Author Topic: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?  (Read 15325 times)

Offline Spider boy

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 360
I wonder if you guys send your watches to the original manufact. For servicing. Cause I see a lot of vintage watches for sale doesn't come with papers and box and nether servicing receipt from manufacturer.   

I have recently acquired 2 vintage rolexs. So was wondering if I am wise to send to the service center in singapore or shall I just get my local rolex sifu to get it done!

Offline hanz079

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2381
  • I is Rocks!!
    • WATCHIONABLE
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2013, 04:57:22 PM »
If i were you, i'd send it to the Rolex sifu in KK. But with specific instructions on what to replace.
If the vintage pieces that you acquired is patine-ed nicely, better ask him yo just overhaul the movement and change gaskets.
Try to keep everything as original as possible.
Terrenceterrence "seriously, i think buying a watch for it's secondhand value is like getting married and thinking about divorce at the back of your mind."


watchionable.blogspot.com

Offline 1to12

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 466
  • Carpe Diem !!
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2013, 08:53:23 PM »
I dont really like the idea of authorised service centres making it compulsory to change certain parts. Loses part of the history that comes with vintage pieces. I suppose internal parts are ok but external parts are a no-no for me.  :HammerHead:
"...But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen, you hear it? - - Carpe - - hear it? - - Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary." - John Keating, Dead Poets Society

Offline Spider boy

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 360
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2013, 09:40:33 PM »
Thanks bro Hanz ,I think I should bring down to town :) and 1 to 12 reasoning is valid also :)  thanks guys

Offline skuirtgun

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 73
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2013, 10:03:10 AM »
If i were you, i'd send it to the Rolex sifu in KK. But with specific instructions on what to replace.
If the vintage pieces that you acquired is patine-ed nicely, better ask him yo just overhaul the movement and change gaskets.
Try to keep everything as original as possible.

KK as in Kota Kinabalu? Is there a trusted Rolex sifu in KL?

Offline hanz079

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2381
  • I is Rocks!!
    • WATCHIONABLE
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2013, 10:15:23 AM »
If i were you, i'd send it to the Rolex sifu in KK. But with specific instructions on what to replace.
If the vintage pieces that you acquired is patine-ed nicely, better ask him yo just overhaul the movement and change gaskets.
Try to keep everything as original as possible.

KK as in Kota Kinabalu? Is there a trusted Rolex sifu in KL?

Yes there is... He's a little temperamental...
Those who know him will say he is a little cocky.
Those who don't know him will say he is very cocky.
Shop is located along Jalan Pantai.
Terrenceterrence "seriously, i think buying a watch for it's secondhand value is like getting married and thinking about divorce at the back of your mind."


watchionable.blogspot.com

Offline skuirtgun

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 73
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2013, 10:19:30 AM »
Thanks for the info! Have you ever send one for service? Wondering how much it would cost to service a 5512.


KK as in Kota Kinabalu? Is there a trusted Rolex sifu in KL?

Yes there is... He's a little temperamental...
Those who know him will say he is a little cocky.
Those who don't know him will say he is very cocky.
Shop is located along Jalan Pantai.


Offline Sid Vicious

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 418
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2014, 05:00:33 PM »
Hi there all. Thanks for the advise on Rolex. What about Omega? Any experience with servicing or refurbishing vintage omegas in Malaysia?
"You have enemies? Good! That means you stood up for something, sometime in your life."
Sir Winston Churchill

Offline siokae0422

  • Freshie
  • *
  • Posts: 29
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2014, 10:47:35 PM »
i wont send it if i felt not neccessary need service. only will send if felt somethings wrong. hehe

Offline chrisyen

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5959
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2014, 11:09:04 PM »
Hi there all. Thanks for the advise on Rolex. What about Omega? Any experience with servicing or refurbishing vintage omegas in Malaysia?

Swatch Malaysia wont refurbish your Vintage Omega, all go back to Swiss.
price is easily 1/2 of the watch value, but normally the watch come back like new !

Offline Gigi

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1176
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #10 on: July 28, 2014, 09:26:43 PM »
Hi there all. Thanks for the advise on Rolex. What about Omega? Any experience with servicing or refurbishing vintage omegas in Malaysia?

Swatch Malaysia wont refurbish your Vintage Omega, all go back to Swiss.
price is easily 1/2 of the watch value, but normally the watch come back like new !

