watchmakers and six goldsmiths, who are based directly above our shop, offer clients an efficient after-sales service. Our watch and jewellery workshop is the largest of its kind to be run by a Swiss retailer, and also one of the most modern. Artificially created overpressure keeps the workshop largely dust-free. Work can be followed on two monitors when operating on a micro scale, and a series of high-precision tools and systems ensure that this traditional craft can be pursued under the best possible conditions.

A watch is exposed to all kinds of stresses and strains day in, day out, and should be serviced every five to seven years. Two watchmakers work in the shop, accepting timepieces for repair and attending to matters that can be dealt with on the spot. More complex or time-consuming jobs are passed on to the workshop. If any questions arise, our watchmakers and goldsmiths can be consulted directly. Interested clients can even watch our experts at work, as they go about their business in a showroom with plenty of glass and light. We also train two apprentices at any given time.

Express service

After making a purchase in our store, customers can benefit from an outstanding additional service for a small extra charge – our top-quality express service, which as of immediately takes a maximum of two weeks. Otherwise, a service at our in-house watch workshop generally takes a good four to five weeks. Moreover, if this is performed by the manufacturer, the waiting period can be even longer. Thanks to the efficient organisation perfected over many years at our own watch and goldsmith’s atelier, Beyer is able to offer its clients an exclusive service that is unique to the industry.

This express service is currently offered for the following brands: Patek Philippe and Rolex. Until the service has been further extended, it is only available for other brands on request.

Watchmaking course I

Do you know how a watch actually works? Perhaps you have read something about it or have even visited a manufacture? But you have probably never had the opportunity to assemble a watch yourself!

We regularly held beginners' watchmaking courses for our clients at our own workshop. After a guided tour through our watch and goldsmiths' workshop, the small group of four participants are familiarised with the intricate movement of the timepiece. Subsequently each member of the group can try their hand at dismantling a Unitas pocket watch movement and putting it together again, ably assisted by our expert watchmakers.

Non-customers are also welcome to take part, whereby a fee of CHF 200 will be charged. Naturally, this amount will be refunded should you buy an item from our store at a later date. This watchmaking course makes an ideal gift; vouchers are available for purchase. As a course participant, you will also receive a special Beyer surprise and free admission to our Clock and Watch Museum, which with its over 250 exclusive exhibits and temporary special exhibitions is one of Zurich’s major attractions.

Have we aroused your interest? We would be pleased to reserve a place for you on one of our watchmaking courses. The next courses are being held on:

Wednesday, 8 May 2019, 5-7pm
Wednesday, 22 May 2019, 5-7pm
Wednesday, 5 June 2019, 5-7pm
Wednesday, 19 June 2019, 5-7pm
Wednesday, 4 September 2019, 5-7pm
Wednesday, 18. September 2019, 5-7pm
Wednesday, 2 October 2019, 5-7pm
Wednesday, 16 October 2019, 5-7pm
Wednesday, 30 October 2019, 5-7pm
Wednesday, 13 November 2019, 5-7pm
Wednesday, 27 November 2019, 5-7pm

Watchmaking Course II

Beyer’s watchmaker’s workshop regularly runs watchmaking courses. Only those who have attended the basic course are permitted to enrol on the advanced one. Within the space of three hours, participants assemble a Beyer watch under the expert guidance of professional watchmakers, and are then allowed to keep the finished item. The course costs CHF 1,000 or CHF 1,300, depending on which watch you choose. This amount covers the cost of the watch components.

Have we aroused your interest? We would be delighted to receive your reservation. The next Watchmaking Courses II will take place on:

Saturday, 4 May 2019, 9.30am-12.30pm
Saturday, 1 June 2019, 9.30am-12.30pm
Saturday, 7 September 2019, 9.30am-12.30pm
Saturday, 5 October 2019, 9.30am-12.30pm
Saturday, 2 November 2019, 9.30am-12.30pm

Contactform

Contactform

Here you can see a 360° panorama view of our watch workshop.

Short film about our watch workshop

Our watch workshop provides clients with an effective and efficient after-sales service. The service desk is staffed by two watchmakers, who can immediately diagnose any problems your watch may have. In our workshop on the first floor ten watchmakers are employed.

Watchmaker apprentices

Beyer employs two watchmaker apprentices, who complete a four-year training course in the specialised field of ‘rhabilleur’. This comprises the repair of clocks, watches, pendulums and antique timepieces. After a seven-week introductory course at the watch-making school in Grenchen, the apprentices are taught the craft of watchmaking at Beyer’s own workshop. The first timepieces that they revise are simple clocks. Subsequently they learn the intricacies of small-size watches and finally complete their apprenticeship with the complications.

On 1½ days a week, the apprentices attend the school in Grenchen, which is the only watchmaking school in German-speaking Switzerland.  Some 25 apprentices are trained here every year. We are proud that we are able to train these up-and-coming watchmakers and pass on to them our passion for this fascinating profession.

Complete servicing – i.e. thorough overhaul and repair – comprises the following:

  1. Check the housing and base
  2. Remove the movement
  3. Check the escapement
  4. Check the winding mechanism
  5. Check the hand mechanism, calendar movement (if appropriate), and the intermeshing of the gear wheels
  6. Completely disassemble the movement
  7. Replace any defective working parts; prepare any special parts according to customer´s specific requirements
  8. Clean each individual part with a special machine
  9. Check the parts and, if necessary, replace the jewel bearings
  10. Reassemble the individual working parts until the movement is complete; adjust and correct the play in the wheels
  11. Lubricate the wind-up mechanism and oil the wheels
  12. Set up and adjust the escapement and the regulator
  13. Check the function of the movement
  14. Assemble the face and hands
  15. Polish the housing (for gold and stainless-steel housings)
  16. Clean the housing and strap/bracelet
  17. Renew all seals (if appropriate)
  18. Install the movement in the housing
  19. Check for accuracy
  20. Check the watch in various different positions
  21. Check the calendar movements for moon phases, month, day, etc. in the case of watches with complicated calendars
  22. Carry out final check

After a full servicing has been carried out, we give a one-year guarantee on the watch functions, unless anything specific is otherwise stated in individual cases.

Complete servicing – i.e. thorough overhaul and repair – comprises the following:

  1. Check the housing and strap/bracelet
  2. Remove the movement
  3. Remove the hand mechanism and the calendar movement (if appropriate), as well as the grip between the wheels
  4. Completely disassemble the movement
  5. Replace defective working parts in accordance with cost estimate
  6. Clean all mechanical parts with a special machine
  7. Check the parts and, if necessary, replace the jewel bearings
  8. Reassemble the individual working parts of the movement; adjust and correct the play between the wheels
  9. Oil the wheels
  10. Check the electronic parts
  11. Replace the battery
  12. Check the function of the movement
  13. Assemble the face and fingers
  14. Polish the housing (gold and stainless steel housings)
  15. Clean the housing and strap/bracelet
  16. Renew all seals
  17. Install the movement in the housing
  18. Check watertight watches for water-tightness
  19. Check for accuracy
  20. Check the watch in various different positions
  21. Final check by the workshop