Rolex, Breitling, or Tag

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by md4958

My uncle has one that he purchased 30 years ago and wears it every day. It still looks brand new.

He told me a story once about going out on a fishing charter with this guy from Texas. The guy said to him, (in southern drawl)
"Hey Jerry, what time you got?"
Jerry- "10:45"
Texan-"funny, your Rolex got the same time as my Timex "
Jerry- "yeah, but when was the last time your Timex got you laid?"
laughter stopped

Mine is over 16 years old and still looks new.
In fact, a few weeks ago, Customs made me turn over my wrist and take it off as they didn't believe I hadn't just bought it and didn't declare it.
Once or twice a week, I clean it with soap and water and it shines like the day it was first polished.
Sometimes I just shower with it and accomplish the same.

The oils alone cost the watch repair guy up to $300 a vile and there up to five different oils used depending on the model.

Each Rolex part is hand made versus machine poured except for the bands.

A basic service fee without waterproofing is between $300-$400.

Also check the repairman's Rolex certification, or American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute (AWCI) cert if they don't have at least one of these walk-away.

[mosesbotbol]

We are getting a Submariner that a client wants PVD coated black. I think it will look awesome. We are leaving the case back plain as well as the bezel. We may PVD coat the swing mass.

Do you think the crown should be PVD coated too? I am on the fense about that. I think the contrast with the bezel will make it look cool.

[mosesbotbol]

Factoid: Only three sprockets are needed to create a watch

[krevo]

Moses,

For your reading pleasure. This article completely sums up the type of service that has come to be expected from Rolex.

http://www.rolexreferencepage.com/service.html

I'm almost 100% certain that bracelet was disassembled and either replacement links were included or the links were completely overhauled. Unfortunately there are no before pictures but check out the price tag on the regulation (as well as second trip back to them not even a week later for a closer look at the movement)

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by krevo

Moses,

For your reading pleasure. This article completely sums up the type of service that has come to be expected from Rolex.

http://www.rolexreferencepage.com/service.html

I'm almost 100% certain that bracelet was disassembled and either replacement links were included or the links were completely overhauled. Unfortunately there are no before pictures but check out the price tag on the regulation (as well as second trip back to them not even a week later for a closer look at the movement)

From the article, it did not sound like they did that much to the watch and they had to do it twice. The watch does look like new for sure and it sounds like they were at least cordial making amends to their failure to adjust it correct the first time. They had to disassemble the watch to fix that spring.

As for the price, the watch was under warranty and only a year old. It shouldn't need a service, but needed it and Rolex was good about fixing it. Customers with a prestige item like this would expect 1st class service and the margins are so huge on a Rolex, they can deliver it.

Rolex makes about 800K watches a year. Figure $1500 profit per watch and that's $1,200,000,000.00 year. Not bad. I'd expect a free service too.

Someone made a comment that all their parts are handmade. That is not true. Most of the parts are stamped and hand finished. Production watches are not really handmade at all. They are hand assembled, but the parts are made from dies, stamped, Wire EDM, etc... And finished to whatever the price point of the watch is. Even Patek and Vacheron aren't as handmade as they'd like you to believe.

[DrDubzz]

Longines is a brand I haven't seen mentioned, I'd check them out too

[e-man67]

Originally Posted by RX2010

Longines is a brand I haven't seen mentioned, I'd check them out too

I had a Longines Hydroconquest 41mm that was awesome! Ultra high quality in every aspect with a Swiss Eta 2824 movement new around $800! P

[Blueface]

Dad has a couple of Longines that I should maybe shoot and post for Moses to give me an idea on.
They are solid 18KT cases, from the late 60's, early 70's.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by e-man67

I had a Longines Hydroconquest 41mm that was awesome! Ultra high quality in every aspect with a Swiss Eta 2824 movement new around $800! P

Had to look it up online for a picture. I really dig the chrono!

[e-man67]

Photos do not do the Longines justice! Even more stunning in person!

One word... Zenith!

[mosesbotbol]

Brietling and Tag are both in a difficult position with ETA cutting them off from buying movements. I would look to buy either brand as soon as possible. There is likely to be big price increases on Swiss watches across the board. Same for getting an ETA movement watch serviced; do it sooner than later.

There's a lot of uncertainty in watch industry right now for many companies. The cases are made to for an ETA, so a major change would mean big dollars in tooling, engineering, etc...

Rolex is in a safe position with their own movements and Omega, Blancpain, and several others are all under the Swatch group umbrella.

[BHalbrooks]

Why would you post in this? It's so old lol.