Do I need to get my Vintage Watch serviced right away?

Davidt · Jun 24, 2022

If it’s a watch I plan on wearing regularly, or a valuable watch, I’ll get it serviced unless the seller has evidence it has already been done recently and to a good standard.
If it’s a watch I’m unsure of, which May or may not stay in my collection, I will sometimes wait to get it serviced if it’s running ok in case I decide it’s not for me.

gbesq · Jun 24, 2022

Unless you have paperwork showing when the watch was last serviced and what was done, get it serviced by a competent watchmaker who has experience with vintage Omega and access to parts.

savka · Jun 24, 2022

I had a vintage watch with some rotor rub. It was keeping amazing time (+3 sec/day) and had great amplitude (~280 degrees). One watchmaker said no service needed but I wasn’t comfortable knowing about the wear and opted to have it serviced anyway (by another watchmaker I trust more).

johnireland · Jun 24, 2022

You haven't even seen it in person or strapped it on your wrist. Slow down, take deep breaths. Wear it daily for a couple of weeks and keep a log of how much it gains or loses each day while on your wrist, and how much it gains or loses each night while resting on your night stand. Change the position you rest it in each night...face up, face down, on its side crown up, on its side crown down, standing on its feet (6) standing on its head (12). As I said, give yourself a couple of weeks...( seriously doubt you'll destroy the watch wearing it for two weeks)...then if/when you have found the watchmaker you want to take it to, you'll be able to give them a series of statistics that they can add to their information about the watch and how it is running. You just bought...so start off by enjoying it and learning about it.

johnireland · Jun 24, 2022

Also there is a very inexpensive little tool that will help you wind the watch...the crown on these Constellations is very hard to grip. Watch crown winding tool | OMEGA® (omegawatches.com)

Archer · Jun 25, 2022

johnireland
You haven't even seen it in person or strapped it on your wrist. Slow down, take deep breaths. Wear it daily for a couple of weeks and keep a log of how much it gains or loses each day while on your wrist, and how much it gains or loses each night while resting on your night stand. Change the position you rest it in each night...face up, face down, on its side crown up, on its side crown down, standing on its feet (6) standing on its head (12). As I said, give yourself a couple of weeks...( seriously doubt you'll destroy the watch wearing it for two weeks)...then if/when you have found the watchmaker you want to take it to, you'll be able to give them a series of statistics that they can add to their information about the watch and how it is running. You just bought...so start off by enjoying it and learning about it.

Watchmakers don't need this information on timing. They can determine that in a couple of minutes using the timing machine.

Danwales · Jun 25, 2022

Personally I think you will know when you get it. If it winds nice and smoothly and all functions work and also if the power reserve is what it should be then I let mine go without. If not i would get it serviced.

Archer · Jun 25, 2022

Tas3689
I plan on wearing this one, the whole fun for me is wearing the watches. I may try to baby it a little and be extra careful with it around water, but I see myself wearing this one a lot if it looks like it does in the pictures.

Then you need to get it serviced. No need for any pore-servicing tests in different positions or anything like that. The watchmaker won't need that information - they can test it in a couple of minutes on a timing machine.

There are risks to not servicing it - wear on the movement parts, and that rotor scraping the inside of the case back with not only wear the case back more, but the debris from that wear will get all through the movement.

There's really no debate here if you plan to wear this regularly.

Dan S · Jun 25, 2022

Archer
Watchmakers don't need this information on timing. They can determine that in a couple of minutes using the timing machine.

Do you even bother to check the timing before performing a full service? I’m not sure I see the point, except maybe for curiosity.

Archer · Jun 25, 2022

Dan S
Do you even bother to check the timing before performing a full service? I’m not sure I see the point, except maybe for curiosity.

I do, mostly for a before/after comparison. But looking at it on a timing machine can be useful for seeing some things that might need to be corrected. If for example I see a large difference in balance amplitude from dial up to dial down, it may indicate a worn balance staff pivot.

However, owner observed timing results are pretty much useless if the watch is getting a full service.

johnireland · Jun 25, 2022

Archer
Watchmakers don't need this information on timing. They can determine that in a couple of minutes using the timing machine.

The new owner needs this information so that he can make an intelligent decision based on first hand experience and not just on a bunch of us giving our opinions.

Archer · Jun 25, 2022

johnireland
The new owner needs this information so that he can make an intelligent decision based on first hand experience and not just on a bunch of us giving our opinions.

What do you believe the specific information you've suggested he gather is going to tell him?

johnireland · Jun 25, 2022

Archer
What do you believe the specific information you've suggested he gather is going to tell him?

How his watch is running?

gatsuk · Jun 25, 2022

There’s an old addage “if it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it”, or something of the sort.

