Is this normal practice? Asking the watchmakers in here. Archer?

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Tigeranteater

·Nov 2, 2019

So I sent my Rolex 1503 to the watchmaker for service and he normally sends me back a pictorial review of the service. BUT in the pictures was this one picture. This seems to me like working on an expensive Lamborghini and stacking the parts on the hood before putting it back together. Is it normal practice to place the hands on the dial when servicing the movement? I’m praying my dial isn’t scratched. I don’t have it back from service yet. I would really value Archer or others opinions and practice of what they do during service.

Edited: Nov 2, 2019

 

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Traveler

·Nov 2, 2019

Yikes! I don’t like the look of that - fingers crossed

 

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SpeedyPhill

·Nov 2, 2019

Don't they usually slide a thin plastic under the hands to remove these together ? 👎
Edit: video added... check at 3:25
.

Edited: Nov 2, 2019

 

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Tigeranteater

·Nov 2, 2019

SpeedyPhill

Don't they usually slide a thin plastic under the hands to remove these together ? 👎
Edit: video added... check at 3:25
.

Great video. I’m terrified about my watch now! Crap I need a drink.

 

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S.H.

·Nov 2, 2019

It is probably not scratched, but that is asking for trouble indeed...

 

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Canuck

·Nov 2, 2019

I would suggest this would not be standard practice, but done only for the purposes of the picture. If the watchmaker was capable of totally dismantling the watch and re-assembling it again without damaging anything, the likelihood of damage to the dial would be negligible.

 

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ConElPueblo

·Nov 2, 2019

Agree with @Canuck. Also, unless pressure was applied, those feather light hands won't scratch anything.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Nov 2, 2019

I don’t think you ever want too see how the sausage is made.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Nov 2, 2019

Years ago I brought my M5 into the shop for front end work- needed thrust arm bushing. The bolts were rusted on and I stupidly watched as they heated them with a torch (melted rubber dripping off) then whacked away with a mallet- I almost ran over crying yelling STOP!!! But they got them off with absolutely no damage done. I don’t watch them anymore.

 

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SpeedTar

·Nov 2, 2019

I personally never do that even if there is very few chances that the dial be scratched but it increase the same probability when you use your tweezers to manipulate them...

 

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southtexas

·Nov 3, 2019

Just wholly unnecessary. Zero reason to do that. I’d find a new watchmaker based on that one pic alone. There are PLENTY of fish in the sea.

 

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Walrus

·Nov 3, 2019

southtexas

Just wholly unnecessary. Zero reason to do that. I’d find a new watchmaker based on that one pic alone. There are PLENTY of fish in the sea.

I’d say the problem could arise when he picks up the hands with tweezers, although maybe he just turns it and they slide off. Still I have an older seamaster that acquired dings on the dial which looks like it could have happened by removal of the hands during service over the years. Why even take a chance.

 

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kingsrider

·Nov 3, 2019

When you see a dial with scratches and you ask yourself how would that ever be possible? I think the answer just revealed itself.

 

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Radiumpassion

·Nov 3, 2019

If it was a glossy dial he would be in trouble😲

 

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KingCrouchy

·Nov 4, 2019

I never saw a Watchmaker do anything like that, and wouldn't be pleased, even if the risk to scratch the dial is pretty low.

 

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mrs_LA

·Nov 4, 2019

That picture makes me nervous. I don't think this is standard practice at all...

 

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Deafboy

·Nov 5, 2019·His Holiness Puer Surdus

JwRosenthal

I don’t think you ever want too see how the sausage is made.

or orthopedic surgery...

 

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Yak1

·Nov 5, 2019

Deafboy

or orthopedic surgery...

So true. Electric saws and drills. Hammers. On bone.

 

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Tigeranteater

·Nov 5, 2019

Yak1

So true. Electric saws and drills. Hammers. On bone.

And they pretty much use standard power tools like you get at Home Depot.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Nov 5, 2019

Yak1

So true. Electric saws and drills. Hammers. On bone.

Ugh!! Change the topic!!!
sooo.....soap..