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A long and strange RFP based approach to requesting a service on a watch

howdy
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It's a sincere RFP. AI helped define the key things that typically get lubed. They are conversation points. It's a watch I've had on my wrist since I bought it. I am looking for someone to lube it for a fee, that he gets to quote. I'm the guy paying, seems I should get to look for a defined scope. Thanks for the feedback (even the riducle). I'm not asking him to count minutes, just do the work over a month or so or whatever timeframe he says and get paid the fixed price (I understand the watch might take consecutive days to finish). I think it takes about 60 seconds to read the request. The only response needed is to quote a price. The "report" could be a five minute phone call of his findings. Anyways I'll plan to make it read a little better and send it to some watchmakers who might want to get paid to do some work on the watch.
 
Gubbo
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Just cause you have access to an LLM, doesn't mean you have to use an LLM. In fact, don't use the LLM
 
Scarecrow Boat
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howdy howdy
I think it takes about 60 seconds to read the request.
And even less time than that for them to trash it.

That request is the fastest way you’ll get a watchmaker to ignore you. Good luck.
 
padders
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Hi Howdy.
howdy howdy
It's a sincere RFP. AI helped define the key things that typically get lubed. They are conversation points. It's a watch I've had on my wrist since I bought it. I am looking for someone to lube it for a fee, that he gets to quote. I'm the guy paying, seems I should get to look for a defined scope. Thanks for the feedback (even the riducle). I'm not asking him to count minutes, just do the work over a month or so or whatever timeframe he says and get paid the fixed price (I understand the watch might take consecutive days to finish). I think it takes about 60 seconds to read the request. The only response needed is to quote a price. The "report" could be a five minute phone call of his findings. Anyways I'll plan to make it read a little better and send it to some watchmakers who might want to get paid to do some work on the watch.
Keep going as you are and enjoy your ban. Either engage like a human or jog on.
 
Archer
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howdy howdy
I plan to send out this request for proposal to three US based watchmakers. Any feedback from the Omega community on this scope? The idea is to define a basic and functional lube service at a price. The watch seems to work fine, I want it lubed and assessed. Here is Perplexity AI's draft RFP
Request for Proposal: Omega Speedmaster 3211.30 Lubrication and Assessment Watch Specifications:
  • Model: Omega Speedmaster 3211.30.00
  • Movement: Automatic self-winding chronograph, Caliber 1164
  • Serial Number: 8583xxxx (2013 production)
  • Watch has never been serviced. It has been in use regularly and seems to work well, but also seems it could use some attention. Current Performance:
    • Time loss: 1-2 minutes per week
    • Power reserve: Keeps time for 36 hours after full wind
Scope of Work:
  1. Disassembly and Lubrication of Key Areas:
a) Balance Staff
  • Estimated time: 30 minutes
  • Steps: Remove balance wheel, clean pivots, apply Moebius 9010 to upper and lower jewels
b) Escape Wheel
  • Estimated time: 45 minutes
  • Steps: Remove escape wheel, clean thoroughly, apply Moebius 9010 to pivots
c) Mainspring Barrel
  • Estimated time: 60 minutes
  • Steps: Disassemble barrel, clean mainspring, apply Moebius HP 1300 to barrel arbor
d) Automatic Winding Mechanism
  • Estimated time: 45 minutes
  • Steps: Disassemble rotor, clean reversing wheels, apply Moebius HP 1300 to gear teeth and pivots
  1. Assessment and Documentation:
  • Estimated time: 30 minutes
  • Perform a thorough examination of all movement components
  • Provide a written report detailing:
    • Condition of gear teeth, pivots, and jewels
    • State of mainspring
    • Any signs of wear or damage to chronograph components
    • Recommendations for additional servicing or parts replacement, if necessary
  1. Reassembly and Testing:
  • Estimated time: 60 minutes
  • Carefully reassemble the movement
  • Conduct timing tests and adjust as needed
  • Verify power reserve and chronograph functions
Total Estimated Technician Time: 4.5 hours Please provide a fixed price quote for the entire scope of work as outlined above. Your quote should include all labor, materials, and any additional fees. While we have provided time estimates, we understand that actual time may vary based on your professional assessment. We kindly request that you confirm your status as an Omega-qualified watchmaker in your response. Please also indicate your earliest availability to perform this service and an estimated turnaround time.Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your quote and any additional insights you may have regarding the limited scope servicing of this treasured Omega Speedmaster.
This is best email I've ever read to clearly tell a watchmaker that he doesn't want you as a customer.
 
howdy
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Omarrye - I fix my own cars (which are older than my Speedmaster) generally. When it goes to the shop, car repair industry has spec of potential jobs performed, and time guidelines. I do shop around for where I spend my money. I'll agree with the feedback this could be rewritten and simplified to make it sound less like an RFP and more like a dialog. The idea is to ask for a lub and see who wants to do the work. Maybe nobody, but to just send if off and pay $1000 plus, the watch (which works fine) is not worth much more than that. Open to feeback, and not deterred by the riducule.
 
howdy
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Archer, I'm fine for all the watchmakers who don't need another customer. I only need one who wants my money and future relationship. But yeah I could rewrite it to soften a bit before sending.
 
