Wisdom Around Maintenance Costs

Outside of occasionally paying a watchmaker for a quick gasket inspection and/or cleaning on some of my keepsake daily wears, not too much.

Maybe $150-$300US total, depending on how many I want to drop off. And that's not every year. And that's also usually a quick inspection, maybe a regulation, and then yup your watch is fine type deal.

My first watch, an Orient Mako Gen I, has never been serviced, still wear it regularly. At this point I'm just gonna wear it until something happens, for science. 😂

Edit: Well over 20. Also been enjoying watches since '07.

Competent watchmakers are a dying breed and getting few and far between. The trend is to just replace movements and gaskets with most anything non luxury. If you find one treat him nice...until he retires. If you stay out of water wait until it acts up to get it fixed otherwise you get it fixed before the best before date on the seals expires.

I'm a newbie in the watch world, I've only been collecting for about a year. I had similar concerns initially. Since most watch makers recommend a full service every 5-7 years. But the more I read about watches and listen to what I hope are reputable sources, that does not seem to be the case. For relatively modern watches that use synthetic oils (started in the 50's), there is no real worry aobut oils drying out like they used to. So when do you need a service? There seem to be a lot of factors that go into that question. It depends on how much and how often the watch is worn, and how it is stored when off the wrist, do you notice the amplitude going down, etc..... When you start to notice things not going well, which I know is kind of open ended. Chronoglide Watchmakers has a good video on YT regarding this topic you can see here.

It’s a maintenance cost v watch value decision on which watches get serviced. I also take into account how often worn v movement (eg Zenith with 36,000 beat needs more regular servicing then a Rolex). The sentimental watches that will be passed to the next generation get priority on maintenance. I don’t set an annual budget, rather consider it delaying a next watch moment.

Very helpful everyone! I might just expand the collection a little more and not worry so much :-)

Took Mark Loviks watch making course, any mistakes are mine now.😅

I own more watches than is smart, some watches I understand are expensive to service, cost is part of my hobby. I do make a point of buying watches new with warranties, additionally I prefer brands that I have prior experience servicing near where I live which is Toronto. Years ago, I picked up a few new Fortis watches but there was no credible support for the brand here in Canada, I sold off at a loss most but kept one which needs a service but since I never wear it is just kept as a reminder of what not to buy.

"since I never wear it is just kept as a reminder of what not to buy." <-- Brilliant.

But it is a watch that I do like, Fortis B42 Cosmonaut alarm watch. It is a goofy hobby!