Chicago Clock Company

I go to Chicago Clock for all me watch needs. They are honest. They have very reasonable prices. They will change watch batteries while you wait. I have several Michele watches. Some business told me it would be $150 to change the watch battery. I went to Chicago Clock and they explained it does cost more to change a battery and waterproof or reseal the watch. Since I am not diving with my watch it was a regular battery replacement. They are honest.

This is an old problem but I have just become privy to Google reviews so I thought I would record my experience. This clock never worked right for a 500 dollar bill. Twice what the clock is worth. I've never been back to the firm. Per their request, I brought the clock back for for another "pair of eyes" at the Chicago shop to look at. Turns out the muffled gong was due to "oil congealing" over the bottom of the chime coil at the rear of the tilted case. So their original fix for it stopping after the overhaul was over oiling. That evidently didn't work as a month later the clock is stopping as it was before I brought it in twice PRIOR to the chime issues. So...I am reposting my original complaint below as there is absolutely no glimmer of hope that this company has the ability to repair this vintage ships clock. I gave this firm three legitimate opportunities to make good This is the fourth issue. First off, I will post some history. I joined a Waterbury clock group online for advice on cleaning and repairing a Waterbury ship clock (early 1910 vintage) that I recently purchased in running condition. I was searching for a reputable clock smith bring this up to excellent working condition. I got two recommendation from collectors with estimates ranging from $300 to $350. But they were both east coast located and I didn't want to ship it back and forth risking loss or damage. I had issues shipping a classic Accutron watch once and I never wanted to go through that again. So I chose local at Chicago Clock Co. in Orland Park, IL as they said they could clean, oil and repair as necessary for $500. Higher? Yes, but I figured less headaches. Now the fun starts.The wait time was six months which I agreed to. Keep in mind, this clock was running fine until a week before I brought it in, AND, it had all the pieces attached. The chime was loud and resonated perfectly. Time goes by and I picked it up in six months as promised. When it was set in front of me to inspect the fast/slow button knob (very rare part) was missing along with one face screw. The brass was also a mess. They eventually found the tiny knob on the workbench. The chime worked but it was softer/different, but OK. I ended up finding a replacement face screw online. I was told by the Chicago office that the brass was clear coated and there was nothing to do to improve the appearance. Well, it wasn't clear coated and it was nicely polished when I dropped it off. I returned it, they installed the knob and polished it as it was. Then they extended the warranty and offered the next oiling at no charge (which was respectable). Eleven months later it started randomly stopping again. I checked the hands for clearance from each other and the glass door clearance but no help. Brought it back in and it took a month and some days until I saw it again. When I got it home it apparently kept time but the chime didn't work. Which once (originally) was a crisp and loud chime sounded dull like an empty tin can struck by a spoon. I returned it and said the chime was all messed up. So back for another month. No help. Still sounds poor and the chime was getting worse by the day after I brought it home (more oil must have been leaking down to the bottom). I told the woman at he counter that they should have never accepted this clock if they didn't have the ability to properly clean, repair as necessary and oil it. As you can see in the photo, it's a beautiful clock. As I mentioned in the first paragraph, they fixed the chime the second time by removing the oil out of the bottom of the brass case (they oiled it) which is very peculiar because oiling itself is supposed to be a precision process, just enough, not too much and not too little). But it's back to the original problem and second later problem of it randomly stopping. The clock was never right. I wonder how many other pieces were lost in the process.