Man, I’ve been in the tech industry and I’ve taken up watchmaking as a hobby. I can tell you first hand, learning watchmaking is exponentially harder than anything I’ve done in tech. I wish watchmakers made a little more money so I could actually afford to live off of the salary. I’m stuck in tech, because I live in California, and I need to eat. I wish I could quit my job and do something I actually love, like watchmaking.

@Nefville

10 ай бұрын

I recently quit my tech job and I'm switching to healthcare. I'm just about to turn 38 and I am done with tech, it was now or never. Totally get watchmaking, nothing ever goes out of date, its principally the same it was 250 years ago.

@mattkinsella9856

10 ай бұрын

I quit tech a few years ago after many years in the industry. I now run a marketing business and make more money with less than half the work and what feels like ten times less the required skills and intensity. Clients now are also happy and appreciative of the work I do. Skilled workers in the tech industry are not respected like they used to be and it's a grueling, thankless, never ending treadmill. I hope you manage to one day make your living from watchmaking, I'm sure it would be far more fulfilling.

@Jedimaster36091

10 ай бұрын

@@mattkinsella9856I would say most engineering jobs are not appreciated, even though that's what makes the world go around. Without it, we'd still be in the Stone Ages.

I was 100% thinking of going to watch making school and thinking of giving that a shot.. but I was absolutely SHOCKED how little the pay is. I would give it a shot, but man, that wage needs to at least double.

@timemeasured9137

10 ай бұрын

I was thinking the same…. But man it’s a shame how poorly they are paid ☹️

Late last year, I sent a Longines in for warranty service. Simple ETA 28XX-series movement. Took them 4 months to get it back to me! I agree with Fed. It's a lack of qualified watchmakers. Great video!

Being and artisan myself, I can already see this. There are more and more people who want quality in their life, and less and less of us who can deliver it.

@nerychristian

10 ай бұрын

Watchmaking is one of the few skills where demand is increasing. Unlike most modern things that are made to be disposable and swapped out easily.

@Jedimaster36091

10 ай бұрын

@@nerychristian Are you sure the demand is increasing though? Then how come watchmakers barely earn a decent wage?

@nerychristian

10 ай бұрын

@@Jedimaster36091 Because these companies are greedy and don't want to pay more

Its crazy with that wait time, agree. My mother had a IWC that needed a repair, the dealer send it to the factory in Switzerland, but it had to go back and forth 2-3 times before it was probably fixed, think it took over a year before it functioned right again. Lost a lot of trust and patience with that brand. Sad situation for all parties involved, so much time lost .

@Pinned._.

10 ай бұрын

o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

Big brands don t want to sell spare parts to independent watchmakers or people who want to do it by themselves. They are acting like mafia... Once you paid for and own something, you should be able to fix it yourself (if you want to).

@Pinned-v

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

@Jedimaster36091

10 ай бұрын

Not as long as the governments make it in a law.

I have a Patek 3998. It’s nearly a 30-year-old watch that is worn only on special occasions. Upon routine servicing, it was discovered that a special part had to be specially made and shipped from Switzerland. Covid and winter break didn’t help. It took 8 months…it was understandable.

Couldn't agree more. I just got my mid-1990s Seamaster 120 back from service with Omega. Initial quote was 7 months - total wait time was almost 13 months! Worst of all, every time we called for an update, the only information available was that the watch was in Switzerland. By comparison, 3 years ago (pre-Covid), my Seamaster 300 Professional (late 1990s) took 14 weeks from start to finish. This is a problem that really does need to be addressed. Thanks for the video. As always, insightful and spot on!

@Pinned-v

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

Buy cheaper watches with movements that are widely available. Then independent watchmakers can help with service. I even took watchmaker workshops but then I realized that 3 hand watches are fine for me but a Chronograph is so difficult to service for my limited capabilities. 😂 But now I can appreciate the work of the watchmaker and I am happy to pay for his services

I’ve been thinking about this. Parts especially. I have 7-9 yr old watches from several brands which are working perfectly. I think I need to start sending watches in for routine servicing (once per decade (ie preventative maintenance) so that I don’t end up having parts problems in 10-30 yrs.

