Onva Watches

Onva Watches SAWTA-certified watchmaker specializing in vintage mechanical watches and chronographs. Serving collectors and dealers.

Based in Rhode Island, ONVA provides documented overhauls focused on preservation, originality, and long-term performance.

Vintage watches, before shock settings were commonplace, are a little more involved than you’d think. They require a dif...
05/02/2026

Vintage watches, before shock settings were commonplace, are a little more involved than you’d think. They require a different skillset and patience far different than modern repairs.

At ONVA, we welcome these kinds of projects.

In modern designs, the balance and hairspring can stay attached to the balance bridge during service. Only if more invasive work like restaffing or advanced hairspring adjustments need to be made, would you remove the balance from the bridge.

In vintage examples like this, where the balance jewel setting is not a shock absorber, we get to remove the balance each time (hooray!).

In this first photo, you can see the pieces we start with during assembly after cleaning.

The second photo, the placement of the regulating pins and fine adjustment arm over the cap jewel.

The third and fourth photos, attaching the cap jewel to the bridge, which secures the regulating pins in place. Lubrication of the cap jewel is done here before the balance is installed.

Fifth photo, opening of the regulating pins to accept the hairspring.

Sixth photo, the oscillator, or balance assembly.

Seventh, fitting the outer coils of the hairspring between the regulator pins.

Once fit up, the balance is installed into the watch, and further adjustments are made to the flatness and centering of the spring.

Finally, the beat error is adjusted by rotating the hairspring collect around the staff— this is not a modern system that allows independent beat adjustment from the bridge. The entire assembly is charming — and entirely manual.

Who are you going to with your next vintage repair?

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vintagewatch

Clean is the starting point. Verification is the standard.This cap jewel came out of the cleaning machine exactly as exp...
04/17/2026

Clean is the starting point. Verification is the standard.

This cap jewel came out of the cleaning machine exactly as expected—free of visible debris and ready for inspection.

From there, every critical surface is checked under magnification. If anything remains—even at a level most wouldn’t notice—it’s addressed by hand.

What you’re seeing here:
• Post-cleaning inspection
• Manual refinement where needed
• Final condition, ready for assembly

The machine does its job.
We make sure it’s finished.

That’s how consistent performance is built.

DM to start your service.
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watchmaking

Precision starts where most people stop.Every watch that comes across the bench gets fully disassembled, inspected, clea...
04/17/2026

Precision starts where most people stop.

Every watch that comes across the bench gets fully disassembled, inspected, cleaned, and rebuilt to perform the way it was meant to. No shortcuts. No guesswork.

In this service, what looks like a simple issue is often deeper—old oils, hidden debris, worn components. That’s why we don’t just “get it running”—we restore performance at the movement level.

Mail-in service available.
We provide the label. You get clarity.

When your watch needs professional care, we’ll show you exactly what it needs—and why.

DM to get started.
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That “simple battery change” isn’t always so simple.This watch came in after multiple battery replacements that never so...
04/14/2026

That “simple battery change” isn’t always so simple.

This watch came in after multiple battery replacements that never solved the problem.
What we found instead: internal debris interfering with the movement — something no quick battery swap would ever fix.

At ONVA Watch Service, we don’t just replace batteries.
We diagnose your watch properly.

Our Mail-In Battery Service — $85
• We provide the shipping label
• 2-week turnaround
• Professional inspection included

If your watch needs more than a battery, we’ll walk you through it — clearly and honestly.
No work is done without your approval.

In this case, we recommended a full quartz movement overhaul — preserving a watch the owner actually cared about.

Because your watch deserves more than a guess.

DM us today to get your prepaid shipping label and let’s get your watch running right.

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This watch came in for service because the customer could not set the time. It had just been repaired elsewhere, and the...
04/04/2026

This watch came in for service because the customer could not set the time.

It had just been repaired elsewhere, and they wanted us to take a look. Apparently they still could not set the time…

Two screws had been swapped. Their length and profiles did not match. Their threads however did match; and they were fastened in the wrong place.

The longer screw is 1. Longer and 2. Features a shoulder that aligns the plate in the second image (this is the setting lever jumper). The longer screw’s intended location is in the red circle. When installed, it has a significant influence over the entire engagement of the setting, including the time setting position.

Since the smaller screw had been put in this location (lacking the self-centering shoulder), the plate remained malaligned.

This was not the only error— the longer screw went where the shorter screw was supposed to go (other side of the movement, directly below the setting mechanism). The length protruded into the yoke of the setting mechanism, further preventing proper operation.

The amazing part about this is it can be fully prevented if inspections are made during the process. We do not rush our work, and just as importantly as tightening the screw, is ensuring you’ve selected the correct one. In watchmaking, it’s usually the simple things that get you.

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At first glance, this is a classic 3-hand dress watch with a 6 o’clock seconds layout.Under the dial, it becomes more in...
02/23/2026

At first glance, this is a classic 3-hand dress watch with a 6 o’clock seconds layout.

Under the dial, it becomes more interesting.

