DO you have your watch serviced?
Discussion
My Rolex oyster datejust was serviced for the first time after fourteen years (I think the recommendation is every two years?). At this time it was still running perfectly, but as I'd just added another watch to the collection I thought it was about time I got it done 
. It was serviced in house by an authorised Rolex dealer and the bill came to £165. Was the money wasted? who knows, but I've got it diarised for it's second service in 2018. 
. It was serviced in house by an authorised Rolex dealer and the bill came to £165. Was the money wasted? who knows, but I've got it diarised for it's second service in 2018. Edited by dazren on Tuesday 12th June 16:47
If it's running ok and isn't a rare model with unique parts I'd get it done when it starts running badly. The cost saved will pay for any extra maintenance work.
For something rare or with discontinued parts then prevention is better than (expensive) cure!
My oyster is in at the moment - I'm having it serviced as i wanted a dial change and they insist on a service at the same time.
For something rare or with discontinued parts then prevention is better than (expensive) cure!
My oyster is in at the moment - I'm having it serviced as i wanted a dial change and they insist on a service at the same time.
Just had my Longines serviced, £110 including new battery and a repair to the date wind on mechanism. Battery and reseal is £37 on its own and the battery lasts just over 2 years. The watch is 5 years old now.I'm quite happy to have it checked over regularly as I wear it 24/7.It also gets a full"valet" with a service its come back looking like new, even the welding spark and overspray have been removed!!LOL
Mark
Mark
Had my Breitling serviced a couple of years back, first service for it and being my first expensive watch (at the time) I thought I should send it off.
So went back to Goldsmiths in Bluewater and let them send it off, with a service time of about 2-3 weeks. Got a phone call a couple of weeks later saying that there was a delay of maybe a month, so I asked if they would do a deal on a lesser watch whilst mine was away, and they gave me a false service time. They obliged.
Cost £150 for it to be done, and came back in a nice little case.
Not sure if I would do it again.
Fish
So went back to Goldsmiths in Bluewater and let them send it off, with a service time of about 2-3 weeks. Got a phone call a couple of weeks later saying that there was a delay of maybe a month, so I asked if they would do a deal on a lesser watch whilst mine was away, and they gave me a false service time. They obliged.
Cost £150 for it to be done, and came back in a nice little case.
Not sure if I would do it again.
Fish
I've got a Breitling Aerospace, and in the 9 years I've had the watch it has been serviced twice.
It's not cheap (circa £200) but I always get the battery replaced and serviced at the same time.
It's my only watch and I wear it every day so the poor thing takes a bit of a battering. To have it serviced every 3 - 4 years is no big deal, especially as it comes back looking like the first day I got it.
It's not cheap (circa £200) but I always get the battery replaced and serviced at the same time.
It's my only watch and I wear it every day so the poor thing takes a bit of a battering. To have it serviced every 3 - 4 years is no big deal, especially as it comes back looking like the first day I got it.
Podie said:
I've got a Breitling Aerospace, and in the 9 years I've had the watch it has been serviced twice.
It's not cheap (circa £200) but I always get the battery replaced and serviced at the same time.
It's my only watch and I wear it every day so the poor thing takes a bit of a battering. To have it serviced every 3 - 4 years is no big deal, especially as it comes back looking like the first day I got it.
Excellent new, I can't wait to get mine back now. It's not cheap (circa £200) but I always get the battery replaced and serviced at the same time.
It's my only watch and I wear it every day so the poor thing takes a bit of a battering. To have it serviced every 3 - 4 years is no big deal, especially as it comes back looking like the first day I got it.
Got my Fortis serviced when it broke and then when it needed a new strap. Both times had to send it to Germany but only charge was for postage. Took about 30 days turn around each time. Excellent.
Sent my Audemars Royal Oak Offshore back to the factory for 24 month service - GBP400.00 + insurance and DHL, came back polished, recertified and looking like new and with a new strap.
Took my Longines to W.O.S.for service and calibration, never again! After a couple of weeks and GBP 50.00, it still lost minutes a week, back plate screws were chipped by them and misaligned.
