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Recently Serviced...What does that really mean?
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Aquariusmatic
·Quite a lot of old school watchmakers around my parts still use them, some of them even re-certified as official measuring devices by our metrics and measurements agency.
Younger and more active watchmakers have all gone digital.
Younger and more active watchmakers have all gone digital.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerQuite a lot of old school watchmakers around my parts still use them, some of them even re-certified as official measuring devices by our metrics and measurements agency.
Younger and more active watchmakers have all gone digital.
Old school watchmakers indeed...
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Aquariusmatic
·Old school watchmakers indeed...
At the same time, I've yet to find a modern watchmaker who can make a new super compressor bezel rotator from scratch or repair an inner rotating bezel crown assembly on an Aquastar/Duward for 50€ or make and produce missing parts on old pocket watch movements... While a modern watchmaker takes 500€ for a pre bond automatic service and calls the watch an old piece of crap (Omega Certified)...
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerAt the same time, I've yet to find a modern watchmaker who can make a new super compressor bezel rotator from scratch or repair an inner rotating bezel crown assembly on an Aquastar/Duward for 50€ or make and produce missing parts on old pocket watch movements... While a modern watchmaker takes 500€ for a pre bond automatic service and calls the watch an old piece of crap (Omega Certified)...
You are clearly dealing with the wrong watchmakers then.
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Aquariusmatic
·You are clearly dealing with the wrong watchmakers then.
I make due with what I have... Can't complain, you live and learn.
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Faz
·For me, a watch has either been serviced or not. I would expect "recently serviced" be a watch that has been through a completed overhaul, worn parts changed and fully tested, within the last 5 years. That's my criteria. "Cleaned and oiled" raises a red flag for me and certainly doesn't fit the criteria of a "recently serviced" watch.
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Aquariusmatic
·For me, a watch has either been serviced or not. I would expect "recently serviced" be a watch that has been through a completed overhaul, worn parts changed and fully tested, within the last 5 years. That's my criteria. "Cleaned and oiled" raises a red flag for me and certainly doesn't fit the criteria of a "recently serviced" watch.
After getting a few WD-40 soaked Omegas from ex-Yu countries I run away when i see the cleaned and oiled part lol.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerI make due with what I have... Can't complain, you live and learn.
Don't get me wrong, I own and use vintage watchmaking tools all the time, and many of them are far better than the modern counterparts that are available. In some cases modern versions aren't even being made, so vintage is your only choice.
Some examples of my vintage tools...
My escapement meter is "vintage" but the heater is modern...
My Jacot tool is definitely vintage - not sure anyone is even making these currently:
My poising tool is vintage:
My large mainspring winder set is sort of vintage:
My smaller one is definitely vintage:
My staking sets are vintage - main one being the K&D 18R, which is a great set:
My lathe is vintage:
And I have a whole host of smaller tools (hand tools) that are vintage and they all do the job well. But when it comes to something as critical as a timing machine, having a modern machine (that unlike a Vibrograph will tell you the balance amplitude) is for most a "must have" piece of equipment. Yes a good modern Witschi machine isn't cheap, but there are very inexpensive alternatives that I would put more faith in than an old Vibrograph...
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140dave
·For my 2cents (it’s Friday, have a couple minutes before next telco) I’d say similar and even take it up a notch. Recently serviced, unless by Omega or fairly well known local shop with full paperwork, means zero.
I’ll use myself as an example; recently bought a watch that had “just been serviced”. Seller was brick and mortar store that had an in-house service dept. so sounded good. Received watch and tail of second hand was catching on the minute hand. Took it to my local (Tick Tock in Santa Clara) who fixed quickly, and said it looked like it had been serviced poorly, fresh oil in wrong places etc. and reassembled even worse. So another few bucks to get it put back right, and now it’s ready to go.
As most everyone here says, just plan on the extra cost of a full service on pretty much any watch you purchase. I do now.
I’ll use myself as an example; recently bought a watch that had “just been serviced”. Seller was brick and mortar store that had an in-house service dept. so sounded good. Received watch and tail of second hand was catching on the minute hand. Took it to my local (Tick Tock in Santa Clara) who fixed quickly, and said it looked like it had been serviced poorly, fresh oil in wrong places etc. and reassembled even worse. So another few bucks to get it put back right, and now it’s ready to go.
As most everyone here says, just plan on the extra cost of a full service on pretty much any watch you purchase. I do now.
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AustinCambridge
·Don't get me wrong, I own and use vintage watchmaking tools all the time, and many of them are far better than the modern counterparts that are available. In some cases modern versions aren't even being made, so vintage is your only choice.
Some examples of my vintage tools...
My escapement meter is "vintage" but the heater is modern...
My Jacot tool is definitely vintage - not sure anyone is even making these currently:
My poising tool is vintage:
My large mainspring winder set is sort of vintage:
My smaller one is definitely vintage:
My staking sets are vintage - main one being the K&D 18R, which is a great set:
My lathe is vintage:
And I have a whole host of smaller tools (hand tools) that are vintage and they all do the job well. But when it comes to something as critical as a timing machine, having a modern machine (that unlike a Vibrograph will tell you the balance amplitude) is for most a "must have" piece of equipment. Yes a good modern Witschi machine isn't cheap, but there are very inexpensive alternatives that I would put more faith in than an old Vibrograph...
WOW
I think “Show us your tools!” deserves a whole new thread of its own!! 😀