YY77
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howdy howdy
Omarrye - I fix my own cars (which are older than my Speedmaster) generally. When it goes to the shop, car repair industry has spec of potential jobs performed, and time guidelines. I do shop around for where I spend my money. I'll agree with the feedback this could be rewritten and simplified to make it sound less like an RFP and more like a dialog. The idea is to ask for a lub and see who wants to do the work. Maybe nobody, but to just send if off and pay $1000 plus, the watch (which works fine) is not worth much more than that. Open to feeback, and not deterred by the riducule.
it's an 11+ year watch, how do you possibly know it only needs a lube?

Mechanical watches come with periodic services, don't embarass yourself and just ask for a complete service and the associated price.
 
howdy
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Dan, if it takes just a few hours, seems a watchmaker would know exactly what to do and quote a price. And he would get the work, and get paid. I'll agree this is perhaps unconventional, but seems this list if helpful for a mutual understanding of what work I am to pay for.
 
Gubbo
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Sadly I've moved from wanting to believe it is just the most delusional person ever, to acknowledging it is a troll.

Oh well
 
howdy
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yy77 - I think we can all agree it at least needs a lube. Also I know it works as is. Aint broke, don't fix it, so we say in Texas. The idea is to lube it for a price. Put it back together, it should still work. If there are some parts that are worn out I'm open to paying more once discovered. Of course I don't know what parts are broken, if any, if they can even be replaced.
 
howdy
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Gubbo, thx for the feedback. I too feel a bit trolled lol.
 
dsio
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howdy howdy
Omarrye - I fix my own cars (which are older than my Speedmaster) generally. When it goes to the shop, car repair industry has spec of potential jobs performed, and time guidelines. I do shop around for where I spend my money. I'll agree with the feedback this could be rewritten and simplified to make it sound less like an RFP and more like a dialog. The idea is to ask for a lub and see who wants to do the work. Maybe nobody, but to just send if off and pay $1000 plus, the watch (which works fine) is not worth much more than that. Open to feeback, and not deterred by the riducule.
Best suggestion would be to just ask for a standard full service on that watch, it’s a common enough piece with a rather trouble-free movement. I would have asked around here for recommendations on a good independent watchmaker in your area as someone could have pointed you in the right direction. No good watchmaker will do part repairs, it’s not worth it to them so you’re just looking for a standard service, which tends to be a base price plus X amount for parts at an independent.

Trying to micro-manage it to get the price down and saying I want this, this and thus lubed with this but nothing else and that sort of thing will just make the sensible ones say no. There is a shortage of good independent watchmakers at the moment, they all typically have a full schedule and a waiting list so they can afford to say no to weird requests. You’ll probably get a yes from someone who isn’t very good if you look hard enough.
 
howdy
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yy77, not sure what embarassment has to do with anything. I'm just a guy about to shell out hundreds of dollars. Looking to define the work before I go down this path.
 
howdy
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Thanks dsio. I tend to agree. I think I can soften this and perhaps use it as conversation points. I am in dialog with one guy who was reco on the forum, who seemed open to working with me on an affordable approach.
 
howdy
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Dsio, I can send it anywhere in US. What do you think is a fair market price for full service on this common watch (not incl parts)? I'm not in a rush.
 
Archer
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howdy howdy
Archer, I'm fine for all the watchmakers who don't need another customer. I only need one who wants my money and future relationship. But yeah I could rewrite it to soften a bit before sending.
The thing is, no watchmaker is in need of another customer, at least not one that you would want to service your watches. The good ones are all swamped with work, and they don't have time to deal with an email like your proposal. I turn away more watches than I agree to service, and that is not just me - every watchmaker I know is buried in work.

I'm all for people having a conversation with the watchmaker they plan to use, to fully understand the scope of the work - I've been saying that for years. But the way you are approaching this is to basically tell the watchmaker how to do their job, rather than asking them what is included in their service, and then having a discussion on the details.

Dictating times and specifics like you have is very different than having a discussion and coming to an agreement on the scope of work to be done. This is simply the wrong approach to get the outcome you are after.
 
bsowers34
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Archer Archer
This is best email I've ever read to clearly tell a watchmaker that he doesn't want you as a customer.
The expert speaks out for all of us.
 
howdy
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Banned, padders? If this sincere dialog is to get me banned, so be it. Ban away
 
howdy
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bsowers - thanks for the feedback. I think I got what you experts are saying: shut up and pay the watch makers, let them do what they normally do, even if it is a bit vague.
 
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