How do you go about finding a good service center in your town?

[jdlc1406]

It seems that Google only turns up pawn shops and random shops, with no reviews, pricing, or information.

For a simple 5 year service, is there a way to find reputable watchmakers in your town? I am in Jacksonville, FL.

Thanks!

[mjclark32]

http://www.rolex.com/rolex-dealers/s...r/unitedstates
Can go the RSC route.
Can try yelp and see if there are any local.
Or go to a tech that has numerous positive feedback here through TRF members and happens to be in your state. Rik Dietel
http://www.timecareinc.com/credentials.html

[jdlc1406]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

http://www.rolex.com/rolex-dealers/s...r/unitedstates
Can go the RSC route.
Can try yelp and see if there are any local.
Or go to a tech that has numerous positive feedback here through TRF members and happens to be in your state. Rik Dietel
http://www.timecareinc.com/credentials.html

Great! Thanks. I thought about the RSC, but really don't want to have to ship it off and wait for weeks on end. I also (maybe falsely) assumed it would be less expensive outside of RSC.

[scotttampa]

Rik is the best -- period.

[jdlc1406]

Awesome.

Thanks guys. I see he has repair costs listed on his site. Does anyone know what to expect to pay for a regular interval servicing on a 2009 Explorer II? Just a simple lube I believe is all they do.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by jdlc1406

Awesome.

Thanks guys. I see he has repair costs listed on his site. Does anyone know what to expect to pay for a regular interval servicing on a 2009 Explorer II? Just a simple lube I believe is all they do.

There is no such thing as a "simple lube". A service at a reputable watchmaker is a complete teardown, replacement of worn parts, clean, and reassembly, then it is lubed and timed.

If your watch is running fine you likely don't need a service yet.

[jdlc1406]

Originally Posted by Tools

There is no such thing as a "simple lube". A service at a reputable watchmaker is a complete teardown, replacement of worn parts, clean, and reassembly, then it is lubed and timed.

If your watch is running fine you likely don't need a service yet.

Oh! Gotcha. So the words "service" and "repair" are used interchangeably?

[Wooddog44]

Originally Posted by jdlc1406

Oh! Gotcha. So the words "service" and "repair" are used interchangeably?

In fact no, they should not be...

I just had a scheduled service done on my Sub (by Rik D.) which was last serviced in July of 2009. It was running great, + 1 sec. per day, but I was concerned about the water sealing rings and gaskets being "too old" and leaking so sent it off to him. Upon his complete inspection it was discovered that, although the watch was "running fine", along with the rings/gaskets there were some worn gears and rotor axle that needed to be replaced.

In 2009 the same watch was running but had a time gain of 8 sec. per day and needed an overhaul service so that it could be regulated to run accurately.

Repair is needed when a watch is "broken" and has gotten to the point of not running at all from something internal (movement failure) and/or been damaged externally.

[azguy]

This guy, Rik, is a forum member, in FLA and people love him.

http://www.timecareinc.com/

[jdlc1406]

Originally Posted by Wooddog44

In fact no, they should not be...

I just had a scheduled service done on my Sub (by Rik D.) which was last serviced in July of 2009. It was running great, + 1 sec. per day, but I was concerned about the water sealing rings and gaskets being "too old" and leaking so sent it off to him. Upon his complete inspection it was discovered that, although the watch was "running fine", along with the rings/gaskets there were some worn gears and rotor axle that needed to be replaced.

In 2009 the same watch was running but had a time gain of 8 sec. per day and needed an overhaul service so that it could be regulated to run accurately.

Repair is needed when a watch is "broken" and has gotten to the point of not running at all from something internal (movement failure) and/or been damaged externally.

Thanks for the explanation.. Although I am still confused.. So, what should a "service" cost, assuming I don't need any repairs? Or are they the same prices as repair? Can anyone @ tag Rik? I can talk to him directly. :)

[jdlc1406]

Ooops. I see an e-mail address on his site. I'll shoot him an e-mail.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by jdlc1406

Thanks for the explanation.. Although I am still confused.. So, what should a "service" cost, assuming I don't need any repairs? Or are they the same prices as repair? Can anyone @ tag Rik? I can talk to him directly. :)

"Service" is short-hand for "Clean, Oil, and Adjust Service", and sometimes shortened even more to "COA". In order to clean it properly, it must be disassembled.

Occasionally, when a watchmaker disassembles your watch, they find excessively worn or damaged parts.

You should discuss with the watchmaker what their basic service charge is and compare it with the RSC basic 600 dollar charge.

Cheap watchmakers only break the watch down to major components and dip the assembly to clean it; not a good choice to work on a high-end watch.

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by jdlc1406

Ooops. I see an e-mail address on his site. I'll shoot him an e-mail.

Send to Rik in Seminole, Fl. He is simply awesome. 727.215.8870

[joli160]

Don't try to be smart and save a 100 bucks by using just somebody to work on your watch. Use the best watchmaker you can find. Some very good independent ones on the forum. RSC is hard to beat as well. Good service simply takes time and shipping out is not really an issue these days.
Good luck

[jdlc1406]

Thanks guys. Rik gave me a call this morning. I will be using him for a service.

[liuk3]

How much?

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by jdlc1406

Thanks guys. Rik gave me a call this morning. I will be using him for a service.

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by jdlc1406

Thanks guys. Rik gave me a call this morning. I will be using him for a service.

Good choice. You will be amazed with the results!