Forums Latest Members

Any experience with Grand Central Watch in NYC?

  1. Nathanwatch Mar 17, 2021

    Posts
    9
    Likes
    1
    First post here, thanks for all the help in advance!

    I recently acquired a Speedmaster ref. 3592.50, with tritium dial, sapphire display case back, and the gilt cal. 863 movement. The watch is currently running about 1 minute/60sec faster per day, so I would like to get it serviced. I have searched the forum for the best watchmaker in NYC and there weren't any definitive answers. Since Grand Central watch is the closest, I am planning to get my service there.

    Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with them? I hope they don't clean up my dial patina or change any original gears without my consent.
     
  2. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Mar 17, 2021

    Posts
    12,469
    Likes
    49,503
    Baltic uses them for US Service Center. They repaired my BiCompax quickly and correctly. They kept me in the loop the whole time. I was pleased.
     
    sonicosa and Nathanwatch like this.
  3. TDBK Mar 17, 2021

    Posts
    578
    Likes
    1,799
    They serviced my mid-80's 345.0808 Speedmaster well, no complaints other than the cost. They are familiar with collector concerns (I know they do a lot of work for people associated with Hodinkee), so they're unlikely to ignore your "no polish" instructions.
     
    Nathanwatch likes this.
  4. Nathanwatch Mar 19, 2021

    Posts
    9
    Likes
    1
    Thank you!
     
  5. Nathanwatch Mar 19, 2021

    Posts
    9
    Likes
    1
    Sounds good I’ll give them a try then. Would you be comfortable sharing how much they charge for the service?
     
  6. TDBK Mar 19, 2021

    Posts
    578
    Likes
    1,799
    $925, this was in 2018.
     
  7. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Mar 19, 2021

    Posts
    12,469
    Likes
    49,503
    Mine was warranty so I don’t know.
     
    Nathanwatch likes this.
  8. Nathanwatch Mar 19, 2021

    Posts
    9
    Likes
    1
    Oof that is pretty expensive. I was thinking around the $750 range
     
  9. Dan S Mar 19, 2021

    Posts
    18,603
    Likes
    42,874
    Only bad experience unfortunately.
     
  10. Nathanwatch Mar 19, 2021

    Posts
    9
    Likes
    1
    I’m sorry to hear that! Could you elaborate what went wrong?
     
  11. sonicosa Mar 19, 2021

    Posts
    922
    Likes
    2,100
    Same here, I travel to NY for work regularly (or did, pre-pandemic), so I was able to drop off / pick up my BiCompax. My experience was great, the watches for sale in their display cases weren't outrageously priced considering a usual dealer markup and what I'd assume is a top of the line service included. As an example, they had a couple Croton CASDs in very good condition for $2,500.

    All that said, based on where their service prices start (I think vintage starts at $600?), I'll probably stick with the watchmakers I've been going to in Virginia.
     
  12. Dan S Mar 19, 2021

    Posts
    18,603
    Likes
    42,874
    A poor job of servicing a high-end watch. My impression is that they are pretty inconsistent, and it's not the place that most collectors would choose to take a watch. A high-throughput shop with mixed quality of work. But if you don't have other options, hopefully you will get lucky with them. TBH, there are many threads where people ask for recommendations in NYC, and while there are several typically mentioned, people seem to have mixed experiences with all of them.
     
    Nathanwatch and Larry S like this.
  13. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Mar 19, 2021

    Posts
    12,469
    Likes
    49,503
    Agree @Dan S ... May be the best bet in a tough market. This I have gleaned from discussions over the years.
     
    Nathanwatch likes this.
  14. timoss Mar 19, 2021

    Posts
    947
    Likes
    1,445
    Their prices are pretty insane, and in my experience they won’t do anything but a full breakdown service, which is annoying if you want something less complete.
     
  15. DSotW Mar 20, 2021

    Posts
    129
    Likes
    141
    Omega offers a complete service for CHF 750 : https://www.omegawatches.com/custom...s-and-prices/main-steps-of-a-complete-service

    Pricing here: https://www.omegawatches.com/customer-service/interventions-and-prices/price-information

    I can't see the page in USD though. So it might be more where you are?

    Be warned though, read the details carefully, as I do not think you can ask the to customize the service, it: they will polish the watch and replace anything that looks worn or they think needs replacing.

    That being said, I had excellent service from them recently as the Boutique was not able to install a bracelet on my Speedy, so they sent it to Biel/Bienne.
     
    Nathanwatch likes this.
  16. dsacks30 Mar 20, 2021

    Posts
    230
    Likes
    589
    I brought a vintage Breitling to them and they quoted me an astronomical number. I then sent the watch to the top Breitling specialist in Pennsylvania and he did an amazing, thorough job for under half of what I was quoted by Grand Central. The annoying thing about Grand Central is they charge you to evaluate your watch, and that fee goes toward the service but if you don’t go with them they keep that fee.
     
  17. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Mar 20, 2021

    Posts
    26,342
    Likes
    65,045
    That is a pretty standard thing in the industry. It takes time to perform a proper evaluation, and generate a quote.
     
  18. dsacks30 Mar 20, 2021

    Posts
    230
    Likes
    589
    Ok I haven’t experienced that elsewhere but understood.
     
  19. Nathanwatch Mar 20, 2021

    Posts
    9
    Likes
    1
    That’s the thing. If my speedy was semi-modern, I’d send it to Omega without a doubt. I heard many stories of omega replacing vintage parts with new ones and over polish the watches even the owner said not to... it’s catch 22.
     
  20. Nathanwatch Mar 20, 2021

    Posts
    9
    Likes
    1
    @Archer are you still in the business of watchmaking? If so, take my speedy please lol
     
    Edited Mar 21, 2021