So I got around to timing my Cal 565 Geneve Admiralty by leaving it at my desk for 40 hours, and it timed at +1 second for that timeframe. The service history of the watch is unknown.

When my watchmaker opened the watch past Saturday, he stated that the watch should be serviced as the "insides look sticky" (not really sure what he meant). But if that's the case, wouldn't the watch be running slow?

My question is, is service warranted for a vintage watch if it is keeping good time? I'm a relative newbie to this so I'd appreciate some second opinions.

 

Do you only change the oil in your car when the engine starts knocking?
If you value the timepiece, think of servicing it as an investment or as a sign of respect for the craftsmanship.
If it's going to be used, treat it like you would a good woman...........service it regularly !!

 

Thanks guys. I think part of the issue is that I don't quite fully trust my watchmaker yet. This was the same watchmaker who took 3 tries to fix a jittery sweep second hand on a Cal 550 I once owned. He also told me that the second hand for my Admiralty does not exist, which is why I had to order it through Archer's help. So when he tells me that I need to service my watch for $300+ parts, and I go home and time the watch at +1 over 40 hours, my immediate reaction is doubt.

 

Now we are getting to the roots of the problem.
Dr. Freud would question your service inquiry and ask if you were not, in fact, voicing a reluctance to expose yourself to your watchmaker !!
Much of what this forum is about centers around having to expose yourself to strangers and those who wish to do evil.
Search for peace with your choice of watchmakers and all will be well.

 

I see my inquiry as not being different from someone going to multiple doctors for 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinions on a condition. But I thank you for your analysis of my psyche! Not many places where one can get psychology and horology advice at the same time.

 

Hmmmm... sticky your movement is
Service it you must

 

We do Proctology also, through ebay transactions.

 

Speak for yourself.


The movement could have gummed up / dried up oil and a layman wouldn't know, and a mainspring might be powerful enough to drive the gear train despite the poor lubrication.

 

Timekeeping is not a reliable indicator of the need for service. I have opened up watches that kept time very well when I checked them on my timing machine, only to find a mess inside.

I'm not sure what your watchmaker means when he said the movement looked "sticky" but if you don't trust him, find someone you do trust.

As an aside, I always chuckle when people think watchmakers are trying to get business from them. While I'm sure there are some cases where this is true, most watchmakers I know are so busy they certainly don't need to lie to people to get enough work. If you are good at what you do, you will be so swamped you won't need to lie to keep busy!

Cheers, Al

 

This is exactly the answer that I needed. Thanks Al.

 

Having said all of that, $300 seems an awful lot for a service. Here in the UK one could expect to get it done for $150 if it is just a clean and lubrication.

 

I had a guy here in Chicago try to charge me $950.00 for a service and some minor repairs (replacing auto gear, set bridge and timing washers)

He told me his normal fee for service was $450 on manual wind and $800 for automatics...

 

In what currency?

 

My rule of buying is that if the seller says it has been serviced; it hasn't been unless there is an invoice to prove it. Now I know that shoots me in the foot with most of my watches (because I service most of them myself) but there again, I don't sell them because I like collecting watch storage boxes.

Since one of my two trusted watchmakers butchered a NOS 1960s Zenith - allegedly a temporary replacement whilst the regular watchmaker was on holiday - I am down to one and he is reputed to be the best independent in the UK (with a backlog to match his reputation) I guess what I am saying is that for £150 you could get a good service or a wreck. Personally, I'd rather pay £200 - 250 and get a guaranteed result.

 

US dollars...This is why I'm going to talk to Archer (Al)