Servicing Vintage Watches. Holy Shit, the Cost!
Reached out to a week respected watchmaker. Was thinking local, but my neighbor told me to think of the watchmaker at Cincinnati Watch Company, so I emailed asking for an estimate. Much higher than expected. Those who've have had this done is this right on or too expensive?
This guy's pedigree is top flight and I believe people, especially artists, should get paid their worth. I can afford it, but I could put this towards another watch. This Bulova was an EBay find. I just like Bulova and liked the look of it. I could go with my local jeweler. This guy has been a watchmaking instructor and has received training from Rolex and Omega to repair their watches. If this was my father's watch, I'd ship it to him within the week. But it's a pretty watch I found on eBay.
I am finally able to view watch videos and not order what I just saw.
Now imagine it was a vintage chronograph 🤯
That's actually really not that bad? How much were you expecting? I know folks (also with high pedigree like Roland Murphy who charges btw. $600 and $1500.). The thing with servicing. . . . at a big company/service center or with an independent is that they KNOW they can charge a premium b/c your choices are somewhat limited . . . it's not like every town or even big city has the ability to service certain watches or perform certain types of services (if you want it done right). And of course this is all dependent on how hard it is to get parts.
I guess the other lesson here if we want lower service prices? Push your kids to become watchmakers haha.
That's very expensive. In the UK I pay around £180 for an automatic to be serviced & there are people who charge as little as £80 to £100 that I've come across. This list may be useful to find a cheaper option.
https://theindex.nawcc.org/RepairShopsUS.php
Price should be higher for vintage IMO since that covers the cost of labor, scarcity of parts and technical manuals available, condition of the movement and re-supplying the watchmaker's very expensive oils & greases.
That's actually really not that bad? How much were you expecting? I know folks (also with high pedigree like Roland Murphy who charges btw. $600 and $1500.). The thing with servicing. . . . at a big company/service center or with an independent is that they KNOW they can charge a premium b/c your choices are somewhat limited . . . it's not like every town or even big city has the ability to service certain watches or perform certain types of services (if you want it done right). And of course this is all dependent on how hard it is to get parts.
I guess the other lesson here if we want lower service prices? Push your kids to become watchmakers haha.
I was expecting $300 or so, but it's a 1959 watch, so I should have figured. If it were an heirloom, I'd have no problem with that.
I wouldn't expect much less than a $400-600 quote on a vintage watch. Plenty of shops in my general area start at $600 for a service on a 3-hander and even more on chronos and other complications.
All the more reason to learn how to $ervice one'$ own watche$.
My goal.
I wouldn't expect much less than a $400-600 quote on a vintage watch. Plenty of shops in my general area start at $600 for a service on a 3-hander and even more on chronos and other complications.
You're probably right. It's also getting harder to find vintage parts. This guy wrote an article about that.
My local watch repair shop charges a flat servicing rate for most common makes/models/movements: $345. So, the low end of your quote seems somewhat near that mark. He does good work, even though he might not be specifically Omega/Rolex trained (I'm actually not sure).
My local watch repair shop charges a flat servicing rate for most common makes/models/movements: $345. So, the low end of your quote seems somewhat near that mark. He does good work, even though he might not be specifically Omega/Rolex trained (I'm actually not sure).
My only concern would be the availability of parts. If this was an heirloom I would want vintage parts of course. Since it's not, I just want it running again and looking nice.
My only concern would be the availability of parts. If this was an heirloom I would want vintage parts of course. Since it's not, I just want it running again and looking nice.
I would think with Bulova you wouldn't have a hard time getting it serviced even if replacement parts were warranted. But, I not a watch repair expert.
Go to wierclock on Etsy and contact Tristan Wier. He will completely disassemble, ultrasonically clean, reassemble and adjust your watch for around $250.
I had him repair a couple of long-neglected heirloom watches (my grandfather’s ’55 Longines and my father-in-law’s ’63 Citizen Super Deluxe), as well as purchasing several vintage pieces from him, and his work is superb.
$325 plus parts from Mecha Horology on IG In Pennsylvania.
