Rado Swiss Watch Repair & Service in London
Restore your Rado to its certified Swiss specification at our London workshop — high-tech ceramic case attention, sapphire renewal, full calibre overhaul and a written 12-month guarantee on every timepiece we sign off.
Rado has built its reputation on materials science as much as horology — the brand's high-tech ceramic, plasma ceramic, Ceramos, hardmetal and titanium cases were engineered to resist the everyday wear that softens lesser metals long before their movements need attention. That same advantage, however, demands a service workflow that respects the limits of each substance: ceramic will not polish out like steel, sapphire crystals shatter rather than scratch, and monobloc Captain Cook constructions need careful resealing to retain their original water-resistance certificate.
Whether you wear a 1960s DiaStar that pioneered the brand's scratch-resistant case or a recent Captain Cook MKII Master Chronometer driven by the Swatch Group calibre R808 with silicon escapement, our London bench treats each reference with a service protocol matched to its construction. Every Rado is overhauled, regulated and pressure-certified in-house, with a single 12-month written guarantee covering the work.
Every Rado service includes the following:
A complete Rado service at Martin Oliva is a calibre overhaul and case revision, not a cosmetic refresh. Each watch progresses through ten dedicated workshop stages before it is signed off and released back to its owner.
Reference & Material Identification
Caseback markings, the material code (high-tech ceramic, hardmetal, Ceramos, titanium or steel) and serial are logged before any tool touches the watch so the correct protocol is applied.
Baseline Performance & Crystal Check
Initial timegrapher data, pressure-test values and sapphire crystal integrity are captured so final regulation can be measured against a documented starting state.
Movement Strip & Component Indexing
Bridges, balance, gear train and mainspring barrel are removed and laid into an indexed tray for individual treatment through the cleaning and re-lubrication cycle.
Stepped Solvent Cleaning
Components pass through a graduated solvent ladder with separate cycles for escapement parts and barrel internals, where contamination patterns differ and warrant dedicated treatment.
Swiss-Spec Re-Oiling
Pivots, jewels and contact surfaces receive the exact grade and volume of oil or grease specified for the calibre, dispensed under microscope to manufacturer tolerances.
Mainspring & Barrel Renewal
The mainspring is replaced as standard practice on every full service, and the barrel walls and arbor inspected for wear so delivered torque returns to specification.
High-Tech Ceramic Case Attention
Ceramic and Ceramos cases are inspected for chips, hairline cracks and edge-wear; replacement components are sourced where conservation is no longer viable, as ceramic cannot be hand-polished like steel.
Sapphire Crystal Verification
The crystal is checked under magnification for hairline fractures around the rehaut; refitting with a new gasket or full sapphire replacement is carried out before pressure certification.
Water-Resistance Recertification
The resealed case is verified against the reference's original water-resistance rating through dry-air and wet pressure cycles, with the result logged in your personal service file.
Three-Day Five-Position Trial
The serviced calibre is observed across five positions over three days, with rate, amplitude and beat error required to settle within chronometer tolerance before final sign-off.
Rado Service Prices including VAT
All figures below include VAT and cover the complete ten-stage protocol. "Modern" refers to references in current or recent production; "Vintage" applies to discontinued references, early DiaStar generations and pieces that require additional bench time or period-correct sourcing.
All prices include VAT and the 12-month written guarantee. Sapphire crystal replacement, ceramic case components, dial renewal and full bracelet refinishing are quoted separately following the workshop inspection.
The Service Pathway
Four straightforward stages carry your watch from the first enquiry to its return on your wrist.
Reach
Share your reference number and any concerns — rate, sapphire crystal, ceramic edge condition or crown function. We reply with an indicative price and arrange insured collection or a private appointment.
Evaluate
Your Rado is examined by a senior watchmaker, performance is captured on the timegrapher and a written diagnostic plus quotation is shared with you for approval before any work begins.
Renew
Once you sign off, the watch enters our ten-stage protocol in the protected workshop area. Typical turnaround sits between four and six weeks, depending on calibre and parts availability.
Convey
After certification, your watch is packed in protective storage with its service certificate, pressure-test results and 12-month written guarantee, returned via insured courier or collected from the showroom.
Entrusted with Rado's High-Tech Cases
Materials Expertise
Our bench understands the difference between treating high-tech ceramic, hardmetal, Ceramos and steel cases — Rado's signature materials demand techniques that fall outside the standard refinishing workflow used elsewhere.
Swatch Calibres
Our watchmakers are trained on the ETA-derived calibres that drive most Rado references, including the R734, R763 and the Master Chronometer R808 family with its silicon escapement and 80-hour reserve.
Insured Transit
Every Rado received at our workshop is registered against its full open-market valuation on intake, photographed at each stage and returned by tracked insured courier or by private appointment.
Rado Models We Service
From the latest high-tech ceramic Master Chronometer references back to the original 1962 DiaStar that defined scratch-resistant watchmaking, our London bench is equipped to service every Rado family.
Rado Service FAQs
How often should a Rado watch be serviced?
Mechanical Rado references — including all Captain Cook and True automatic models — typically benefit from a full service every four to five years, while quartz references usually need a battery change and pressure check every two to three years and a full service every six to eight. Heavy daily wear, exposure to swimming pools or any visible moisture under the crystal calls for an earlier inspection; a quick bench check will confirm whether intervention is required now.
The high-tech ceramic case on my Rado has a chip — can it be repaired?
Ceramic cannot be hand-polished or filled the way steel can — its hardness, which protects against scratches, also means damaged ceramic components have to be replaced rather than refinished. We carry stock of the most common ceramic case parts and bracelet links and can quote a replacement following inspection. Where original Rado service parts are no longer available, we will discuss conservation options with you before any work proceeds.
Do you service older quartz DiaStar references?
Yes — quartz DiaStars from the 1970s and 1980s arrive at the workshop regularly. We strip, clean and re-grease the movement, fit a fresh battery and a new gasket set, and pressure-test the case. Some early ESA and ETA quartz modules are no longer available, in which case we will discuss compatible replacement options before proceeding.
Are vintage Rados from the 1970s and 80s still serviceable?
Generally yes. Our bench has extensive experience with the AS, ETA and ESA calibres used across vintage Rado references including the early DiaStar, Voyager, Manhattan and Sintra. Service parts availability varies by reference, and any sourcing constraints are confirmed in writing during the diagnostic stage.
How long does a Rado service take?
A standard quartz or 3-hand mechanical service is typically completed within three to five weeks. Chronograph, Master Chronometer and ceramic monobloc references usually require five to seven weeks, and any vintage piece needing parts sourced is quoted on a case-by-case basis once the diagnostic inspection has been signed off.
Can I send my Rado to your London workshop from abroad?
Absolutely. We routinely receive Rado watches from clients across the United Kingdom, mainland Europe, the Gulf and further afield. Contact us before shipping and we will guide you through insured tracked couriers, declared values, and the documentation required for a round trip to your country of residence.
