Ive got a question about servicing a watch. I have an Omega Speedmaster I bought new in 1999. Well finally about 2 years ago it stopped keeping time. Was actually running a bit fast every hour,even if reset throughout the day.
Im aware that such watches need routine maintenance. So, I took it to the dealer who sell's Omega locally. They told me they would have to send it to an authorized repair place in NYC. So, fine. It was free for the estimate so I had them send it.
When I got it back, I was told the watch needs a tune-up consisting of a clean and lube job and that the cost is $800 to perform this task
Well, thats 1/3 the cost of the watch brand new. I refuse to do this because I do not see how taking the back off, cleaning out the dust and squirting some oil in there can possibly cost $800. So, the watch sits in the drawer for 2 years and i rely on my cell phone for time and now I wish I never bought the dumb watch
What Im wondering is, can I just take it to a decent local watch repair place for a tune-up or is this job so specialized that the risk is not worth it?
Obviously skills will vary amongst jewelers, but have you been in this situation and just taken your watch to a local jeweler with good results or am I being stupid?
The reason I ask is, I think I can get someone local to do it for about $200, which I still think is ridiculous but better than $800