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Post by earthphase on Mar 2, 2015 8:31:36 GMT -8
What do you prefer when shopping around for vintage?
I almost think the recently serviced is the better way to, as safe queens are going to need immediate service anyway, right?
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Post by estrickland on Mar 2, 2015 8:56:29 GMT -8
It can be a win - sellers usually don't recoup their service costs in the sale of a watch.
If the seller has service paperwork from someone you trust, then sure you can save time and money.
Without knowledge of and trust in the specific watchmaker and what service they performed, the service claim is pretty much worthless - so it's better to have the watch as undisturbed as possible.
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sdoocms
Is a Permanent Fixture
Carl
Posts: 5,296 
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Post by sdoocms on Mar 2, 2015 9:16:57 GMT -8
My rule of thumb is this...I always consider the cost of a service into the final cost of the watch. If I get lucky and the seller makes the claim that it has been serviced, and the watch runs well, then the cost of the service is not needed and I am money ahead.
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Post by stevenjohn on Mar 2, 2015 10:03:00 GMT -8
I completely agree with the others that you can't put any faith in a "recent service" claim. I've never had one yet that I would use as a daily wearer. This watch below was listed as serviced, but when I opened it up, the autowind mechanism was completely dry. I removed the autowind bridge to look at the jewels. They were wet out to the edge and dirty. Finally I looked at the balance cap jewel. I couldn't see any oil ring. It only had a bubble at the side of the jewel. The cap jewel was completely full of "oil". I quickly determined it was a "one dip" service. The movement was not disassembled, but rather dunked in solvent. This will loosen the old hardened oil for awhile (and gets the watch running), but it migrates everywhere. Often you will find oil on the hairspring and between plates. The Sportman below had the balance jewels nearly full of solvent. It leaves the jewels without adequate lubrication. I end up servicing them properly. Give me an untampered watch every time.  |
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Post by earthphase on Mar 2, 2015 11:08:15 GMT -8
I think you guys are right.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2015 11:27:31 GMT -8
I've brought watches that were said to be fully serviced and they were. I've also brought watches that were just dipped in a ultrasonic tank with cleaner then lube and had not been done correctly.
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Post by stevenjohn on Mar 2, 2015 11:33:39 GMT -8
I must be buying from less than reputable people. :-/
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2015 19:02:00 GMT -8
I've brought watches that were said to be fully serviced and they were. I've also brought watches that were just dipped in a ultrasonic tank with cleaner then lube and had not been done correctly. Isn't that about the only way you can service most of those old Timex movements? |
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Adrian-VTA
Global Moderator
Adelaide, South Australia
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Post by Adrian-VTA on Mar 2, 2015 19:08:25 GMT -8
If you buy from me you know it's been serviced properly with MOEBIUS lubricants everywhere and no super glue everywhere.
I've purchased "serviced" watches before that have been serviced with WD40. Guess what that does to the dial?
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Post by Groundhog66 on Mar 2, 2015 20:20:12 GMT -8
Unless I know, by whom the movement was serviced, it means nothing to me.
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Post by C4L18R3 on Mar 2, 2015 23:11:34 GMT -8
"Recently serviced" with proof (AD receipt and replaced parts) then that's a winner! - I've had a few good experiences with these.
"Recently serviced" without proof means nothing unless you know you're getting it from - I use the watch and wait 'til something goes wrong.
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Post by dnill on Mar 2, 2015 23:51:24 GMT -8
Same goes for me. As untouched as possible, with rock hard gaskets and a cloudy, scratched crystal. That's the signs of an unmolested specimen:)
Serviced by someone I know of, otherwise it has to go out for service.
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Post by pollythecat on Mar 3, 2015 1:01:57 GMT -8
I've brought watches that were said to be fully serviced and they were. I've also brought watches that were just dipped in a ultrasonic tank with cleaner then lube and had not been done correctly. Bloody hell! How could anyone do that. Its like taking a bath with your clothes on  When I sell old watches and state they have been serviced they have been, some sellers do have honour. As said previously you need to trust their reputation which is not possible with complete strangers. Another observation, not all services are equal, not just in terms of being a dunk in the ultrasonic but some watchmakers go through all the motions and spoil the service with the wrong oil and quantities. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2015 1:51:23 GMT -8
I've brought watches that were said to be fully serviced and they were. I've also brought watches that were just dipped in a ultrasonic tank with cleaner then lube and had not been done correctly. Bloody hell! How could anyone do that. Its like taking a bath with your clothes on When I sell old watches and state they have been serviced they have been, some sellers do have honour. As said previously you need to trust their reputation which is not possible with complete strangers. Another observation, not all services are equal, not just in terms of being a dunk in the ultrasonic but some watchmakers go through all the motions and spoil the service with the wrong oil and quantities. I see this all the time in the clock business. I charge £250 to overhaul an english fusee movement which takes me a full 3 days. There are other guys who just take it off the dial and put it straight into the ultransonic cleaner. They come out looking clean and work for a short while some times but the spring barrel gets full of crap and soon they start mucking about again. These guys charge around £150 for this service but they tell the clients it was a full strip, polish and clean. |
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