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About STEVEN HALE (SHWR)

Knowledge, expertise and experience in modern, classic and vintage watches

YOUR WISE AND REWARDING CHOICE

SHWR Ltd are experts in the servicing, repair and restoration of modern, classic and vintage fine watches and timepieces.

If you love classic watches from brands Rolex, Omega, Tag Heuer, Patek Philippe and others, you should know Steven Hale.  Our Rolex Accredited workshop provides unmatched knowledge and experience to service and repair your prized watch.  You can place absolute trust in Steven Hale Watch Restoration. We are a well-established and highly respected company of expert watch repairers and restorers of premium-quality wristwatches and pocket-watches.

Founded in 2005, we first acted as the classic watch restoration department of Somlo Antiques in central London’s Burlington Arcade. In 2015 we moved to purpose-built premises near Watford, housing the latest precision engineering tools and machinery. With 2,500 sqft of space, this enables us to provide exceptional service, with the added convenience of our showroom in Mayfair.

SHWR offer quality watch servicing, repair, polishing and restoration service for modern, classic and antique luxury watches. We work with Rolex, Omega, Tag Heuer, Patek Philippe and other leading brands. We are the only workshop in the UK to receive the highest level of Rolex Accreditation.

If you would like your watch valued for insurance purposes call us on 0208 088 6439 or contact us now!

Steven Hale Watch Restoration Team shot
SHWR Watch Restoration
SHWR Watch Repair, Service & Restoration

meet our team

Introducing our expert watchmakers, who will repair, revive and restore your favourite timepiece so as to give it a whole new lease of life!

All our watchmakers are either Swiss-trained at the Watches of Switzerland Education Program (WOSTEP), a world-leading school of watch-making and/or the British Horological Institute. Together, these esteemed houses have enriched our watchmakers with a wealth of training and knowledge in horological engineering, watch repair and restoration, covering an extensive range of ‘haute’ watch brands.

SHWR Watch Repair, Service & Restoration

Steven Hale

Managing Director
Steven Hale is the founder of SHWR – and as well as running the company, he actively undertakes all aspects of watch restoration, including Computer-Aided Drawing (CAD) and watch-making machinery operation.

Steven Hale is the founder of SHWR – and as well as running the company, he actively undertakes all aspects of watch restoration, including Computer-Aided Drawing (CAD) and watch-making machinery operation.

With a family background in engineering, Steven studied horology in Manchester in the late 1980s; he then undertook several WOSTEP (Watches of Switzerland Training & Education Program) courses before spending 16 years continuing to hone his professional horological skills in a high-end vintage watch shop.

Willing to tackle virtually any job, however complex, Steve relishes a challenge. He will undertake the most complex restorations, and is more than happy to reverse-engineer even the most obsolete components to ensure the perfect functioning of a valued timepiece. He is a single-handicap golfer, and weekends find him coaching an FA-approved youth football team.

SHWR Watch Repair, Service & Restoration

John Model

Master watchmaker
John studied Horology at Birmingham Polytechnic, graduating in 1990. Thereafter, he worked for a high-end watch brand before joining Steve at Somlo Antiques, London, in 1995, running the repairs department.

John studied Horology at Birmingham Polytechnic, graduating in 1990. Thereafter, he worked for a high-end watch brand before joining Steve at Somlo Antiques, London, in 1995, running the repairs department.

John graduated from WOSTEP (Watchmakers of Switzerland Training & Education Program) in Switzerland after completing the Refresher, Turning and Complicated courses and is now head watchmaker, specializing in vintage restoration. Like Steve, John relishes a horological challenge which involves hand-making many bespoke (and often obsolete) watch parts.

SHWR Watch Repair, Service & Restoration

Gaelle Symons

Watchmaker
Gaelle studied watchmaking in France, her native country, where she obtained her CAP, Baccalaureate and WOSTEP certificates. She then immediately moved to the UK to start working at Breitling, where she spent over six years.

Gaelle studied watchmaking in France, her native country, where she obtained her CAP, Baccalaureate and WOSTEP certificates.

Gaelle then immediately moved to the UK to start working at Breitling, where she spent over six years. She then moved on to Patek Philippe, where she passed her level 2 and 3 qualifications. Alongside repairs, she also performed quality control for two years, joining the SHWR team in 2015. She mainly repairs vintage watches, and enjoys the variety of work on offer.

When Gaelle's not working, she enjoys clay shooting and reading.

Rossano Mangoni

Head polisher
Rossano joined SHWR at the beginning of 2015. He has enjoyed a long and successful career in restoring jewellery and watches over nearly 30 years. Since he joined the team, he has developed and demonstrated several techniques now adopted by Steven Hale himself.

Rossano joined SHWR at the beginning of 2015. He has enjoyed a long and successful career in restoring jewellery and watches over nearly 30 years. Since he joined the team, he has developed and demonstrated several techniques now adopted by Steven Hale himself.

Rossano’s passion in case restoration, and he delights in exceeding customer expectations in producing finished works of the highest standards.

