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September is a big month for many of us, signalling the end of summer / back to school – and for the team at Steven Hale Watch Repairs it marks our anniversary. This week we celebrate a landmark 15 years!
It was back in 2005 that our founder, Steven Hale, decided to risk all by setting up his own expert watch repair and restorations for luxury watch brands including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, Tag Heuer, Zenith, Dior, Hublot, Vacheron Constantin and more.
After extensive training at the Watches of Switzerland Training & Education Program (WOSTEP) Steven worked at the classic watch restoration department of Somlo Antiques, in central London’s Piccadilly Arcade.
Sensing an opportunity and driven by the desire to run his own business, Steven left after 16 years, accompanied by three of his colleagues. Steven had not only his own family to feed but those of three expert watchmakers!
Luckily Steven’s reputation for expert watch repairs to the finest modern luxury watches and vintage pocket watches ensured a steady flow of enquiries, keeping him and his colleagues busy from day one
Over the next few years, the team worked out of cramped premises in Mayfair before the next major opportunity presented itself.
One evening whilst out walking near his home. Steven saw a run-down builder’s yard for sale, tucked behind the houses. Hard to see from the main road, these dilapidated buildings were transformed to be the workshop Steven had always dreamed of.
It would be nice to say just a few months later Steven and his team moved in to 2500sq ft of purpose-built accommodation over two floors. However, the purchase, planning and rebuilding took 2 long years and was not completed until 2015.
The SHWR facilities can now accommodate twelve watchmakers, two polishers and one administrator with a further two sales staff at our new Mayfair showroom.
SHWR is the only UK watch repair workshop to receive the highest level of Rolex Accreditation. Take your watch to Rolex for repairs and quite often it will be sent on to SHWR for our expert eye.
We are Level 3 Approved with Omega and have a level 3 trained Patek Philippe watch maker and hold official account status with Tag Heuer, Hublot & LVMH brands. You can trust in our watchmaker’s skills to bring your worn or damaged watch back to life.
SHWR has continued its steady growth and in addition to watch servicing we now offer a wide range of pre-owned high-end watches for sale from our Mayfair showroom. If you are looking for a very tax efficient and stylish investment that continues to give pleasure year after year, then you can’t go wrong with a luxury watch.
Every watch we sell has been fully serviced and comes with a two-year guarantee. You can view our range of pre-owned watches for sale here.
During the recent Lockdown we adapted by offering a free insured post & packaging service, allowing customers to send their watches to us from across the UK, rather than visiting in person. Now we can inspect and provide detailed estimates for repairs wherever you live. Request your free pack here >
Steven Hale, providing expert servicing, repairs and sales of modern and vintage quality watches.