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So what's the biggest mistake your watch servicer made?

Eric304
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Let’s not all get mass hysteria now- there as as many highly competent watchmakers out there as there are poor ones (as in any trade). Threads like this can be sticky wicket as it only talks about the bad and not the good...gotta keep it in perspective.
Came back looking like a new watch! I do agree with you. There are many competent watchmakers out there. Do your homework, see who is best for the job.
 
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JwRosenthal
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Eric304 Eric304
Came back looking like a new watch! I do agree with you. There are many competent watchmakers out there. Do your homework, see who is best for the job.
Nice looking watch! Now why didn’t he repaint the bezel and polish that case so you can see it from space??😉
 
Eric304
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Nice looking watch! Now why didn’t he repaint the bezel and polish that case so you can see it from space??😉
lol 🤦
 
Widows Son
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Sent my dad's gold Hamilton from the 40's in for a service. For some reason the watchmaker decided to clean the dial. It came back with the varnish on the dial peeling and splotchy. I wasn't real happy.
 
rkman11
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This thread will make me lose sleep as I currently contemplate looking for a watchmaker I can send my latest Seamaster to...
 
dpercival1971
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I had a brand new Rolex Sub/Date that needed to be serviced on day 1 because the lume on the bezel marker was not glowing. I got the watch back from the Rolex Service Center scratched in multiple places and it had dust under the crystal.
After many attempts trying to fix the scratches and dust, I gave up on Rolex NY, USA. Spoke to Rolex Switzerland, they gave me a new watch. I was very satisfied.
Edited:
 
GTveloce
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Agreed we shouldn't get too hysterical...my post is my only one bad out of the many very good experiences with other excellent watchmakers.

My bad experience wasn't down to shoddy workmanship but rather that he destroyed the originality... IMO a different issue than "bad work".

In all fairness it must be tricky for some of the older generation of watchmakers, most aren't spending their time on websites and forums reading about current tastes and trends in the "collector hobby"... they're working!

I'd guess that with the exception of very high end pieces, in the past originality wasn't as much a concern but rather proper repair and good appearance.

I've only been in this hobby for a decade, but think there's a parallel with my decades-old hobby in classic and vintage cars.

20 - 30 years ago nobody gave a s%$! about details being original, generally what was considered a good mechanic was someone who could get it back on the road with a bit of ingenuity... '74 Porsche 912 seats replaced in a '66 911S... so what?... "it fits, looks about the same"! LOL today in 2020 you'd want to murder that mechanic!

I'm sure even today most of watchmakers' customers are disappointed more by getting the watch back with a bill if it doesn't look newer/shiner than before... total opposite of us enthusiasts horrified by a polish. As somebody said earlier... perspective 😀
 
JwRosenthal
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GTveloce GTveloce
Agreed we shouldn't get too hysterical...my post is my only one bad out of the many very good experiences with other excellent watchmakers.

My bad experience wasn't down to shoddy workmanship but rather that he destroyed the originality... IMO a different issue than "bad work".

In all fairness it must be tricky for some of the older generation of watchmakers, most aren't spending their time on websites and forums reading about current tastes and trends in the "collector hobby"... they're working!

I'd guess that with the exception of very high end pieces, in the past originality wasn't as much a concern but rather proper repair and good appearance.

I've only been in this hobby for a decade, but think there's a parallel with my decades-old hobby in classic and vintage cars.

20 - 30 years ago nobody gave a s%$! about details being original, generally what was considered a good mechanic was someone who could get it back on the road with a bit of ingenuity... '74 Porsche 912 seats replaced in a '66 911S... so what?... "it fits, looks about the same"! LOL today in 2020 you'd want to murder that mechanic!

I'm sure even today most of watchmakers' customers are disappointed more by getting the watch back with a bill if it doesn't look newer/shiner than before... total opposite of us enthusiasts horrified by a polish. As somebody said earlier... perspective 😀
+1000- the car collecting parallel is perfect. Back in the 80’s, you would never see faded paint and ratty interior at Monterey! What we call a “survivor” now, they called a parts car then.
This has been discussed in other threads- my watchmaker is of that older generation, trained at one of the best school in North America, and I had to really make the point that I didn’t want anything polished. He understands and is attentive to his clients who are “collectors”. But 85% of his work is trade work for local jewelry stores and the majority of their clientele want it coming back looking “like new”- same as if you sent your Omega back to the factory- replace or repair all parts that are out of spec (including dial and hands where the lume is failing), and refinish case with bright-work and brushing redone.
This thread is a big reminder to make sure you talk directly with your watchmaker (not someone at a counter who takes your watch), make sure you are both on the same page, and ensure that your goals are understood.
 
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