SHWR Watch Repair, Service & Restoration

Simon Duffy

Quartz specialist and watchmaker
Simon graduated from the Institute of Horology, Dublin, in 2000 and He has worked with many Swiss brands in after-sales services including and Hublot. Simon commenced working with Steven in 2001.   

Simon graduated from the Institute of Horology, Dublin, in 2000 and He has worked with many Swiss brands in after-sales services including and Hublot. Simon commenced working with Steven in 2001.  

As well as watchmaking, Simon also helps with the day-to-day running of the workshop.

SHWR Watch Repair, Service & Restoration

Marjanah Hale

Administrator
Marjanah was born in Malaysia, and for some years she worked for Malaysian Airlines, during which time she was promoted to Duty Officer for all crew. Marjanah then met Steve and moved to UK, where she and Steve were married.

Marjanah was born in Malaysia, and for some years she worked for Malaysian Airlines, during which time she was promoted to Duty Officer for all crew.  

Marjanah then met Steve and moved to UK, where she and Steve were married. They now have two children and she divides her time between looking after her family and acting as Administrator for SHWR.

What our customers had to say

"One of a kind"
"Excellent service on vintage watches that no one else can repair. Trained professionals, honest and knowledgeable. Thanks so much."

Vintage Cartier – Dana G

What our customers had to say

"Outstanding"
"I cannot rate Steven Hale highly enough. From my initial emails, right through to collecting my watch, they were extremely helpful and answered all of my many questions."
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"I had my watch serviced and a significant part replaced. I had previously been told by others that the replacement part was no longer available which for a vintage and very sentimental watch was more than a little disappointing. Steven Hale very quickly informed me that this was not correct and they located the part. My watch looks absolutely incredible. It has been serviced before but never come back looking and feeling as good as it does this time. I will always use them from now on and have referred others to them as well."

Rolex datejust - katie r

What our customers had to say

"What a simple, satisfying and reassuring experience!"
"A clear outline of the process to begin with, helpful communication along the way and an excellent outcome.The professional approach by the business was enhanced by the individual arrangements made for the transfer of my watch.In all, a really professional experience."

Rolex Oysterdate - Howard W

What our customers had to say

"Incredible restoration of my vintage watch - highly recommend!"
"I picked up my 64 year old watch today from Steven Hale after Rolex themselves referred me. I've waited 6 months to be reunited with it (due to it being a vintage), and I am beyond chuffed! I have previously taken the watch to a specialist but was turned away due to its age. But for the first time in years, the experts at Steven Hale have made it work like new. I applaud the excellent team of knowledgeable staff both in the workshop, but also in the showroom, who explained all my options in meticulous detail. This watch has been passed down three generations and I'm so pleased to have it back in full working order. I couldn't recommend Steven Hale enough for anyone with a special vintage watch, unsure of the best place to get it restored."

Vintage Rolex - Oscar S

What our customers had to say

"For years I had been told by a succession of watch repairers that my watch was obsolete, irreparable or both. Finally I was recommended to Steven Hale. Five months later my watch is back on my wrist, as good as it ever was. I can't recommend Steven Hale highly enough."

Vintage Rolex Oyster - Nigel F

What our customers had to say

"Very happy with the communication and service received. Would recommend this company with confidence."

Dr Bakaya

What our customers had to say

"Just to confirm my Rolex has been delivered & looks absolutely spot on. I’d like to express my thanks to yourself & to all at SHWR for the excellent all round professional service - it’s been much appreciated. With your workload backlog I doubt that your Company needs any further recommendations or endorsements, but should you ever want one please don’t hesitate to contact me. With my thanks once again & my best regards."

MARTIN

What our customers had to say

"My great grand-father's Breguet was given to me by my father for my 21st birthday. 30 years later, post restoration by SHWR, it is in far better shape than I have ever seen it. SHWR's craftsmanship is immaculate. The firm is polite, professional and honest. Outstanding - I cannot recall another occasion when I have been so favourably impressed."

edward

What our customers had to say

"I have just had my 1934 Rolex Oyster repaired. From start to finish I had full confidence in every one I had contact with at Steven Hale. They have been very efficient in identifying the problems at the initial examination and dealing with them as promised. There were no nasty surprises and unexpected complications along the way. Because of the age of my watch, spares are not available, and new parts have had to be made - all very expertly done. They even polished the gold case and my 86yr old watch now looks as good as new. You can certainly trust these people with your precious timepieces."

venessa

What our customers had to say

"I had bought a 1970s Pepsi GMT at auction and it needed some work. The lume on the hands was breaking up. Rolex UK wanted some hilarious price and threatened to replace the hands with new ones if their work failed - all at my expense of course. Steven Hale and co managed to repair the hands and maintain the original patina of the 40 plus year old watch which was of course crucial! Highly recommended."

Johan

What our customers had to say

"These are watch lovers and it shows. Their meticulous craftsmanship and expertise make them unique in London and I suspect that only in Switzerland may their equivalents be found. The experience of Steven Hale Watch Restoration begins with the talented and charming individuals who are client facing in South Molton Street and who instil a confidence that is consequently fully fulfilled. This firm represents unequalled talent in its field as well as exceptional client service. I have seldom recommended anyone with greater conviction."

FRANK