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 Posted: Wed Aug 19th, 2009 08:43 pm
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Devin
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i am looking for advice on when to have a valjoux 7750 movement serviced. the watch is running fine after 4 years is there any need to have it serviced?
RGM services Sinn watches but it cost $450 and if parts need replacing it is more.
thanks

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 Posted: Wed Aug 19th, 2009 09:42 pm
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Edgel
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As long as it is keeping time and has good power reserve, my watch maker says to leave it alone. With as many watches as we have it is not getting stressed.watch2.gif

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 Posted: Wed Aug 19th, 2009 09:44 pm
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Nabco
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This is just my opinion...and I would guess you might get as many different opinions as replies toon1.gif

Anyway, from what I've been told by the guy that works on my watches with today's lubricants mechanical watches don't require the service intervals that watches have in the past.  His suggestion is when you notice the watch not running as normal it is time to get it serviced...

Also, there are a lot of very qualified independent watch makers out there that do not charge $450 for a COA, even on a chrono...the trick is finding them in your area....the guy I use works out of his house and works over the internet.

So let the discussion begin!!!!

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 Posted: Wed Aug 19th, 2009 10:18 pm
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KenC
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I rarely ever feel the need to service a watch based on the theory that if it stops running, it cost you about the same to get it serviced and repaired at a simple service.

That said, when I do get a watch serviced, I use East Coast Jewelry in Boca Raton, FL.  They are brick and mortar, 3 locations, been using them since 1992, at last count they maintained 9 Swiss trained watchmakers on staff...and, I have never been charged more than $200 for  a service including a water damaged Rolex GMT Master II (showered with the crown open).

edited to correct dollar figure

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 Posted: Wed Aug 19th, 2009 10:50 pm
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scottran
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KenC wrote:  I have never been charged more than 4200 for  a service including a water damaged Rolex GMT Master II (showered with the crown open).

Ken, Did you mean $420?

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 Posted: Thu Aug 20th, 2009 03:31 am
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cfoster
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I'd leave it alone....

Let me tell you a story about what happens when you don't.  In 1971, I bought my first Omega a Speedmaster MkII.  The Omega dealer told me to bring it in just prior to the warranty expiring and he would send it to Omega for a full servicing under warranty.  Not knowing any better, I did as I was told and about a month later got a call that the watch was back. Before taking it in, it ran perfectly, keeping time within +/- 2 sec. per month. After getting it back, it would gain about 6 seconds per day and never got any better. The watch was again serviced by Omega about 6 years later due to it needing a new Chrystal and a pusher. Again, the watch kept poor time.  About 10 years ago, I needed it serviced again and took in to my local watchmaker who is fantastic. He serviced it for far less than Omega charged 20 years earlier and from that date and to this day, once again, keeps perfect time.

Have it serviced only when necessary and by someone you trust. Factory service might not be the best option either. Find a really good Swiss trained watchmaker.

Clyde

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 Posted: Thu Aug 20th, 2009 07:42 am
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Nabco
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cfoster wrote: I'd leave it alone....

Have it serviced only when necessary and by someone you trust. Factory service might not be the best option either. Find a really good Swiss trained watchmaker.

Clyde

I sometimes think that the independent guys do a better job than the factory because they CARE about their work, they see it as a true art.  The factory guys just want toget it done and move on to the next one

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 Posted: Thu Aug 20th, 2009 08:46 am
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Devin
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Thanks for all the info and advice. I am glad to hear that everyone here feels the same way that i do, "if it is not broken do not fix it" In all the 20 some years of collecting i have had one watch serviced, an Omega Seamaster that just stopped keeping time. i sent it in had it cleaned and it still runs like new today.
Thanks agin guys, i appreciate all your insights!

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 Posted: Thu Aug 20th, 2009 09:11 am
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oagaspar
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hey Trent just send that watch to me and I'll wear it a couple months just to make sure it's running fine! :D:D

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 Posted: Thu Aug 20th, 2009 10:09 am
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KenC
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scottran wrote: KenC wrote:  I have never been charged more than 4200 for  a service including a water damaged Rolex GMT Master II (showered with the crown open).

Ken, Did you mean $420?


OOPS...no, I mean $200...

As a side note, I have an original Glycine Airman (circa 1964/65) Which I bought new from the Munich PX that has been through combat and several other years of hell...It has never been serviced and runs great!

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 Posted: Thu Aug 20th, 2009 10:37 am
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Nabco
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My guy charges $195 for 7750 COA's and that includes the replacement of the 4 parts that ETA suggests to replace at each servicing.

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 Posted: Thu Aug 20th, 2009 11:43 am
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bigrustypig
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Many manufacturers' manuals recommend servicing every 2 to 3 years to check on the seals and lubricants. Rolex recommends every 5 years. Panerai says every 3 years or so. All of them recommend more frequent servicing if the watch frequently undergoes temp and climate changes, frequent dives etc. Generally, I am concerned about the seals around the pushers of my chronographs and for that I think chronographs need slightly more servicing frequencies over their lifetimes.

I strictly follow those recos and although it is no joke to have several watches serviced each year because they can cause so much wallet ache, I still think the cost is worth it.

On the flipside though, my dad bought a Rolex GMT pepsi in 1955 just before he married my mom. In 1992, I noticed the bezel was faded and I took it to the Rolex Center in Singapore, while  was there for a business trip, for some servicing and a bezel change. The technician was shocked to know that it was the first time the watch was opened in 37 years!!! and yet it had kept perfect time in all those years.

So I guess I am on the side that urges strong consideration to what the manufacturers recommend.

Last edited on Thu Aug 20th, 2009 11:46 am by bigrustypig

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