So what exactly is a "watch service" for a vintage watch... on expectations and truthfulness

For me a minimum service includes full disassembling, cleaning, assembling, oiling, adjusting and of course replace anything faulty or on the verge of faulting. Less than that, not service. Seller is BS-ing.

Thanks for all your thoughts! I am glad to hear that my thinking is in line with the community here.

Strangely enough, in 20 years of buying watches this is the first time I have really considered this issue due to the watch being described as "serviced". I have always taken comments on the movement or how the watch runs with a grain of salt. In this particular case, I have no issue with the watch not being serviced, but I do take issue with the deceitful description of the condition of the watch.

In the end there is a lot of untruthfulness in the second hand and vintage watch world. From unoriginal parts described as original, incorrect descriptions of the condition of the watch and now the question of what a "service" entails, it is better to beware of the relatively high chance of there being some degree of dishonesty involved (or maybe I'm just cynical...).

I think it is important to remember that for a watch that is in working condition, there is a certain amount of risk for the 2nd hand or vintage watch dealer to take the watch to a qualified watchmaker and to get it serviced. Depending on the quality of the watchmaker, there is a chance the case of the watch is damaged, the dial is scratched or some other problems occur. Especially with vintage watches there is the added risk that difficult to source parts are broken during the servicing process.

And what is the reward of investing more money/time in a working watch and having it serviced? The general population buying watches has little idea on what it means for a watch to be serviced and how important it is, and most likely will only focus on price instead of small details such as the movement condition. And besides, there is a very good change that even a watch running dry (or being dirty) won’t stop and will outlast the warrantee period of the dealer.

Of course, any of the above should not stop the seller from selling and describing the watches in an honest way.

By the way, the seller has offered to take the watch back. Or if I keep it, he has offered a small amount for compensation. I’m waiting a little longer to see how this will be handled.

About the watch, I have nothing to complain. 😀

I will post some more details on the watch later.

Sadly I’ve come to learn that unless the watch comes with written proof of service, you have to assume it hasn’t been touched and need to factor that in to the price. No matter what the seller says.

My new Zenith Cal. 71. 😁

And we could expand the thread to include "what do we understand by the word "dealer"?"

Or drove the van for Omega Pet Foods?

Hey! 'Taint new unless that film is still on it front and back!

Damn it that's really nice… Perhaps just get the compensation then? 🙄

I'd even say: send it back to me! It's gorgeous 👍

I agree with @Lbreak try to get a compensation. If he refuses, do not hesitate to put give him a bad feedback while explaining in the comment what "service" is for him against the opinion of the watch community

Doesn’t Omega or other of the big brand manufacturers issue some kind of document to service partners stating what must be done (at a minimum required level) to qualify a service? This is known practice in automotive and machinery business.

This would OFC be before internalising the service work.

I know OPs question and have read the thread. I am asking in general terms...

It is dishonest, but this is a widespread dishonesty among sellers.

Expect that any vintage watch bought used needs a service, unless the seller sends a receipt for the work that identifies that it got a full disassembly and lubrication, and you know that the watchmaker it came from has a good reputation.

I think Miami based?

You can't clean or oil a movement unless it's been stripped and there is no point adjusting it for best performance unless you've done that so, for me:
Serviced: Stripped, cleaned, inspected, lubricated, adjusted for performance which includes regulation (at the very end).
Regulated: a 5 minutes opening and movement of the regulator to tweak the overall rate. Worth nothing, in my opinion. The "wipe over with an oily rag" in car terms.

The video has all sorts of odd things but, the obvious one appears to be a dirty work space.

Just keep it👍 and get it sorted. Lovely watch!

Cheers, Chris