Just purchased a Heuer Carrera 1153 with a cal. 12 movement on Ebay. First time I purchased a vintage Heuer, so not much experience with these type of watches. I brought the watch to a watchmaker because I noticed the stopper was sticky, and I wanted to replace the damaged orange second hand. The watch came with a receipt for an overhaul from 2015, but my watchmaker just informed me the watch needed a full overhaul. Total estimate to overhaul the watch is $1,650 and 3 months to do the work. I know servicing a vintage chronograph is not cheap, but is this the average cost to overhaul a cal. 12 movement? Would it be better to bring the watch to Tag Heuer at this point? I'm thinking of returning the watch, but even with the added servicing cost, the ebay watch would be cheaper then if I bought the Carrera through Vintage Heuer.

 

That's a lot for a Cal 12 service, even with the anticipated cost of a new second hand! My Cal 11 was extensively overhauled last year for less than 1/3 of that, and that included roughly $110 in parts from Italy. Watchmakers' costs seem a bit higher in the USA than the UK, but not by a factor of 3.

 

It heavily depends on the watchmaker - some are more familiar with the Chronomatic movements than others, and many watchmakers prefer not to work on modular chronographs at all. I'd shop around at other watchmakers in your area and see what each says.

 

I do know a watchmaker in my area I trust to source and replace a crystal on a watch that is close to 50 years old, but to service a complex movement they have never seen before ? No.

My two modular chronos (and integrated for that matter) go to acknowledged specialists in those particular movements. And they do not overlap, one does one hierarchy, but will not touch the other. And vice-versa of course.

Recommended expertise is key, ask here or OTD. Country/continent doesn't matter given suitable insurance for shipment.

 

I have personally been quoted $1500 US before (for a Cal. 15, which is for all intents and purposes the same movement). What that really comes down to is the watchmaker doesn't actually expect you to accept that price, he just doesn't want to spend the large amount of time it takes disassembling / reassembling the modular chronograph but figures he'll do it if you're paying him extra to do it.

There's a reason that modern modular chronograph movements are simply replaced by service centers and not actually serviced... I don't know how TAG deals with their Sellita/ETA + DD modulars, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were same

 

I have a Super 2000 1990 chronograph model. It uses a Lemania LWO 283 Movement with a piggy back of a Dubois Depraz module. It spent a few months in Switzerland at the factory for a complete overhaul. I was quoted a minimum of $1,000 US to repair and service. (running slow with a crown issue) It just got back to my AD last week with a bill for $750. High but a pleasant surprise. At this point I haven't seen what was actually done to the watch. This movement has matriculated into several high end watch brands over the years.

 

Hi, I know this is an old post, but how has the watch been running since service? I recently bought a Super 2000 chrono with the same movement. It is running very slow and needs a service. Did you send it to Tag for your service, or did you have a watchmaker do it?
Thanks

 

I have just been charged £280 with me suppling the setting lever

 

For a cal.12 movement do get a watchmaker who knows it in and out. It won't be cheap but if you get it done properly, it's worth.
In Europe depending on whether you'll be charged separately for pieces or just a lump sum - expect a range from 350 EUR to up to 700 EUR based on my own experience and what I've heard from others.
Cheers,
Fabrizio

 

I used watch doctor in Tring Hertfordshire

 

Hi! I'm looking to purchase a vintage Heuer and I have my eye on a lovely Carrera 1553s which , as you guys know, uses the Cal 15 movement. Based on this thread, it seems like it's not the easiest to get these modular chronographs serviced. Among Heuer collectors, are the Cal 12 or Cal 15 movements sometimes avoided due to the difficulty of servicing these movements? I ask because I remember many Omega Forum members advising against purchasing a Speedmaster Reduced model precisely due to the difficulty of servicing its modular chronograph movement. Trying to do my homework here - any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

 

While it's true that not all watchmakers will want to work on the Chronomatics, I wouldn't say they're avoided because of it. You can certainly find plenty of watchmakers who will work on them, they may just not be local so you may have to ship the watch out for servicing.

It's a bit different from the movement in the Speedmaster Reduced though - those were never meant to be serviced, only replaced.

 

Cal11 service is $750 at WorldTime, San Jose, California.
Mr. Son, the owner texted me the night before to let me come and peek under the hood, during disassemble. Super cool guy. Very knowledgeable of the Cal11 family. He owns a few.

 

Did you need to book a flight with SW like you did for the RO or was your gulfstream available?

 

ha. I walked to his shop. He’s 10 minutes walk from my office. He has in insane vintage Speedy collection and a true watch nerd.

 

Very cool, price seems reasonable too

 

Thank you @ngo516 and @abrod520 for this helpful info!