You’re 100% correct and with a complete boom in luxury watch sales these last couple years (which will all need service in 5-10 years) this problem will become much worse before it will improve unfortunately. Watchmaking/repair is becoming a lost art in this disposable world. They will have to be paid much higher very soon because there will be an incredible demand for their skills.

@Pinned._.

10 ай бұрын

o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

@andrewmccann2700

10 ай бұрын

I think more people are moving away from disposables and seeing the value in things like mechanical watches as a long term item to wear. The industry will need to adjust for that.

@Jedimaster36091

10 ай бұрын

@@andrewmccann2700Any product is disposable, whether after a year or 10. Eventually the manufacturers stop making parts so the product becomes disposable.

@cliveyboyb5770

4 ай бұрын

Thats a great point about the recent watch boom and needing servicing in 5 years. The watch industry does need to be investing in training the next generation of technicians. Otherwise the future is the electronic throw away fit bit/apple watch in which case the service is "Buy a new one".

Cracked my hesalite cristal recently on my Speedy. Was told by a local AD that I would have to send it to Omega Canada for a COMPLETE service. I instead went to a watch repair local guy who ordered Omega parts and replaced the cristal in a month. I paid 200 $ instead of over 1000$ for a complete service!

@Pinned-t

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎…….

Please do another video with Hans (as soon as he's finished with servicing all the watches 😆)

@cliveyboyb5770

4 ай бұрын

Sounds like he wont have time.

Can you imagine bringing a car in for service and being told “six months”? Would be interesting to hear from a larger watch company their view of the problem. Thanks for all the great posts!

@Jedimaster36091

10 ай бұрын

I am not sure it is the right analogy. The car is mostly a necessity, and as such, a big after sale industry has been created. Mechanical watch consumption is reducing every year, (see Swiss export numbers) so it is less economically to create such a big support industry.

@MPerry-ox9qb

10 ай бұрын

Yes. That’s literally happening now. Brother in-laws truck took almost a year due to waiting on parts. I was told it’d take 3 months to have my transmission on my vehicle diagnosed. Then weeks for repair at the dealership.

@jasonlarson9886

10 ай бұрын

If you’re rolling a Ferrari, where you don’t have parts just lying around in every city? Then yeah.

Sent my GP Laureato in (Time/Date) for a simple rotor noise checkup - they still have it after 7 months. Sent in my Christopher Ward C60 after the movement had completely stopped - got it back within 2 months.

First one, Federico, Thank you for bringing up this issue. Actually, thank you for putting light on many issues in the community. Second, the story of my Omega caliber 1040 servicing is very similar. Even considering the very high price for service (that is understandable due to the rarity and complexity of movement), the estimated time for it was over 11 months. PS I got lucky. I found a decent shop in Munich to deal with that in 6 weeks. For an extra, I know a similar one in Austin.

@Pinned._.

10 ай бұрын

o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

I got a quote for 6 months for both Cartier and Glashutte. But got them back between 2-3 months. Good thing it doesn't affect battery change and check up times. Maybe watches need to be made more durable to counter the watchmaker shortage.

Same here in Germany Fed, the waiting times are huge, even my watch maker friend is always busy, which is great for him, but he says he is too busy.

I have a two excellent watchmakers here in Tucson AZ however, I am 73 and they are both around my age. I am not aware of anyone good that is younger in the field in my area. Love the videos, I've been watching since the NYC Days.

Yep, sent my Speedmaster in (and it only had to go to the service center in Seattle) for its routine warranty service - and I was told 5 months.

It’s the same in many industries, companies are greedy and spend more on marketing and growth than handling their day to day business. Years ago someone owned a restaurant they might not open a second one ever, maybe they would after 20 years of being great and popular. Now a restaurant opens a second-fifth branch within a year, everyone wants to be a big boss without putting graft in. I work in healthcare and my organisation spends more on business development than training/it support/HR etc so we get more business but struggle to cope with it. Watch brands spend way more on marketing, boutiques,design etc but whilst the big bosses no doubt reap the rewards of increased sales and watch price increases, they don’t invest in their infrastructure/internal support. Even the high street stores are buying up shops left, right and centre but the people that work there no nothing about the products and are paid low wages (which leads to Rolexes going out the back door).

Had a great experience with Breitling USA (BUSA) service on my 11yo Superocean Chronograph. Turnaround was about 120 days for a full service. Came back looking and running new.

