Looking for a watch smith in the USA

[Prsist]

I went to my only local watch smith who I know works on reps and he quoted me $275 to overhaul a watch, rep or gen. I find this a little too high. Is this a fair price to do an overhaul?

I would rather someone on the forum work on my reps as I think they would have the added experience of working with reps. Am I correct in my thinking?

With that said can someone let me know who I can email or pm on the forum to discuss potentially working on a couple of my reps? If you know of someone in Saint Louis, MO, even better.

[jchurch]

Ack... Depends on the movement but I haven't paid near 300 for a service as of yet. I suspect an overhaul is a service lol.

[Prsist]

Overhaul or Full service. I know the movements we get are not in tip top shape. My keepers I'd like to have properly serviced as i plan to have them for many years to come.

[jchurch]

That's what I thought. So the prices I have paid were under 200 each for an ETA 28-something (whatever is in the SOSF lol) and an A7750.

[cougaree]

I expect less than 100 for ETA 2824-2/2836-2 or ETA 6497/6498, 200 for A7750/ETA7750. Full service.

[kbh]

It would certainly be cheaper to buy a whole new movement. Last 28xx movement service, I paid $80 as I recall.

[jchurch]

I don't remember the exact price on what I paid for the SOSF service since it had the dial and hands lumed and all with shipping both ways was under 200. The A7750 was also under 200 including shipping both ways. I haven't looked locally. Both were done by different very good well reviewed members off the board.

[dv_indian]

It should cost about $75. I haven't had any reps serviced but for a couple of old mechanicals with swiss movement, my watch maker here in San Francisco serviced them for about $50 each.

[Prsist]

Who can I go to in the community to service my watches?

Is a movement swap just buying a new movement and swapping it out? Or is it a little more complicated?

I have an IWC aquatimer I love and want serviced before it breaks down.

[nyquiz]

If the Aquatimer is the 3719 (A7750) then it's probably going to run around 180-200. I know Vac has worked on these watches before, you may want to shoot him a PM or e-mail.

[ChipSlap]

I've paid $150 to service/repair an A7750.

Non-chrono ETAs ran about $100.

[jchurch]

The A7750 I had serviced ran me 185 and was done just a few weeks ago. I am actually waiting for it to get finished up and returned to me lol. I believe most of the recommended folks from the board will run around that price for an A7750. Mine was on a running seconds at 9 model don't know if it makes a really big difference though.

[Prsist]

Where have you guys had the service done? Locally or through a forum member?

[Jkay]

In North America, Vaccum and TheZigmeister are the go-to forum members for service and lume.

[jchurch]

Mine were all mailed to members from the forum. I don't know of a local one to me anyhow. VAC did my SOSF service and lume of dial and hands. Another member is working on my A7750.

I am waiting for The Zigmeister to open up, start accepting more watches, so I can send off another watch to be lumed and serviced.

[ChipSlap]

I went to a local shop.