A state-of-the-art watchmaking workshop.

What being independent means for you

Independence is a description, not a slogan. It means Alpha Group is not part of, or appointed by, any of the brands whose watches come through the door. Alpha Group is an independent workshop and is not affiliated with or authorised by Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe or any other brand.

For many owners, the appeal is being able to talk openly about options. Some want a watch returned looking as close to new as possible; others want years of honest wear left alone and only the movement attended to. An independent workshop can have that conversation without a fixed script, and the approved quotation records what was agreed.

There are trade-offs to know about, too. Independent repair work may affect a manufacturer’s commercial warranty, so if your watch is still covered, check before you approve anything. Where a manufacturer requires an exchange part to be surrendered, we explain this before you approve the work, not after.

About quotations: assess first, then agree

We would rather not guess about a watch we have not seen. Every job starts with an assessment, after which we explain the proposed work and give you a quotation or an estimate. Either way, we make clear whether the price is fixed or an estimate, so you know what you are agreeing to.

• Nothing starts until you have approved the work.
• The scope of work is written into the approved quotation, so both sides know exactly what was agreed.
• A limited repair is not a complete service, and we won’t describe it as one.
• If a deposit is needed before parts are ordered or work begins, its amount and purpose are confirmed in writing.
• You receive an estimated completion time after assessment, and hear from us about any material delays.
• Payment falls due once the work is complete, before the watch is collected or dispatched.

Approval matters because a watch is personal. Two owners of the same model may want quite different things, and a quotation that sets out the scope in writing is the simplest way to make sure the work matches what you asked for. If you have questions about any line of it, ask before you approve; that is what the assessment conversation is for. And if, having read it, you would rather leave the watch as it is, that is a perfectly reasonable answer.

How a watch moves through the workshop

Every watch follows the same broad path, whatever it needs. Knowing the sequence makes it easier to see where your decisions come in.

1. Arrival and your requirements. We note what the watch is doing, its history as far as you know it, and anything you want preserved, from an original dial to an inscription on the case back.
2. Inspection. The watch is examined to understand its condition, performance and individual requirements before any work is suggested.
3. Proposal and approval. You receive an explanation of the proposed work with a quotation or an estimate. Nothing goes further until you approve it.
4. The agreed work. Depending on what was approved, this may involve routine maintenance and movement testing, a mechanical repair, component replacement, case restoration or polishing, carried out with close attention to the watch’s original character and finish.
5. Final checks. Once the agreed work is complete, the watch is checked in ways suited to it and to the work carried out.
6. Ready to go home. You are told when it is ready, and collection follows the verification steps described further down this page.

If you are unsure which kind of work your watch needs, the watch health check is designed to tell you where it stands, while servicing and repairs covers everything from routine maintenance to complex faults.

About originality and collector value

Ask a collector what they care about and the answer is rarely just accuracy. It is the sharpness of the case edges, the contrast between brushed and polished surfaces, an original dial and hands, an inscription on the case back, or a bracelet that left the factory with the watch. Once any of these is altered, it cannot be undone.

That is why the first conversation asks about original parts, finishes, engravings and whether preserving collector value is important to you. Some changes, such as refinishing a case or fitting replacement parts, may affect collector value, and we discuss them with you first. You make the decision; we make sure it is an informed one.

Polishing, laser repair and the option of doing less

Polishing removes metal. Done heavily or repeatedly, it softens edges and can change the profile of a case. Laser repair takes a different approach, rebuilding worn or dented areas so that less has to be taken away during refurbishment and polishing. Sometimes the right advice is simply to do less: a careful clean that leaves honest wear in place. For older pieces, our vintage watch restoration page explains how condition, character and history guide the work.

What we won’t promise

Being clear about limits is part of earning trust. There are things a responsible workshop should never claim, and we would rather tell you about them now than have you discover them later.

• Prices or completion times before an assessment. The condition of a watch, its complexity and the availability of parts all affect the work, so both are given after the watch has been examined.
• Permanent water resistance. A pressure test checks the watch at the time of testing. The pressure tested may differ from the original rating, and the result does not guarantee permanent water resistance. Keep crowns closed and screwed down as the manufacturer instructs, and don’t operate crowns or pushers in water unless the manufacturer allows it.
• A complete service when only a repair was approved. If you approve a limited repair, the rest of the watch has not been serviced, and the quotation makes that clear.
• That a watch will hold its value. Nobody can promise that, and we don’t try.
• Warranty terms from memory. Any warranty, including its length and what it covers, is stated on the approved quotation and confirmed on the invoice or service record.