This is my main reason for not really getting into vintage pieces.

@borntodieworldisafuck

8 ай бұрын

Smart. I had a vintage chrono stuck with a watchmaker for 2.5 years... had to absolutely pester him to get updates because he's so slammed. Given we're supposed to get these things serviced every 5 years, doesn't leave much time to wear the damn thing

I have thought a number of times that if I had known of this possibility before going to university I would have become a watchmaker instead. This video is another confirmation it would probably have been a good idea and I think I would like it too!

@dannysimenauer5745

10 ай бұрын

It is never to late to start!

@Pinned._.

10 ай бұрын

o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

I am frustrated too. I want to be a watchmaker as a 2nd career, but living in Central Florida provides 0 options. The Hayek school accepts a handful of students and you have to move to Miami. Or, AWCI in Ohio who no longer does online education even during the pandemic and last but not least, move to Europe for the education. This industry is slower moving than the Federal Government. I am willing and able and have the tools, but no one to teach and mentor me. Really frustrating.

I have a Breitling Navitimer, under warranty, the crown got stucked somehow and didn’t move at all, brought it in to Breitling AD and will take 3-5 months to have it back, horrible experience. Now I’m here without my watch and 9k less in my bank account 🤦🏻‍♂️

I'm a motorcycle tech by trade and lived like 20 minutes from the school in Lititz. I looked into going because I thought it'd be a great way to transition into something else I enjoy, still get to work with my hands, and help people keep their cherished possessions running. However after seeing the price of school, tools, and having to start over in a profession, it just wasn't worth it.

@Pinned-byFedrico.

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎…..

I'm gonna try to service my own watches. Fortunately I have a couple entry level watches that I can practice with. Watchmaking as a full-time job sounds alright, and it basically means you can move to any city with a decent jewelry shop.

My brother just got his watch back from service. Two months doesn't sound too bad but this was for basic service on a hand-wound ETA time only movement.

Great piece Federico.I recently had that situation. I took my Breitling Chrono 44 ( exactly like the one you have) to the Breitling boutique on Madison Ave for service as it stopped working. They had the watch 5 and a half months. I got it back end of August. Good thing I had other pieces to wear

a lack or watchmakers, supply chain issues, and sudden spike in intake from the watch boom during pandemic all contributing factors. Brands taking more and more quartz options out of their catalogues and becoming ever more proprietary with "in house" movements doesn't help either. Our society has become so accustomed to the convenience and efficiencies of quartz movements over the past 4-5 decades that most can't comprehend or except the realities and differences of repairing a mechanical timepiece. I've been warning my colleagues for a while now that the service problem in our industry is real bad. Just as mechanical watches have won back the hearts of many a consumer, lackluster after sales service is going to turn them away. Hope we can get out of this mess.

Watchmakers in Switzerland are underpaid, and a lot of them left the profession during the COVID years

@romanmichaelhamilton8729

10 ай бұрын

I read back maybe 10 years ago that the average salary for a watch assembler in Rolex was 66,000 SF. I hope they have given them raises as I could not imagine having to live in Switzerland on that low amount of pay.

Welcome back Fed. Looking awesome. Thanks for the update! Perhaps you can open a watchmaker’s school?

Every company in every field found out during COVID that they could just blow off customer service and it wouldn't hurt the bottom line - much. This is just the new normal.

Ha ha I have 2020 Breitling superocean that wasn't keeping chronometer time and was steel under warranty I had to wait 4 months to get my watch back from them

I'm more convinced to get a GS quartz. Would be great if watchmaking was offered at college. People will eventually get tired of smart watches and go back to the analog especially luxury timepieces. Great video... Repairs would be a great remote job for those who have the skill and knowhow.

@MrBacchus18

10 ай бұрын

Yes agreed quartz may be the way to go

@mikehowells7746

10 ай бұрын

I have a GS quartz and the very long service intervals was part of my reason for buying it.

@Jedimaster36091

10 ай бұрын

Although I believe that people will not grow tired of smartwatches, but the other way around. The smartwatch market grows while the mechanical watches market shrinks.

@lx95020

10 ай бұрын

Mechanical market has shrunk because of the smart phone not so much the smart watch. You do have a valid point.@@Jedimaster36091

This is a real problem! One that the brands have failed to address. And it is their fault! They want to produce and sell watches, not service them. Service could be a differentiator in the future. It will be for me.

