My interest in vintage mechanical watches and watch repair began not with collecting, but with an unexpected introduction to the realities of servicing them. After experiencing significant sticker shock when a family heirloom watch required professional service, I became curious about what actually goes into repairing and maintaining a mechanical movement.

That curiosity quickly turned into a fascination with the mechanics themselves—how these small machines are constructed, how they wear over time, and how careful work can return them to reliable operation.

Craft First

Rather than starting with a collection, I began by leaning into my engineering background (I have a Ph.D. in EE) and teaching myself mechanical watch repair. I studied movement architecture, acquired tools, and worked through broken and neglected watches piece by piece, learning how different calibers are designed, how faults present themselves, and how to correct them properly.

Every vintage watch I have owned has either been non-functional or in clear need of service when acquired, and every one has been repaired or serviced by me personally. Working on a wide range of movements—manual, automatic, simple and complex—across many brands and eras is how I developed both my technical skills and my judgment as a restorer.

From Repair to Collection

Only after developing confidence at the bench did I begin to build a collection of watches worth preserving and wearing. That progression matters to me: the watches I offer today are not speculative acquisitions, but pieces I understood mechanically before I ever considered them aesthetically or historically.

This repair-first background strongly influences how I evaluate originality, wear, and long-term serviceability.

Restoration Philosophy

My approach to vintage watch restoration is guided by restraint, but not dogma. I avoid unnecessary “over-restoration” when a watch’s age and wear contribute positively to its character. At the same time, my goal is to produce watches that are genuinely enjoyable to wear.

When wear crosses the line from characterful to distracting or unattractive, I am not opposed to more substantive cosmetic work—such as case or hand refinishing—if it meaningfully improves the watch and respects its original design. Each decision is made in context, balancing historical integrity, aesthetics, and practicality rather than following rigid rules.

What You’ll Find Here

The watches offered for sale at Time To Go Vintage are ones that I have personally serviced, regulated, and evaluated after extended hands-on work. I focus on attractive but affordable vintage mechanical watches, often from respected but underappreciated brands, selected for their build quality, design, and mechanical interest.

These are watches meant to be worn and enjoyed, not simply admired from a distance.

Commissioned Work

I also accept a limited number of commissioned restoration projects for vintage mechanical watches. If you have a watch in need of service, or are searching for something specific, I’m happy to discuss whether it’s a good fit.

Every project begins with a practical conversation about condition, originality, goals, and expectations—because thoughtful restoration starts with understanding what the watch needs, not imposing a predetermined outcome.

Summing Up

Time To Go Vintage exists to keep mechanical watches out of drawers and back on wrists, preserving both their function and their appeal. If you value careful workmanship, informed judgment, and honest restoration, I’m glad you found your way here.

Mark