Vintage Longines service - repair

What are the best options for a service and repair of an old Longines? Do people send their vintage watches to Longines (even with the long waiting time)? I'm asking because I asked them for an estimate for a repair and their quoted prices are even more absurd than their waiting time (in my opinion at least since the price is more than the value of the watch if you don't count the emotional bond). If I understand well everything prior to the 1980s or so have rather special prices if sent to Longines. Is it for lack of parts/knowledge in vintage movements? Is it like this with most manufacturers? Still didn't need to send anything to Omega for repairs so don't know how their prices match 😀. I have of course no problem to take the watch to a good repair guy and get it fixed for a decent price (need to find one first).

As a bonus any recommendations for a good place to service a watch in EU and Switzerland are welcome 😗

I go to my local watchmaker. What kind of Longines are we talking about?

Nothing special to most people but me (got it from my grandma). I posted them earlier, I wanted to service the conquest (on the right).

https://omegaforums.net/attachments/20180719_091417-jpg.594522/

I took mine to a local watchmaker.
It was from the 60's so he wasn't able to get the exact crown from Longines and had to use a generic one.
Still, very happy with it and it runs great.

I had the same debate. I went to my local guy. They are quality though, they’ve been in business for 50 years, have maybe 6 or 8 workbenches with a whole team working each day.

They overhauled my Sei Tacche for $220 USD in just under 3 weeks. They are very sensitive to vintage watch collectors, they know to ask before messing with anything, they pretty much never touch dials, they will never polish a case without asking. So far I’ve been very happy with them.

I had to search thoroughly before I found them too, so make sure you e exhaustively search your own city before going the route of sending it out. Good luck!

I never thought about sending it to Longines. I use my local guy as well. Try searching for one, they are still out there.