Do you service your Doxa with Doxa or Local?

[Fleet]

Hello,

I've had a Doxa 5000T Sharkhunter for several years. This watch has hardly left my wrist! Last week, it stopped working. The second hand just won't move. I can manually move the hands and date, but it doesn't run. If I were to gently shake the watch, I can feel the weight moving, but it won't wind.

It isn't working.

So I emailed DOXA, and they replied and they don't seem to want to service my watch even though I acknowledged it was out of warranty and was willing to pay.

How do you service your DOXA watches? Do you take it to a local jeweler? What questions should I ask a local jeweler to find a good one? Or does anyone have a recommendation in Metro Detroit?

When I bought this watch, I expected to send it back to Doxa every few years for service. I'm kind of surprised they don't offer this. But I miss wearing my 5000T, and want it back up and running!

Thanks for any help

[Eric L.]

The 2892A2 movement in the 5000T should be servicable by any watchmaker who works on mechanical movements. Getting it done locally is fine. If you need parts for the watch case (other than movement), you will still have to get the parts through DOXA.

[T Bone]

First up, I suspect there is some miscommunication with DOXA, as I am certain they would be happy to service the watch for you. That said, the ETA movements in the DOXA watches are one of the most prolific movement brands in the industry, appearing in scores of quality Swiss watches. These can be repaired by any competent Watchmaker (as opposed to Jeweler, not the same thing at all, you want a Watchmaker).

Now as to the Metro Detroit area, I am sure there are several, but finding the right one is something I've not really embarked on yet. I know of two in the Birmingham area, but feel they are both a bit over priced. Another option is WUS Member/Moderator V8, who runs Motor City Watch Works. He is a trained Watchmaker, and runs this business (I think part time?) and has a lot of references here on WUS. While I've not had direct dealings with him yet, I do plan to and feel very comfortable in trusting in his knowledge and skill.

[DOXA Forum Administrator 1]

Hi Fleet,

Its not that we do not want to repair your watch, we are currently expanding our service/repair options due to the demand for routine service and repair of our past models. We are still taking in repairs, we just do not want to overwhelm our current repair facilitly.

Cheers,
Andy
Customer Care
DOXA Watches

[Fleet]

Thanks for the help, everyone. I'm sure Doxa knows what they're doing. I'm a bit surprised by this, but I'll find an independent watchmaker to help me out somehow. I talked with one guy this morning, and he acted like it was no big deal, as the guts of the watch are pretty standard. He did say if he needed parts, that I would have to get them from Doxa myself for some reason. I'll keep calling around, I think. That motorcitywatchworks seems promising. Also I'm checking out some online options.

In previous purchases of other brands, I always just took it to that brand's service center for servicing. This is a new experience.

I can't wait to get the Doxa working again.

[Rusty_Shakleford]

Like others have said, I'm sure that Doxa could repair this but it is not necessary. It is similar to not needing to have a car repaired at a dealership. Any good mechanic can do the job.

In my research, I have found a few watchmakers in the US and Canada that are highly recommended for movement servicing as well as modifications.

MCWW
IWW
Archer
Womble

I'm sure that there are many more online as well as countless ones that do not have websites.

Good luck with your 5000T. I would not want to be without it for long either.

RS

[T Bone]

Thanks for the help, everyone. I'm sure Doxa knows what they're doing. I'm a bit surprised by this, but I'll find an independent watchmaker to help me out somehow. I talked with one guy this morning, and he acted like it was no big deal, as the guts of the watch are pretty standard. He did say if he needed parts, that I would have to get them from Doxa myself for some reason. I'll keep calling around, I think. That motorcitywatchworks seems promising. Also I'm checking out some online options.

In previous purchases of other brands, I always just took it to that brand's service center for servicing. This is a new experience.

I can't wait to get the Doxa working again.

For local, one other that comes to mind is Back In Time in Birmingham. They were a DOXA AD for a time, and do wonderful restorations of Hamiltons and work on many other brands. I'd trust them fully, just not certain how their pricing would be for this (Hamilton restorations start at $250, but that is certainly more than a mere repair- they remounted a loose crystal on my DOXA pocket watch for me for around $25 IIRC, so their pricing may not be bad, I am sure they'll provide a free estimate to let you decide).

Another option I would consider is Stoll & Co. in Oho. They used to be an authorized DOXA repair facility in the US, and I dealt with them on a Warranty issue on my GMT with good success. I am certain they could be trusted as well. I think I'd probably go to Motor City Watch Works first myself though. But there are undoubtedly many more in the Detroit Metro area who are qualified and competent, please let us know who you end up going with and how you like the service (I currently have two watches needing service, neither a DOXA- and would actually like to know who others would recommend as well).

[Snowback]

I highly recommend Al at Archer Watch (in Canada). The service was fast & perfect. Al knows his way around a watch movement & did a great job on my Sub 600T. Drop him a line & see how busy he is; you'll be very pleasantly surprised.

[hray]

Time Tec This is ware Doxa had me send my 5000t a couple of years ago. They did good work. Ray

[70monte]

I also recommed Archer watches as he serviced my Doxa 600T Pro almost two years ago. Did a great job.

Wayne