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Any experience with Grand Central Watch in NYC?

Nathanwatch
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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.
 
Larry S
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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.
 
TDBK
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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
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Larry S Larry S
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.
Thank you!
 
Nathanwatch
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TDBK TDBK
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.
Sounds good I’ll give them a try then. Would you be comfortable sharing how much they charge for the service?
 
Larry S
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Nathanwatch Nathanwatch
Sounds good I’ll give them a try then. Would you be comfortable sharing how much they charge for the service?
Mine was warranty so I don’t know.
 
Nathanwatch
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TDBK TDBK
$925, this was in 2018.
Oof that is pretty expensive. I was thinking around the $750 range
 
Nathanwatch
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Dan S Dan S
Only bad experience unfortunately.
I’m sorry to hear that! Could you elaborate what went wrong?
 
sonicosa
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Larry S Larry S
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.

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.
 
Dan S
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Nathanwatch Nathanwatch
I’m sorry to hear that! Could you elaborate what went wrong?

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.
 
Larry S
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Agree @Dan S ... May be the best bet in a tough market. This I have gleaned from discussions over the years.
 
timoss
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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.
 
DSotW
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Nathanwatch Nathanwatch
Oof that is pretty expensive. I was thinking around the $750 range

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.
 
dsacks30
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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.
 
Archer
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dsacks30 dsacks30
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.

That is a pretty standard thing in the industry. It takes time to perform a proper evaluation, and generate a quote.
 
dsacks30
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Archer Archer
That is a pretty standard thing in the industry. It takes time to perform a proper evaluation, and generate a quote.
Ok I haven’t experienced that elsewhere but understood.
 
Nathanwatch
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DSotW DSotW
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.
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.
 
Nathanwatch
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Archer Archer
That is a pretty standard thing in the industry. It takes time to perform a proper evaluation, and generate a quote.
@Archer are you still in the business of watchmaking? If so, take my speedy please lol
Edited:
 
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