How long do you wait before sending your watches for a service?

Until timekeeping becomes bad, or some significant issue arises, I don't preventatively service. Possibly a mistake to take that view, but given the cost service vs cost to replace is closer to 1:1 on many of our watches (relative to a Rolex or something), I prefer to put it off as long as I can.

3Pedals_6Speeds said:

Until timekeeping becomes bad, or some significant issue arises, I don't preventatively service. Possibly a mistake to take that view, but given the cost service vs cost to replace is closer to 1:1 on many of our watches (relative to a Rolex or something), I prefer to put it off as long as I can.

Click to expand...

I agree! As long as their keeping good time and there are no issues they're good to go as far as I'm concerned. Plus, when you have several in rotation they seldom get worn.

I agree with the above (in some ways wrong ......) but I would always change gaskets when i got a new to me watch, costs next to nothing and it can make all the difference to the life of a watch (imo) plus if i keep the watch for a good while then i will change the gaskets again, like i say costs nothing so why not ? .

Usually till Saturday..

Thank you all for your advices! That is what I'm doing until now: wait a serious problem ;-)

But I still have scruples with some fine calibres (independently of the cost of a service)... I remember I have read somewhere that high-beat movements are more prone to wear. What is your experience ?

About changing gaskets, John, do you think it is necessary also for non-diver watches? If so, I will immediately follow your advice, but I don't know how to get correct gaskets for all the different cases...


Cheers,
Mathieu

MathieuR said:

Thank you all for your advices! That is what I'm doing until now: wait a serious problem ;-)

But I still have scruples with some fine calibres (independently of the cost of a service)... I remember I have read somewhere that high-beat movements are more prone to wear. What is your experience ?

About changing gaskets, John, do you think it is necessary also for non-diver watches? If so, I will immediately follow your advice, but I don't know how to get correct gaskets for all the different cases...


Cheers,
Mathieu

Click to expand...

Hi Mathieu I have seen many vintage non divers ruined for the sake of a gasket, I will always change gaskets because IMO very important and like i say, so cheap

TheTigerUK said:

Hi Mathieu I have seen many vintage non divers ruined for the sake of a gasket, I will always change gaskets because IMO very important and like i say, so cheap

Click to expand...

Ok John, would you teach me? As I don't know where to source correct gaskets for my watches...
Thank you!

TheTigerUK said:

I agree with the above (in some ways wrong ......) but I would always change gaskets when i got a new to me watch, costs next to nothing and it can make all the difference to the life of a watch (imo) plus if i keep the watch for a good while then i will change the gaskets again, like i say costs nothing so why not ? .

Click to expand...

Good point John. Guess I wasn't thinking because the first thing I always do is install new gaskets and more often then not a new crystal.

I was thinking in terms of movement service only.

In my case I don't do anything until time keeping suffers, or a mechanical fault arrises that requires work to be done. One watch I did send to my watchmaker 4 weeks ago was my Tutima Military chrono, the previous owner manually winding it stripped a gear. It still kept good time when I shook it to make it wind but the thought of bits of metal floating around that beautiful Lemania 5100 made me get it serviced and not cheap at that but well worth it as it is a keeper.

Cheers
Mark

I've been sending all new (to me) watches without service records in for movement service, to establish a baseline.

Even though it's meant losing money on a few watches I wound up selling, I think I'll keep doing it - I just like knowing that everything is ticking away as expected, without introducing unnecessary wear/tear.

We don't generally wait until our cars break down before we service them so why wait with a watch ?

estrickland said:

I've been sending all new (to me) watches without service records in for movement service, to establish a baseline.

Click to expand...

If I would have a watchmaker at the corner, I certainly would do the same, at least for a check. But here in Brussels, as I know, not a single one wants even to look at my Seiko's :smiley_confused1:, so I have to think two time before sending it abroad...

Cheers,
Mathieu

TheTigerUK said:

We don't generally wait until our cars break down before we service them so why wait with a watch ?

Click to expand...

Oh John, I don't have cars :sorry:
...just watches :25:

I would wait until stop working.If it's working why bother.