Where Would You Get Your Watch Serviced?

paul7g

Hi,

Interested to know where people get their watches serviced in Ireland. Do they go back to the AD, or go to a specialist.

I've read so many different opinions online, mainly UK and US. Some would always avoid the AD, because they feel like they don't get the attention to detail service, and therefore opt for an independent specialist. Other would only go to an AD. For example, I've heard people get various Rolex watches serviced at Rolex only to find their watch coming back with a full polish, which can destroy their watch (for them).

It seems to be a similar split theory across the motor market. The more special a car is, it's unlikely it goes back to the AD, out of fear it is "just treated like a 'normal' car and it doesn't get cared for".

Interested to hear about people's opinions directly in Ireland as I've never had a watch serviced in Ireland. Thanks in advance.

blue5000

Last time it went to a local specialist in Galway, I didn’t fancy sending it abroad back to the manufacturer.

It has an ETA movement so any parts needed should have been widely available, except for seals, which weren’t replaced.

I have never had a vintage watch serviced, probably should though. Most of my vintage watches were bought for less than €200, one that I bought for €50, I sent it to a watchmaker for an estimate but he wanted €250 to service and repair a crown (which I supplied). Now to be fair the watch was a double spring Longines, and I don’t expect the guy to work for nothing. I will get it done some day.

Since covid I have hardly worn any of my vintage watches, except for the Pogue. That gets an odd Sunday on my wrist. Good question though, are you a watchmaker?

Lorddrakul

I have a mate in the business.

That is all.

micks_address

i just had my speedmaster serviced in kish jewellers in powerscourt center in dublin... they are a bit cheaper that others ive used in the past... watchfix charged me 500 for a speedmaster service before.. was very quick.. and fine.. i had a issue with the watch that they fixed that day... kish have a backlog of a few months on servicing.. john brerton service as well.. have heard good things from a few friends.. they serviced a mates quartz seamaster last year and was only 60 euro or something... not the same as an auto or chrono service but still.. new battery and watch came back mint..

two camps of folks with watches.. some want to retain the character of age and wear on a watch so go bad when rolex make a watch new at service.. others prefer the new look.. im currently in the 'new look' camp.. maybe that will change in time.. obviously id hate to have a dial swapped out in something like a vintage speedy that made the watch worth more... but otherwise if they want to give me new parts im ok with it

paul7g

Thanks for the help.

One is a Daytona (2 years old), and a 5 year old AP ROC. Any idea on where I could bring those in Ireland, or should I look to go to the UK?

893bet

Why Do you think they need service is the biggest question. They shouldn’t.

Daytona is still under warranty even assume if it’s two years since sale from AD.

paul7g

Sorry, I should have explained... the AP needs a service now (it's losing 10+ seconds a day)... and curious to know what to do with the Daytona when it does require a service.

893bet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119024020#Comment_119024020

10 seconds a day is a very small deviation. What’s the rated accuracy for the calibre in the watch?

I wouldn’t worry about 10 seconds to go spending 1k on a service. But YMMV.

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119024104#Comment_119024104

if i could afford an AP id expect it to be better than 10 seconds a day... maybe it got effected by magnetism?

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119024020#Comment_119024020

the daytona might be worth going to rolex with... did you buy new or pre owned? sending a pre owned watch to rolex could be tricky... not in any way implying but there have been cases of pre owned watched being held by rolex as they ended up being reported to them as stolen..

893bet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119024403#Comment_119024403

Unlikely. Magnetism would lead to many magnitudes of that usually in the minutes/hours region.

A regulation here might be fine. I wouldn’t even notice 10second a day.

paul7g

Thanks all.

Daytona was new from Rolex AD.

The AP should be -2/+2 seconds per day. 15 seconds is quite a long way off for an expensive watch IMO.

I have a 40 year old Submariner 5513 (which had a great service history), and that is within 1 second of my iPhone each day.