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gdupree
·I think someone doesn't notice the difference between a Speedy Pro and a Speedy Reduced.
Speedy Service Advice - Atelier Houston
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Ninja2789
·C'mon Houston, we are Misson Control dammit - we have to able to get a reasonable speedy service somewhere around here! 🙁
I lived in Houston for many years and only recently moved out. It's kind of crazy to me that in a city of that size with as much industry and money (Energy, Medical, Manufacturing, etc) can't pull enough demand to have a proper watch service provider. Maybe our neighbors to the north in Dallas could provide some better options. They do have one of the few North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking schools in the country.
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chipsotoole
·Seems like they're trying to maximise the work. most watchmakers would look at you over the rim of their glasses and say something like ' I can't guarantee it'll be waterproof as originally intended" as a disclaimer...... which I think is kind of fair when you consider the age and value of the watch. I'd be really surprised if anyone here would go swimming with a mid 70's or earlier speedmaster..have a quick shower perhaps....but then again I'm constantly surprised by folk here.
Find another watchmaker....
Find another watchmaker....
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gdupree
·Update here:
I now dropped my speedy off for an estimate at a third place in the Houston - Swiss Watch Co. By all accounts they've been super friendly and helpful, but their quote came in at right around $900. They, like the others, really really really want to replace the crystal, crown, and pushers, and won't service the movement without replacing these things. They're not telling me that anything horrendous is wrong, just that the crystal is old (aka, original) and will be brittle and not keep the moisture out, and that my crown/pusher seals have liquefied, which is primarily the only reason they need replacing if I understand correctly. They also say that Omega's new parts policy involves they having to buy the pushers, crown, and crystal all together in a approx $200 "kit", and that they can't buy just pusher seals anymore, thus the reason the quote is about $900 vs their typical $700 service cost for a chrono.
I guess at this point I have a couple of questions:
- How much should I actually be concerned with replacing the crystal/crown/pushers? Obviously, I'm predisposed to not want to replace anything original, but am I over-exaggerating the importance of these things? Of course, the crystal was meant to be replaced, and is hardly the biggest factor in overall value (plus, this is a 145.022-74 in "good" condition - though it is vintage, it's hardly a rare reference, and its certainly not collector grade). Is fighting to keep these original still the right move, or should I just let them do it?
- This still seems expensive, but only Atelier has given me a quote in the $650 range, and they downright insulted me - so I think they would have to pay me to let them do the work. So beyond this, my only options are mailing it off, which I would love not to do.
Sorry for the lengthy word vomit here, but yours thoughts are be appreciated.
I now dropped my speedy off for an estimate at a third place in the Houston - Swiss Watch Co. By all accounts they've been super friendly and helpful, but their quote came in at right around $900. They, like the others, really really really want to replace the crystal, crown, and pushers, and won't service the movement without replacing these things. They're not telling me that anything horrendous is wrong, just that the crystal is old (aka, original) and will be brittle and not keep the moisture out, and that my crown/pusher seals have liquefied, which is primarily the only reason they need replacing if I understand correctly. They also say that Omega's new parts policy involves they having to buy the pushers, crown, and crystal all together in a approx $200 "kit", and that they can't buy just pusher seals anymore, thus the reason the quote is about $900 vs their typical $700 service cost for a chrono.
I guess at this point I have a couple of questions:
- How much should I actually be concerned with replacing the crystal/crown/pushers? Obviously, I'm predisposed to not want to replace anything original, but am I over-exaggerating the importance of these things? Of course, the crystal was meant to be replaced, and is hardly the biggest factor in overall value (plus, this is a 145.022-74 in "good" condition - though it is vintage, it's hardly a rare reference, and its certainly not collector grade). Is fighting to keep these original still the right move, or should I just let them do it?
- This still seems expensive, but only Atelier has given me a quote in the $650 range, and they downright insulted me - so I think they would have to pay me to let them do the work. So beyond this, my only options are mailing it off, which I would love not to do.
