Take watch to a local repair shop or send it into TAG?

Jabilas
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I have a Heuer Carrera Re-Edition CS3113. It’s a manual wind chronograph with a Lemania 1873 movement. I’ve had it since March and wear it a few times a week.

Today I went to wind it and it hasn’t moved. not exactly sure what the problem is but i know it’s beyond any quick fixes I can do. What is the best way to get this thing fixed? Take it to a local repair shop(I live in San Antonio, Texas) or send it into TAG?

EDIT:
So I found out what happened. I left my watch on the kitchen counter and my wife accidentally dropped it while cleaning the kitchen. I took it to “Matter Of Time” in San Antonio this morning and the watchmaker, Armando, opened it up. Turns out there was really tiny piece inside that came off and wedged itself somewhere causing the watch to stop ticking. He took it out and the watch is ticking again normally and told me to Monitor the accuracy. Now the problem is that piece is from the chronograph. The chrono works but it doesn’t stop, it’ll only reset. So that piece the came off is probably from the button that stops the chrono.

The movement itself is fine though, which was my main concern, but he does recommend a service because the oil is looking dry and doesn’t look like it was ever serviced since there aren’t markings inside the caseback, which watchmakers usually mark inside when they service it.

He can do a full service ~$650. He does seem like he knows what he’s doing. Went to Paris Junior College for watchmaking and repairs both clocks and watches. It sounds reasonable and I would think that’s a fair price for a manual chrono, but I’ll be honest I don’t know what I should be looking for in a watchmaker aside from Yelp Reviews.
Edited:
 
imagwai
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If you have a local watchmaker, then that might be a good starting point, BUT only go that route if you can get a recommendation. You don't want to let a jeweller or the type of place that changes straps in a shopping mall get hold of it. Sending it into TAG will cost a bit more, but is probably safer. It's what I'd probably do. You can either request a postage paid and insured envelope through the website (in the UK that is at least), or take it to an authorized TAG dealer.
 
abrod520
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imagwai imagwai
Sending it into TAG will cost a bit more, but is probably safer.

Given my crap experience with dropping off a watch at a dealer, you'd think so. So now that the Drive Timer could use a service, I went through TAG's online form. Not only do they not provide a shipping label or kit (like nearly every other watch company, who will send you a box and pre-printed label) but they tell you to address it to "TAG Heuer Service Center" - essentially slapping a large "STEAL ME I'M A WATCH" on your box.

So dealer it is ::facepalm1::
 
imagwai
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abrod520 abrod520
Given my crap experience with dropping off a watch at a dealer, you'd think so. So now that the Drive Timer could use a service, I went through TAG's online form. Not only do they not provide a shipping label or kit (like nearly every other watch company, who will send you a box and pre-printed label) but they tell you to address it to "TAG Heuer Service Center" - essentially slapping a large "STEAL ME I'M A WATCH" on your box.

So dealer it is ::facepalm1::
That's not what I undestand to be the case. At least not any more. Now they tell you to address it to LVMH.
 
abrod520
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imagwai imagwai
That's not what I undestand to be the case. At least not any more. Now they tell you to address it to LVMH.

You're not entirely wrong, but....

upload_2020-9-10_9-46-36.png
 
dtf
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abrod520 abrod520
Given my crap experience with dropping off a watch at a dealer, you'd think so. So now that the Drive Timer could use a service, I went through TAG's online form. Not only do they not provide a shipping label or kit (like nearly every other watch company, who will send you a box and pre-printed label) but they tell you to address it to "TAG Heuer Service Center" - essentially slapping a large "STEAL ME I'M A WATCH" on your box.

So dealer it is ::facepalm1::

When I warrantied a tag last year, they sent me a box and shipping envelope after I filled in the form online.

Changing the subject, how do you like the drive timer? Its been on my list for ages.
 
YY77
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abrod520 abrod520
You're not entirely wrong, but....

upload_2020-9-10_9-46-36.png
@abrod520 @imagwai This is how I got my Kirium back from the service center in Germany, don't have a picture of the shipping label to them but recall it being the same.

The form you're showing has more detail in comparison to the shipping label.
 
15997597268956647062732869486370~2.jpg
Jabilas
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imagwai imagwai
If you have a local watchmaker, then that might be a good starting point, BUT only go that route if you can get a recommendation. You don't want to let a jeweller or the type of place that changes straps in a shopping mall get hold of it. Sending it into TAG will cost a bit more, but is probably safer. It's what I'd probably do. You can either request a postage paid and insured envelope through the website (in the UK that is at least), or take it to an authorized TAG dealer.
So I found out what happened. I left my watch on the kitchen counter and my wife accidentally dropped it while cleaning the kitchen. I took it to “Matter Of Time” in San Antonio this morning and the watchmaker, Armando, opened it up. Turns out there was really tiny piece inside that came off and wedged itself somewhere causing the watch to stop ticking. He took it out and the watch is ticking again. Now the problem is that piece is from the chronograph. The chrono works but it doesn’t stop, it’ll only reset. So that piece is probably from the button that stops the chrono.

The movement itself is fine though, which was my main concern, but he does recommend a service because the oil is looking dry and doesn’t look like it was ever serviced since there aren’t markings inside the caseback, which watchmakers usually mark inside when they service it.