Sent my Audemars Royal Oak Offshore back to the factory for 24 month service - GBP400.00 + insurance and DHL, came back polished, recertified and looking like new and with a new strap.
Took my Longines to W.O.S.for service and calibration, never again! After a couple of weeks and GBP 50.00, it still lost minutes a week, back plate screws were chipped by them and misaligned.
Just had my Tag serviced for the second time in 13 years. It gets worn every day and gets battered about abit so it's worth it IMO. Both times has come back as new having been polished, and any parts that were damaged replaced, all included in the £120 price. I sent it to Tag via Goldsmiths and had it back in about 2 1/2 weeks.
I live in Hong Kong and had my Rolex GMT serviced after ~ 8 years. Rolex actually advise on a service every 18-24 months ( at ~ 100 pounds a time in HK). Last year I met someone who had finished part of a watchmaking course in Australia and was travelling via HK to switzerland to complete his course. Apparantly,things need lubricating inside and sometimes rubber seals degrade with time. He also said that the lubricants used had improved over the last few years and he recommended every 5 years. Everyone I know only gets them serviced when they stop working.
I haven't had a choice with mine so far. Omega Speedmaster Day/Date. Within a year it stopped altogether (Possibly due to being left inactive for two weeks because I didn't want to take it to Rio) Then about three months ago I started the stopwatch for injury time at a football match and it just wouldn't stop, and I've just got it back this evening.
I've only had it two and a half years, the first visit was free but the latest one was £325 (And it's been away three months due to a backlog at Omega). My Lotus only cost me £400 to get it through Servicing and MOT this year!!!!
Nice to have it back though, and it is looking like new.
I've only had it two and a half years, the first visit was free but the latest one was £325 (And it's been away three months due to a backlog at Omega). My Lotus only cost me £400 to get it through Servicing and MOT this year!!!!
Nice to have it back though, and it is looking like new.
Just picked up my Rolex from being serviced, what a difference, I wore it everyday for about 5 year regardless of what I was doing, eg restoring a car, building a garage, digging foundations, pouring concrete, karting etc etc and I thought it still looked pretty damn good.
Until I saw it today, no bull its like brand new, they have changed the crown, seals, some springs, hands etc and given me all the parts taken off the watch, and delievered it in a nice rolex pouch. Plus its guranteed for another year.
Total was £270 ish well worth it.
Now I also had to get a new battery for my wifes watch at the same time, different jewler, cost was about 10% the cost of the watch (the same percentage as the rolex service) and for that they changed the battery, and that was it!.
Until I saw it today, no bull its like brand new, they have changed the crown, seals, some springs, hands etc and given me all the parts taken off the watch, and delievered it in a nice rolex pouch. Plus its guranteed for another year.
Total was £270 ish well worth it.
Now I also had to get a new battery for my wifes watch at the same time, different jewler, cost was about 10% the cost of the watch (the same percentage as the rolex service) and for that they changed the battery, and that was it!.
dont laugh, but i had my seiko chrono. serviced last year. it cost £250 15yrs ago. the service was £115. it is a very pretty watch and was a present from the wife, so thought i had better keep it. the repair shop said are you sure you want to spend that sort of money on a seiko? cheap watch maybe but i have to say it is incredibly accurate, and now being over 15yrs old, you never see another.
I've had my Rolex Oyster Datejust for almost 13 years. I wear it 24/7, and it's been to hell and back 
I was also told to have it serviced only if it starts to lose time, or the date doesn't change within 30 mins after midnight. I have had it serviced 3 times in all these years, including a dial change from blue to black. The gold links on the Oyster bracelet have started to wear thin, so I am wearing a new Baume & Mercier watch, but I adore my Rolex, so until I get the bracelet replaced, I'll have to keep it for 'best'...but I do miss it terribly 
I was also told to have it serviced only if it starts to lose time, or the date doesn't change within 30 mins after midnight. I have had it serviced 3 times in all these years, including a dial change from blue to black. The gold links on the Oyster bracelet have started to wear thin, so I am wearing a new Baume & Mercier watch, but I adore my Rolex, so until I get the bracelet replaced, I'll have to keep it for 'best'...but I do miss it terribly Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff