Long term expectations of your reps?

[whitestripes]

As I contemplate my collection, I wonder what is to be of our reps 5 years down the line, when they start needing servicing?

Is an Asian ETA copy service-able? Is it worth it? Is an A7750 serviceable? Are our watches disposable, useful until the movement dies? Drop a new movement in? With my gen speedy Pro, I know it will last a lifetime if I take it in for regular servicing, yet I'm worried about my reps. What's you take on this?

[Ztech]

I've thought about this as well. So far I haven't found a resolution yet. I'd like to find a watch smith that's rep friendly within the next few years so I can have a dependable individual service my reps. What I've seen so far though is that there aren't many rep friendly watch smiths around. So if I don't have any luck finding one in the next few years they'll just go unserviced or get the boot when they die. What other recourse do I have?

[liquid-air888]

I've thought about this as well. So far I haven't found a resolution yet. I'd like to find a watch smith that's rep friendly within the next few years so I can have a dependable individual service my reps. What I've seen so far though is that there aren't many rep friendly watch smiths around. So if I don't have any luck finding one in the next few years they'll just go unserviced or get the boot when they die. What other recourse do I have?

If you're in Southern Cal, I know a couple in OC. PM me if interested.

[Guest Carl]

My long term plans are that I will be buying more reps.

Carl

[ubiquitous]

Since most of my pieces are frankensteins with Swiss movements, I'll be arranging to have each serviced at their 5 year intervals...

For the pieces that I have with Swiss ETAs, I've kept 3 or 4 spare movements around to pre-service and swap when necessary. Once the old movement is out, I'll retain until the next service and pre-service again and swap. This will keep downtime to a minimum and keep my favorites running for the long term.

[Flashman]

I am sure that replacement movements will be around for years to come, so that when the hearts in our current stock fade, we can keep them going for another 5 years or so.

My gen speedmaster is still going after 9 years with no servicing at all.

[JoJo35]

Since most of my pieces are frankensteins with Swiss movements, I'll be arranging to have each serviced at their 5 year intervals...

For the pieces that I have with Swiss ETAs, I've kept 3 or 4 spare movements around to pre-service and swap when necessary. Once the old movement is out, I'll retain until the next service and pre-service again and swap. This will keep downtime to a minimum and keep my favorites running for the long term.

I agree with Ubi. After hanging around here for long enough, I slowly graduated to mostly all frankens with gen movements. I've got a few ETA's laying in the box for eventual use if needed, but just haven't gotten around to having them pre-serviced, so if something goes bad I'll just have a little more down time.

[freddy333]

All mechanical movements (including non-Swiss) can be serviced. You typically run into problems if/when a movement needs a part that is not available through normal parts supply houses. Running any movement beyond its intended service interval causes accelerated wear on the parts, which, in turn, reduces the overall service life of the calibre. The trick is to have your movement serviced according to the manufacturer's recommendations (most recommend a complete overhaul every 5 years). In many cases, Asian movements will run & meet their specs for 20+ years if serviced on a regular basis.

[whitestripes]

That brings up a post I read before, where someone brought in an A7750 for servicing and the watchsmith said he had trouble fitting the parts back together. The thing about reps is that if the smith f*cks it up, there is no recourse. Who am I going to go to, the better business bureau? "I gave him my illegal, counterfeit watch and he messed it up!" I guess I just gotta find a good one sometime later

[Noel Fleischer]

i've had some reps already for several years without problems.

if things come up i have a watchmaker here who works on reps.

if they break - se la vie for $300

[freddy333]

ETA-powered Rolex rep purchased in 1987, state-of-the-art at the time & still running

[JoJo35]

Nice patina on that dial freddy! You've got a vintage rep

(PS: is that worth more now?)

(PPS: 1987, good lord, I don't even think I had my thirty dollar day-date I bought in front of the Empire State building yet!)

[caracarnj]

consolidate all the collection, ship em off to The Zigmeister or your fav dealer and get them to help you service.

[Ztech]

consolidate all the collection, ship em off to The Zigmeister or your fav dealer and get them to help you service.

Wait if you shipped off all your reps what would you do for "rep withdrawal"???

[chronoluvvv]

If you're in Southern Cal, I know a couple in OC. PM me if interested.

sending PM

[freddy333]

Nice patina on that dial freddy! You've got a vintage rep

(PS: is that worth more now?)

(PPS: 1987, good lord, I don't even think I had my thirty dollar day-date I bought in front of the Empire State building yet!)

And they say you will never get your money's worth out of a rep.

[Nanuq]

My 1665 is 11 years old, zero maintenance, and still keeps nearly perfect time. And it's been to hell and back.

Twice.

[kronos twin]

This is an important question. I have discovered that some watch repair guys will be more sympathetic to your cause if you are willing to either purchase a gen from them or buy other things from their shop frequently. I think it's worth it to build relationships with local watchmakers if you can do it, especially smaller companies who sell mid-range watches who understand that not everyone can afford luxury gens.