Not to mention they make your watch very new as in new parts and stuff. If you the kind that wanna keep vintage feel Swatch group is not the place to go to. U can request them to retain certain stuff but they wont abide to you all the time :)

Offline h.chang

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 209
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2014, 07:19:40 PM »
I recently sent a ladies Patek  ellippse for replacement barrel and four wheel to 9th Floor Keck Seng building , KL , as the spring had broken. Came back after 2 weeks , with 2 years guarantee.

Offline 9tailsfox

  • Freshie
  • *
  • Posts: 27
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #12 on: May 09, 2015, 10:08:14 PM »
menara dion :-).......... juz kidding haha
« Last Edit: May 09, 2015, 10:14:03 PM by 9tailsfox »

Offline GaretLim

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 1
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #13 on: May 10, 2015, 07:49:57 AM »
Any good Rolex Sifu to recommend in Johor baru area? My Rolex crown hand winding position does not feel as smooth as before. And the watch stopped daily even though I wear in that day


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline DR THE

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 7
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2016, 11:30:41 AM »
Yes  ;D , at the same times check for all other parts too

Offline wildaxlrose

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 88
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #15 on: March 09, 2016, 01:38:06 PM »
Service centre =peace of mind


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline cheongMike

  • Freshie
  • *
  • Posts: 25
  • Hi, Im Mike
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #16 on: April 15, 2016, 07:00:08 AM »
how long your guys send your watch to services centre ?

Offline jaushiarn91

  • Freshie
  • *
  • Posts: 29
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #17 on: April 23, 2016, 02:35:45 PM »
In my opinion, it's really depends on how complicated the watch movement is. If it's a generic ETA movement, any competent watchmaker should be able to service it without much hassle. However if we're talking about vintage Rolex, Omega, or any high-end chronograph, it will be better to send them to service centre. Which will cost more money  :HammerHead:
The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time

Offline RRL

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 24
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #18 on: May 06, 2016, 10:14:48 PM »
For vintage Rolex watches, particularly 1980s or earlier, i would stick with Rolex centers for servicing. These watches are simply too precious and valuable to be handed to independent shops, UNLESS you know them well.

If you service with Rolex, you must state in the beginning what you don't want them to change (mainly dials, hands, etc), and insist that they return to you all the old parts for you to keep.

Offline Watched

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 119
  • New trained daddy
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #19 on: June 16, 2016, 01:40:32 PM »
A guy advice me for don't send ur watch to service center if ur watch was no problem at all?

BUT... I also get an advice for service the watch every 5 years?

Which one is correct? Please help me

Offline ebayer

  • Freshie
  • *
  • Posts: 30
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #20 on: July 11, 2016, 07:29:01 AM »
Hi guys, I have an Omega Speedmaster 321 (145.012). This morning, I tried to wind the watch and I think the stem disconnected from the mainspring. Do you know where I can get this fixed?

I know there is an Omega SC at Wisma Goldhill but I am worried they will try to replace some of the original vintage parts.

Offline ck77

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2782
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #21 on: July 11, 2016, 08:14:57 AM »
Hi guys, I have an Omega Speedmaster 321 (145.012). This morning, I tried to wind the watch and I think the stem disconnected from the mainspring. Do you know where I can get this fixed?

I know there is an Omega SC at Wisma Goldhill but I am worried they will try to replace some of the original vintage parts.
Nice watch you got there  :thumbsup:
Heard many horror stories of Swatch dealing with vinatges, I might have a contact could help you.
Check you PM.

Offline Wak417

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 21
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #22 on: July 25, 2016, 10:20:28 PM »
Service center serves better though..
The past is history, the future is a mystery" - Mike Tyson

"Success is only what you make of it" - ME

Offline Aluurchin

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
Re: Do you send your vintage watches to original service center?
« Reply #23 on: June 18, 2020, 03:59:22 PM »
Stumbled upon this thread while looking at the forum. Personally I won’t send vintage pieces to service center for servicing/ overhaul. There are just too much stories where they change out your dial, hands even you tell them not to.

I have mine send to local watch maker and came back good.

Keep in mind, try to tell the watch maker not to polish or change any of the outer parts. Just the mechanism will be fine.

Hope my little experiences helps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk