Thanks for the replies. The watch that I am considering is a chronograph, and the brand does not have a local AD or service centre, so I guess for servicing I would have to go to a freelance watch technician.
Has anyone sent their Valjoux 7750 chronograph watch for servicing in Malaysia before? How much does it cost?
I've read people in the US who sent their Valjoux 7750 for servicing for the first time got a real shock when they were billed USD$500. With that kind of money, I can buy another watch altogether. But then again, the cost of labour in the US (and EU) has always been higher. Malaysia might be cheaper...
Another question would be, if I buy a 9 year old Valjoux 7750 watch, should I send it for servicing right away, or just use it until it shows sign of not working properly. Since I do not know the watch servicing history, I have to assume that it has never been serviced before...so I also would not know how long the watch can run before it needs servicing.
I guess my real question is, do you think it is worth it to buy a 9 year old Valjoux 7750 watch, taking into account the unknown service history of the watch, and the cost of servicing for the movement?
It would be easier if we know the brand of the watch you are looking at.
Watch servicing is part and parcel of watch collecting. It is something we have to do, like it or not. You can push the service interval from 5 to 6 or even 7 years, but it all depends on you and how you use the watch. I have an Omega with a 7750 that I have not serviced since I bought it in 1996. Still runs well and within limits. The only issue is that the date does not change at 12, but that is an inherent 'problem' with the 7750 (not all will have it).
So if you are paying RM5,000 for the watch and the service cost RM1,500, it is really up to you. What is the value you place on the watch at the end of the day? RM6,500 with no issues for the next 5 to 6 years? Or if you are paying RM30,000 for the watch and you don't want to pay RM1,500 for the service?
I send all my watches (bought pre-loved) for a service (except Panerai) as I do not know the service history. Even if I know, I still send it for a service. It does not cost as much as until you wait for it to break down. I have a SeaDweller that was serviced in 2008 and I bought it last year. Guess what? RSC had a check and found out that the HRV was not working properly as the former owner had tried to see how the HRV worked and damaged it. There was water ingression and all. So, having a service history does give you peace of mind but it is not fool proof.
If you like the watch, get it. If you are really concern with the service cost, talk to the seller and see if the seller is willing to come down on the price to cover the service cost. If the seller is willing, you got it made, if not, you have to decide if the watch is worth it.
Service cost is always a concern to me, as is after sales service. That is why I limit myself to a particular price range when buying a watch. At least I know at the end of the day, I can afford to have the watch serviced. It is no use to buy a Patek and at the end of the day moan about having to pay RM10,000 for a service. As I have said, it is part and parcel of the game we play.