What time is it? Watches and horology

Or that.

I've had my Rolex Oyster Date for 12 years (bought new) and it's never been serviced.

12 years and not a single service?! Damn.

It needs a service. Seriously.

Paid roughly 1600'ish, so 300/400 for a service seems a bit steep?
Any recommended independents?

You pays your money, you makes your choice.

I guess that's the question. What other choices are there for a service?

12 years and not a single service?! Damn.

I've got a NOS vintage Seiko Chronograph - the famous 6139 that hasn't been serviced since it was made back in the early 70s.

Amazingly it still keeps perfect time. That's 40 years without a service.

I have a non working 6139 I really want serviced.
Any idea how much Alsals will charge?

About £100, take it there...

~~amazon sent me a load of spam the otherday which included links to new Seiko's for sub-£100.

Anything I'm missing? Or are they just cheap watches?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000OGV090/ref=pe_101851_32274221_pe_vfe_dt7

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seiko-Snxs79K-Automatic-Stainless-Steel/dp/B000G12Y8O/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000HG7O5Q/ref=pe_101851_32274221_pe_vfe_dt4

I was looking for something to fix a black leather strap to. The last one was my favourite.~~

edit - already been mentioned. Sorry.

I have actually used this guy for a repair and found him to be a good guy - decent prices, thoughtful and responsive in his emails and actually got quite a good blog:

http://www.watchservices.co.uk/blog/

I sent my watch by post - he is in Spalding or somewhere.

The post above, it's not just a random spam.. someone above was asking for a decent place to get repairs done....

Thanks Andrew I appreciated the post.

I've had recommendation for a local guy who can service it for £145. Although he seems to have a waiting list for his services.

Paying what I'd imagine to be half the items value, for a service seems a bit off to me?

Still hoping it's just a blip really?!..

Picked up a nice little Junghans Astra Quartz the other day for not a lot: (£40):

https://sslcache.se/d839143c1d098091b5db787a2d874eae5d90f75a/687474703a2f2f692e65626179696d672e636f6d2f742f4841552d4a554e4748414e532d41737472612d4d6164652d696e2d4745524d414e592d4d617842696c6c2d2f30302f732f4e6a677a574445774d6a513d2f245432654331364a484a4951453971554872575a28425163467965304a4d677e7e36305f31322e4a5047

Was searching for new strap and found this site in the NYC which sells some lovely Natos and other bits, thought I would share:

http://shop.wornandwound.com/

Images are too huge to embed but the Gold Nubuck is lovely.

Yeah, people go on about how if you buy a quality watch you are in fact merely caring for it for the person you will eventually give it to, and that the purchase price is just the start - you will need to accept that you will pay more than that in service and other costs.

It's probably about here that we feature some picture of a suit with a phone clutched to his ear (showing expensive timepiece on his arm) looking indulgently at his son and heir.

£400/12 years equates to £33 a year for a watch that cost £1600. That's 2% of the cost, every year.

Don't be one of those guys, spend the cash now, then save £3/month for the next 12 years so you can drop the cash no problem next time around.

Although I am a total hypocrite.

My Gold Seamaster got sent to Pakistan against my wishes to be serviced, came back buggered, thankfully not ruined. Still not being seen by Omega. #cheapskate

My Seamaster went to these guys:

http://www.swisstimeservices.co.uk/

6 weeks turnaround time, £300 and it came back as good as new.

And it's in the motherland.

It's OK, it's now with someone I wholeheartedly trust to sort it out.

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

Although I'm probably not quite ready to accept that I should be prepared to spend more than the purchase cost, to service a watch. I have booked it in with the local guy, fingers crossed I can look forward to taking it for granted for another 12 years.

i have seen ryte time mentioned on some watch forums.

gonna go to Alsals as its slightly easier for me to get to than 'The North'

Need a bit of advice / some ideas;

I have this Heuer Pasadena and would like to get a new strap for it. I'd like to fit a NATO, but it seems to be quite tight around the pins so I can't feed one through. I currently have a leather rally strap on it with a deployment clasp, but it doesn't feel comfortable so it means I'm not wearing it as much as I'd like.

I have an idea - sell it to me. I'll wear it in the manner in which it's supposed to be worn.

Lovely watch BTW, I heart Heuers.

This is close to my dream watch so am unlikely to sell unless I get offered some serious cash!