Help with a 351 based Omega from 1950

DON

Throwing out statements like ‘that’s too expensive!’ makes people think twice, get other quotes and prevents them being taken advantage of.

Dan S

Each watchmaker, or watch repair enterprise, chooses their own way to quote prices, I suppose, but transparency is important to me personally. A large service center will sometimes give a firm quote, while independent watchmakers will often have a "base" price, and add on costs beyond the base services once they know what is required. The second approach is my preference with a trusted watchmaker, since I understand the process well enough to take the additional costs in stride when they happen ... you win some, you lose some. If a watchmaker tells me that the base price for a service is $X, and additional parts or service will be based on a menu of charges for different services, or by time and materials, I would be happy with that, because he has transparently explained how he determines what he will charge. Setting expectations is important.

Obviously, the information we are getting from the OP is secondhand, but he seems to suggest that a watch repair shop gave him a vague estimate of "$800-$1000 or more". If that's really what they said, honestly I don't think I would be happy with that, because I have no idea what to expect, or how the charges will be determined.

Dan S

Weirdest typos of the week.

GrouchoM

The OP (me) was told, without asking, that there is a $100 diagnostic fee and it's rolled into to final bill if the work is performed. However, I shouldn't be surprised if it cost $800-$1000, or more, as that's typical for these.