Newbie looking for advice

Welltempered · Aug 24, 2023

After, about 40 yearss of not wearing a watch, due to working in careers where we were not allowed, for hygiene reasons, I am now considering a rather nice watch. Now I don't really need a watch, I like them more.

I have owned a couple of cheapish Timex, plus for my 16th birthday, I was given a Pulsar quartz, which still works. Now I am retired, I recently bought a 200 quid Citizen Eco-drive watch.

So, I am looking at watches and rather like the Omega De Ville range entry level-ish ones.

Without starting a Pandora's box/opening a can of worms, I know some people say pricey watches, in fact even cheaper ones only need servicing when they show signs of not working as expected.

Has anyone here ever damaged a watch through never having it serviced?

Also, my brother, his wife and their son own automatic Breitling and Tag Heur, plus quartz Tag Heur and never get them serviced.

Also, why are Tag not seen as a proper watch by some?

I would consider a new watch and also used, bought from a bricks and mortar authorised dealer.

With used, I can see the benefit of getting a nearly new watch at a great price, but is a risk of not getting parts if required an issue? Even on a 2 or 3 year old watch.

Advice please?

Thank you.

blufinz52 · Aug 24, 2023

I think you're over thinking it. Find a watch you like within your budget, buy it, wear it, enjoy it.

osterman · Aug 24, 2023

Agree with the previous post.
If I should name a watch, I would suggest a Seiko 5 for starting.
Or, if you like vintage, a nice Omega 265 or 266 from the '50s.

Aroxx · Aug 24, 2023

Eventually, running a watch for an extended period of time without service will start wearing down the internals in the mechanism due to lack of lubrication. If you send it to Omega for a service they will replace worn parts included in the service cost. If you use an independent watchmaker they will charge you for each part that needs to be replaced. So you could potentially run it into the ground and send to Omega when it has problems instead of the normal routine maintenance.

Buying used is a good way to save some coin. No problem getting parts through an Omega certified watchmaker if needed.

I couldn’t tell you why people hate on Tag.

gbesq · Aug 24, 2023

Aroxx
Eventually, running a watch for an extended period of time without service will start wearing down the internals in the mechanism due to lack of lubrication. If you send it to Omega for a service they will replace worn parts included in the service cost. If you use an independent watchmaker they will charge you for each part that needs to be replaced. So you could potentially run it into the ground and send to Omega when it has problems instead of the normal routine maintenance.

Buying used is a good way to save some coin. No problem getting parts through an Omega certified watchmaker if needed.

I couldn’t tell you why people hate on Tag.

Just my opinion, but Tag build quality isn't what it used to be. I certainly don't hate on the brand, but I wouldn't own a newer Tag. Older models are fine.

Annapolis · Aug 24, 2023

Re: Tag, I think there’s a perception out there that they’re mostly a fashion brand these days. To be clear, I don’t have a horse in this race—don’t own a Tag currently, don’t care what anyone thinks about them. But despite an undeniably impressive heritage, they may have gone too far down the quartz road for some luxury watch purists, and even though they do make some in-house movements now, my sense is that many still think of them as a brand that just makes trendy-looking cases to throw dressed-up ETA movements into. (To be fair, Omega is guilty of doing the same from time to time.) They’re not highly celebrated for innovations in watchmaking.

I did own a Tag quartz beater for a while—it was fine. Did not feel as well made or robust as an Omega, but it was a $1,000 watch, not a $6,000 one.

My personal take is that they make certain pieces that are really special and distinct, even if they hold no appeal for me—the Monaco or a few of the nicer Carreras. But much of their catalog consists of pieces designed to appeal to first-time “nice watch” buyers—the new college graduate crowd—who have heard of the brand, perhaps associating it with its yuppie heyday in the 90s. Most true watch-nerds probably wouldn’t be drawn to a Formula 1 or Aquaracer. It’s a brand that’s a relatively affordable entry-point to the hobby, and the secondary market is full of Tags being sold at a heavy loss by those now pursuing their first Omega or Rolex. (I don’t mean this with any snark or snobbery—I went through that exact process myself.)

Syrte · Aug 24, 2023

Service and maintenance are good questions because they can be expensive for some people- and they’re not going to get any cheaper. If you’re in the UK as it sounds, there may be independent watchmakers in smaller towns servicing hand wound watches for say the equivalent of about 120 euros.
A well done service typically lasts for about 5 to 7 years. That involves taking the watch apart entirely — and fixing damaged parts can get pretty intense.
In big cities prices can be considerably more expensive and automatic movements will be more expensive.

In that context:
- a quartz watch may be able to work for 30 or 40 years without needing service, whether you’re buying second hand or new.
-a vintage mechanical watch you will need to service regularly (every 5 to 7 years) if you’re planning on wearing it regularly.
- a modern mechanical watch, I suspect you’ll also have to service it at some point - other members should tell you more.