Competition is good for consumers. There are so many watchmakers and jewelers in the L.A. area that $250 is common for a simple service. Last year I had a Speedmaster serviced at one of the best rated shops in the L.A. jewelry district for $450 and that's for a chronograph.
I have different watchmakers I use depending on what I'm having done but they all have at least a 4 star rating in common and warranty their work for two years.
I imagine some watchmakers who are well known command "take it or leave it" prices and still get as much work as they would like but a lesser known competent watchmaker seeking your future business may be a great option going forward.
Not as common to have someone willing to work on vintage so I can see this.
Go to wierclock on Etsy and contact Tristan Wier. He will completely disassemble, ultrasonically clean, reassemble and adjust your watch for around $250.
I had him repair a couple of long-neglected heirloom watches (my grandfather’s ’55 Longines and my father-in-law’s ’63 Citizen Super Deluxe), as well as purchasing several vintage pieces from him, and his work is superb.
Thank you. I'll check this one out
Go to wierclock on Etsy and contact Tristan Wier. He will completely disassemble, ultrasonically clean, reassemble and adjust your watch for around $250.
I had him repair a couple of long-neglected heirloom watches (my grandfather’s ’55 Longines and my father-in-law’s ’63 Citizen Super Deluxe), as well as purchasing several vintage pieces from him, and his work is superb.
Wow. His Etsy shop is something else.
Wow. His Etsy shop is something else.
I can absolutely attest to the quality of the watches he sells and the services he provides. 👍
Nice watch definitely worth the service but that Seems quite expensive try this place I take my Watches here in Pasadena CA. and the guy is amazing :
Shant At Shant’s
(626) 304-4874
8 E Holly St.
Pasadena CA 91103
United States
A bit high but not outrageous. If you establish as a customer you might get discounts on future services. I have heard of places doing this.
I can absolutely attest to the quality of the watches he sells and the services he provides. 👍
He has older Bulova that he has restored and looked very good.
My only concern would be the availability of parts. If this was an heirloom I would want vintage parts of course. Since it's not, I just want it running again and looking nice.
Most vintage Bulova mechanical watches had AS (Adolf Schild) movements in them. They are pretty common so I don't think parts would be expensive. If the watch runs ok all you'd probably need is a new main spring which are only around £20.
Very expensive my friend,
Competition is good for consumers. There are so many watchmakers and jewelers in the L.A. area that $250 is common for a simple service. Last year I had a Speedmaster serviced at one of the best rated shops in the L.A. jewelry district for $450 and that's for a chronograph.
I have different watchmakers I use depending on what I'm having done but they all have at least a 4 star rating in common and warranty their work for two years.
I imagine some watchmakers who are well known command "take it or leave it" prices and still get as much work as they would like but a lesser known competent watchmaker seeking your future business may be a great option going forward.
Can you share a few? I believe my watchmaker passed.
Can you share a few? I believe my watchmaker passed.
1.) For the highest level of professional service and repair yet still competitively priced (5 Star Yelp):
Sam's Jewelry & Watch Repairs
406 W. 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213 817-6001
2.) Don't be put off that this next watch shop shares space with the family's florist ship. For routine service and repair, including Rolex and Cartier (5 Star Yelp):
Tic Toc Watch Repair
5225 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323 902-7673
3.) For vintage Seiko service and repair though I'm always open to finding more local watchmakers who specialize in vintage Seiko (4.7 Star Yelp):
Watch Works
11467 South St. B3
Cerritos, CA 90703
562 468-1128
1.) For the highest level of professional service and repair yet still competitively priced (5 Star Yelp):
Sam's Jewelry & Watch Repairs
406 W. 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213 817-6001
2.) Don't be put off that this next watch shop shares space with the family's florist ship. For routine service and repair, including Rolex and Cartier (5 Star Yelp):
Tic Toc Watch Repair
5225 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323 902-7673
3.) For vintage Seiko service and repair though I'm always open to finding more local watchmakers who specialize in vintage Seiko (4.7 Star Yelp):
Watch Works
11467 South St. B3
Cerritos, CA 90703
562 468-1128
Thank you for sharing