Author Topic: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?  (Read 36899 times)

Offline nightwatchman

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General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« on: July 26, 2011, 09:39:02 AM »
hi guys i am looking for some assistance regarding the servicing of vintage watches.

i am looking at purchasing a vintage watch off xbxy and i was wondering what the average cost is for a basic oiling/service and whether any of you have contacts that are cheap and reliable.

thanks in advance.
« Last Edit: July 26, 2011, 09:56:14 AM by Scott C. »

Offline siodee

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2011, 12:26:35 PM »
Bro, if you decided to buy vintage from xxxy, you better do a lot of research as advised by most of the sifus here. Some actually use replica movement, unless you only care about the body

Just my 11 cents
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore... Dream... Discover..." - Mark Twain

Offline sari

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2011, 12:05:55 AM »
If you are in Penang, there are 2 place I can recommend. Mr Wong in Penang road opposite komtar and one husband & wife team in anson road.
However I must warn you, finding parts for vintage watch can be a pain in the ass. In short be prepare to spend some time and $$$$$.
« Last Edit: August 01, 2011, 12:08:28 AM by sari »

Offline Watchnewby

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2011, 02:43:43 PM »
What about in the Klang valley? Any recommendation for servicing watches -
1) vintage watches?
2) modern watches (other than the service center of watch manufacturer)?

Offline Ted baker

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2012, 01:17:44 PM »
I found one service centre in subang parade , not sure how much it cost you.

But must get ready withhold and money bro...that is for sure....hehehehe

Cheers

Offline chrisyen

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2012, 06:40:07 PM »
I found one service centre in subang parade , not sure how much it cost you.

But must get ready withhold and money bro...that is for sure....hehehehe

Cheers

Went bangsar village branch! Bad experience!!! Cut throat!!! took very long time, cut throat price, watch power reserve less than 15hrs after service, sent it back but 6 mths warranty running, took another 2 mths, shop refuse warranty shd start after second repAir!!!
Then watch really broke after few mths n sent to another watchmaker n found the part used for this watch not genuine omega but a used old american watch parts... But they deny...

Offline TheHobbit

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2012, 06:51:36 PM »

Went bangsar village branch! Bad experience!!! Cut throat!!! took very long time, cut throat price, watch power reserve less than 15hrs after service, sent it back but 6 mths warranty running, took another 2 mths, shop refuse warranty shd start after second repAir!!!
Then watch really broke after few mths n sent to another watchmaker n found the part used for this watch not genuine omega but a used old american watch parts... But they deny...

I think I know the people you are talking about. Basically my experience with them is just as bad. The people there don't really know their stuff. Only 1 guy knows but I don't even know where he is. The people they hire don't know anything about watches, or even if they know, it is limited to changing batteries and straps.

I tried to send on of my watches a long time ago, and the guy (the Atria branch) there was like errrr... your watch not all original. We need to send it out to have to checked. It will take 2 months. I went you know this without even opening up the watch? Guy went blink blink and we cannot do your watch.

One of I main concern with watch collecting, after sales service. Sigh!

Offline khanwooi

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2012, 06:30:37 PM »
hi guys

yesterday i went to the summit usj, inside 4th floor, there is a vintage watch shop, provide servicing as well,
can have a try or a do any one of you know him?

Khan Wooi

Offline chin

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2012, 06:14:08 AM »
Quite a few members are familiar with the shop (grd floor right?) mayb u mention David's name can get extra discount  :Dancing_banana:

Offline David_cheong

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2012, 06:34:14 AM »
Hi

There are two shops at the summit.

One is at the 4th floor which deal with antique watches and repairs (not familiar with this shop)

And the other one - now shifted to the 1st floor near the ACE hardware....(I know this one)

Do not mistaken for both.

Cheers and happy hunting for your repair shop...

dc
I am almost a recovered watchaholic, but last checked shows only 70% recovered. How?

Offline khanwooi

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #10 on: February 21, 2012, 02:34:31 PM »
hahaha

yes there is 2, 1 is antic vintage watch service and another is for expensive watch service, Pam, rolex.. hahahaha

sure for it easy differentiate,

Khan Wooi

Offline stiff muckler

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #11 on: February 22, 2012, 02:31:17 AM »
Send dem to Amerika.  They are now poor and der uhrmacher do gut werk fur cheap!

sm iiH!

