About Us

Our family run business was set up over 60 years ago by Master Watchmaker Roy G Hancocks ( CMBHI )

Roy’s introduction to the trade was in 1948 when he started a six year apprenticeship with the Swiss Watch Company George Bouverat, with the final three years spent at the Birmingham Jewellery School, leading to a CMBHI (craft member of the British Horological Institute).

A call up to the Army saw him continuing in the watch trade, based at the War Office in London, Roy headed a team of ten watchmakers and ten civillians repairing only the highest grade watches and clocks issued by the Army such as Rolex, Jaegar Le Coultre, IWC, Omega and Longines.

Roy’s First Job after two years of Army service was with the Midland Goldsmiths where he set up a new workshop on their premises. After 4 years he moved to work for the Hefik Watch Company. At this time Hefik were the sole agents for Piaget and Baume and Mercier in the UK. Roy then went on to spend some time in Switzerland at the Piaget Factory and in Geneva where he became conversant with the repairs of several other models and with the making of parts for some new models being produced. At this time Paiget produced one of the first thin automatic watches at 2.4mm thickness with a 22ct gold oscillating weight. They were also responsible for making one of the first coin watches in a 20 dollar gold coin, the movement was 1.2 mm thick, these were the two watches that Roy worked on in Switzerland.

After working for Hefik for eight years Roy left to start his own business at no.15 Frederick Street, Birmingham. Where he built up a healthy list of trade and private customers.

As the business expanded he moved to larger premises and started employing apprentices such as Philip Mills, watchmaker, who started with Roy over 30 Years ago and still works alongside Roy to this day.

Roy has trained over 15 watchmakers over the years including his stepson Michael Styles who has been in the trade for over 25 years. Michael now runs the Family Business alongside his Twin Brother Andrew Styles, employing four watchmakers and three knowledgeable sales and admin staff. Supplying the highest of standards of watch and clock repair to both new and Vintage Watches, Clocks and Pocket Watches.

How We Work

You can either bring your watch into us at our repair shop and showroom in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, or alternatively you can post it to us and we will provide you with a free of charge estimate for repair.

When you bring your watch into us you will be met by one of our knowledgeable customer service staff who will be happy to help and assist you with your enquiries.

If you should have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us either by telephone on 0121 236 9368 or email [email protected] or visit us at 17 Warstone Mews, Warstone Lane, Birmingham, B18 6JB