I recently had the pleasure of working with Bennisson in West Palm Beach, Florida, on an incredibly time-sensitive and complex watch restoration. A client of mine had purchased an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 26331ST in heavily worn condition--deep scratches, flea bites, and the kind of wear expected from years of daily use. He wanted it fully restored to like-new condition, but there was one major challenge: he needed it done within a week for an upcoming wedding.
For those familiar with high-end watch restoration, particularly for an AP Royal Oak, you know this is no small feat. The Royal Oak's signature brushed and polished finishes are intricate, and very few independent watchmakers in the U.S. are trained and qualified to execute this level of work properly. Standard turnaround times for this type of refinishing typically stretch into weeks, if not longer.
I reached out directly to Cal Knight at Bennisson, explained the situation, and asked if there was any possibility of making this happen. Not only did he respond immediately, but he assured me that Bennisson could complete the job within the one-week deadline--at a very reasonable price given the scope of work and rush request.
I overnighted the watch, and the very next morning, I received a confirmation of intake from their team, along with a detailed invoice matching the quote Cal had provided before even seeing the timepiece. A few days later, I got an email with photos showing the completed work. The transformation was nothing short of astounding. Every scratch and blemish was gone, and the AP's signature finishing--its brushed surfaces and crisp polished bevels--was restored to absolute perfection. Even the deeper dents had been laser-welded seamlessly.
Not only had Bennisson executed a flawless restoration, but they had also turned it around in record time. The watch was shipped back immediately, and I had it in hand in under a week--a near-impossible timeline for this level of craftsmanship.
When I presented the watch to my client, he was speechless. It looked brand new, as if it had just been purchased from an AP boutique. He was beyond thrilled, and the experience cemented his trust in me as his go-to source for anything watch-related.
I cannot recommend Bennisson highly enough. Their expert craftsmanship, transparent pricing, and outstanding customer service are truly rare in the watch industry. Whether you need a routine service or a high-stakes, high-end restoration, you can trust them to deliver top-tier results. read more