I went to Breitling for service just a regular 5-year check. 8-9 month lead time.

Happening across most brands it seem. Have a Breitling B2. Wouldn’t wind, probably from dropping. Breitling said 2-3 months and it took 5 months to get it back. Just picked it up. Like seeing an old friend

I've heard to service a Sinn, basic eta/sellita based movements for the most part, can take up to 1 year?! Granted, within the United States the only official authorized service center for Sinn, and many of the German brands sold by WatchBuys, is RGM in Pennsylvania. And, I suppose they are a relatively small independent American watch maker that have their own in-house watches as well as taking care of a bunch of German watches and whatever else gets thrown their way. But, still, I thought maybe one of the points and benefits to not getting an in-house movement, with Sinn for example, is that they will easy to service and consequently less expensive.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention Fred! Definitely something the luxury brands need to try and find ways to solve in the near future if they don’t want people to be drawn away from mechanical watches again.

@Pinned._.

10 ай бұрын

o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

Part of the problem is that 3 months was acceptable for factory service originally. Now that production volume is higher and associated repairs have increased, the repair departments didn't grow to meet the larger production. So, longer lead time, I agree the industry needs more watch makers and larger repair departments at the factories. 12-13 weeks should be maximum acceptable service time for non exotic or over complicated watches at factory service.

I got my Moser dial swapped out in a week here in the US by Zimmerman Watch repair in PA. can't say enough good things about them

I bet the increase in popularity of automatic watches the past 5 years has a lot to do with it, too. We’re getting to the point they are going to start being serviced!

@Pinned._.

10 ай бұрын

o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

It is not just a problem with a specific brand but also within a brand for specific models. Rolex wants the Sky Dweller back to the factory. At Lange the have for some rare models only 2-3 watchmakers that are trained on the model. Plus they have to build watches for customer orders. It really would help if the brands would sell parts for the simpler models and focus on the more complicated watches. This would be in the interest of the customer but of course not for the revenue

@nerychristian

10 ай бұрын

I'm surprised that they don't make it easier to buy parts from them. They could make a lot of money just selling replacement parts. Just how car dealers make money from their service department

@alexito9213

10 ай бұрын

@@nerychristian the argument will be „we need to protect the quality only we can provide“ and I don’t buy it

@Jedimaster36091

10 ай бұрын

@@alexito9213 Yep, that's what they say. And behind the scene, they want to put a hand in the after sale market as well, even though they don't have the capacity to do it.

This is precisely why I avoid buying chronographs and complicated watches generally.

@JeeGee114

9 ай бұрын

I have a Bulova Accuswiss with a Selitta 500 in it. Bought it for 400 Dollars from new. I will bin it when it stop's working. I have sold my Speedmaster because I got tired of servicing costs. Probably buy a the Citizen Quartz and be done with watches altogether. I rather spend my money on my classic Saab and nice wines.

I had a microbrand watch with a simple Miyota movement. Not worth a ton, I get it, but the seconds hand kept stopping and starting randomly throughout the day. First watchmaker I brought it to told me he couldn't find anything wrong with it. Granted, he didn't charge me anything. I sent it off to a second watchmaker. He told me there's nothing wrong with it, and was even a little patronizing about it. He told me it's an automatic movement and I should "chase the wife around a little more." He also didn't charge me. He sent the watch back. I wore it and sure enough, it stopped working. I honestly don't even think either of them looked at it. Finally, I took it to a third watchmaker, who sent it out for a service. It took nearly two months and cost $225. I got the watch back and it works beautifully. I feel like it's the dark side to our little hobby. Every KZreadr says a movement like a Miyota is "easily serviced" by any local watchmaker. But nope. It took me nearly a year of faffing around with three watchmakers. I should have bought the tools and learned how to do it myself. I think it would have been faster.

My understanding is that the watchmaker schools that exist are free - at least tuition - paid for by the brands. (Letitz is paid for by Rolex). Students are expected to buy their tools and there's some costs for housing/food/etc. They graduate something like 20-40/class, though, so it's not like it's flooding the market with watchmakers.

