Interesting response from a WatchSmith

[Ronin]

Funny thing. I called my local Seiko AD to have one of my 14 year old Automatic Seiko's serviced.

This watch has seen A LOT of Ocean time, so I thought it deserved a trip "to the Spa (AD)" for a good ole cleaning and servicing.

The somewhat arrogant WatchSmith said if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I am not sure how I feel about this. Thoughts? Am I crazy for wanting a 14 year old automatic serviced that has never been? I realize it is a Seiko that is pretty bullet proof, my others have been work horses.

Thanks,

[freddy333]

Excepting some recent high-end exotics that are made with ceramic parts, nearly all automatic watches require regular servicing every 5-7 years. So unless there is something about 14 year-old Seikos that I am unaware of, I would find another watchmaker.

[offshore]

I would advise Seiko head office.

I'm sure they would have an alternate view

Offshore

[ubiquitous]

Just have a look at some of Zig's reviews that he's done, specifically the one on his 4 year old A7750 that had run for 4 years straight. The oils do evaporate over time and can cause other issues internally; I'd say a regular service is a must to keep the friction points lubricated to avoid unnecessary wear.

You'll also want either re-lubed gaskets or fresh gaskets as well if it regularly sees H2O...

[chubbchubb]

  On 8/3/2009 at 9:21 PM, RoninQ said:

if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The whole concept of regular servicing is done to avoid things breaking....

[dluddy]

I agree

Find a new watchsmith and report this one to Seiko

[TeeJay]

  On 8/3/2009 at 9:27 PM, offshore said:

I would advise Seiko head office.

I'm sure they would have an alternate view

Offshore

+1

Very strange attitude for a businessman to take... Even if he knew there was nothing wrong with the watch, why turn away business? That's just a bit in my scheme of things

[Packard]

Try these: http://www.seikowatches.com/support/customer/index.html

I'm of a mixed mind on these matters. Sometimes maintenence does not make sense. For example tire rotation. My car recommends that I rotate the tires every 7,500 miles. When I do the math it is cheaper to just leave the tires alone. I pick up a maximum of 10% to 20% additional wear with the extra maintenence, but I spend more than 10% or 20% on the tire rotations.

I think these things need to be viewed in a big picture. If left alone what would the likely damage be? I've read that Japanese movements when purchased in quantity cost about $35.00 each. So why not wait until it is caput and just drop in a new one?

Just wondering aloud.

Regards,

Packard

[ubiquitous]

  On 8/3/2009 at 9:57 PM, Packard said:

So why not wait until it is caput and just drop in a new one?

Agreed that the economics sometimes does not make sense. However, if you wait until your current movement takes a dump and you replace it with a new movement, there's no guarantee as to how old that 'new' movement will actually be. It could be a 5 - 8 year old movement sitting in some watchmaker's bin to begin with. Oils age and dissipate over time regardless of whether the watch is running or not.

For a Seiko movement, that mentality may be well and fine. However, there were folks who had the same standpoint when it came to ETAs. Since they were easily sourced and affordable a few years ago, the same mindset was in place to just replace instead of service. Now, with the cost of Swiss ETAs as it is, it's a different perspective

[JohnDorian]

Reminds me of the Toyota owner who ran her engine 35,000 miles without an oil change...

[Ronin]

I am glad my gut reaction was the same.

Took the recommendation and am sending feedback to Seiko USA.

Thanks all,

[smc]

Tire rotation is for proper traction as well...

[ubiquitous]

I haven't rotated tires in 2 years... Mostly because trying to rotate staggered width wheels is not so easy

[Wayward]

  On 8/4/2009 at 1:53 AM, ubiquitous said:

I haven't rotated tires in 2 years... Mostly because trying to rotate staggered width wheels is not so easy

This sounds interesting...what do you drive Ubi?

[trailboss]

What a strange atitude for an AD. Find a new 'smith. Good move reporting this one.

Col.

[Brightight]

  On 8/3/2009 at 9:27 PM, offshore said:

I would advise Seiko head office.

