Watch servicing - recommended?
Discussion
Due to a lack of technical knowledge i am struggling to see the reason for servicing apart from the profit income to watch makers/servicer's.
I've been quoted figures greater than a service on my car in order to provide a service of undetermined (on my part) benefit on my watches.
Can anyone enlighten me as to why and if they service and see any benefit?
I've been quoted figures greater than a service on my car in order to provide a service of undetermined (on my part) benefit on my watches.
Can anyone enlighten me as to why and if they service and see any benefit?
Pommygranite said:
Due to a lack of technical knowledge i am struggling to see the reason for servicing apart from the profit income to watch makers/servicer's.
I've been quoted figures greater than a service on my car in order to provide a service of undetermined (on my part) benefit on my watches.
Can anyone enlighten me as to why and if they service and see any benefit?
Well assuming we're talking about mechanical watches, they are fairly complex devices that run more or less continuously to etremely tight tolerances and a high degree of accuracy. So it doesn't seem unreasonable that a bit of preventative maintenance now and again might be a good idea.I've been quoted figures greater than a service on my car in order to provide a service of undetermined (on my part) benefit on my watches.
Can anyone enlighten me as to why and if they service and see any benefit?
having said that I don't tend to bother unless there is an actual problem, I certainly don't have a defined maintenance schedule like for a car.
From what you say it sounds like you qre going to the equivalent of a main dealer - find yourself a decent independent and the price will come way down. And the service will go way up ...
Depends on how much value you place on the condition of your watch. Just as cars will often happily run for 100K miles with their original belts & the odd oil change, most watches will survive for decades without servicing. But if you're a watch/car enthusiast who likes the thing in tip-top condition, you'll get it done.
Mechanically, oils degrade over time and wear increases in various parts of the watch. This can have an effect on timekeeping, but more importantly, the lifespan of the watch. At the same time- most of the damage/problems I've seen in internals has come at the hands of poor watchmaking, so it's not worth doing unless it's being done right. I'd dare say the reason most people send their watch off, though, is to have it come back looking like new.
Mechanically, oils degrade over time and wear increases in various parts of the watch. This can have an effect on timekeeping, but more importantly, the lifespan of the watch. At the same time- most of the damage/problems I've seen in internals has come at the hands of poor watchmaking, so it's not worth doing unless it's being done right. I'd dare say the reason most people send their watch off, though, is to have it come back looking like new.
I've had my automatic Seamaster for 9 years and it loses maybe a minute a month. My AD advised me not to have it serviced as it could come back with inferior time keeping! I'd like to get the bracelet refinished and have the light scratches that daily use has inflicted on it removed. However that's not really worth the £200 or so and 8 week wait I'd incur to get it factory serviced.
Matt
Matt
Edited by MattOz on Tuesday 19th January 12:06
MattOz said:
I've had my automatic Seamaster for 9 years and it loses maybe a minute a month. My AD advised me not to have it serviced as it could come back with inferior time keeping! I'd like to get the bracelet refinished and have the light scratches that daily use has inflicted on it removed. However that's not really worth the £200 or so and 8 week wait I'd incur to get it factory serviced.
Matt
Try a Cape Cod cloth - you may see a very marked improvement for a few quid Matt
Edited by MattOz on Tuesday 19th January 12:06
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