The "Doctor" is Always In!

U.S. Presidents and their Timepieces – Harry Truman

There are a handful of watches believed to have been owned by President Truman. Some are engraved and show evidence of actually having been owned by the President, whereas others were not. This confusion stems from a jewelry auction of items from the state of Margaret Truman Daniel, the only child of the former president and his wife, First Lady Bess Truman. Some of the items were definitely owned by the president, whereas some.. Read More

Mark Sirianni Jewelry Repair

Ring sizing, Watch and Jewelry Repair,  $3.00 Watch Batteries   I have 38 years of experience as a watchmaker and Jeweler.  I do ring sizing and all types of jewelry repair. I can take care of all of your watch and jewelry repairs from my shop at 25 Fraley Street.  I am open weekdays Monday–Friday from 8-3.   Call for more info  837-9435   Cell 1-814-558-4818   I can install.. Read More

U.S Presidents and their Timepieces : FDR

From George Washington to Herbert Hoover, every US president was known to have carried a pocketwatch. FDR, however, would be the first president to popularize the wristwatch as a valid presidential accessory. President Roosevelt was known for owning both a skeletonized minute repeater pocketwatch as well as a Tiffany & Co. Movado triple calendar watch. Minute Repeater While in Havana, President Roosevelt was given an A. Frankfeld skeletonized minute repeater pocketwatch from Dr. Boldan,.. Read More

U.S. Presidents and their Timepieces : Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was known to have owned a few pocket watches in his time, but there are two in particular that seem noteworthy; a gold pocket watch and a Waltham pocket watch. Before the start of the civil war, Lincoln purchased a nice gold pocket watch from George Chatterton, a Springfield Illinois jeweler.  Though Lincoln was not outwardly vain, the fine gold watch was a symbol of his success as a.. Read More

U.S. Presidents and their Timepieces

George Washington owned a few watches in his lifetime but the most famous timepiece was his Jean-Antoine Lépine pocket watch. In a letter to Gouveneur Morris (a Founding Father) in 1788, George Washington described his need of a new watch “well executed in point of Workmanship,” and asked Morris to look for one while he was in Paris on business.  All he asked was for the watch to be gold,.. Read More

Water in Rolex Watch: Will Water Damage My Rolex? How Do I Fix It?

Every week I get this same phone call or email.  It goes something like this:  ” I just went swimming, or came out of the shower and now my watch is wet, or has moisture under the crystal.  The customer almost always says that they “have always worn the watch in the pool or shower” and can’t understand why all of a sudden it is wet.  At this point I.. Read More

Can You Get Genuine Rolex Replacement Parts? vs Omega Parts

“Do you use genuine parts during an overhaul?”  This is usually the first question that every Rolex customer asks me.  My normal answer is a bit like this:  During a basic overhaul, I should not need to replace any parts as long as the watch is in decent working condition.  If I do need parts, I try to source genuine parts ,then if they are not available,  I have good.. Read More

Rolex vs Omega: Case Tube & Crown

In this weeks post, I will compare the crown and case tube between a standard Rolex and an Omega Seamaster.  This is one of the biggest differences between the two watches and why I like the Rolex so much better than the Omega. Rolex Case Tube The Rolex case tube is a simple threaded stainless steel part with an internal gasket installed. It is the essence of simplicity, you unscrew.. Read More

Questions for the Watch Doctor

This week’s blog post is going to go into a bit of detail on how I do my business, what watches that I will work on,  and why I don’t work on certain watches. First, please keep in mind that I repair watches full time as a “business”. This is not a hobby.  I graduated from the Bulova School of Watchmaking in 1977 and have worked for the past 38.. Read More

Rolex vs Omega Date Mechanism

In this weeks post ,we will take a look at the date mechanisn in a  Rolex 3035 and the Omega Co-Axial.    The Omega uses an ETA type date that has been aroud for many years.  It is simple, sturdy and works great.  It is very easy to service, no hidden springs to cause trouble and is one of my favorites to repair.   The Rolex works well, but is.. Read More