Need Recommend/Advice

[mox123]

Hi to all the sifus here,

I bought a used UN watch a year ago and now I would like to do the following:

1) Lume on markers are totally gone, would like to refill it (it can be done, right?)

2) Replace the glass (hav some minor airline scratches on it).

3) Replace the strap.

4) Maybe service although it still running accurately.

My question here is shd I send back to UN or other watch shop to do it? I did called up UN and they quoted me a sky high price.

So, if to send to normal  watch shop or repair shop, any recommendation?

This particular model is Marine Chronometer and it is ETA base movement. 2836 or something like that, can't remember the exact.
 Watch age is around 8 years old.

Any comment from all the sifu here is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[chrisyen]

if can afford go back to UN....
if want to save some $$$ then go to other watchmaker...
ETA movement is easy job to service.... cost u 200 bucks ++ for servicing...
relume is tough... i do know watchmaker can do it.... but best is to change with the original UN dial! but will cost u a bomb!
but not sure can get the crystal replace outside!

how come the sapphire crystal can get scratch? just the outer ar coating scratch right?

[sshark]

The watch took quite a beating

[patryn33]

relume hard... planning to sell.. value drop like crazy.. better have it the way it is.
change new dial is the best way to go, cost a bomb for sure.

sapphire crystal still have scratch.. wow.. getting a crystal outside should be ok.

strap is cake don't have to get original one, just remember to swap the metal pieces (pushers/buckle).
non orginal strap may cost a bomb too. quality diif..
eg
http://www.XXXX.com/ (edited - please refrain from posting links to commercial websites)

[lilpronaz]

If seems that your watch took quite a beating. I think you just have to bite the bullet and let UN overhaul it. Get the dial changed and have the movement serviced. I am not sure if the Marine Chronometer has a UN module attached to the base ETA or not but if it does, I believe it's best to let UN handle it instead of a non-UN trained watchmaker.

[mox123]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the advice. I think d best is still go back to UN.....sigh. Regarding the scratches on the glass, it is not very visible and i'm not sure whether it consider Scratches or not. if it's just at the coating, how to remove it? This so call "scratches" on the glass is quite a lot la.

So, let say if I want to just service the watch, without changing dial or glass, can I just go to normal watch repairer?

Thanks.

[lilpronaz]

Believe it or not, sapphire crystal can be scratched by diamonds...the toughest substance on earth. If it is AR coating, the watchmaker can just polish it off.

If it is standard servicing of ETA movement, you can send it in to any watchmaker for servicing. If the service requires UN specific parts to be replaced, I feel safer sending it back to the UN service centre unless you have a very competent and trustworthy watchmaker. If UN is like IWC where the original ETA parts are replaced with higher quality parts, it is best to go back to the the manufacturer's service centre for repairs.

[takashi78]

You gotta pay to play.
I would feel safer going back to UN.
Pay more to have it done right.

[sshark]

On the Mohr chart sapphire crystal is the 2nd hardest after diamond. nevertheless, if u press ur stainless steel screw driver hard and drag it across the sapphire, u r sure to make a mark

[patryn33]

if u are just servicing a watch u can certainly go to a reliable watchmaker.
else just go thru AD. whichever u feel comfortable with.

ppl here do work in the harsh work environment, such as on a oil rig, war zone, or in places where diamonds are found readily on walls.