I'm sure they would have an alternate view

Offshore

Don't count on it. I have a 28 year old Seiko which was a wedding present from my wife which obviously has a lot of sentimental value. Over the years of use and wear the crystal has become so scratched you can't see through it and the bezel is broken. Now I hardly expect Seiko to carry parts for a 28 year old watch, but thought they might be able to help when all other possible sources drew a blank. They didn't even respond. So much for Seiko.

[trailboss]

Chances are OS just may be able to source a crystal for that if you ask nicely!

Col.

[Brightight]

OS? Sorry don't recognise that reference........

[freddy333]

  On 8/4/2009 at 2:48 PM, Brightight said:

Don't count on it. I have a 28 year old Seiko which was a wedding present from my wife which obviously has a lot of sentimental value. Over the years of use and wear the crystal has become so scratched you can't see through it and the bezel is broken. Now I hardly expect Seiko to carry parts for a 28 year old watch, but thought they might be able to help when all other possible sources drew a blank. They didn't even respond. So much for Seiko.

Just take the watch to a professional watchmaker (watch manufacturers often do not deal directly with retail customers, but you might try again here). The watch is long-overdue for servicing. Most likely, the bezel is still available & crystals are an easy replacement.

[Brightight]

Thanks Freddy, but I've been told by a professional that the parts are obsolete and no longer available and had the same response by online parts organisations. It was last serviced about 6 years ago, in theory by Seiko, and hasn't been worn for at least three. I would guess I could probably drum up a crystal somewhere (it is oblong) but I'd have to remove it to get all the dimensions and I'm reluctant to do that at this stage. It's not a watch I'll be wearing again, but I would like it to be in reasonable condition. I will try the Seiko references you've posted.

[freddy333]

  On 8/4/2009 at 5:59 PM, Brightight said:

Thanks Freddy, but I've been told by a professional that the parts are obsolete and no longer available and had the same response by online parts organisations.

If there is 1 thing I have learned when relying on other people for help, seek & ye shall find. Have you tried ebay?

[Jkay]

  On 8/4/2009 at 1:49 AM, smc said:

Tire rotation is for proper traction as well...

Tire rotation is meant to even out the peculiar wear patterns which can occur from alignment and other issues.

[fcaap_dan]

I bet the AD thinks servicing the watch is too tedious and hates doing it.

I don't know where you're buying tires, but my tire rotations are free. And they're very important for even wear.

[Ronin]

Since this thread has forked:

1.) Tire Rotation, as Ubi indicated does not do much good on a Sports Car (BMW, Porsche, Mercedes) with differing wheel sizes front to back.

2.) Obsolete Parts, ditto Freddy333. Even calling 'every' Seiko AD/watch smith IF it is that important to you. I just had my Grandfathers 1940 Gruen Veri-Thin restored. Parts were found.

3.) OP/OT. I had a realization about the AD/Watch Smith I spoke with. They are heavy on the retail side, and with a large inventory. To them, ...ain't broke... means run into the ground so it will be too costly to repair. Then you will hopefully buy a NEW watch from their shop.

[ubiquitous]

  On 8/4/2009 at 7:17 PM, RoninQ said:

1.) Tire Rotation, as Ubi indicated does not do much good on a Sports Car (BMW, Porsche, Mercedes) with differing wheel sizes front to back.

Since I run 19x8.5(f) and 19x9.5®, tire rotation means dismounting tires and switching L - R, and not F - B. The dismount is necessary since the tread is uni-directional; I can't just switch the left wheel with the right. Major pain in the arse, time consuming and of course, not free And what's worse is that I'm lowered 2.5" and can only align so much; it's not really the camber that kills me, but the toe-in/out that causes the most wear.

These days, I just run the tires into the ground. Kind of sucks when buying new tires and I look at the tread pattern- The inside shoulders get well worn, but the outside shoulders still have some good tread left. Speaking of which, I either need to get new tires or trade the car in... I'm due.