I sent my SMP300 in for service to Omega last month with a bezel issue, and it was back in my hands 13 days after I mailed it. Omega quoted me 4 months. For them, at least, they might be overestimating their repair times.

@philipparana9225

10 ай бұрын

Omega just swaps the movement and sends it back. They don't even service them anymore except for extreme complications it's cheaper to replace.

@BennyLlama

10 ай бұрын

@philipparana9225 that might be true but swapping the movement wouldn't have fixed my problem lol

@RandyBelinda

10 ай бұрын

Bezel issue is simple fix. Usually a 5 to 10 minute job. Pop it off replace the spring pop it on. If bezel is broken, pull one out of stock and replace.

I mentioned this a year or so ago on someones channel..... all the big brands mostly concentrating on selling stock..... and not enough attention to having enough people to service pieces - serious oversight by the manufacturers....

Hi, like the video. I’m from the uk and at the age of 57 found myself out of work. I luckily found some things to get by but had a friend that’s a master watch maker. I spent a year with him , training me and I managed to repair and service some vintage pocket and other old watches he had lying around. Having found I totally loved this, I pursued recognised training that would maybe take me to a new career . Sadly there was none to be had without a Massive outlay and I found there was very little interest in helping me. All courses had to full time and the wostep was impossible

@javahaxxor

10 ай бұрын

Continue working with your friend while looking for sponsorship for attending watchmaking scool?

@TwentyOne_Five

10 ай бұрын

You gotta make it happen man.

@javahaxxor

10 ай бұрын

Don't give up on your new found passion. I'm guessing that your watchmaker friend doesn't necessarily want to do all the simple boring stuff. Maybe you can gradually learn more advanced stuff like at the assembly line. Buy one or two basic watches with eta 2824 or selitta movements and practice on them

There is a major shortage of watchmakers in the industry, and parts shortages and supply chain issues are still a problem. I am in the watch industry and I do not see this changing any time soon.

@nerychristian

10 ай бұрын

How long does one have to go to school to become a watchmaker?

Great topic Something I’d love to get views on - when / how often do you service I know the answer is it depends on the brand (Rolex 10yrs, some others 5). BUT, if you wear watches on rotation, normally have on a winder, does the lack of every day wear and impact increase this cycle ? Or do parts still need to be lubricated and cleaned regardless ? Given the expense and lengthy service times, I’m of the view until It’s broke (or significantly losing time) don’t service/fix it. I don’t see a downside to this, or am I missing something ? Great video and channel. Thanks for sharing

@Pinned-v

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

I wanted to call out LVMH which took 8 weeks to service my Zenith Elite Ultra Thin. The price and service time was very reasonable.

All trades are having a problem getting good , younger people. I have been in automotive repair 40+ years and we just can't get qualified and quality technicians. Watch making would be great to learn for young people just to work with your hands in a nice, clean environment.

Jaeger-LeCoultre are the absolute undisputed world champions of p-take service times. If somebody had a JLC as his 'one-and-done' watch, he might have to go the better part of a year without a watch, whenever it needs a service!

@Pinned-v

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

Yes. I have had a watch in Switzerland since June 2022.... Looking forward to your Nomos video.

Sent in an Omega Speedmaster Big Arrow w Moonphase (needed a service) and an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean w dual time zone needed a hand replaced. Waited from January 2023 to end of July 2023 for the repair. Both had to be sent to Switzerland . 7 months! Initially promised 2-3 months.....

Yeah I reached out to Omega to service a 2892 based Bond Seamaster 2 months ago and they quoted me 7 or 8 months to Switzerland. Only reason I did that was because I wanted a fresh dial/hands. So, instead I just had a Watchmaker friend of mine service the watch as is and it took less than a week to get back. Rolex is actually faster right now at about 4-6 weeks! Just had them service a 16570. I have had to learn to service some of my collectibles such as Accutron and do my own work (bracelet repair, casework, minor mechanical fixes such as crown or gasket replacement, crystals, battery changes, etc.), as much as I can. Unfortunately, getting parts for top brands is next to impossible so until more young watchmakers come on board with these brands, this will likely continue. Otherwise,these brands need to supply parts and service information and “certify” independent watchmakers to do the work😢

@Pinned-byFedricoTalksW

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎

Watch servicing prices will go up big time (supply/demand)! Some people will just have to be happy with their watches only being accurate twice a day 😎!!