[fakemaster]

This is asked so much. In fact it HAS BEEN BEAT TO DEATH. I lnow I have answered it yet everyone always says there has never been a resolution. Let's try again

Reps are reps. Of course they are disposable.

Any watch can be serviced.

If your movement dies the decision to replace it should be based on the condition of the watch and whether you still like it.

If taken care of they can last for 10 years.

Of course it's not worth it because reps decrease in value

I hope that's settled now.

[jdavis]

This is asked so much. In fact it HAS BEEN BEAT TO DEATH. I lnow I have answered it yet everyone always says there has never been a resolution. Let's try again

Reps are reps. Of course they are disposable. Perhaps the "Canal St." type but a high end rep certainly isn't

Any watch can be serviced. True but the cost to service an inexpensive movement like the DG2813 far exceeds the replacement price.

If your movement dies the decision to replace it should be based on the condition of the watch and whether you still like it. That's common sense, isn't it?

If taken care of they can last for 10 years. A regularly serviced ETA will last indefinitely

Of course it's not worth it because reps decrease in value That is a generalization and isn't always the case.

I hope that's settled now. No, not really but, it might be somewhat closer with accurate information

[Toadtorrent]

As said above...if you like the rep...wear it until it dies. Some can be considered disposable...others like the uber-Frankens obviously not.

Can a rep be serviced? All reps can be serviced...but like others have said, The Zigmeister included, some are just not worth it. A DG2813 asian movement is not worth servicing when a new movement can be had for $12. Is it even worth swapping out an Asian movement? At $12 + $50 service fee for a $100 brand new Noob with no wear and tear or scratches...you do your math.

On an A7750 movement watch, serviced properly can run indefinitely. At $240 for proper servicing for a $240 watch, is it worth it? That depends on you. A serviced movement will be reliable for likely 5 years and beyond. A rep unserviced is a crap shoot.

On an expensive super rep like a $1000 HBB, or even the $400 (with shipping) Ebels and the like, getting a replacement of the watch may be difficult...so servicing, or genuine ETA swap may be worth it for you, if you want that piece in your collection over the long term.

You have to decide of you want the piece to be operational over the long term...or if it's just a daily beater.

The same logic applies to a gen. Would you pay $3000+ for a gen watch, knowing that to have it last, you need to spend $200 - $600 (depending on who you go to) every 5 years to maintain it? You could wear it into the ground unserviced, but that will prematurely wreck the watch. If you had an expensive sports car, you wouldn't do that...why should a watch be any different? You should maintain it, if you want to keep it.

If you REALLY like the rep...get it serviced and ensure it can live a long life. While we have people like The Zigmeister, I'm happy to get things serviced. I mourn the day when he is no longer accepting pieces from anybody...really, what will happen 5 years down the line when I need the next servicing?

I just got a piece back from The Zigmeister and to those who are wondering what benefit servicing does...believe me, you can really feel the difference in the movement:

• Rotor is silent
  
• Winding is solid and smooth (just like my gens)
  
• Time setting is smooth...no looseness in the hands at all
  
• Overall feel of the watch is much improved
  

[TeeJay]

That brings up a post I read before, where someone brought in an A7750 for servicing and the watchsmith said he had trouble fitting the parts back together. The thing about reps is that if the smith f*cks it up, there is no recourse. Who am I going to go to, the better business bureau? "I gave him my illegal, counterfeit watch and he messed it up!" I guess I just gotta find a good one sometime later

Errr, yes there is... I'm not too sure how things are in the US, but in the UK, people providing a service (in this case literally ) are bound by law to provide a satisfactory one. If someone does not provide a satisfactory service (such as a poor haircut) then the client does not have to pay for the unsatisfactory service, and has a number of legal avenues to pursue for reperations. This would apply totally in the case of taking a watch (rep or otherwise) in for servicing. The smith is being paid to service the watch, not to fuck it up. If they screw up the watch, the cost of repair or replacement is legally their obligation. If they say "Well the watch is a fake!" Just say "Are your qualifications also fake?" At the end of the day, gen or rep, the person is providing a service (servicing the watch) and must do so in a competent and professional manner. If not, they should either repair the damage for free, or, cover the cost of replacement.

I had a watch unsatisfactorily repaired by a local smith, and they agreed to repair it free. Admitedly, their 'repair' left the watch looking worse than the first repair, and, as they were then retiring (through old age) I didn't really have any option for reperation, but any other circumstances, I would have, so, don't let the fact that your watch 'is a rep' put you off getting it serviced. I took my 127 in for servicing, and the smith never said a word about if it was a rep or gen. Now, I haven't heard back from them that the watch is ready, but, that's because I still have the dial and hands to get re-lumed

[noslen]

When mine die it will be the perfect excuse to buy new ones. I don't modify or spend too much money on my reps so it's no great loss if they get broken.

[fakemaster]

THEY'RE REPS! Have fun.

[frankt]

They won't rust...??? :rolleyes: