Watch service
I believe I'm at the point where one of my babies needs service. The winding feels a little gummy. I'm hopefully that it just needs to be cleaned and oiled. I guess, but I know very little on this subject.
What do you crunchers recommend for finding a good watch service? Do you ship your watches? Go to an AD? What do you look for? What do you look out for? Any idea what a service like that should cost? Any advice here will be super helpful.
I'm in the Detroit area, there is a place in a northern suburb called Universal Watch Repair. By some amazing chance, does anyone have experience with them?
Thanks
I started collecting in mid 2021 and have purchased a number of entry level watches. I'm having a good time and refining my ideas about what makes a satisfying collection. BTW, my page image is my wif...
I have a personal relationship with my Jeweler. I have gotten to know his watchsmith and what his background and experience. I don't feel comfortable shipping out for service.
He has done some phenomenal work with some of my older watches.
Cheers!
Just look up a place and go in for an estimate. Ask basic questions like what's involved in their service, length of warranty, how long it'll take and how much, obvious stuff. If you don't get a sense that they are honest, capable, and interested, thank them and leave.
Get a sense that it's actually done onsite. Most places will pop the back off and do a quick visual inspection. IME these places always have a few used "good" watches on display for sale, presumably stuff that never got picked up. For something that doesn't need parts, I'd think ~$350 absolute maximum. It can be less than half that too.
Just look up a place and go in for an estimate. Ask basic questions like what's involved in their service, length of warranty, how long it'll take and how much, obvious stuff. If you don't get a sense that they are honest, capable, and interested, thank them and leave.
Get a sense that it's actually done onsite. Most places will pop the back off and do a quick visual inspection. IME these places always have a few used "good" watches on display for sale, presumably stuff that never got picked up. For something that doesn't need parts, I'd think ~$350 absolute maximum. It can be less than half that too.
Thanks! Most helpful