Within that warranty, defects in covered workmanship or parts are put right free of charge. It doesn’t cover accidental damage, or water damage caused by misuse or by not following care instructions, and it sits alongside your statutory rights rather than replacing them. The full wording is in our terms and conditions.

What you will hear from us, and when

Clear advice and consistent communication are central to how Alpha Group works. In practical terms, you can expect to hear from us at each of these points:

• after the assessment, with an explanation of the proposed work and a quotation or estimate;
• in writing, if a deposit is needed, confirming its amount and what it is for;
• with an estimated completion time once the watch has been assessed;
• if there is a material delay, rather than leaving you to chase;
• when the watch is ready, followed by a collection verification email;
• before any return dispatch, confirming charges and insurance.

Your part in a good result

A good outcome is shared work. Tell us at the start about anything that matters to you, whether that is an original part, a particular finish or a watch you may one day sell. Keep crowns closed and screwed down as the manufacturer instructs, and follow the care instructions you are given, because water damage caused by misuse or by not following them falls outside any warranty. Keep your paperwork with the watch, and collect it, or arrange its return, within 30 days of hearing that it is ready.

Collection security: how watches go home

A watch left for work is someone else’s property, often valuable and sometimes irreplaceable. The mission on this page talks about keeping watches secure, and the clearest place to see that in practice is at collection. The process is deliberately careful.

1. Bring your invoice or booking receipt when you come to collect.
2. Alpha Group sends a collection verification email.
3. You may be asked for photo ID.
4. If someone else is collecting, you must authorise them in advance by email. A message on the day is not enough.

When you are told your watch is ready, please collect it, or arrange return delivery, within 30 days. If you post a watch to us, choose suitable packaging and a carrier whose insurance covers its value; charges and insurance for the return journey are confirmed before dispatch. These steps can feel formal, but they exist to protect you, and we would rather ask one question too many than hand a watch to the wrong person.

About Hatton Garden and the building we share

The workshop is in Hatton Garden, London’s jewellery quarter and the centre of the UK diamond trade. Farringdon and Chancery Lane stations are a short walk away. We are open Monday to Friday, 10:30 to 17:30, and closed at weekends.

In the same building is our sister business, Kings & Queens Watches, an independent pre-owned luxury watch dealer. The two businesses do different jobs: Kings & Queens sells pre-owned watches, while Alpha Group services, repairs and restores watches.

Alpha Group supports private clients, collectors, retailers and watch industry professionals. Whoever you are, the starting point is the same: tell us about the watch, let us assess it, and decide once you understand the options.

Questions people ask about Alpha Group

Is Alpha Group connected to any watch brand?

No. Alpha Group is not an authorised service centre for any brand and is not affiliated with Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe or any other manufacturer. We are an independent workshop.

What is the company behind Alpha Group?

The company behind Alpha Group is The Alpha Group 7C Limited. Day to day, we simply go by Alpha Group, the name above the door at 9 St Cross Street.

Do I have to go ahead after the assessment?

Work is approved before it starts. After the assessment, you receive the proposed work with a quotation or an estimate, and the decision about whether to proceed is yours.

Where is the work carried out?

Work is carried out in our own Hatton Garden workshop at 9 St Cross Street, the same address where your watch is assessed and collected.

Will you tell me if parts need replacing?

Yes. The scope of work, including any replacement parts, is set out in the quotation you approve. Because replacement parts can affect collector value, that is discussed with you first, and where a manufacturer requires an exchange part to be surrendered, you are told before you approve.

Do you look after modern and vintage watches?

Yes. The services range from battery replacement for luxury quartz watches and bracelet re-pinning to full servicing and the sensitive restoration of vintage pieces. If you are not sure whether your watch is a good fit, ask about it before booking.

Can I talk to someone before booking?

Yes. Call 020 4531 5299, message +44 7726 776776 on WhatsApp, or email contact@alphagroupwatchmaking.com. Our contact page has directions and tips about what to bring.

Can I cancel after booking?

If you are a consumer and booked online, by phone or off-premises, you generally have 14 days to cancel a qualifying service contract. The terms and conditions explain how.

Do you work with the trade?

Yes. Retailers and watch industry professionals use the workshop as well as private clients and collectors. Get in touch to talk about what you need.

Tell us about your watch

The best way to find out about Alpha Group is to bring us a watch and a question. Book a consultation, tell us about its history and anything you want preserved, and we will explain what we see, what we suggest and why.