Offline Pierre

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #12 on: February 29, 2012, 07:36:35 PM »
You can try one in Amcorp mall first floor, as I know they have the most full equipment and tools for repair watches. Their service not bad too. Hope can help. :Cheers:

Offline banqk2

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #13 on: March 01, 2012, 11:17:31 AM »
Just wondering how reliable for those vintage watch repair shop and are those shop trustable as compare to the authorized watch services outlets out there in town?

Thanks

Offline RadoSilverHorse

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #14 on: March 10, 2012, 12:32:08 PM »
Anyone knows of a good & reliable place to send for repairs in Perak state ?

Offline myric

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #15 on: April 25, 2012, 12:29:01 PM »
There was a famous watch repair sifu (uncle Ong) at Penang, who still maintaining his small stall under staircase of a building at Penang Road, opposite Komtar.

The price are various on the types of service you asked for.




Offline Godzillaz

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #16 on: May 03, 2012, 07:52:58 AM »
I have search extensively for years and conclude that we can only find rolex or eta movement repair shop here in Malaysia. If you're buying other brand that don't use these type of movement. You're out of luck.

Of course if is quartz you are talking then any shop can do.

Be careful with these so so repair shop. They can scratch your movement or worse put non genuine part into your watch. You'll find out after sometime your watch act funny that's because all the gears are ruined by these foreign parts. When that time come the movement is severely damaged and the cost of repair is the price of the watch.

Be careful my MWF friends, vintage watch collecting require a different mindset than buying new off the shelf watches.

Regards
Tyler 

hi guys i am looking for some assistance regarding the servicing of vintage watches.

i am looking at purchasing a vintage watch off xbxy and i was wondering what the average cost is for a basic oiling/service and whether any of you have contacts that are cheap and reliable.

thanks in advance.

Offline StuertMiller

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #17 on: May 20, 2013, 01:57:54 PM »
If you have need to repair or servicing of vintage or luxury watches, then you must need to hire a good watch repair company that comes with expert and well skilled watch repairers team. Lots of companies are available that offers watches servicing and repairing services so, you can find the best easily for you to get reliable watch repairing services.

Offline calvinong

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #18 on: May 24, 2013, 02:16:17 PM »
hi can u pm me the shops in klang valley for repair

i am aware of the amcorp shop, summit 4th floor & franchise shops in shopping mall

other than these shops any others?

Offline anilv

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #19 on: June 24, 2013, 06:44:29 PM »
Hi Guys,

This is my first post on this forum... be kind!

I tinker with watches as a hobby, when I can fit it in between my work and other stuff. Been collecting watches for the last 25yrs or so..

A few observations about our hobby in Malaysia.

1. The main problem with repairing watches is the fact that you can't really get parts in Malaysia. The only avenue for new parts is overseas. So for a simple part like a mainspring.. if I order 1 mainspring, the price including shipping would cost around MYR50. If a watch has too many issues it is uneconomic to repair. parts from overseas, if available take anywhere from 1-2 months to arrive, unless you opt for express shipping, which again pushes the price higher.

2. A chronograph is worse when it comes to cost of parts... 

3. Those so called specialists in swiss watches will only look at high end watches. A lot of watch collectors have lower budgets and only want to get a decent mechanical watch running reasonably well. Fine if you have a Patek or AP, but most people have a Rado or Titoni or Tissot and paying RM500 to service a RM300 watch does not make sense.

4. When you service a watch, you need to dismantle the whole thing and clean it. A lot of people who repair mechanical watches will only do what needs to be done to get it running. That is why the watch you serviced 6 months ago and left sitting in the drawer for the last 3 months will not run.

5. Having said that, a fully serviced watch if left in a drawer for a year may have issues... oil 'gels' and this doesn't do the watch any good. Modern synthetic oils are good but an old watch is an old watch!

6. Not all swiss watches are good, they made some watches in the 70s which are practically worthless..  do a search on pin-lever movements..   Stay away from these. Google (images) EB8800 and compare to ETA1080.. both are basic watches in their time, one from the 50s, one from the 70s, you'll see what I mean.

Anil

« Last Edit: June 25, 2013, 07:40:11 AM by ck77 »

Offline khanwooi

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #20 on: June 25, 2013, 08:32:32 AM »
Hi Guys,

This is my first post on this forum... be kind!