The SW260 is built on the SW200 architecture, but the sub-seconds configuration is not simply decorative — it’s driven off the third wheel through a carefully designed intermediate reduction system. That decision matters.

Rather than adding excessive load to the fourth wheel or disturbing the core going train ratios, the module transfers motion in a way that preserves amplitude and long-term stability.

Done poorly, add-on seconds systems rob power.
Done correctly, they maintain balance and efficiency.

During service, the balance shock setting was reset to proper oil geometry:
• ½–⅔ cap jewel diameter
• perfectly round
• centered
• contamination-free

That oil form directly affects friction, amplitude, and rate stability.

The result: restored power delivery, stable amplitude, and a dial layout that feels far more classical than the base architecture would suggest.

I appreciate when brands take a familiar platform and engineer something thoughtful from it.

Fully disassembled. Ultrasonically cleaned. Correctly lubricated. Reassembled and regulated.

Mechanical integrity — preserved.
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Every watch that enters ONVA for a complete overhaul is completely disassembled.Not adjusted.Not “quick cleaned.”Not par...
02/22/2026

Every watch that enters ONVA for a complete overhaul is completely disassembled.

Not adjusted.
Not “quick cleaned.”
Not partially serviced.

Fully disassembled — down to the last screw.

At ONVA, service means starting from zero.

• Each component is individually inspected under magnification
• Wear is documented
• Damaged or fatigued parts are identified
• Consumables like mainsprings and gaskets are replaced with each full service

From there:

✔ Ultrasonic cleaning in multi-stage solutions
✔ Controlled drying
✔ Careful reassembly to factory geometry
✔ Correct lubrication using application-specific oils and greases
✔ Beat error correction and regulation
✔ Multi-position timing and performance testing

For vintage pieces, preservation comes first.
For modern pieces, reliability and longevity are the priority.

No shortcuts.
No unnecessary refinishing.
No over-intervention.

Just structured, watchmaker-led mechanical restoration.

Whether you’re a collector, dealer, or retailer — ONVA provides:

• B2B mechanical overhauls
• Vintage chronograph service
• Structured intake & documentation
• Mail-in service from our Rhode Island workshop
• Precision-focused regulation and testing

Mechanical watches are systems.
They deserve systematic care.

DM for service by certified watchmakers. We work with collectors, brands, and watch retailers.
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A recent repair we completed, preserving a vintage Omega.This is the winding position. Under the setting lever jumper (g...
02/13/2026

A recent repair we completed, preserving a vintage Omega.

This is the winding position. Under the setting lever jumper (green circle), the yoke is pushed against the setting lever by the yoke spring (white arrow). This is correct. The yoke should then push the sliding pinion fully against the winding pinion, but there exists a gap (blue arrow). The gap is because the winding pinion has cut into the mainplate and travels too far back to the right (red rectangle), causing the watch to disengage when winding. The solution will be to reduce the peak of the setting lever, which is presently limiting the travel of the yoke and preventing it from compensating the greater travel of the winding pinion, to allow the yoke to travel further, ensuring contact between the sliding and winding pinions, thus restoring winding function without mainplate replacement.
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This is one of the smallest commercially produced movements I’ve encountered.Here I’m servicing a Cartier Tank Française...
12/29/2025

This is one of the smallest commercially produced movements I’ve encountered.

Here I’m servicing a Cartier Tank Française. The Cartier Caliber 120 is based on the ETA 2000 architecture.

Shown here is the barrel bridge and setting mechanism assembly. Interestingly, the ratchet wheel beneath the bridge is the only removable wheel—all others are riveted in place, even the click. If any of these components were to wear, replacement would require an entire bridge assembly. Until then, this construction simplifies the watchmaker’s work, as all other wheels for the winding system remain in place during service.

Lubrication relies on a high-pressure oil drawn into the riveted pivot points by capillary action, ensuring proper oiling despite the fixed construction.

From a cleaning standpoint, this is a clear case where ultrasonic cleaning in a professional watch cleaning machine is essential. The vibration is required to dislodge debris from areas where components cannot be fully disassembled—something rinse-only systems simply cannot achieve.

Despite its small size, I’m impressed by both the manufacturing quality and the thought given to long-term serviceability.

At ONVA, we offer complete mechanical overhauls performed by Certified Watchmakers who go beyond standard service to preserve the precision and longevity of your timepiece.

Precision where it matters.ONVA Technical Services provides movement-only mechanical overhauls for retailers, brands, an...
12/27/2025

Precision where it matters.

ONVA Technical Services provides movement-only mechanical overhauls for retailers, brands, and service centers looking for a reliable wholesale partner.

• SAWTA-certified watchmaker
• ETA, Sellita, Miyota & comparable calibers
• Plug-in B2B model
• 2-year workmanship warranty
• Consistent turnaround, photographed intake, documented regulation

Whether you need overflow capacity or a dedicated movement specialist, ONVA integrates seamlessly into your after-sales workflow.

📩 DM or email to request our B2B service sheet.





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East Providence, RI
02914

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