I had the same problem with my Omega Constellation Chronograph 1542.40.00. I sent it to Omega because the running seconds was acting up, they quoted me 8 to 12 weeks, took 6 months. When I got the watch I realized that they refinished the bracelet (that's cool), but they didn't refinish the extra links lol. To make matter worse, they messed up the date mechanism and the date was changing in the neutral position... A royal f*ck up. Had to send it back and that was another 3 month. I'm going to keep my Omega because it's a rare model and the only one to ever use the F Piguet 1270 movement, but I'm done with Omega as a whole because of my bad experience.

@Pinned-v

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

I’m 30 and just starting to take classes as I can to become a watch maker . There a lack in the northeast of school and part time programs. I took horology 101-103 in NYC horological society and I fell in love . Open to suggestions!!! If anyone has advice, I can just up and move with a family unfortunately

@Pinned-v

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……….

I had just noticed with shock that Weiss currently says 14 weeks for service and that now sounds good by comparison. I suppose the bigger problem is that the charge for year 3-5 complete maintenance is $585 on a field watch that originally cost $1200. But it's tough to have both well-paid watchmakers and inexpensive fast service...

@Pinned-v

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎………

Ty for letting me know which watches not to buy

Recently I was looking into becoming a watchmaker because I noticed there is a school in my town. But I quickly changed my mind when I looked up the pay that they make. I think they are way underpaid.

Bought an Alpina Alpiner Extreme in June on the rubber strap. Went directly to Citizen's head office to order the metal bracelet, they told me I have to wait until next year to get it lol.

My 9 year old rolex submariner 116610 was quoted 2 months for a full movement overhaul and case/bracelet polish as well as crystal and crown replacement. But it was done in 3 weeks. I was pretty happy. Rolex service center in manhattan NY.

I just had one of my Submariners serviced by a local authorized Rolex AD near my home. They told me about a six week wait to finish the job. It was done in four weeks. I must be missing something. I plan to have the other Submariner done in a few months. I'm assuming given the sterling reputation of this local AD I'm getting a decent job done on my watch equivalent to sending it off to Rolex in Switzerland.

Just got back my 116200 dj from service with Rolex. Took about 13 weeks and was quoted 12. Not bad. Was kinda surprised to hear that it only went to Ft. Lauderdale while I was thinking they might send them to Switzerland. I live in Orlando btw.

Fed - thanks for the video! My personal experience has been much better than yours but I think that's because I've been fortunate enough to find an independent Omega-certified watch maker who has been servicing and repairing my vintage Omega timepieces. Any major delays have been due to parts availability.

Seeing the same thing on my end. I've sent 3 watches out in the past year. Panerai was actually the best for me at a little under 2 months, and that was a high complication Equation of Time that had to go to all the way across the pond to the mothership for servicing. They quoted a much longer time estimate and then way over-delivered. No complaints. Montblanc high complication Rieussec was only 5 months (plus 2 more needlessly as the idiotic AD couldn't be bothered to let me know the watch was back to them for my pickup). Though the chrono is now running several minutes a day fast, so it will be making a return visit to the Swiss, fortunately on their dime, not mine this time. Third, and the worst was a Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece specialty complication. Like the other two, it also had to visit the good folks in Switzerland. It went out early last July and did not grace my wrist again until late March this year. So yeah, basically 9 months. It was almost like acquiring a new watch by the time I saw it again. I don't know what people with small collections do in the face of this. Upwards of a year without your watch is bad enough when you have many already. Still, it does make you wonder about the benefits of even owning them when you could be without them in your possession for a not inconsequential percentage of the total time you own them.

@_FedericoTalksWatches_.

10 ай бұрын

I͎’͎v͎e͎ ͎s͎e͎l͎e͎c͎t͎e͎d͎ ͎y͎o͎u͎ ͎f͎o͎r͎ ͎m͎y͎ ͎w͎a͎t͎c͎h͎ ͎g͎i͎v͎e͎a͎w͎a͎y͎ ͎i͎n͎b͎o͎x͎ ͎m͎e͎ ͎o͎n͎ ͎t͎e͎l͎e͎g͎r͎a͎m͎ ͎u͎s͎e͎r͎n͎a͎m͎e͎ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎

I think is extremely hard to fix now. In Scotland there is only 2 or three people that can service a watch so in a town with now a person can’t go to school and set up because there is so much variety of movements. You would need to qualify and work under a master watchmaker for some time before you would be able to work alone. So VERY hard to fix now. I think you are completely correct, I dying trend of watch ownership was revived and reversed with vigour during COVID and now 3 years on the output of that is being felt.

