So I just dropped off my Ed White to my C21 watchmaker. He quoted me the exact same price for servicing the 321 vs the 861s I've had him service (~$500). Is this normal? I had the impression that apples-to-apples, 321s were more expensive to maintain.

Also, he said that the chrono parts are very hard to come by (mine did not need any). Any other source of these parts other than finding a spare movement on my own?

 

I know a source in NJ but you'd have to torture me for the location because he'd probably not want his home address given out.

 

Yeah, mostly the parts. If you need a balanced complete for instance, that will cost as much as the service.

 

So thats why all those Seamaster 321s on Ebay are missing the chrono bits..

 

Yup. If you're going into 321 speedies, pick up a couple of those.....

 

Sorry, newbie question. What is Chrono bits?

 

Its an additional bit at the end of a string of data that determines the time a packet was sent.

 

Eg: http://www.ebay.com/itm/231474624409Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

$2,200 for a chrono that doesn't chrono?????????

 

My CW21 watchmaker charges 450 for three hands…

 

Mine in SD will go about the same, but my watchmaker in NYC will do 3-handers for about $120 (trade rate)

 

Watchmakers can charge what they like - there is no "normal" or set of rules we are all given to follow.