Pilbrows Watchmakers

Pilbrows Watchmakers We are New Zealands watch & clock service, repair & restoration specialists. www.pilbrowswatchmaker.co.nz

The Citizen calibre 8826, the world's thinnest solar powered movement barely 1mm thick housed in a bitone Citizen Eco-dr...
29/04/2026

The Citizen calibre 8826, the world's thinnest solar powered movement barely 1mm thick housed in a bitone Citizen Eco-drive One.

12/04/2026

Possibly one of the most worn barrel bearings I've ever seen!

This week's watch of the week - Rado DiaStar automatic. Was $3,000. Now $2,300!!This watch from 2019 features a faceted ...
08/04/2026

This week's watch of the week - Rado DiaStar automatic. Was $3,000. Now $2,300!!

This watch from 2019 features a faceted sapphire crystal, its original box and papers, and comes with a two year warranty.

Please contact us for more information.

We have a bunch of new-old stock Astina dive watches available at a special clearance price of $165.These are fitted wit...
27/03/2026

We have a bunch of new-old stock Astina dive watches available at a special clearance price of $165.
These are fitted with brand movements, have been individual pressure tested, and come with a two year warranty.

Specs:
Movement: Quartz
Size: 41mm
Water resistance: 200m
Crown: Screw crown
Strap: Rubber
Dial: Black with date at 3, luminous hour markers and hands.

Limited stock available.
Get a piece of NZ history before they are gone.

24/03/2026

A rare and fine example of a British tourbillon pocket watch.

A tourbillon is a sophisticated mechanical complication designed to improve accuracy by counteracting the negative effects of gravity on the balance wheel. It does this by housing the escapement and balance wheel inside a tiny, rotating cage, which can be seen in the video.

This particular watch was made by Smith & Son in 1908 and achieved an exceptional 91 marks (out of 100) in Class A at the 1909 Kew/Teddington Watch Trials. These trials tested accuracy under different conditions, and is one of the highest marks ever gained by the manufacturer.

24/02/2026

Testing the chiming sequence on a clock movement following a full disassembly, clean, and service.

Sadly, we will be saying goodbye to Gemma from our Taupo store in a few weeks time. After many years of looking after ou...
21/02/2026

Sadly, we will be saying goodbye to Gemma from our Taupo store in a few weeks time. After many years of looking after our wonderful customers, she has decided to head back to her dream job with the reopening of Starlight Cinema. She has been the happy, smiling, positive energy machine that would have greeted many of you as you walked into the shop, and she will be sorely missed.
Her little feet wore some big shoes, and they are going to be hard to fill. But, if you think you have what it takes, we would love to hear from you.
We are looking for a hard working individual with a focus on customer service, able to multitask, confident in retail sales and stock management, and willing to learn the ins and outs of a whole new industry.
This is a full time position Monday to Friday, and every second Saturday.
If you are interested, please send your CV to [email protected]

The bane of a watchmakers existance - previous botched repair attempts! We service quite a few collectable Seikos. The m...
18/02/2026

The bane of a watchmakers existance - previous botched repair attempts! We service quite a few collectable Seikos. The main problem we see is worn holes in the main plate and barrel bridge where the barrel arbor passes through. The correct way to remedy this is to fit a new jewel or bush. Many "watchmakers" choose to use a punch to close the hole leading to further damage to the mainplate and an altogether unsatisfactory repair. In this instance someone had attempted to correct the mainplate by adding a bush after it had been punched. Unfortunately the it was not centred properly leading to an offset bush being fitted. To correct this we set the mainplate up in our drilling jig used secifically for this job. We first centerd the hole and then drilled using a 2mm end mill. We then manufactured a new bush to house the correct jewel. What should have been a quick rejeweling job made more difficult by an improper repair.

What do you do if you can't buy a new case tube for your 1950's Tudor wrist watch? You make a new one!
10/02/2026

What do you do if you can't buy a new case tube for your 1950's Tudor wrist watch? You make a new one!

This watch is over 300 years old.Made by celebrated watchmaker Daniel Quare, who is credited as the inventor of repeater...
07/02/2026

This watch is over 300 years old.
Made by celebrated watchmaker Daniel Quare, who is credited as the inventor of repeater watches, this watch dates to 1710 and contains a fusee movement with verge escapement and a diamond endstone fitted into beautifully pierced balance c**k.

New to the showroom: Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch c.1978, full set.The Omega Speedmaster Professional 145022.78ST is comm...
04/02/2026

New to the showroom: Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch c.1978, full set.

The Omega Speedmaster Professional 145022.78ST is commonly referred to among collectors as the Omega Moonwatch.

This particular example from 1978 comes with its original box and papers, and is fitted with an Omega 1171/633 bracelet.
The 42mm watch case and bracelet remain in an unpolished state to keep it as original as possible.

Housed within is an Omega 861 manual wind movement. This has been fully serviced to Omega specifications (we are an authroised Omega Service Centre), and is in full working order, complete with a two-year warranty.

The case back is engraved with the wording "FLIGHT-QUALIFIED BY NASA FOR ALL MANNED SPACE MISSIONS, THE FIRST WATCH ON THE MOON", hence the Moonwatch nickname.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

Address

Taupo

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+6473773550

Website

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