In the world of high-end timepieces, a ticking second hand is only the beginning of the story. The real challenge for owners and collectors lies in what happens when that precision falters—and why a simple fix often isn’t enough.
Suleman Qureshi examines the technical expertise, precise diagnosis and specialized skills required for reliable luxury mechanical watch restoration.
True watchmaking expertise goes beyond accurate timekeeping. It requires understanding the entire movement, identifying underlying mechanical issues, and ensuring long-term reliability.”— Suleman Qureshi, Certified Watchmaker
Beneath the gleaming case of a luxury mechanical watch lies a dense network of finely engineered parts, where the smallest change in mechanical condition can throw off performance, dependability and lifespan.
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Certified watchmaker Suleman Qureshi stresses that bringing these instruments back to life involves far more than swapping out tired components or tweaking the timekeeping. The process requires a methodical diagnosis, a grasp of how mechanical parts interact, and strict adherence to factory specifications.
With nearly twenty years of hands-on work spanning the United Arab Emirates and the United States, Qureshi has built a career servicing Swiss mechanical watches, backed by advanced technical training from Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Chopard.
The Complexity Behind Mechanical Watch Restoration
A mechanical watch movement is a collection of many parts working together within extremely tight tolerances. As time passes, lubricants break down, parts wear down, shocks occur and environmental factors take their toll—all of which can alter how the watch performs.
Qureshi explains that a proper restoration starts by evaluating the movement’s overall mechanical health, rather than chasing individual symptoms one by one.
Take a watch that keeps irregular time. The problem might not be in the regulating mechanism at all. Variations in amplitude, excess friction, dried-out lubrication or deterioration in the power-transmission system could all be behind the inconsistency.
Similarly, a chronograph that seems to work fine may still hide mechanical flaws affecting how its extra functions engage, sync or operate.
These scenarios show why a thorough diagnosis is the cornerstone of professional mechanical watch servicing.
Why Precision Alone Is Not Enough
Precision lies at the heart of horology, but accurate timekeeping is just one piece of a properly serviced mechanical watch.
A movement also needs to run consistently, show proper amplitude, deliver reliable power and ensure all its complications work correctly.
Professional servicing means checking these traits throughout the repair process—after cleaning, after lubrication, after reassembly and after final adjustment.
For Qureshi, the goal isn’t simply to get good numbers on a timing machine. It’s to make sure the movement functions as an integrated mechanical system, meeting the applicable technical standards.
Preserving Component Integrity and Mechanical Reliability
One of the trickiest parts of luxury watch restoration is deciding whether existing parts can stay in service.
Wear patterns, surface condition, dimensional tolerances and how components interact all influence repair decisions.
Sometimes replacement is unavoidable, but swapping parts indiscriminately is no substitute for a technical evaluation.
Experienced watchmakers must tell the difference between parts that need replacing, those that can keep working, and conditions that point to a deeper mechanical problem.
This becomes especially critical when dealing with complex movements that include chronographs, calendar mechanisms and other complications.
Proper servicing choices also depend on the manufacturer’s technical requirements, the availability of parts, and how the watch is meant to be used.
The Importance of Manufacturer-Specific Technical Training
Swiss watch manufacturers design movements with their own engineering traits, service procedures, lubrication needs and adjustment standards.
That means professional competence in luxury watch servicing requires both broad mechanical knowledge and specialized familiarity with specific movement families.
Qureshi’s technical background includes advanced Rolex chronograph training in Geneva and additional Rolex technical training in New York covering modern calibers, including the 2236 and 32xx series. He also holds specialized Audemars Piguet movement training in Switzerland and advanced Chopard technical education in Geneva.
These programs have deepened his understanding of complex movement architecture, diagnostic procedures and manufacturer-specific servicing practices.
His career also includes technical leadership in Dubai’s luxury watch industry, where he oversaw multidisciplinary service operations before continuing his watchmaking work in Michigan.
The Role of Modern Diagnostic Technology
Today’s watchmaking equipment has expanded the ability of technicians to evaluate mechanical performance and spot inconsistencies during servicing.
Electronic timing instruments, pressure-testing systems and specialized diagnostic tools provide valuable measurements that inform technical decisions.
Still, Qureshi points out that equipment readings must be interpreted within the broader mechanical context.
A timing result alone cannot reveal the condition of every internal component, just as a successful pressure test does not independently confirm the quality of movement servicing.
Professional judgment remains essential in determining what the measurements actually mean and whether additional inspection or corrective work is needed.
A Discipline Built on Technical Accountability
Luxury watch restoration blends traditional craftsmanship with modern technical standards.
The work demands careful observation, consistent procedures, the right tools and an understanding of how individual parts affect the operation of the entire movement.
Qureshi currently works as a Rolex Certified Watchmaker at Tapper’s Jewelry in Michigan, bringing his international experience to a Rolex authorized service environment.
His professional perspective reflects a core principle of high-level watchmaking: successful restoration should be judged not only by immediate performance, but also by the mechanical integrity and reliability achieved through the servicing process.
As mechanical watches continue to draw interest from collectors and enthusiasts, the specialized expertise needed to maintain them remains an essential part of preserving the craftsmanship and engineering behind Swiss horology.
About Suleman Qureshi
Suleman Qureshi is a certified luxury watchmaker and accredited horologist with nearly two decades of international professional experience. His technical qualifications include specialized training with Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Chopard. He previously held senior technical and management positions in Dubai and currently works as a Rolex Certified Watchmaker at Tapper’s Jewelry in Michigan.
Suleman Qureshi
Swiss-Accredited Luxury Watchmaker
Why it matters: As the market for vintage and modern luxury mechanical watches continues to grow, the availability of watchmakers with manufacturer-specific training becomes a critical factor in preserving both the value and function of these intricate instruments. For owners, trusting a restoration to someone with Qureshi’s level of accredited expertise is what separates a lasting repair from a costly temporary fix.