The problem is in identifying if it’s broken or not, unless it’s pretty obvious like not keeping time, etc.
But i’ve personally seen movements keeping excellent time but with very minor issues that, over time might become major.

So my take is this, once you receive your watch, strap it on and wear it for a few days.
Be keen on observing any slight issue that it may have, most common is probably a hard tug on the crown when you try to set the time or grainier/rougher manual winding or clunky rotors. Any of the above is a sure candidate for full servicing.

As for where you want it serviced is entirely up to you. Do a bit of research and see if there’s anyone in your local vicinty who can do a decent job. The forums is an excellent source of information for these kind of things.

I hope that helps.

P.S. the watch is gorgeous by the way.

Archer · Jun 25, 2022

johnireland
How his watch is running?

That often has little bearing on if the watch is in need of servicing, but this is a common misconception amongst collectors.

A watch can be running perfectly fine in terms of function and timekeeping, and be completely devoid of any oils.

If my watch keeps time well, does that mean it doesn't need service? | Omega Forums

By the time a problem shows up, the wear has already happened. Waiting for a problem to appear can make sense with a modern watch that you will take to the brand (they charge the same no matter what parts are replaced), but on a vintage watch it can have fairly major impacts on the price you will pay for servicing with your local watchmaker.

Basing the need for servicing on how the watch is running, is actually not very good advice.

SkunkPrince · Jun 25, 2022

Archer
Basing the need for servicing on how the watch is running, is actually not very good advice.

I don't see how you can make any kind of evaluation without getting a watchmaker involved for a watch you just bought. When I received the KO 14363, a hooded lug Seamaster, I asked mine to look at it and tell me. He said, oil in the pivots, wear it.

Total charge? Zippo.

When he's back to taking side jobs in the fall, I'll probably get it serviced. But you make these relationships for a reason and trust the professionals to give you good information. These guys train for a long time, get certified, and that costs them a lot of time and money, not to mention the equipment. So, if you're wondering whether your watch needs service? Ask!

In my own personal case, I only personally judge a watch needs service by when it runs at a different rate and degaussing doesn't change it. Then you let the expert take over and tell you what you need to do.

So, in short, as I mentioned above... when you get a new-to-you watch, bring it to your watchmaker, and then do what is recommended, instead of finding excuses not to.

Engee · Jun 25, 2022

i just don’t see the point in spending good money on a vintage watch without a known recent service history and not spending the couple or three hundred £/$/€ having a competent watchmaker give it a clean, new oils and rebuild. Once done you can wear the watch knowing it’s not being damaged every time it ticks.

A cheap beater, sure. But something like the OP watch, nah. Factor in the cost of the service when you buy the piece. Not bothering to keep a decent watch in good mechanical condition is a false economy.

SkunkPrince · Jun 25, 2022

Engee
i just don’t see the point in spending good money on a vintage watch without a known recent service history

Many of us trust our watchmakers and distrust others.

Tas3689 · Jun 25, 2022

Engee
i just don’t see the point in spending good money on a vintage watch without a known recent service history and not spending the couple or three hundred £/$/€ having a competent watchmaker give it a clean, new oils and rebuild. Once done you can wear the watch knowing it’s not being damaged every time it ticks.

A cheap beater, sure. But something like the OP watch, nah. Factor in the cost of the service when you buy the piece. Not bothering to keep a decent watch in good mechanical condition is a false economy.

I have never had to use a watch maker before, as this is my first vintage watch. I don’t have someone I trust, although based on the responses I planned on trying someone in West Palm Beach who was recommended on the forum.

I just worry that I will get a great condition vintage piece, and by making the wrong choice of watchmaker/not having any experience in knowing what to ask for besides “service”, that I will end ruining a good thing.

SkunkPrince · Jun 25, 2022

Tas3689
I have never had to use a watch maker before, as this is my first vintage watch. I don’t have someone I trust, although based on the responses I planned on trying someone in West Palm Beach who was recommended on the forum.

I just worry that I will get a great condition vintage piece, and by making the wrong choice of watchmaker/not having any experience in knowing what to ask for besides “service”, that I will end ruining a good thing.

That is a reasonable fear to have, and you are blameless for questioning. All you can do is your best, and you can share your apprehension with your watchmaker and ask if you can be educated along the way. Some will, some won't, but asking is free.

Do I need to get my Vintage Watch serviced right away?

Davidt

gbesq

savka

johnireland

johnireland

Archer

Danwales

Archer

Dan S

Archer

johnireland

Archer

johnireland

gatsuk

Archer

SkunkPrince

Engee

SkunkPrince

Tas3689

SkunkPrince

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