Most hard core watch enthusiasts prefer mechanical because they’re into those gear things, you don’t have to care.

Dan S · Aug 24, 2023

If you buy a new or modern pre-owned watch from a major manufacturer, there should be no problem having it serviced by the manufacturer for at least several decades to come. So I don't think that should be a major concern for you. That may not be true for some of the microbrands.

ExpiredWatchdog · Aug 25, 2023

Many people recommend running it until it dies, and then pay the piper with an Omega service; it won't cost you any more. Probably in the long run that's true but the thought of running a dry watch makes me retch.

Perhaps it's just me.

Syrte · Aug 25, 2023

ExpiredWatchdog
Many people recommend running it until it dies, and then pay the piper with an Omega service; it won't cost you any more.

Doesn’t an Omega service cost around 650 swiss francs or euros or dollars ? Or is that just for a factory service of a vintage watch?

hen · Aug 25, 2023

W Welltempered
So, I am looking at watches and rather like the Omega De Ville range entry level-ish ones.

With used, I can see the benefit of getting a nearly new watch at a great price, but is a risk of not getting parts if required an issue? Even on a 2 or 3 year old watch.

Advice please?

Thank you.

The De Ville range are beautiful dress watches and since you already have a Citizen it could be your beater for rougher activities.

Many older Omegas use standard ETA movements I don`t think there will be a parts shortage any time soon.

If I may make a recommendation The Globemaster is as beautiful as any dress watch and as rugged as a diver. Buy it used for a half price.

Constellation Globemaster Co-Axial Master Chronometer 39 mm - 130.30.39.21.03.001 | OMEGA® (omegawatches.com)

Or a Aqua Terra

Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Co-Axial Master Chronometer 41 mm - 220.10.41.21.02.001 | OMEGA® (omegawatches.com)

STANDY · Aug 25, 2023

Tag is a quite respectable watch. Thought of as a tier or two below Omega.

Tags are still a big brand in Australia and South east Asia.

Basically watches are like cars. They run better with frequent services.

Two questions to help you more.
What country are you in ?
What is your budget ?

But my advice without above is buy the watch you like from a Boutique and enjoy the warranty (usually 5 years nowadays) and guaranteed servicing for 25+ years.
(Starting down the rabbit hole of used is not for the feint hearted)

Gav1967 · Aug 25, 2023

W Welltempered
Has anyone here ever damaged a watch through never having it serviced?

Also, my brother, his wife and their son own automatic Breitling and Tag Heur, plus quartz Tag Heur and never get them serviced.

Also, why are Tag not seen as a proper watch by some?

I would consider a new watch and also used, bought from a bricks and mortar authorised dealer.

With used, I can see the benefit of getting a nearly new watch at a great price, but is a risk of not getting parts if required an issue? Even on a 2 or 3 year old watch.

Taking these points in order from my own opinion;-

- eventually over time watches develop faults or begin to run erratically. Inevitably there is a risk that continued use will "damage" the mechanism to some degree.
There are 2 schools of thought I guess. You either get the watch serviced at the recommended intervals regardless of how it is running or you wait for a problem to show and then get it serviced and risk that it might need parts etc. and this could cost more. I'm in the latter camp and have had some watches running for 20yrs or more before a service (and some considerably less!) Obviously I budget for the fact that when it does need a service it may cost a little more but IMHO (non scientific) it is more economical this way

- nothing wrong with Tag. They are lower mid range, reasonably priced and accessible. However I see them as "entry point drugs" which eventually lead to a very expensive habit. A lot of us (including me) started this hobby with a Tag and it pretty soon lead on to other things. 😀

- used watches from an AD is a good way to begin. It is less risky but you will pay a premium for this.
The risk of parts running out on nearly new watches shouldn't be much of a concern with bigger brands but be careful with start ups and micro brands.

Good luck and welcome.

YY77 · Aug 25, 2023

Syrte
Doesn’t an Omega service cost around 650 swiss francs or euros or dollars ? Or is that just for a factory service of a vintage watch?

Factory service starts at € 550 depending:

singlechange · Aug 29, 2023

Lots of good useful advice here. You are doing it the right way by asking your questions. Let us know what watch you select and post pictures too.

YY77 · Aug 30, 2023

A Arunski
Question? Does Omega consider Titanium watches precious metal or not when it comes to servicing Eg UltraDeep Ti?

My guess is non-precious based on the 1 asterisk.

Arunski · Aug 30, 2023

😟

YY77
My guess is non-precious based on the 1 asterisk.

🤦One should read the fine print before asking stupid question! Apologies

Newbie looking for advice

Welltempered

blufinz52

osterman

Aroxx

gbesq

Annapolis

Syrte

Dan S

ExpiredWatchdog

Syrte

hen

STANDY

Gav1967

YY77

singlechange

YY77

Arunski

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