Hi Please don't laugh, but is my Vostok Komandirskie worth servicing? It houses the Valjoux 2416 caliber if I'm right. The watch was a gift at my former job, so I quite honor the watch, although it is what it is. Best regards.
They are the price of a G Shock. Just buy a new one they are designed to be used as tools. Unless of course there is some significant sentimental value. Not sure about Komandirskie but Amphibian is quoted by manufacturer as not needing a service for ten years.
Let me tell you a story. Trumpets get refurbished much like your watches do. Remove the dents, very carefully polish, and relaquer or replate as necessary. Rebuild the valves when they need it. Current cost for a top-level technician for restoration in lacquer is $950. Add $400 to rebuild the valves. I have spent that $1350 and more on multiple trumpets worth on the open market about $400. Now that they're restored? Still worth about $400. Why did I do it? Because they play fabulously and I'm keeping them the rest of my life. They weren't sentimental, exactly, but I sure love how they sound and play. A Vostok Commander costs less than $100, true. But if you like (or love?) wearing the watch, then get it serviced. I've had my Speedmaster nearly 20 years now and I'm pretty sure I've paid as much in servicing now than I paid for it new. So what? Tom
Since it has sentimental value as you said, keep it. If you wear it much, get it serviced to prolong its life...
Slfjto dkalal skallr akklees? Ah, there we go! Sorry, some wires got crossed there. I couldn't think straight without pics. Is it something like this? Agree with others, if you want to keep it for a long time, take care of it.
Since we're on the subject, and there's no OP picture (hint, hint), here's what I have laying around:
@VetPsychWars, how 'bout some pics of some of those trumpets? I played in high school, and my brother (trumpet) a sister (French horn) are both professional musicians. Who doesn't love a nice lookin' trumpet?
They're cool watches. Just got myself one from 1989. Runs like clockwork, built like a T-34. When is your's from?
My grandfather's 1949 Buescher 400, on which I learned to play: My 1955 Buescher Lightweight 400, which is what I usually play: My 1950 Buescher Lightweight 400, which I sometimes play, and plated in silver with gold plate inside the bell: All have had their valves rebuilt as well. Tom
I have serviced plenty of watches that were not worth anything close to what the costs of the service was... If the watch is meaningful to you in some way, then taking care of it is the right thing to do. Some people tend to see watches from a particular view that is focused heavily on money, retaining value, etc. but there are plenty of people who just appreciate them for what they are, and just want to take care of them regardless if it makes sense economically or not. Cheers, Al
do does it still work? if yes why not drive her until she no longer does? ... thats my philosophy for cheap but "somewhat special" watches that i have running out of sync by 1 min per day? who gives a fuck? i just factor that in - and i never have been at a meeting that started on time anyway (of course living in south-america helps a lot)