He can do a full service ~$650. He does seem like he knows what he’s doing. Went to Paris Junior College for watchmaking and repairs both clocks and watches. It sounds reasonable and I would think that’s a fair price for a manual chrono, but I’ll be honest I don’t know what I should be looking for in a watchmaker aside from Yelp Reviews.
 
abrod520
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Jabilas Jabilas
He can do a full service ~$650. He does seem like he knows what he’s doing. Went to Paris Junior College for watchmaking and repairs both clocks and watches. It sounds reasonable and I would think that’s a fair price for a manual chrono, but I’ll be honest I don’t know what I should be looking for in a watchmaker aside from Yelp Reviews.

Sounds like a decent price to me, but do be aware that parts could cost a little more. In the case of your TAG, probably not too much, but worth keeping in mind.
 
abrod520
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dtf dtf
When I warrantied a tag last year, they sent me a box and shipping envelope after I filled in the form online.
imagwai imagwai
Oh, OK. Different in the UK I think.

Yeah, might be the US. I thought about maybe shipping it to "TH Customer Service" but I figured since I'll be in New York shortly, I'll just drop it off at the boutique which should be a better option than a Tourneau as in the past...

dtf dtf
how do you like the drive timer?

It's cool - it's a large watch and I'm not sure it 100% fits with my personal style, but it's a very cool design and every time I consider selling it, I can't help but reconsider. They're inexpensive enough now (~13, 1400 US depending on what part of the world it's in) that they're worth a flyer on I think. Movement is a Sellita/ETA so could be worked on by any watchmaker, but I figure I'll let TAG have a go at it.
 
absolutemustard
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If you are looking for a second option I will post my comment I made to the last guy looking for service. Michael is very good at this and he is from Texas too:


I recently dropped my Monaco and the timing jumped to +5 seconds a minute. I sent it to a watch repair guru that I have watched on YouTube for years, because I know he has a particular passion for modular chronographs. It is very hard to find a good watch maker that will work on a modular chronograph. His prices are very reasonable and he turned my watch around in two weeks. It works like a charm now. Not sure if he can source parts like a new crown, but it is worth an ask.

This is a video of him breaking down a modular:


Contact:
Michael Michaels
mrm.cw21@gmail.com
 
Jabilas
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absolutemustard absolutemustard
If you are looking for a second option I will post my comment I made to the last guy looking for service. Michael is very good at this and he is from Texas too:


I recently dropped my Monaco and the timing jumped to +5 seconds a minute. I sent it to a watch repair guru that I have watched on YouTube for years, because I know he has a particular passion for modular chronographs. It is very hard to find a good watch maker that will work on a modular chronograph. His prices are very reasonable and he turned my watch around in two weeks. It works like a charm now. Not sure if he can source parts like a new crown, but it is worth an ask.

This is a video of him breaking down a modular:


Contact:
Michael Michaels
mrm.cw21@gmail.com
Actually this is VERY useful information. Seems like the type of guy I would want working on my watch! Thank you I will shoot him a message!
 
El Matarife
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absolutemustard absolutemustard
If you are looking for a second option I will post my comment I made to the last guy looking for service. Michael is very good at this and he is from Texas too:


I recently dropped my Monaco and the timing jumped to +5 seconds a minute. I sent it to a watch repair guru that I have watched on YouTube for years, because I know he has a particular passion for modular chronographs. It is very hard to find a good watch maker that will work on a modular chronograph. His prices are very reasonable and he turned my watch around in two weeks. It works like a charm now. Not sure if he can source parts like a new crown, but it is worth an ask.
This is a video of him breaking down a modular:
Contact:
Michael Michaels
mrm.cw21@gmail.com
Phew, glad you got your Monaco successfully repaired.👍 How high was the fall, and on to what kind of surface? Dropping a Monaco scares me as they are so heavy...
 
Jabilas
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absolutemustard absolutemustard
If you are looking for a second option I will post my comment I made to the last guy looking for service. Michael is very good at this and he is from Texas too:


I recently dropped my Monaco and the timing jumped to +5 seconds a minute. I sent it to a watch repair guru that I have watched on YouTube for years, because I know he has a particular passion for modular chronographs. It is very hard to find a good watch maker that will work on a modular chronograph. His prices are very reasonable and he turned my watch around in two weeks. It works like a charm now. Not sure if he can source parts like a new crown, but it is worth an ask.

This is a video of him breaking down a modular:


Contact:
Michael Michaels
mrm.cw21@gmail.com
Came back here to say thank you again for this. I reached out to him via IG and he is currently working on it! He posted it on his IG a few days ago and he’s working on it along with a Speedy
 
absolutemustard
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Jabilas Jabilas
Came back here to say thank you again for this. I reached out to him via IG and he is currently working on it! He posted it on his IG a few days ago and he’s working on it along with a Speedy
Glad to hear that my friend! Your watch is in perfect hands
 
absolutemustard
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El Matarife El Matarife
Phew, glad you got your Monaco successfully repaired.👍 How high was the fall, and on to what kind of surface? Dropping a Monaco scares me as they are so heavy...
Dropped about 3 feet on a carpeted floor. I have dropped other watches from much higher on worse surfaces; however, it is all about hitting at the right moment and the right position. Just bad luck for me on that one. Running perfect well within cosc now for 5 months.
 
K
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Finding a skilled watchmaker like Armando at "Matter Of Time" in San Antonio seems like a stroke of luck. His expertise and education definitely inspire confidence. As for the service cost, $650 for a full service on a manual chrono sounds reasonable, especially considering the care and precision needed.
When it comes to choosing a watchmaker, trust is key. If Armando's work speaks for itself and he comes recommended, it sounds like you're in good hands.
 
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