Service or Replace?

The honest answer is replace.  Its never really economical to service but it's always nice to have something you can tinker with.

By the time they actually need a service they might not be available any more.

I voted to replace, but then, there's always option 3 -- just replace the movement itself (especially given that the NH35 is a drop-in for the 4R36) and re-use the case, dial and handset.

I say replace, unless you have a real bond with the watch. 

That's a really interesting view. So replace and then use the old watch as something to experiment on. That's a cool idea! I guess it depends on how much sentimental value it has to you or the meaning of the watch to you.

The answer to this question, as @TimeToRide says, replace if you have no bond with the watch. 

However, if the watch was a gift or was bought to commemorate a life event or achievement, then servicing is generally the route chosen. 

It's all subjective though. The owner may not be able to do either when the time comes. Or they had a more significant milestone a better watch was purchased for. 

Basically, no one should tell you how to Collect, Service or Replace items in your ownership. You get to decide. No one else knows your circumstances better than you. 

For me, when I have been in this position, I have made the choice regarding each watch differently. I have spent about half the value of my Hamilton Khaki Auto fixing it. I love it and the memories associated with it.

I have opted not to fix 2 Seiko SNK models.

I paid a watch maker to repair an SKX that I had had for years, and spent about the same as I did buying it, to get it fixed.

For me it's not always about value, sometimes it's the sentiment, and the right answer may be personal to you.

For these, I’d open the back and regulate it myself  inexpensive way to learn and extend the useful life of the watch…

Right.  Servicing at the price point tends to be a sentimental decision more than an economic one (and honestly, what about watch owning isn't just mostly sentimental).  But for the cheaper movements, the cost of labor servicing basically gets to the cost of the watch pretty quickly.  I love both of your watch choices (particularly the DressKX) but the long term economics don't really lend themselves to servicing.

That said, I've known Seiko 5s that have lasted for 20 years without a need for servicing, so it's not like they're fundamentally disposable either.

I second this 

I own a seiko SPRE57 and it was my grad gift. unfortunately for what ever reason something internally had broke and the hour hand stopped moving. Even though the cost of repair was almost half the cost of the watch, I still went ahead and got it repaired due To the value it held to me  

I voted service - because it’s what I will be doing very soon when I find a decent drop in Citizen service in London. 
But fundamentally it’s because in my somewhat limited experience cheaper watches that can be serviced tend to cost less to do so. I think this is because a watchmaker working with that level of watch would rather have some work and some money, which is a win win for people who want to keep their watch. Even if they are charging an hours labour and dropping in a thirty quid movement, it’s still keeping their business ticking over as it were. The big luxury watches, a lot of people are going to go to the dealerships and the company themselves for service. 
 

The only way a lot of these shops keep going, or training new apprentices, is if they cut the cloth to fit. And if they know it’s not financially viable, odds are they will tell you — and some may even also sell you a watch instead.

Simple... You need to find someone who'll service it for £60. Hmmm... do we know anyone like that?? 😁

I wouldn't service a watch like that until it got really bonkers out of whack.  Until then, wear it for fun and check your phone if you need precision.

Personally, I would just replace the movement myself. I feel it's wasteful to throw away the watch, unless it has had catastrophic damage to the case. If you're not comfortable swapping out a movement, and it's not feasible to pay someone to do it, maybe put it up for sale "as is". Someone may be looking for other components of the watch, or would like to take on swapping the movement themselves. Many modders would appreciate an OEM case/dial, also, at least when talking about Seikos. 

Comes down to how much those pieces mean to you. When you buy an automatic watch you’re already signing up to get it serviced at some point down the road. So if you want to keep these during your lifetime and make memories and possibly hand them down someday, then do what you gotta do and service them. It’s all preference. maybe you want to upgrade your arsenal of watches to the next level up in general in which case you can just keep these for sentimental reasons on the side.

If its Japanese just order a new movement from anywhere but China. The Chinese even cloned the nh35. Anyone can swap out a movement with minimum tools. Just pry the dial up evenly and it pops the hands. Use sticky-tack to put them back on. $60.00 USD from a reputable parts dealer.

As many have said, a movement is $30 and easy to replace which is the same as a service.

You didn't specify if by replace you mean the old watch gets thrown in the junk or handed down/sold. I'm not a fan of waste myself, so I would take the option of servicing and handing it down to someone else to cherish if I don't like the watch anymore. If it is completely unsalvageable then sure, do what you must. But if it has potential let it live on I say.

Simple economics. At that price point you should only be servicing them if you have some sentimental value attached to the watches.

If the wife or your kids bought them then you must service them, bought as a throw on then replace if you like them. Service is a good option to avoid unnecessary waste….but only if it’s in good condition 😁

As much as it is difficult to pay 50% of iits value to service the watch, I think it is harder for me to deal with the feeling of left that thing behind unservice

Could not imagine how I would do that.. left it in a box somewhere? Or trash them 🙁🙁

If it’s a gift OR if you’re planning to buy the same watch then I say get it serviced. You can use this as an excuse/opportunity to upgrade to something new/different that works - but I am all for saving things from the bin if I can. Plus, great watches tell a story… so keep it going if you love the watch. My two cents!

Ooh, this question gives me the heeby-jeebies. As someone who prefers to only buy a few but meaningful pieces for anything (watches, fountain pens, etc.) I will always opt for a service over a full replacement, even if the service cost is more than the price of the watch itself... having said that, if it's a cheap, still-available piece I'd just buy a new one, like my Casio... but neither of my automatics are still in production.

I’ll service if cheaper than replacement; assuming the state of the watch is still visually appealing. 

If the watch had sentimental value then I'd service it. If it were a less expensive piece in my collection, I'd probably move on to something new....another option that I do is this...I take my watches that need servicing but are not of great dollar value, and I use them to learn how to mod. Buying movements and replacing parts isn't that expensive especially if you already have the watch that needs the work...

Assuming one could still buy NH movements I’d just replace the movement myself in the Seiko and try and service the Orient myself

I picked up several Pagani Design homage watches, all with Seiko movements (mostly NH35).  As I understand it, these movements are both good long term workhorses, and also cheaper to replace straight up than actually service.  That’s my plan.  So, I couldn’t vote in the poll because it’s a choice not offered.

Second this for the Orient as well. If you're keen on keeping the watch, replacing the watch with an equivalent Epson YN55 https://www.soflypart.com/product/epson-yn55-mechanical-movement/ and swapping the date wheel/rotor over is going to be much more economical than a service--most of all, it can be a learning opportunity. I ran into a few snags when I did the same for my Orient Maestro, but it was a great learning experience on a not-too-expensive watch. 

Otherwise, getting an entirely new watch with a different design is probably better value. 

Depends on the bond. Value isn't only down to cost. Imagine if it was the watch you happened to be wearing on a memorable occasion.

I'd replace unless it ment that much to me. At the price you can't really go wrong