What would YOU do?

[molex]

I dropped my GMT off at a local watchmaker's for regulation the other day, the guy claims to be a Rolex pro, 40 years experience, master watchmaker, he's got an established shop where he sells new watches (not Rolex) and refurb jobs he does on Walthams, Hamiltons, Gruens etc. He showed me a couple of Rolexes he's working on, real, even a 16750 like mine.

So all I need is a regulation, watch is at -15. I pick up today, he says "Should be about +3 now". 7 hours later it's at -10.

So what do you think? Might be an honest mistake, he just adjusted it the wrong direction and instead of speeding it up to around +3 instead it's now at about -30, the math adds up close to correct. Should I take it back to him and give him a second chance? If not, now I have to hit the phone book looking for someone to do the work.

I work within a holler of a Rolex service center, but last time I took this watch to them for regulation they wouldn't do it without an $800 service, AND they lied to me about the condition of the movement ("It's totally dry" which it was NOT), so I'm very reluctant to go there again.

Opinions appreciated, I guess I know what I'm going to do but still I'd like to hear your thoughts.

[dman]

Honestly, I would give him the benifit of the doubt once and take it back. It really sounds like he made a mistake, but thankfully a mistake that can be fixed!! The RSC is gonna rape you for a lot of dough and we all know how they have a tendency to "clean" hands on vintage pieces.

[maverick]

I would take it back and explain exactly the situation. He should regulate it again. Someone is going to have to set it so I would try him once more. If he does not get it right or close, X him off your list of watchmakers. There is not one watchmaker where I live that can even open a Rolex. Good luck, =) maverick

[JJ Irani]

Take it back, Micah, and this time be a little assertive, but polite at the same time. It will work!

Good luck and keep us posted.

JJ

[padi56]

Take it back Micah just tell him you still have the same problem,if he has
a timing machine regulation should only take about 20mins.

[AJC]

Micah,

Everyone has a bad day.If at -10 after 7 hours I would assume it will be -30 to -33 in 24 hours.Sounds like he tweeked the wrong screw.

Give him the 1st option to rectify the problem.If the work is not satisfactory then look elsewhere.

Aaron

[molex]

I took it back to the guy, unfortunately his timing machine is on the fritz so I won't see it again until Tursday. He confirmed that he timed it by "feel" the other day. We'll se what happens.

[G Shearing]

How long since your last major service? I had something similar with my perpetual after a service, it was gaining about a min a day.
He took it home and I got the royal treatment and its pretty well -2/+2

[molex]

Originally Posted by G Shearing

How long since your last major service?

Actually, it just came back from it's last major service. Watchmaker did his stuff to it, he said he timed it to (oddly) about +3 a day and mailed it to me. Upon receipt it was at -14. I asked some other guys who buy vintage pieces and they confirmed that this isn't uncommon, for a watch to arrive via mail at a different rate than when sent... not sure why, but I guess it happens? Anyways, it was very consistantly slow the same amount every day so I know there's nothing *wrong* per se, it just got out of whack somehow.

Anyways, I'm not worried about it. I just want it to be at less than 10 either way, I don't care much about COSC standards, just not having to reset the watch too often as I wear it.