AD vs. Local horologist

[deejuic]

I've been lurking for a while and I have a question. I have several watches that are approaching service time. Is it worth the extra money to have the watch serviced through an authorized dealer? It costs more and it takes a lot longer. What are the benefits of this versus handing over my timepieces to a local person?

Thanks for your comments.

My first post of many (I hope)!

[tertius]

It might depend on the watch/age of watch I suppose, but I can't see any particular value in using the AD. Assuming of course that your local watchmaker is competent.

Why do you say approaching service time? Is there a fault is it simply age?

[olic]

I use a local jeweller who is a member of the horological society type thing, I have more confidence in him than any AD.

[rocketroy]

I really think it would depend on what you intend to get done on the watch. If it just a service or battery change, a local horologist would suffice. I use watchdoctors to service a few of my watches and I think they are excellent.

However, for my Rolex and Chopard, I would almost certainly take it to an AD for a service. After all, it is only carried out once every 5 years, so I think it is worth it. I have just sent my Rolex in for a service to an AD. A 10-week wait period and quoted £265 for the service

[deejuic]

I have a panerai (manual) and an IWC (auto) that are approaching 3 years, so likely due for a cleaning. I have a vintage Longines, GP and a rolex that are all due for a service as well. I figured that my local guy who is competent is capable of dealing with the vintage movements, but wasn't sure about the Panerai and IWC.

[RickH]

Just had the cat knock my IWC Pilots Chrono off the side table onto a wooden floor. No I've listened to the movement before and I reckon that it's making a different noise. I'm getting a 'ting' in one part of the movement rather than a 'tick'.

I'm pretty sure its still under warranty, but:

a) Is it going to be covered?
b) Should I send it to IWC, a local IWC retailer, the IWC UK Service Centre, or a local horologist for a fix?

RickH

[tertius]

deejuic said:

I have a panerai (manual) and an IWC (auto) that are approaching 3 years, so likely due for a cleaning. I have a vintage Longines, GP and a rolex that are all due for a service as well. I figured that my local guy who is competent is capable of dealing with the vintage movements, but wasn't sure about the Panerai and IWC.

OK, well I'm definitely a subscriber to the if it aint broke don't fix it school of watch servicing so, personally I wouldn't bother getting the IWC or the Panerai serviced at that age.

Secondly if your local guy is competent with the vintage watches (esp. the G-P which probably has the most unusual movement of all the watches you list) then he'll surely be OK with the IWC and the Panerai. It depends on the model but the IWC probably has an ETA derived movement and the Panerai a standard ETA/Unitas (unless its the 8-day in which case its a JLC and if it is the 8-day then I might think again).

[tertius]

RickH said:

Just had the cat knock my IWC Pilots Chrono off the side table onto a wooden floor. No I've listened to the movement before and I reckon that it's making a different noise. I'm getting a 'ting' in one part of the movement rather than a 'tick'.

I'm pretty sure its still under warranty, but:

a) Is it going to be covered?
b) Should I send it to IWC, a local IWC retailer, the IWC UK Service Centre, or a local horologist for a fix?

RickH

If its under warranty then send it to IWC.

[deejuic]

So you don't feel that regular servicing of your watches is a good idea? I thought that watches were supposed to be serviced every 3-4 years regardless of any issues. Would the forum agree or disagree?

[RickH]

tertius said:

RickH said:

Just had the cat knock my IWC Pilots Chrono off the side table onto a wooden floor. No I've listened to the movement before and I reckon that it's making a different noise. I'm getting a 'ting' in one part of the movement rather than a 'tick'.

I'm pretty sure its still under warranty, but:

a) Is it going to be covered?
b) Should I send it to IWC, a local IWC retailer, the IWC UK Service Centre, or a local horologist for a fix?

RickH

If its under warranty then send it to IWC.

Should it go to IWC in Switzerland, through the local IWC retailer, or direct to IWC's UK Service Centre?

I've currently got my wife's Seiko (all $100 of it) away at Seiko under warranty as it was gaining 15mins a day, and that's through a high street chain. Problem is that they'll charge me £10 for the honour of handling the watch and it's been away since July. Seiko are beng a pain in the arse. They've had to order spare parts as the watch is a US model, they've damaged the case twice and are refusing to issue a like-for-like replacement watch and have done with it.

As such I'm reluctant to deal with a high street chain again if I can help it.

RickH