Please be nicer to thread creators and members

kelsey · Jul 17, 2020

Another seperate point in being nice to each other.
Equally try not to be too sensitive, I mean that from the prospective there’s different cultures and languages here and even within the same language, so much can be lost in translation, you might be taking someone’s comment totally different to how they intended.

SkunkPrince · Jul 17, 2020

mr_yossarian
Dan..he also has a substantial History on this Forum, even though it's split over at least 3 banned profiles..and a fourth to come.

Since I have never been banned from this forum... I am not who you think I am.

Nobel Prize · Jul 17, 2020

out of curiosity I just went through the thread. It doesn't even feel like a thread that belongs to this forum, and I don't even recognize most of the people in it. weird.

SkunkPrince · Jul 17, 2020

Dan S mentioned servicing more than a hundred watches in a previous post. I can’t even conceive of that number being owned by me, much less wearing that many.

Also mentioned something about price not correlating with quality. I sure learned that lesson over the years. Like the very expensive CMW who melted a stainless case taking the pits out, and all of the edges and facets with it. Or drilling a giant hole in the plate of a 20s movement to insert a modern replacement jewel because he couldn’t be bothered to get one of a more appropriate size.

Had another watchmaker give me back a CK 2627 Seamaster running fast by minutes a day insist that it was fine, the machine said so.

Another CMW who charged $150 to $250 for a simple three-hand watch (sounding familiar?) who couldn’t be bothered to adjust a watch and who cares if it keeps time? Three minutes a day is close enough.

And yes, I’ve had my share of shoddy service from Omega in the US. An 1861 Speedmaster that had to be sent back after each of three servicings for one issue or another.... or a deVille that wouldn’t run to chronometer specs.

So, yes, I have opinions. They guy I use who doesn’t want me to share his information either, I generally pay about $300 for what he calls a “pedestrian” movement and $500 for Omega, because I ask that he performs an extra round of adjustment. I get a better-performing watch (gaining 3 to 5 seconds a day is usual) and he is compensated for his time. Also a younger guy in his 30s, which I like. He’s treated me very well these past couple of years.

So, sure, I have strong opinions because I have been screwed too many times and at the end of the day, I don’t want anyone else to be, either.

This is why I bristle when someone says a service costs too much... because maybe it’s not.

janice&fred · Jul 17, 2020

kelsey
Equally try not to be too sensitive

Excuse me? That's sexist and I'm offended!

SkunkPrince
This is why I bristle

If you took me up on that hug you might be feeling better now. You might have also felt something hard but that would have been my gun as I was on duty.

SkunkPrince · Jul 17, 2020

janice&fred
Excuse me? That's sexist and I'm offended!

If you took me up on that hug you might be feeling better now. You might have also felt something hard but that would have been my gun as I was on duty.

Do you know how difficult it was to avoid the obvious jokes?

JwRosenthal · Jul 17, 2020

SkunkPrince
The guy I use who doesn’t want me to share his information either, I generally pay about $300 for what he calls a “pedestrian” movement and $500 for Omega...

This is why I bristle when someone says a service costs too much... because maybe it’s not.

When I first got here my perspective on the costs of service was totally skewed because of the relationship I have with my watchmaker.
I had used an authorized service center before him for my Rolex GMT and that cost me $500 (that was 15 years ago) just for a clean and lube (and whatever else they did). I bristled (considering that was 1/4 what I paid for it) but figured it was the cost of ownership (like owning a Jag- $3k for brakes is just what it is).
When I found my guy (his daughter was an intern at my work and we later employed her after she graduated- she became like a little sister to me)- i got lucky. So yes, I thought a service cost $150+ parts and I had been ripped off by the RSC.
Since joining here I have come to realize that $300-500 is actually about market rate for most watchmakers, up to $800 for complications like chronographs- and this may not included parts. There is also the issue of access to factory parts- my watchmaker is not an authorized Rolex service provider, nor does he have a Swatch Group account, but he has a network of other watchmakers and collectors from whom he can get anything he needs. Factory authorized providers have to make huge investments in training and specialized equipment- so it goes without argument that their cost for service will be higher to recoup their investments and cover the time it takes to follow the factory service protocols without cutting corners.

As has been discussed in multiple threads, some people here have multiple watchmakers they use for different watches (I have over 50)- some they let work on Elgin’s and Benrus’ but wouldn’t take their JLC to them- not for fear they may screw it up, it’s just out of their area of expertise. A wizard mechanic with a BMW may not have expertise with an Austin Healey- there are specialists for Brit cars that have a different kind of sensibility and network of resources.
My long route to the point is that everyone’s experience with watchmakers is different, as is our experiences with mechanics, or even physicians. You need to build a relationship based on trust and communication and have faith in their expertise. What they charge is irrelevant if you are pleased with the quality of their work.
Saying the cost is too high for service without knowing the quality of the work performed by or expertise of a watchmaker is just as ignorant as saying the cost is too low.

STANDY · Jul 17, 2020

MMMD
In the old days, we used to put threads like that to bed with albino marsupials.

I see your Albino Koala and raise you Two Albino wombats

JwRosenthal · Jul 17, 2020

STANDY
I see your Albino Koala and raise you Two Albino wombats

I was looking at the Albino Mido.

