Expectations when fixing a watch

fando

Following positive posts about Kenneally Jewellers, Limerick I decided to give a try and fix my watch. Watch: Seiko 5, 7009 movement, problem: doesn't store enough power go get it through night.
After overhaul watch reserve is sufficient but: 1. is late 5-6 minutes per day (was ~30 sek per day) 2. water condensation inside (never happened before). Took it back. After drying and regulating: the watch is late 'only' 2 minutes per day, has spots of dried water on the dial, lacquer on the dial is peeling off around the edge and some small debris inside which wasn't there.

Now I understand that this is an old automatic watch and can't be expected to be water resistant and keep perfect time but my feeling is that watch was more 'attractive' before the works done (I exchanged one flaw for the others).

My question: is that a 'normal' repair experience considering the age of the watch or one could expect to have watch repaired without such complications?

alantul

If the watch was serviced correctly it should perform like it did as new.
Gaskets should be replaced and a water test should have been carried out.
They are a fairly solid case and age would/should not affect its water resistance.
As for the dial it will stay peeling, a restoration of the dial is on the cards.

fando

Thank you for sharing your view on it.
They kept reminding me about it's age - suggesting to lower my expectations. But if one don't expect to get a watch to work properly what's the point trying to get it serviced in the first place?
When I mentioned the watch is 5 min/day late, their answer was; it's an automatic, they don't keep time perfectly.
I guess this is a caution: do your research before you hand over your watch to anyone.

Wibbs

fando wrote: »

1. is late 5-6 minutes per day (was ~30 sek per day) 2. water condensation inside (never happened before). Took it back. After drying and regulating: the watch is late 'only' 2 minutes per day, has spots of dried water on the dial, lacquer on the dial is peeling off around the edge and some small debris inside which wasn't there.

That for me would be unacceptable TBH. Especially the timekeeping. The water resistance or lack thereof a bad sign too, never mind the water damage and dial decay.

When I mentioned the watch is 5 min/day late, their answer was; it's an automatic, they don't keep time perfectly.

Utter bullshít really F. I've near century old wristwatches that haven't seen a service in years and have older more variable technology and materials in hairspring and balance that perform way better than that. A minute out for a non chronometer movement or one with some wear and tear fine, but 6 minutes? Eh no, especially when it was more accurate before this "service". Oh I've heard this excuse before F and each time I've called them on it and never used them again. I'm with alantul on this.

As for the dial, it'll require a redail. "Restoration" with few exceptions means this. Redails vary a lot in quality and IMHO most are pretty obvious. With your watch I would suggest keeping an eye on ebay for a similar model with a good dial but non working. They can usually be found for little enough money.

fando

It is unacceptable, but I am not taking it back there for the third time - there is no point, I'll just stay clear.

fishguy

Hi,

+1 on Alantul.

Personally based on your experience I would avoid that `watchmaker` Watermarks on the inside of the crystal and on the inner case are a BIG no-no. Seiko watches are not the gold standard of watches but they are going strong for decades. Also they are very serviceable pieces. If I`m correct the factory specs. are -6 +25 sec a day (Seiko 5 automatic movement). You should be able to get the is and definitional not more than twice of this.

Unless the watch has some special value to you I would say restoring the dial is probably an overkill. Restoring a Seiko dial is at least 100 Euro if the restorer has a template for the exact dial if not it costs an extra 60 to create the template.

I`m a partial owner of a watchmaking bussiness. Cleaning and adjusting would be between 50 - 80 Euro if no part is required. There would be one year warranty on the movement and on the work completed. A good watchmaker always provide warranty on the work completed.

So the bottom line is:

1. Don`t accept that level of accuracy from any watch without a clear indication of the fault (possibly oscillating weight, rotor gear, mainspring, balance in your case) as stating `this is an old watch and it has it`s limitations..`is bull****

2. Watermarks and dirt in the inside of the watch is not acceptable.

3. If the watch is not waterproof anymore you should be warned and you should be offered a fix for that if possible.

G.

fando

I guess I'll settle for a new Seiko 5 and try to restore 7009 later.
Fair play to those of you in this business for insisting on quality. As you may have guessed, my experience was a bit of a shock as you would normally expect from a watchmaker everything but sloppiness.

fishguy

Hi,

Wise choice give the price of the new Seikos. If you ever stuck with a service issue throw me a PM and I can help you out...

G.

Daniel S

Speaking of Seiko 5's...

Seiko Sport 5 Military in Black (Japanese version):



Want one of these soooo badly, but they're damn near impossible to get over here.

fishguy

I had two of these before. Sold the second one before Xmas. One of the few watches what can survive the end of the world imho

G.

flutered

fando wrote: »

It is unacceptable, but I am not taking it back there for the third time - there is no point, I'll just stay clear.

i have to stop using them, they cost me a packet.

fishguy

Well if you aren't disarming landmines by throwing the watch on them they should last a lifetime plus. Think of it as an investment. Great hand me down pieces too.

G.