From Scalpel to Screwdriver – A Horological Journey in Time

Hello and welcome, fellow enthusiasts and vintage watch lovers!

My name is Ken Hodson. What has drawn me to watch repair? I’ve spent over 25 years in the NHS as a doctor and surgeon, but today I find myself at the workbench, loupe in eye, coaxing life back into the hearts of mechanical watches. My father's love for repairing clocks is no doubt the origin of my horological interest. That early exposure, seeing him restore with patience and precision, planted a seed that, years later, has grown into a deep passion for vintage watch repair.

There are many parallels between watch repair and medicine, and potentially transferrable skills, that make doctors good watch repair technicians. Firstly, one needs to have a diagnostic and logical approach to fault finding and repairs. Secondly, akin to being in theatre, cleanliness and sterility are crucial to making sure that the parts are meticulously clean and that no dust, dirt or hair is allowed to contaminate the movement. Strong magnification and good lighting are essential. The ability to operate 'under the microscope' is similar to keyhole surgery, testing hand/eye co-ordination and skill at focusing in on a tiny area. Thirdly, it is necessary to 'treat the patient' with the utmost care. Aside from the financial worth of a watch, they often hold sentimental and emotional value to their owners. Vintage parts may not be so easy to find and are often expensive to replace, perhaps not as difficult as finding a replacement kidney or heart(!), but nevertheless one must try as hard as one can to preserve the integrity of the watch.

My journey into watchmaking has been largely self-guided — hours spent studying YouTube tutorials, pouring over horological texts, and undertaking the British Horological Institute's Long Distance Learning Course. The learning curve has been steep, but now it is possible to strip, clean and rebuild a movement in under a day (for most watches). The frustration comes when looking and sourcing parts, for this requires you to put a watch 'on hold' until those parts arrive. There is nothing more satisfying than getting an old movement running again, cleaning up a case and dial and bringing out the best features of a vintage timepiece: a quiet homage to the art, engineering, and elegance of bygone eras.

Through this blog, I hope to share not just my repairs, but the stories and soul of vintage watch collecting. Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to the world of horology, I hope you will find inspiration here.
Please get in touch if you require your watch to be repaired, I am happy to provide a quotation and all servicing comes with a 12 month guarantee.

Let’s keep time ticking!