Thoughts On Service

mfriend · Apr 3, 2019

What is the general consensus on regular service on your watches. I am relatively new to the high end watch game. Have had my Monaco (WW2110.FT6005) for almost 3 years and have had no issues at all with it. I contacted the Canadian TAG service center to find out the cost, approx $200 CDN for "tune-up" and could go up from there depending on condition of movement. it is not a large expense, just wondering if it is worth it seeing that there are no issues.....

imagwai · Apr 3, 2019

At the two extremes, there are manufacturer service intervals, and there's the school of thought that if it's not broken, don't try to fix it. I am somewhere between the two, although that said, I have watches that I know ought to have a service and aren't keeping as good time as they can, but I haven't bothered taking the plunge. If I could find a trusted watchmaker in my area, who charged reasonable prices, then it might be a different story.

mfriend · Apr 3, 2019

imagwai
At the two extremes, there are manufacturer service intervals, and there's the school of thought that if it's not broken, don't try to fix it. I am somewhere between the two, although that said, I have watches that I know ought to have a service and aren't keeping as good time as they can, but I haven't bothered taking the plunge. If I could find a trusted watchmaker in my area, who charged reasonable prices, then it might be a different story.

I did not know there were manufacturer service intervals, but i am also leaning towards the middle, why do it if it works... might also look for a good watchmaker in the area...... don't like the idea of paying to send it to a depot

imagwai · Apr 3, 2019

Your post has actually prompted me to seek out a reasonably-priced watchmaker in London - think I found one. £280 for service of my Rolex Explorer. My Carrera Reissue could most probably do with a service too but that's £360 being a chronograph. Would be interested to hear what people think of these prices.

These watches are both > 10 years old. I'm not the first owner, but pretty sure they won't have had a service up till now.

dtf · Apr 3, 2019

How well does the explorer keep time at the age?

imagwai · Apr 3, 2019

dtf
How well does the explorer keep time at the age?

About +10-15 secs / day.

dtf · Apr 3, 2019

Not bad. Still within spec for a new Tag. One day I'll buy an Explorer 😀

Pitfitter446 · Apr 4, 2019

Can you find a dealer who can put the watch on timer to see how well it is running, if it is within specs leave it another year?

Yago · Apr 4, 2019

Polar explorer II high on my list

OttoWilliam · Apr 5, 2019

dtf
Not bad. Still within spec for a new Tag. One day I'll buy an Explorer 😀

Lol

MRC · Apr 5, 2019

imagwai
Your post has actually prompted me to seek out a reasonably-priced watchmaker in London - think I found one. £280 for service of my Rolex Explorer. My Carrera Reissue could most probably do with a service too but that's £360 being a chronograph. Would be interested to hear what people think of these prices.

These watches are both > 10 years old. I'm not the first owner, but pretty sure they won't have had a service up till now.

I'd rate the prices rather high unless modern movements are trickier than old Valjouxs. My 1960's Heuers with Valjoux 92 or 7730/3 come out at a bit over 200 quid, plus whatever parts are need -- normaly just a mainspring.

At >10 years old I'd get them checked, but after discussing with my usual watchmaker he recommends keeping an eye on power reserve as well as time drift. When either starts to change significantly that's the time for a service. As I am looking at a computer screen for several hours a day it's easy to note these things in a spreadsheet every few months.

I use Rich Askham in Yorkshire for Heuers and related makes, but as he will not do Omegas I have to look elsewhere. Simon Freese in Essex is highly recommended for Omegas but I haven't sent a watch to him yet. There is also Chris Nicholas in Somerset and Nic Green within earshot of the M25. Have not dealt with either but they have very good reputations in vintage circles.

imagwai · Apr 5, 2019

MRC
I'd rate the prices rather high unless modern movements are trickier than old Valjouxs. My 1960's Heuers with Valjoux 92 or 7730/3 come out at a bit over 200 quid, plus whatever parts are need -- normaly just a mainspring.

At >10 years old I'd get them checked, but after discussing with my usual watchmaker he recommends keeping an eye on power reserve as well as time drift. When either starts to change significantly that's the time for a service. As I am looking at a computer screen for several hours a day it's easy to note these things in a spreadsheet every few months.

I use Rich Askham in Yorkshire for Heuers and related makes, but as he will not do Omegas I have to look elsewhere. Simon Freese in Essex is highly recommended for Omegas but I haven't sent a watch to him yet. There is also Chris Nicholas in Somerset and Nic Green within earshot of the M25. Have not dealt with either but they have very good reputations in vintage circles.

Thanks. I expect there's a London premium attached to those prices, but I don't really have anywhere local.

MRC · Apr 5, 2019

imagwai
Thanks. I expect there's a London premium attached to those prices, but I don't really have anywhere local.

For most purposes Royal Mail Special Delivery is very good IME, so any watchmaker in the UK is "local". However anything not within their £2500 maximum insured value, or owned from new for 50 years and therefore un-insurable for that fact, I hand carry both ways.

PhillipDB · Apr 1, 2020

Hi All

Trying to find a London based person to service my CV2110 & CV2111. I have been in touch with Rich as mentioned above but said he cannot work on this model. I have also emailed Nic Green and am awaiting a response.

The 2111 seems to track time well but this new CV2110 has quite the delay!

Any other recommendations is appreciated!

Thanks

Aquagraph · Apr 2, 2020

Re the servicing issue, I remember Urwerk made a watch with a service indicator on the back... which made me think. Clearly the inference of that is that is that if you don't wind the watch then you aren't putting 'miles' on the watch. Yes the oil is an issue long term, but think on this - we know now that any watch with the old logo in a shop is made before 2016, so those watches are 4 years old already - do they need servicing?

Jim Dollares · Apr 2, 2020

Aquagraph
we know now that any watch with the old logo in a shop is made before 2016, so those watches are 4 years old already - do they need servicing?

The whole service every 5 years is such a scam, my Steelfish has been running approx 16 years with no service and keeps excellent time and power reserve. Once it is time for service (when the watch actually starts running incorrectly) the cheapest thing is just to replace the 350 Euro ETA movement with a new one.

PhillipDB · Apr 2, 2020

Thanks for the responses.

I got this CV2110 this week and the first few days it was losing an hour every day! That made me think it needed some attention but a test again last night and it was 4 mins so perhaps it was not running for awhile and is now getting back to life?

Also, I am in London now but will likely return to New Zealand in 1.5 years and a decent service at a reasonable cost is very hard to come by down there so thought maybe I could get it completed early here 😀.

Squadrone Rosso · Apr 2, 2020

I rotate my watches every week so I guess each one gets 2 weeks on the wrist.

Hence, I’m very much in the isn’t broken, don’t fix camp.

I had my 2006 Monaco serviced by LVMH UK. Pretty poor experience IMO.

My 2003 Seamaster went back to Swatch UK. Great job.

My 2007 Chopard MM went back. Great job.

My 2017 Tudor Pelaglos went back to Rolex in May. Service was a complete joke (got the wrong watch back). This did get resolved.

Jim Dollares · Apr 2, 2020

Squadrone Rosso
Tudor Pelaglos went back to Rolex in May. Service was a complete joke (got the wrong watch back

THAT IS INSANE 😁

Squadrone Rosso · Apr 2, 2020

Jim Dollares
THAT IS INSANE 😁

It was. Totally different watch too.

The store manager thought I was joking. Took just over a week to resolve.

Just noticed the auto correct on Pelagos!