Mechanical watch woes
I’ve been collecting watches since I was a kid but really became an avid collector since 2020 like so many of us (thanks, Covid 🙄).
Now I’ve had a few years of owning vintage, affordable, and luxury watches and the costs and headaches are adding up. I’m fortunate to be able to collect these watches and the watch experts warn of the care costs, so I’m not complaining but…
Examples (all purchased new from reputable sources):
My JLC Tribute Duo Reverso has a damaged spring in the reversing mechanism. Customer service has been great and fortunately it is still covered under the extended warranty. But for future reference, basic service starts at $895.
My brand new (December 2023) Kurono Tokyo is getting serviced at the movement it won’t hold power and loses time quickly. Again, great customer service and warranty. No costs to me but a reality of mechanical watches…
I have a Hamilton Khaki Field auto that has had many problems. Bought in 2020, my worst mechanical time keeper, sent for service multiple times, crown and rotor keep getting connected (turn the crown and it turns the rotor), and it recently stopped holding its power and losing time. I’ve almost spent more on service than on the watch. >$300 and counting
My Tudor BB58 is due servicing, been told to expect $500-1000
I have other examples but I’ll stop there
Don’t get me started on vintage…
On the other hand I have a Seiko 5 from 1989 that I’ve never had serviced and still runs like a top 😄
I love mechanical watches (and quartz too). I’m privileged to be able to afford some luxury watches, even the highest quality watches can have issues, and I know these come with costs. Still, I figured others might commiserate.
Any mechanical watch repair and service stories of shock and frustration out there?
Chad
Live in Oklahoma. Conversation. Connection. Community.
Yeah, I was just thinking about this yesterday.
My new watches are problem-free but I do like to buy vintage pieces at auction and probably 20% of my purchases are dead or limping watches. Even some quartz pieces that appear to be in like-new condition...dead.
Then I have to go hunting for donor movements, which now means the deal I received isn't so much of a deal now, is it? 🙄 But if I like the piece, I'll spend the extra money for a working watch than take the hit of a dead one. I did just that with my gold-plated (& bracelet) Benrus Technipower electro-mechanical watch (28,800 bph):
Frustrating, but part of the risk. And it's all forgotten again when you score that next perfectly-running valuable watch for a song! lol
Old Seiko 💪 can't beat them! As people often say about many things, they just don't make 'em like they used to!
Yeah, I was just thinking about this yesterday.
My new watches are problem-free but I do like to buy vintage pieces at auction and probably 20% of my purchases are dead or limping watches. Even some quartz pieces that appear to be in like-new condition...dead.
Then I have to go hunting for donor movements, which now means the deal I received isn't so much of a deal now, is it? 🙄 But if I like the piece, I'll spend the extra money for a working watch than take the hit of a dead one. I did just that with my gold-plated (& bracelet) Benrus Technipower electro-mechanical watch (28,800 bph):
Frustrating, but part of the risk. And it's all forgotten again when you score that next perfectly-running valuable watch for a song! lol
I enjoy vintage as well and I’ve had my costs add up. Have had two vintage omega constellations where the second hands fell off. One where the crown stopped turning. A Longines conquest that I got for a bargain, ha, and spent almost as much getting it serviced and running right (with original parts).
Old Seiko 💪 can't beat them! As people often say about many things, they just don't make 'em like they used to!
Haha! So true
good information in this post. thanks
Seems like you’ve had a bit of bad luck and maybe a lemon or two. Why would your BB58 need servicing? Even if you bought it in 2018?
I’ve had a Tag and an Omega serviced. Both were chronographs so they take a bit longer but Tag got me for $860 and Omega got me for $1100. If you plan on keeping any mechanical watch long term the expensive servicing costs need to be factored in. At times, the service can cost more than the watch itself.
After returning from a crazy shopping trip with the Mrs to pick up a Goyard shoulder bag from the famous boutique on Rue Sainte Honore in Paris I decided to not wear my adored Breitling Navitimer 1461 watch for a few weeks, the watch carries tremendous memories for both my wife and me, but my wife is not a watch enthusiast or even sentimental but I am, haha. When I picked up the watch to wear, the wind was very gritty, definitely did not feel right. I delivered the timepiece to Breitling service only to learn that even my extended warranty from the ad seller had lapsed. The watch needed to be shipped to Switzerland for a full service at a standard fee of $2500 cad plus 13% HST. If the movement required repairs parts would be extra again. A few days after the watch arrived in Switzerland, I received a detailed email with a remark that the coating on the lens was scratched, did not require action since it did impact the timekeeping function but if I wanted to replace it cost was $600 cad plus HST. Watch was expertly serviced keeps accurate time remains one of my favourite watches. Servicing is major part of the hobby, comes into my decision process as to what brands and models that I buy.
I'm sticking with the cheap Casios and g shocks. 👍
Hmmm… this is an interesting thread bec I posted on maintenance cost a week or two back and the overwhelming majority of us said it was no biggie. I figured the true cost of ownership of a watch can run higher than the sticker price - this is especially true for more affordable automatic watches. Sad to see it’s playing out.
Seems like you’ve had a bit of bad luck and maybe a lemon or two. Why would your BB58 need servicing? Even if you bought it in 2018?
It’s running great and really doesn’t, just coming up on 5 years
After returning from a crazy shopping trip with the Mrs to pick up a Goyard shoulder bag from the famous boutique on Rue Sainte Honore in Paris I decided to not wear my adored Breitling Navitimer 1461 watch for a few weeks, the watch carries tremendous memories for both my wife and me, but my wife is not a watch enthusiast or even sentimental but I am, haha. When I picked up the watch to wear, the wind was very gritty, definitely did not feel right. I delivered the timepiece to Breitling service only to learn that even my extended warranty from the ad seller had lapsed. The watch needed to be shipped to Switzerland for a full service at a standard fee of $2500 cad plus 13% HST. If the movement required repairs parts would be extra again. A few days after the watch arrived in Switzerland, I received a detailed email with a remark that the coating on the lens was scratched, did not require action since it did impact the timekeeping function but if I wanted to replace it cost was $600 cad plus HST. Watch was expertly serviced keeps accurate time remains one of my favourite watches. Servicing is major part of the hobby, comes into my decision process as to what brands and models that I buy.
Comes into my decision making as well. Especially with a collection. Much like choosing a Mercedes or Toyota—Mercedes service and repair costs are $$$
Comes into my decision making as well. Especially with a collection. Much like choosing a Mercedes or Toyota—Mercedes service and repair costs are $$$
This is a debate with the Mrs endlessly, after I check out definitely not making a comeback. I want to live life as well as we can afford. Not much of an auto guy, used to buy my brother’s gently worn Mercedes sedans, guy drove to his office 5 days each week had a different car for his weekends. Take care my good man! 👍