I tinker with watches as a hobby, when I can fit it in between my work and other stuff. Been collecting watches for the last 25yrs or so..

A few observations about our hobby in Malaysia.

1. The main problem with repairing watches is the fact that you can't really get parts in Malaysia. The only avenue for new parts is overseas. So for a simple part like a mainspring.. if I order 1 mainspring, the price including shipping would cost around MYR50. If a watch has too many issues it is uneconomic to repair. parts from overseas, if available take anywhere from 1-2 months to arrive, unless you opt for express shipping, which again pushes the price higher.

2. A chronograph is worse when it comes to cost of parts... 

3. Those so called specialists in swiss watches will only look at high end watches. A lot of watch collectors have lower budgets and only want to get a decent mechanical watch running reasonably well. Fine if you have a Patek or AP, but most people have a Rado or Titoni or Tissot and paying RM500 to service a RM300 watch does not make sense.

4. When you service a watch, you need to dismantle the whole thing and clean it. A lot of people who repair mechanical watches will only do what needs to be done to get it running. That is why the watch you serviced 6 months ago and left sitting in the drawer for the last 3 months will not run.

5. Having said that, a fully serviced watch if left in a drawer for a year may have issues... oil 'gels' and this doesn't do the watch any good. Modern synthetic oils are good but an old watch is an old watch!

6. Not all swiss watches are good, they made some watches in the 70s which are practically worthless..  do a search on pin-lever movements..   Stay away from these. Google (images) EB8800 and compare to ETA1080.. both are basic watches in their time, one from the 50s, one from the 70s, you'll see what I mean.

Anil

hi bro,
i quiet agree with you above mention.
this is one of the reason why i not into swiss watches,
i prefer russian mechanical watches, average servicing 10 years.
the movement is accurate and reliable, and no diff with swiss movement.

Khan Wooi

Offline CKL1213

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #21 on: June 25, 2013, 11:03:21 AM »
I prefer russian mechanical watches, average servicing 10 years.

I'm curious when it comes to servicing a watch, who determine whether it is 3, 5, 7, or 10 years service interval? the manual? watchmaker? people in forum?

Offline chrisyen

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #22 on: June 25, 2013, 09:50:54 PM »
I prefer russian mechanical watches, average servicing 10 years.

I'm curious when it comes to servicing a watch, who determine whether it is 3, 5, 7, or 10 years service interval? the manual? watchmaker? people in forum?

U bought Toyota, they ask u go to service center, or warranty void
they will tell u if u use
Non synthetic oil, 5000km pls come back or 6 mths
Semi synthetic, 7000km or 9 mths
Fully synthetic, 10000km or 12 mths
But half way through u got problem also pls go to service center

U buy watches they tell u the same, it's written in the user manual
Rubber gasket change Yearly for water resistant
Service in 2 yrs or 3 yrs... Or 4 yrs

Who determine?

Offline CKL1213

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #23 on: June 25, 2013, 10:49:56 PM »
I prefer russian mechanical watches, average servicing 10 years.

I'm curious when it comes to servicing a watch, who determine whether it is 3, 5, 7, or 10 years service interval? the manual? watchmaker? people in forum?

U buy watches they tell u the same, it's written in the user manual
Rubber gasket change Yearly for water resistant
Service in 2 yrs or 3 yrs... Or 4 yrs

Who determine?

thank you for taking your time to answer.

however it is a rhetorical question about the statement of "I prefer russian mechanical watches, average servicing 10 years"

I'm just curious did he made that statement based on his own experience? based on the Russian manual? himself as a watchmaker to backup his own statement? or he just listened to some people in some watch forum?



Offline khanwooi

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Re: General Servicing & Repairs - Where and How Much?
« Reply #24 on: June 26, 2013, 01:43:18 PM »
hi

average servicing 10 years
it quiet unbelivable -> believe it, lol
actually this statement do stated in the seller website specification on that particular watch,
it not all russian watch is average servicing 10 years, but certain watches,

and believing in manual or forum or website, is not enough, action is the way,
i do have friend in russian, and around the world, who are my customer and friend, they own such watches and those are WWii watches, keep by thier grandfather and father, all is keep and more then 10 years some, and what supprise you, it still move, and accurate

watch is mechanical, for me, it is depand on the mechanical structure design of the movement. have you ever diassembler the movement check for your self? russian movement i did, but swiss movement, lol not allow else void warrenty..
Khan Wooi