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Tri-Compax service - only $2800

voere
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Syrte Syrte
Well somebody just a week ago was looking for a watchmaker in the Detroit area in another thread, maybe you could recommend one? 😀
I'm interested in the info myself. About a year ago (and before I joined this forum), I tried to do research on line for watchmakers in the area to help out someone, all I could find were a couple of mom and pop stores that were hard to assess and a posh place in Birmingham !
So it's easy to understand how people would go there for safety if they don't have any referrals.
Follow the link this is a great shop

http://www.artdialwatch.com/
 
Larry S
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So what should a full movement service on a tri-cost? I know what I paid to have mine serviced and it was a big bill. I did however have an extensive accounting of the parts and labor. Quite pleased however as the watch was running like crap before I had it serviced.
 
Larry S
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Holy crap! This watchmaker ripped him off. Just saw the watch. Weak mainspring after $2800!!!!!!!!
 
voere
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Larry S Larry S
So what should a full movement service on a tri-cost? I know what I paid to have mine serviced and it was a big bill. I did however have an extensive accounting of the parts and labor. Quite pleased however as the watch was running like crap before I had it serviced.
Watchmaker prices vary some charge more than others. A watch with more complications will cost more to service. I imagine the cost of a service is whatever the market dictates or will bear And it all depends on the shape the watch is in one with worn parts or broken parts will cost more than one that just needs a service. With some watch parts it can get crazy expensive just for the parts and locating the parts can be an adventure
Edited:
 
M
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voere voere
Watchmaker prices vary some charge more than others. A watch with more complications will cost more to service. I imagine the cost of a service is whatever the market dictates or will bear And it all depends on the shape the watch is in one with worn parts or broken parts will cost more than one that just needs a service. With some watch parts it can get crazy expensive just for the parts and locating the parts can be an adventure
Just had my late 50s Compax repaired... the stopwatch function was jammed. It hadn't been cleaned/oiled etc for more than 30 years years.
Cost NZ$600 (c. US$450) including parts (1 from the UK...NZ$100).
The watchmaker (retd.) said it was a pleasure to work on such a classic.
 
Jonatan
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M Moahunter
Just had my late 50s Compax repaired... the stopwatch function was jammed. It hadn't been cleaned/oiled etc for more than 30 years years.
Cost NZ$600 (c. US$450) including parts (1 from the UK...NZ$100).
The watchmaker (retd.) said it was a pleasure to work on such a classic.

I had the same experience here in Switzerland; chrono pusher was stuck https://omegaforums.net/threads/chronograph-pusher-stuck-what-to-do.38817/. Watch was serviced and repaired for 500chf. The watchmaker did say that he would not be repairing this watch again. Every time he touches it he's scared to make it worst. Said the platine was used up completely.
 
Muttley
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M Moahunter
Just had my late 50s Compax repaired... the stopwatch function was jammed. It hadn't been cleaned/oiled etc for more than 30 years years.
Cost NZ$600 (c. US$450) including parts (1 from the UK...NZ$100).
The watchmaker (retd.) said it was a pleasure to work on such a classic.
That sounds like a reasonable price for a multicomplication movement. Where was that (if you don't mind me asking)?
 
Larry S
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... My Tri Compax looks perfect on the outside but the Watch was slow, the Chrono hand was not zeroing out. The watch had interior moisture damage and had not been serviced in 50 years. Full service new hairspring was $1800 US. Everything it needed was detailed In the estimate. i suspect this is on the high side but he's done work for me before and I trust him. They do antique clock and watch restoration. I wish I could find another watchmaker with references I could trust in Chicagoland to see if I'm paying too much for complicated antiques. I'd never take a time only to him.
 
Modest_Proposal
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Al Archer is willing to work on Tri-Compax's - and although I won't give a number, I'll tell you that you would be much happier with his estimate.
 
gostang9
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Syrte Syrte
Well somebody just a week ago was looking for a watchmaker in the Detroit area in another thread, maybe you could recommend one? 😀
I'm interested in the info myself. About a year ago (and before I joined this forum), I tried to do research on line for watchmakers in the area to help out someone, all I could find were a couple of mom and pop stores that were hard to assess and a posh place in Birmingham !
So it's easy to understand how people would go there for safety if they don't have any referrals.
Thank you... I was looking for someone around Windsor or Detroit. Although I've since picked someone to go with for my simple dial change, it's always nice to have an alternate for the future.

voere voere
Follow the link this is a great shop

http://www.artdialwatch.com/
Thanks for the tip! Very close to the border so defiinitely an option for the future.
 
Muttley
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M Moahunter
I'm in New Zealand (and so is the watchmaker).
So am I, that's why I asked 😀.
I'm in Christchurch.
 
10H10
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All these prices seems way to high ! My watchmaker in europe asks me around 275 euro max to service a tri-compax if there are no parts to change, of course this is a price for professionals. He has the tool to make springs aswell. I know he is very reasonable but still he is not starving and very happy in his job. The downside is that sometimes I have to wait months to get the job finished because of the huge amount of watches he has to work on (I was happy that he accepted me as a new customer years ago). But since he is so reasonable I wait patiently in order to keep a good relationship...
 
rahilb
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>I'm selling it now because if my kids get the watch it will end up in a garage sale

morbid reality 😲
 
ConElPueblo
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Well, he did get an alligator strap in addition to the repair...
 
Northernman
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I will not disclose the full price I paid, but I had my ref 12253 Tri-Compax cal 481 serviced by Christian and Mitka @ WatchGuy Uk about a year ago.
It was more a rescue job than a service actually as it had bad corrosion damage to parts of the calendar parts. I am not sure they would take on another in such a poor state, but they came out tops!

It did not come anywhere near the price in the OP. That must be very close to stealing!?

http://watchguy.co.uk/repair-and-service-universal-geneve-tri-compax-calibre-481/

IMG_75692.jpg
 
Larry S
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Northernman Northernman
I will not disclose the full price I paid, but I had my ref 12253 Tri-Compax cal 481 serviced by Christian and Mitka @ WatchGuy Uk about a year ago.
It was more a rescue job than a service actually as it had bad corrosion damage to parts of the calendar parts. I am not sure they would take on another in such a poor state, but they came out tops!

It did not come anywhere near the price in the OP. That must be very close to stealing!?

http://watchguy.co.uk/repair-and-service-universal-geneve-tri-compax-calibre-481/

IMG_75692.jpg
The OP price was certainly stealing especially since the watch STILL had a weak spring. Lesson here is that one needs to establish a relationship with a trusted watchmaker after some market research. That is easier said than done. I'm not going to take a watch I've scored after a long hunt to just anyone. This thread is helpful though.
 
LaurentBxl
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10H10 10H10
All these prices seems way to high ! My watchmaker in europe asks me around 275 euro max to service a tri-compax if there are no parts to change, of course this is a price for professionals. He has the tool to make springs aswell. I know he is very reasonable but still he is not starving and very happy in his job. The downside is that sometimes I have to wait months to get the job finished because of the huge amount of watches he has to work on (I was happy that he accepted me as a new customer years ago). But since he is so reasonable I wait patiently in order to keep a good relationship...

FYI I recently paid 450€ for a full service on a Compax in Europe too (Brussels). 275 was the price for a 3 hands. That includes a 1 year warranty.
 
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