Preserving Horological Heritage
Three generations of watchmaking expertise dedicated to authentic mechanical timepiece restoration
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Crown & Caliber began in 1987 when master watchmaker Thomas Ashworth opened a modest repair workshop on Bernard Avenue, motivated by his concern that disappearing traditional watchmaking skills would leave mechanical timepiece owners without proper service options. Having apprenticed under European horologists during the 1970s, Thomas recognized that the quartz revolution threatened to eliminate the specialized knowledge required for maintaining mechanical watches.
The workshop initially focused on servicing vintage pocket watches and grandfather clocks for collectors, establishing relationships with estates and auction houses throughout British Columbia. As mechanical wristwatches experienced renewed appreciation during the 1990s, Crown & Caliber expanded its services to include comprehensive restoration programs for increasingly valuable vintage timepieces requiring careful conservation approaches.
Thomas's daughter Catherine joined the practice in 2001 after completing her watchmaking certification at the Litherland School of Horology, bringing contemporary technical knowledge that complemented her father's traditional expertise. Together they developed specialized restoration protocols that balanced authenticity preservation with modern precision standards, earning recognition from collectors and manufacturers alike.
Today, Crown & Caliber operates from expanded facilities while maintaining the personalized service and meticulous attention to detail that characterized its founding. Our small team of certified horologists continues Thomas's commitment to preserving mechanical watchmaking traditions, ensuring that valuable timepieces receive service that respects their history while maintaining their functionality for future generations.
We view each watch that enters our workshop as a connection to horological history, whether it represents groundbreaking technical achievement or personal family heritage. This perspective guides our careful approach to restoration, recognizing that our work contributes to preserving both mechanical craftsmanship and the stories these timepieces carry.
Quality Standards and Protocols
Comprehensive Examination
Every timepiece receives thorough initial inspection using magnification and specialized testing equipment to identify all service requirements before work begins. Detailed condition reports document findings and guide restoration approaches that respect the watch's age and provenance.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Movement components undergo ultrasonic cleaning in specialized watch cleaning solutions that remove accumulated oils, dirt, and oxidation without damaging delicate surfaces. This critical step ensures optimal lubrication effectiveness and prevents premature wear from contaminated parts.
Precision Lubrication
We maintain comprehensive stocks of specialized horological lubricants appropriate for different watch components and operating conditions. Application follows manufacturer specifications regarding oil viscosity and quantity, using traditional oiling techniques that ensure proper distribution without excess.
Performance Testing
Completed movements undergo rigorous testing protocols that measure accuracy across multiple positions and power reserve states. Timing machines record rate variations over several days, ensuring stable performance before returning watches to clients. Water resistance testing verifies seal integrity where applicable.
Our Team
Our certified horologists bring specialized training and extensive experience to every restoration project, maintaining the traditional watchmaking standards that ensure your timepiece receives expert care.
Catherine Ashworth
Master Horologist
Litherland School graduate specializing in vintage chronograph restoration and complicated movement service with twenty years of practical experience.
David Morrison
Senior Technician
SAWTA certified watchmaker focusing on automatic movement service and mainspring replacement with specialized expertise in vintage American timepieces.
Rebecca Kim
Dial Restoration Specialist
Trained dial refinisher with fine arts background bringing artistic precision to dial restoration and hand replacement requiring delicate conservation approaches.
Our Values and Expertise
Crown & Caliber approaches watch restoration with principles grounded in respect for original craftsmanship and recognition that mechanical timepieces represent significant engineering achievements deserving careful preservation. Our work philosophy emphasizes authenticity maintenance while ensuring reliable long-term functionality for watches that may continue operating for decades or centuries.
We maintain extensive technical libraries containing manufacturer service manuals, historical documentation, and parts catalogs that inform our restoration approaches. This research capability proves essential when servicing vintage or obscure calibers requiring knowledge of original specifications and acceptable tolerance ranges for components that may no longer be manufactured.
Our workshop houses specialized tools and equipment accumulated over decades of practice, including vintage staking sets, traditional lathes for parts fabrication, and modern timing equipment that measures performance with laboratory precision. This combination of traditional and contemporary capabilities enables us to address diverse restoration challenges while maintaining service quality standards.
Continuous professional development remains essential in our field as new restoration techniques emerge and conservation philosophies evolve. Our team participates in horological education programs and maintains relationships with other specialized repair facilities, enabling knowledge exchange that benefits our clients through improved service approaches and problem-solving capabilities.
We recognize that watch ownership involves emotional connections extending beyond monetary value, whether through family inheritance, significant life events, or appreciation for mechanical complexity. This understanding shapes our communication approaches and service recommendations, ensuring clients receive honest assessments that respect both their timepieces and their restoration goals.
Experience Our Restoration Excellence
Trust your valued timepiece to horologists who understand both the technical requirements and historical significance of proper mechanical watch service.
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