Dan S · Jul 17, 2020

STANDY
Penned a few titles for your thread, but deleted them

Now you've got me curious, but I'll be offline for the next few days, so don't post them while I'm gone or I'll miss them. 😉

kelsey · Jul 17, 2020

janice&fred
Excuse me? That's sexist and I'm offended!

Case in point it’s the language barrier I was aiming more at being racist 😉

JwRosenthal · Jul 17, 2020

WatchNurse
I am a big fan of the color blue and this specific color has a nice matte range depending on the lightning. Highly recommended!

If you love the blue, and chronographs, then you should check out the older Navitimers

WatchNurse · Jul 17, 2020

JwRosenthal
If you love the blue, and chronographs, then you should check out the older Navitimers

Lovely watch! Breitling is long overdue for me 😁

STANDY · Jul 17, 2020

JwRosenthal
If you love the blue, and chronographs, then you should check out the older Navitimers

Or Omega

Martin_J_N · Jul 17, 2020

SkunkPrince
Oh come now. People "scream" DO NOT SEND YOUR WATCH TO OMEGA THEY WILL RUIN IT HURRRR and you get upset over a little hyberbole?

Yes, you can do whatever you want to anything you own, including smashing it with a hammer or tossing into a large, deep body of water. But, if as many say, we are merely stewards of these timepieces, then we have a responsibility to maintain them properly, and that is taking care of your chronometer so it remains a chronometer and not a worn-out piece of junk.

You can't have it both ways. Either back off of the newbies and let them get their watches refinished by the factory if they want, or step up and take some responsibility to choose the best craftsman you can find and afford so your chronometer doesn't wear out beforer its time.

Yes I agree, I see too many responses of just remember don't send your watch back to the maker, they will ruin it for you. Recently I read a post about a guy who sent an ageing Rolex GMT back to RSC for service, he was absolutely delighted to have a watch back that shone and sparkled like new, and you know what that will be me in the fullness of time, Omega and Longines have already seen watches from my collection, both came back looking like new. In fact so good was the refurb by Omega I cancelled an order for a new watch as it was like owning a new watch. My Rolex will go back to the RSC when it is necessary.

Now, there are some reasons why the watch shouldn't go back, maybe it is a rare collectible watch or from a maker who closed a long time back, something that needs the care of a movement specialist not a polisher and that is fine. But, most of us are not in this situation we own great watches but they are not old or rare so giving them back to the manufacturer is not a problem.

Just my £0.02p worth's of input.

😀

Shabbaz · Jul 17, 2020

WatchNurse
I'm 32 and honestly, don't give a damn what people think at this point in my life.

Hallelujah!!

Archer · Jul 17, 2020

Martin_J_N
Yes I agree, I see too many responses of just remember don't send your watch back to the maker, they will ruin it for you. Recently I read a post about a guy who sent an ageing Rolex GMT back to RSC for service, he was absolutely delighted to have a watch back that shone and sparkled like new, and you know what that will be me in the fullness of time, Omega and Longines have already seen watches from my collection, both came back looking like new. In fact so good was the refurb by Omega I cancelled an order for a new watch as it was like owning a new watch. My Rolex will go back to the RSC when it is necessary.

Now, there are some reasons why the watch shouldn't go back, maybe it is a rare collectible watch or from a maker who closed a long time back, something that needs the care of a movement specialist not a polisher and that is fine. But, most of us are not in this situation we own great watches but they are not old or rare so giving them back to the manufacturer is not a problem.

Just my £0.02p worth's of input.

😀

If that is what people want when they send a watch in to the brand (like Omega) for service, then that's fine. I have no problem with someone who wants the watch brought back looking like new, and in fact I've sent watches to Bienne on behalf of some clients of mine who want that.

But the thing is, you need to have the knowledge that this is what you will get back, and most people do not know or understand fully Omega's policies and procedures. This is demonstrated by people who still claim that Omega will do whatever it is you want them to, and will leave things alone simply if you ask. This is not true, and there is plenty of evidence to back that up.

Personally I don't care if people use Bienne or not - just that they understand what it means to do so, and make an informed choice.

JwRosenthal · Jul 17, 2020

Archer
If that is what people want when they send a watch in to the brand (like Omega) for service, then that's fine. I have no problem with someone who wants the watch brought back looking like new, and in fact I've sent watches to Bienne on behalf of some clients of mine who want that.

But the thing is, you need to have the knowledge that this is what you will get back, and most people do not know or understand fully Omega's policies and procedures. This is demonstrated by people who still claim that Omega will do whatever it is you want them to, and will leave things alone simply if you ask. This is not true, and there is plenty of evidence to back that up.

Personally I don't care if people use Bienne or not - just that they understand what it means to do so, and make an informed choice.

We have seen a few examples here of basket cases that were sent to Bienne and came back as stunners- and the sum of the parts replaced exceeded the cost of service- that’s when the Factory Service is a great deal- if that’s what you want.

pdxleaf · Jul 17, 2020

STANDY
I see your Albino Koala and raise you Two Albino wombats

These are so f-ing cute! You should have opened the thread with them. It would have been nothing but "Awwwww!"

JwRosenthal · Jul 17, 2020

pdxleaf
These are so f-ing cute! You should have opened the thread with them. It would have been nothing but "Awwwww!"

Cute like a baby tiger- until it tries to mate with your face 😲