Watch Repairs & Care

With over 40 years of history, our expert technicians are highly trained to service many watch brands including: Rolex Oyster Quartz, Tudor, Cartier, Tag Heuer, Breitling, Omega, IWC, Grand Sieko, Hamilton, Baume & Mercier, Michele, Mont Blanc, Bulgari, Movado, Chopard, Philip Stein, Concord, Piaget, Oris, David Yurman, Raymond Weil, Ebel, Longines, and Tissot. Please contact one of our stores for additional information on all watch brands serviced.

“We totally take the watch apart,” says Beau Allain, watchmaker at Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry store in Baton Rouge. Separating the bracelet from the case, our watchmaker detaches the dials and the hands. Then the movement (which is the heart of the watch) is expertly, delicately and completely dismantled. The parts are so intricately small, the watchmakers work with tweezers and use 25X magnifying loupes to remove them.

These components are then cleaned in an ultrasonic bath and inspected. Those parts that no longer meet the manufacturers requirements are replaced with new, authentic parts. The watchmaker then reassembles the movement, piece by piece, and applies lubrication. After this, the watchmaker makes initial adjustments to the movement and replaces the dial and the hands.

Next, the case is carefully taken apart and re-polished or satin-finished by hand to remove the knicks and scars that come with everyday living. Using a felt-covered wheel and cutting paste, our watchmaker buffs away blemishes, then buffs the case with microfiber sheets before polishing it to perfection. After this, the seals are replaced and the crystal, bezel and middle case are reassembled.

The bracelet is likewise polished or satin-finished link-by-link and thoroughly cleaned. Then our watchmaker ever so carefully puts the movement back into the case and makes final adjustments to assure superior performance. The watch is then tested for precision for at least 24 hours.

Following that, the case is pressure-tested in water. Once it is proven to be waterproof, it is refitted with the bracelet. Our watchmaker then checks the watch one last time for flawless performance and impeccable finish. Following this complete servicing, the watch receives a two-year guarantee covering parts and labor. 

We do not require any deposit or payment to give a repair estimate. No work will be complete until the repair quote has been approved by you.

Most watch repairs can be completed in house, by one of our expert watchmakers. If your watch does require us to send it to a third party within the Lee Michaels network, one of our expert sales advisors will coordinate this on your behalf, with no charge until the repair quote has been approved by you.

For watches that do not have a screw-down crown and do not require a water/pressure test, the standard charge is $25.00 plus tax. For watches with a screw-down crown or for watches from the following brands, the price is $70.00 plus tax which includes a basic cleaning, a change of any necessary gaskets, and a water/pressure test: Rolex Oyster Quartz, Tudor, Cartier, Tag Heuer, Breitling, Omega, IWC, Grand Sieko, Hamilton, Gucci, Baume & Mercier, Michele, Mont Blanc, Bulgari, Movado, Chopard, Philip Stein, Concord, Piaget, Oris, David Yurman, Raymond Weil, Ebel, Longines, and Tissot. Exceptions exist, certain brands or watches may require additional service thus incurring additional costs. We do not require any deposit or payment to give a repair estimate. No work will be complete until the repair quote has been approved.

Yes, all of our in-house watchmakers are 21st Century Certified Watchmakers, also known as CW21-certified, by the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute. “The training, classes, and testing it takes to achieve this certification have made us all much better watchmakers,” says Danny Hanke, a thirteen-year veteran with Lee Michaels. “We take 40 hours of continuing education every two years at the Rolex training center in Lititz, Pennsylvania,” says Bobby McGee, a Rolex-trained watchmaker since 1993.

We recommend that you bring in a copy of your original warranty or receipt from your Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry purchased within the past 5 years. However, without these documents, we should be able to locate your information in our systems to properly assist you.

Yes, we welcome the opportunity to service watches from any seller. Out expert technicians can service almost any modern timepiece. Please bring your watch in to any Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry store for a complimentary estimate.

No appointment is necessary. Simply stop by and a sales associate will complete the intake process, which should take about 15 minutes.

“You get a lot of personal treatment when you select your timepiece and have it serviced at the same place,” says Bobby McGee, a Rolex-trained watchmaker since 1993. “Those long-term, personal relationships help customers feel more comfortable leaving a very expensive timepiece with us.”