Sorry for the lengthy word vomit here, but yours thoughts are be appreciated.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerI can't tell you what the right path is for this watch, but I'll give you some insight into the crown/pusher/crystal thing...
First, it's likely that most people who take a watch into places like you have are not collectors, and they don't necessarily value originality. Second, the shop doing the work wants to protect themselves and offer a warranty I would assume. Over the years I have heard many horror stories from watchmakers who have a storefront and do this sort of retail work, regarding customers expectations regarding water resistance. If you have not replaced a crown, pushers, case back seal, or crystal, and has a watch come back flooded that you had to foot the bill for repairs, you might also be gun shy about not replacing these items in the future. I'm not saying I agree with this policy, but I understand the reasons why many watchmakers have it.
I service watches (including vintage Speedmasters) all the time where I do not change the crown, pushers, or crystal, and the watch has no water resistance when I return it. However I deal almost exclusively with collectors who understand that this means the watch must be kept absolutely dry, and I make sure to say that in writing several times in our correspondence. Having said that I once serviced a vintage dressy Seamaster with a snap on case back, and of course it failed the pressure testing. I told the owner in emails and in the documentation (pressure testing results showing a failed result) I sent back that "the watch must be kept absolutely dry." He wore it out in the rain and it fogged up, and sent me an angry email saying that he didn't know it could not withstand being out in the rain...so even with the people I work with, being as clear as I could possibly be (absolutely dry) sometimes people don't get it, and they try to blame you for whatever went wrong.
By the way, you do not have to buy a "kit" and crystal, crown, and pushers can all be bought individually from Omega. Omega does not sell seals for the pushers though, so on that note they are correct.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Al
First, it's likely that most people who take a watch into places like you have are not collectors, and they don't necessarily value originality. Second, the shop doing the work wants to protect themselves and offer a warranty I would assume. Over the years I have heard many horror stories from watchmakers who have a storefront and do this sort of retail work, regarding customers expectations regarding water resistance. If you have not replaced a crown, pushers, case back seal, or crystal, and has a watch come back flooded that you had to foot the bill for repairs, you might also be gun shy about not replacing these items in the future. I'm not saying I agree with this policy, but I understand the reasons why many watchmakers have it.
I service watches (including vintage Speedmasters) all the time where I do not change the crown, pushers, or crystal, and the watch has no water resistance when I return it. However I deal almost exclusively with collectors who understand that this means the watch must be kept absolutely dry, and I make sure to say that in writing several times in our correspondence. Having said that I once serviced a vintage dressy Seamaster with a snap on case back, and of course it failed the pressure testing. I told the owner in emails and in the documentation (pressure testing results showing a failed result) I sent back that "the watch must be kept absolutely dry." He wore it out in the rain and it fogged up, and sent me an angry email saying that he didn't know it could not withstand being out in the rain...so even with the people I work with, being as clear as I could possibly be (absolutely dry) sometimes people don't get it, and they try to blame you for whatever went wrong.
By the way, you do not have to buy a "kit" and crystal, crown, and pushers can all be bought individually from Omega. Omega does not sell seals for the pushers though, so on that note they are correct.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Al
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gdupree
·Thanks @Archer! Always appreciate your input around here.
I'm am sure the warranty is precisely why they take the all-or-nothing approach. I asked if there was a way I could opt out of the warranty in writing, or possibly just sign something saying that the warranty would be voided if any issues arose from moisture, which I would think would be easy to tell. They were a hesitant to do anything like that, but did say they would see what they can do and give me a call back.
If I wanted the pushers replaced, I would have done it myself. This may be a stupid question, but would it be possible to buy new pushers, and take the seals from them to be installed?
I'm am sure the warranty is precisely why they take the all-or-nothing approach. I asked if there was a way I could opt out of the warranty in writing, or possibly just sign something saying that the warranty would be voided if any issues arose from moisture, which I would think would be easy to tell. They were a hesitant to do anything like that, but did say they would see what they can do and give me a call back.
