I brought a 1950s Seamaster with a 352 caliber to a local watchmaker that has done a few minor things for me over the year. I rarely wear the watch and when I do it keeps time while losing 1-2 min a day. I figured it might be time for a service but was little surprise to hear a quote of 600€ to service the movement… What does the forum think of that price? I know Omega would be more but I can t help but wonder if I am being taken for a ride…
My local guy charged me more for a 355, plus parts, because wasn't just clean, slap it together, and oil. When I wear a watch, I wear it more than one day and switch; in fact, sometimes I'll wear them for weeks. I want the best timekeeping it's capable of, as well as all worn parts repaired or replaced. For example, the 35X series has a hole in the main plate where the oscillating weight shaft goes, and these get out of round a lot. So I paid for him to carefully drill/ream that out and insert a bushing.
You need to state your goals, know what service costs where you live, and plan accordingly. For example, the Brits, for whatever reason, tend to pay less than some of us do. I am happy to spend a little more on an extra round of adjusting, for example.
It's not the rotor axle, as that rides in a jewel. It's the core for the pawl bearing yoke that rides in two bushings that often get worn. There should be any need to ream anything out as there are already bushings there, so they can be pressed out and new bushings installed.
This get back to the question I had, €600 sounds like a lot, but did the watchmaker provide a scope of work for that? If it was parts inclusive (new factory crystal and crown alone can be €200) it may not be that bad.
Agreed. People have wildly different expectations when it comes to the end result, so comparing prices with that in mind, and not knowing the actual scope of work, is really a bit of a fool's errand.
Since you don't seem to have a lot of history/experience with this particular watchmaker, I think you might want to think twice. Usually I wouldn't recommend this since he has already done the work of inspection, but a €600 quote without any real explanation for the high price is justification for a second opinion IMO.
The watchmaker I use most often these days has repaired/serviced dozens of watches for me over a period of years. We have become friends, I have bought things from him and sold things for him ... I trust him 100%. However, if he estimated $700 USD for a movement "service", he would definitely be explaining the reasons for that price.
Reading over the years your threads, posts, and explanations here on Omegaforums, I would be more than pleased to pay top dollar for the opportunity to have my watches serviced by someone like you. I am unfortunately under the impression that the standard is nowhere near the same at the vast majority of watchmakers.