YES! The Hunk returns! Looking great Fed. Stay cranked!

Having watches for decades, contributed to the Quartz Crisis by purchasing the most brand new watches in a single transaction, 3 pieces, I've seen and experienced much change in the market. The luxury Swiss watch has transitioned fully from tool to jewelry around the last two decades. The high price of the watch makes justifying servicing the watch. Independent watchmakers are largely gone, the neighborhood watchmaker is no more. Service time was around a week or two. IMO, the lack of parts availability is only part of the issue of getting service outside the OEM. The other part is cost of labor is just too high to justify servicing a watch costing less than a grand or so. Also the total number of people wearing watches today is only a fraction of the distant past. And the quartz watch has dramatically reduced the overall profitability of the independent watchmaker. DIY (do it yourself) is the only alternative option for some. The seals can have a profound effect on the service life the movement/module even with no exposure to water. The watch will have moisture related damage because of body temperature dynamics. A $20 battery change will not include a seal service, regrease or replace.

@Pinned-t

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

Fed, I have a 1966 Seamaster 321 chronograph that needed some restoration on the dial and a servicing. It had to go to Switzerland, but boy, the 10 month wait sucks. Before that I sent in a bond watch with their 1120 movement (think it's the same one as yours) and it took 6 months.

@truxton1000

10 ай бұрын

NEVER send a watch like that to an AD, for Speedmasters there are specialists that does a much better job then the “experts” in Switzerland, and usually much much cheaper.

I was happy with my watch until I had to send it in for service. Then I needed another watch to wear until it came back. Well I bought 5!

You pay for watch school 100%, offer an actual livable salary in today's economic situation and comp further education and you recruit like a M-Effer and you will be straight. Hell, you offer that to me I would happily change careers LOL!

I waited about 6 months for an older Breitling I had serviced last year, I’ll tell you though, if I’m going to wait 7+ months for warranty service… man no thanks.

I sent my Seiko Astron to Seiko USA over two months ago. They are waiting on parts. Fun fact: I own an Aqua Terra and an Astron that both had the same retail price. The Aqua Terra is still worth $2750, but I doubt I could sell the Astron for a third of that post-Service (the Astron is better made, when it works!).

@Pinned-t

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

Yup, Baume & Mercier took over a year to have my Hampton fixed, a simple change of parts. I now wear G-Shocks instead. If they go down, which they rarely do, you simply buy a new one…

@Pinned-v

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

Took my Glashütte perpetual calendar in for servicing at Swatch Center in Miami. They sent it to New Jersey, and I was quoted seven months. Thank God, someone intervened, and it was sent directly to the factory in Germany. Nonetheless, it’s still going take about three months.

One of the problems is that watchmakers (as far as I can tell) are paid so little.

I had a laugh at this because I just got the message back from you that you’re not taking in any watches for service. I can’t find any independent watchmakers that are taking new work, and I definitely can’t find any watchmakers that have a parts account with Hermes. So, I had to send it off to Hermes for a service that will cost more than the watch is worth and it’ll probably take eight months to service a simple eta 2892.

@rosomak8244

10 ай бұрын

ETA 2892?! That's as easy as it can get.

Wow, that's crazy. I have a local watchmaker who is an authorized Omega dealer who takes only 5 weeks to return a serviced Seamaster watch, at 500.00-800.00 plus shipping.

@Pinned-t

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

Was quoted 16 weeks for a Seamaster regular service on May. Decided to wait and wear other watches.

I took my VC Patrimony to Richmont for a full service (Madrid, Spain). Took them 5 weeks. I also got my Planet Ocean cal.2500 overhauled at Omega, took them 6 weeks.

It’s kinda scary thinking there might not be people with the know how to service mechanical watches in the future. What good is a mechanical watch if it doesn’t run or is way out of spec? I just hope the brands I buy from will still be around and able to do this regardless if it takes a year to service my Sinn 356 with a SW500. And kudos to you Fed for always keeping it 100. One day I’ll buy a watch from you!!

