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JLC reverso servicing?

Dug
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Hi folks
Been offered a JLC reverso, one of my 'grail' watches, but it is apparently losing about 15 seconds a day so will definitely need a service, especially so as it is nice otherwise and will be a keeper.
Just wondering if anyone has any idea on rough servicing cost, and if there is anyone reliable other than JLC? (in the UK).
Many thanks in anticipation.
Doug
Edited:
 
gbesq
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The servicing cost from JLC will be quite steep. If I’m not mistaken, there is a calculator on JLC’s website that you can use to estimate JLC’s servicing charge. I would use that to get a rough estimate and then wait and see what recommendations for independent watchmakers you receive from other UK members. Then do some comparison shopping .
 
Larry S
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gbesq gbesq
The servicing cost from JLC will be quite steep. If I’m not mistaken, there is a calculator on JLC’s website that you can use to estimate JLC’s servicing charge. I would use that to get a rough estimate and then wait and see what recommendations for independent watchmakers you receive from other UK members. Then do some comparison shopping .
The Reverso is a complex watch. Personally I’d trust an AD to take proper care of it.
 
Evitzee
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I had my wife's Gran' Sport automatic Reverso serviced last year in the US because it hadn't been done since she first got it in 2001 (hadn't worn it in a few years). Calculated the price on their website ($650), called them up and they sent a prepaid FedEx kit to send the watch to them. All very easy, and the watch was returned in about three months per the original estimate. The case and clasp were pretty scratched up and they did a light polish on it. So overall very satisified with the results. A standard JLC movement isn't that complicated but working on the Reverso case takes a little bit of knowledge. Unless your independent guy has worked on Reversos and their case work I would just let JLC do it. I don't see the need to cheap out on a service.
 
Dug
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Evitzee Evitzee
I had my wife's Gran' Sport automatic Reverso serviced last year in the US because it hadn't been done since she first got it in 2001 (hadn't worn it in a few years). Calculated the price on their website ($650), called them up and they sent a prepaid FedEx kit to send the watch to them. All very easy, and the watch was returned in about three months per the original estimate. The case and clasp were pretty scratched up and they did a light polish on it. So overall very satisified with the results. A standard JLC movement isn't that complicated but working on the Reverso case takes a little bit of knowledge. Unless your independent guy has worked on Reversos and their case work I would just let JLC do it. I don't see the need to cheap out on a service.
Sounds like good advice, thanks. Tried the JLC site, which quoted £570 for a straight service, without any extras. Backed by a two year guarantee, so not really over the top I guess. They also offer polishing, which I know is anathema for vintage Omega purists, so would be a decision to make as it has a few scratches, albeit light.
 
padders
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That’s better than I would have expected. I personally like a dress watch to look mint so mine was polished, but when JLC polish a watch it looks factory so there isn’t much downside. I’ve heard horror stories about third party polishes. I am assuming yours is a recent Reverso. I wouldn’t polish a vintage example.

C3F21A2F-036C-4D1B-B12E-957870E609F8.jpeg
 
K
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I used Brendan Hoey in Torquay (https://www.webwatchmaker.co.uk/) last year to service my triple date Master Calendar. I'd seen him recommended on other forums and he's previously worked for Jaeger LeCoultre, so knows the brand. I was happy with the result.
 
DaveK
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padders padders
That’s better than I would have expected. I personally like a dress watch to look mint so mine was polished, but when JLC polish a watch it looks factory so there isn’t much downside. I’ve heard horror stories about third party polishes. I am assuming yours is a recent Reverso. I wouldn’t polish a vintage example.

C3F21A2F-036C-4D1B-B12E-957870E609F8.jpeg

I saw a video of JLC using special jigs to polish the Reverso case. Maybe everyone does this, but it seemed like a solid way to keep all the edges looking factory fresh while buffing out scratches
 
Larry S
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Dug Dug
Sounds like good advice, thanks. Tried the JLC site, which quoted £570 for a straight service, without any extras. Backed by a two year guarantee, so not really over the top I guess. They also offer polishing, which I know is anathema for vintage Omega purists, so would be a decision to make as it has a few scratches, albeit light.
These are scratch magnets. I have polished mine, veeeeeeeery carefully with success. I posted a thread on it. $570 aint bad.
 
Dug
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padders padders
That’s better than I would have expected. I personally like a dress watch to look mint so mine was polished, but when JLC polish a watch it looks factory so there isn’t much downside. I’ve heard horror stories about third party polishes. I am assuming yours is a recent Reverso. I wouldn’t polish a vintage example.

C3F21A2F-036C-4D1B-B12E-957870E609F8.jpeg
It's a 1990s one...haven't had the serial number yet, so not got the specific year. Guessing that's borderline vintage.
 
padders
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Not really, mine is from around '95 in fact, I consider that pretty modern for something that's been in production in one form or another since the early 1930s!
 
Dug
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DaveK DaveK
I saw a video of JLC using special jigs to polish the Reverso case. Maybe everyone does this, but it seemed like a solid way to keep all the edges looking factory fresh while buffing out scratches
Seems totally logical that this is the only way to preserve the alignment of the facets and the edge sharpness, but the jigs are probably out of the reach of freelance watchmakers....restricted to doing their best freehand.
 
Evitzee
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Dug Dug
It's a 1990s one...haven't had the serial number yet, so not got the specific year. Guessing that's borderline vintage.
It's pretty easy to determine whether a Reverso is vintage or not: anything >1991 is modern. That's when JLC came out with the Grand Taille size in a much improved case, cases prior to that time were NOS from an earlier time and were, frankly, pretty rickety.
 
Dug
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Well guys, have taken the plunge, it's promised to be shipped out tomorrow......eagerly anticipating!
Based on the brilliant advice here, thank you all, I'll go for a JLC service and possibly a polish.
Will report back of course, with photos.
 
YY77
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Dug Dug
Well guys, have taken the plunge, it's promised to be shipped out tomorrow......eagerly anticipating!
Based on the brilliant advice here, thank you all, I'll go for a JLC service and possibly a polish.
Will report back of course, with photos.
Make sure to take before pics so we can compare how good the polishing turns out.
 
Dug
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YY77 YY77
Make sure to take before pics so we can compare how good the polishing turns out.
Will do.
 
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