If I wanted the pushers replaced, I would have done it myself. This may be a stupid question, but would it be possible to buy new pushers, and take the seals from them to be installed?
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerYes, you could buy new pushers and use the seals from those if you couldn't find the correct seals somewhere. Note that there could be other things that may warrant the replacement of the pushers.
Cheers, Al
Cheers, Al
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gdupree
·For posterity's sake for any future searchers, I wanted to give you guys an update on Atelier.
After much searching, and no finding of a watch maker that was perfectly fitting my bill in my local area, I decided to go back to Atelier and have them perform the service on my 145.022-74, despite my frustrations chronicled earlier in this thread. It took a little sucking-up of my own pride, but ultimately I am happy to say that I jut got the watch back, and they did great job. I wont say that they went above or beyond to cater to the needs of vintage owners - for instance they seemed perplexed as to why I wouldn't want the case refinished, or why I wanted to keep the original parts. But at the end of the day, all that matters is that they did what I needed, and they did so very well. I will happily return in the future.
She's healthy and looking good with a new set of period correct hands and unpolished caseband that I picked up while it was away for service!
After much searching, and no finding of a watch maker that was perfectly fitting my bill in my local area, I decided to go back to Atelier and have them perform the service on my 145.022-74, despite my frustrations chronicled earlier in this thread. It took a little sucking-up of my own pride, but ultimately I am happy to say that I jut got the watch back, and they did great job. I wont say that they went above or beyond to cater to the needs of vintage owners - for instance they seemed perplexed as to why I wouldn't want the case refinished, or why I wanted to keep the original parts. But at the end of the day, all that matters is that they did what I needed, and they did so very well. I will happily return in the future.
She's healthy and looking good with a new set of period correct hands and unpolished caseband that I picked up while it was away for service!
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OWa
·Congratulations that the service finally worked out for you. Nice looking watch! I think the case in in a really good condition considering it is more than 40 years old. It appears to me that the bezel and the dial do not line up as good as before service. The bezel seem to be turned a little bit to much to the leftt.
Just for curiosity where did you source the hand set? 😗 I am looking for one in a good condition myself. The ones I find do always look less attractive.
Just for curiosity where did you source the hand set? 😗 I am looking for one in a good condition myself. The ones I find do always look less attractive.
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Caliber561
·That is one sharp caseband 😗
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nonuffinkbloke
·I'd be really surprised if anyone here would go swimming with a mid 70's or earlier speedmaster..have a quick shower perhaps....
Swimming!😲... showers!😲 I take my vintage Speedmaster off, give it wipe with a soft cloth and put it back in it's pouch... the moment my wrist gets a bit sweaty!
I aint taking any chances with original pushers and a vintage, flat foot, 24 tooth crown!👍
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gdupree
·Congratulations that the service finally worked out for you. Nice looking watch! I think the case in in a really good condition considering it is more than 40 years old. It appears to me that the bezel and the dial do not line up as good as before service. The bezel seem to be turned a little bit to much to the leftt.
Just for curiosity where did you source the hand set? 😗 I am looking for one in a good condition myself. The ones I find do always look less attractive.
I got the handset from ebay. It was basically an entire 145.022-78 that an owner had since the mid 80's, but had donated the movement to a different watch, for reasons I don't know. I sold the dial and bezel, kept the handset and case band and recouped nearly all of the cost. I think I'm down about $200 for the handset and case band so far... not bad. I will likely sell off my old hand set, but they're in such poor condition that they have very little value and will need a repaint and relume to have any attraction. I think I plan on keeping my original case band and pushers.
That is one sharp caseband 😗
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dan7800
·Take it to someplace good. You cannot undo a lot of forms of crappy service to a watch.
Good that you did your homework BEFORE the work was done.
Good that you did your homework BEFORE the work was done.