@_FedericoTalksWatches_.

10 ай бұрын

I͎’͎v͎e͎ ͎s͎e͎l͎e͎c͎t͎e͎d͎ ͎y͎o͎u͎ ͎f͎o͎r͎ ͎m͎y͎ ͎w͎a͎t͎c͎h͎ ͎g͎i͎v͎e͎a͎w͎a͎y͎ ͎i͎n͎b͎o͎x͎ ͎m͎e͎ ͎o͎n͎ ͎t͎e͎l͎e͎g͎r͎a͎m͎ ͎u͎s͎e͎r͎n͎a͎m͎e͎ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎

Breitling 6 months also

My Grand Seiko SBGW253 that’s a time only watch took 8 MONTHS!! My Tudor Black Bay 41 ETA on the other hand took around 3 months even though they quoted me 6 months.

I had a Hamilton Intramatic Chrono with a broken gear and a Vaer DS5 (solar quartz diver) break recently. Both repaired and returned in under 3 weeks from when I sent them in. Hamilton even sent my old parts back so I havea couple hands, watch face, and broken gear back with the repaired watch. I was honestly surprised both times based on what a local jewler had told me about months that people wait.

Sent a vintage Tag chronograph for service in February of this year...still waiting for it.

even years before covid, mechanical watches have been on the boom for over 10 years! steadily rising and gaining more popularity, I think when you multiply that on a global scale, I think like you were saying they are just overwelmed, priority is going to their warrenty customers too etc. maybe its a great time in history to go to watch making school again hehe, being on the rise maybe pay in those fields will rise too hehe

Thats a great Omega 👍 if I said it once I said it a thousand times. Vintage Omega designs are just where it's at. Well at least for me. That's some crazy long service times 😳

I had a tudor bezel spring replaced and they scratched the top of the case (I can tell they use the tool to pop off the bezel). Comon now, I can do that myself and not scratch the watch but professionals can’t??!! Its def’ly lack of watchmakers here in the US.

In europe where I am, I knew 2 watchmakers who were not too far from me about 10 years ago. One diversified his business and doesn't do watchmaking anymore but he is almost at retirement age anyway. The other was already past retirement age 10 years ago and recently I walked by his little shop and saw it had been closed for a while now. I don't know about now but I think for a long time it was a profession that didn't interest young people and even if it did there wasn't the money in it. Previously here it would've been the type of work someone would've trained as an apprentice working with an older skilled watchmaker but the 2 old guys I used to know would never have been able to afford to take on a junior employee. I have a feeling the shortage of watchmakers is an issue that's here to stay for some time.

@Pinned-v

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

That is crazy i got quoted 8 months for my OP 34 1024 and i received it back in about 8 weeks and that was during the middle of the lock down late 2021.

I think pay is an underrated aspect of this. $50k-$60k /yr isn’t a whole lot for a niche trade that requires several years of specialized schooling. It’s just hard to bring people in on that alone let alone awareness and marketing of the profession. Raise service rates and pay more, it’s like any profession.

@Pinned-v

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

I agree Fed, this is a bit shocking to know. I'd like to get into collecting a bit and now I am not so sure.

My solar gshock needed servicing a short time ago. 15 minutes in the sun a wash with mild soap and water and it was good as new.

@Pinned-v

10 ай бұрын

Y͙o͙u͙’͙v͙e͙ ͙b͙e͙e͙n͙ ͙s͙e͙l͙e͙c͙t͙e͙d͙ ͙f͙o͙r͙ ͙t͙h͙e͙ ͙o͙n͙g͙o͙i͙n͙g͙ ͙g͙i͙v͙e͙a͙w͙a͙y͙ ͙T͙e͙x͙t͙ ͙t͙e͙l͙e͙g͙r͙a͙m͙ ͙u͙s͙e͙r͙n͙a͙m͙e͙:͙ ͎M͎r͎F͎e͎d͎r͎i͎c͎o͎……

It took almost 4 months to get my Tag Heuer 2000 serviced through the AD this year. I'm pretty sure that just has a basic ETA in it. I was surprised. Sounds like it's the norm now!