Question on vintage wear and service.

[jb335]

So you may have seen a few posts from me lately about my new 16750 (8.4 serial), which is my first vintage watch.

The seller (who was awesome) was not sure of service history so I am wondering would anyone recommend I take it to a watchmaker or RSC for a check up? I have only had it for about 36 hours but seems to run amazing so far. A very impressive +1 second a day so far. Small sample size though.

Even though it seems fine, since service is not known, should I take it in for a checkup?

Also, is it safe to wear this watch as my daily? Or should I give it a couple days off a week or so?

I'm new to the vintage world, so thanks in advance.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by jb335

So you may have seen a few posts from me lately about my new 16750 (8.4 serial), which is my first vintage watch.

The seller (who was awesome) was not sure of service history so I am wondering would anyone recommend I take it to a watchmaker or RSC for a check up? I have only had it for about 36 hours but seems to run amazing so far. A very impressive +1 second a day so far. Small sample size though.

Even though it seems fine, since service is not known, should I take it in for a checkup?

Also, is it safe to wear this watch as my daily? Or should I give it a couple days off a week or so?

I'm new to the vintage world, so thanks in advance.

You're in LA, there are a lot of watchmakers in socal that can measure the amplitude of the watch and tell you if it's running well. If it runs consistently that accurate day to day (+1 is great, but that's just regulation to have these watches run @ whatever accuracy....what you need is consistency), I'd think you just enjoy it and not get it wet (since you're not sure of the water resistance part due to no service history). If it runs drastically different day to day (assuming you're wearing the watch similarly position wise) fluctuating in accuracy then it's definitely time to service.

[sprezzatura]

Originally Posted by jb335

So you may have seen a few posts from me lately about my new 16750 (8.4 serial), which is my first vintage watch.

The seller (who was awesome) was not sure of service history so I am wondering would anyone recommend I take it to a watchmaker or RSC for a check up? I have only had it for about 36 hours but seems to run amazing so far. A very impressive +1 second a day so far. Small sample size though.

Even though it seems fine, since service is not known, should I take it in for a checkup?

Also, is it safe to wear this watch as my daily? Or should I give it a couple days off a week or so?

I'm new to the vintage world, so thanks in advance.

You are in LA, and the weekend is approaching! You should make the trek to the Beverly Hills RSC and turn it in for a service estimate. It takes around 30-45 minutes and time flies when you are flipping through the Rolex magazine or munching on some delicious pastries at a nearby café (PM for suggestions).

From what I had heard previously, RSCs are a little overzealous with "functional replacements" and "fixes" for vintage pieces - to say nothing of the standard polishing - and this has also been my experience. The good thing is that you don't have to go through with all of their suggestions or service your watch with them at all. But they can, among other things, provide you with a service history, if such service was provided by an RSC in the first place.

As for daily wear, it really depends on what you do with your day! I wear my 7.6 mil 16753 most every day, but my work has nothing physical about it, save for bouts of frantic typing every so often. It also depends on your own comfort level, of course. For my part, even fresh out of service, I wouldn't take an '80s GMT to the shower or for a swim. Now a Seadweller -- that would be another story. . .

[jdmi32]

Seems to be running just fine so I'd leave it alone. As for being a daily wearer, most of these vintage watches served that role for many years and I'm pretty sure they were worn much harder than they are now.

[jb335]

Thanks all.
@sprezzatura, good idea about RSC in BH. I know exactly where they are too. Unfortunately, only open M-F 9a-5p. Tough to make with my work schedule.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a watch guy in LA? Bonus if they are in downtown LA.

[Richard Carver]

omg, keep it serviced with fresh seals and it will be swimming long after you're not.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by jb335

Thanks all.
@sprezzatura, good idea about RSC in BH. I know exactly where they are too. Unfortunately, only open M-F 9a-5p. Tough to make with my work schedule.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a watch guy in LA? Bonus if they are in downtown LA.

I think the consensus with any vintage/semi vintage piece in that area is to take to LA Watchworks or ABC watchwerks. I don't go all the way there since I got my own cw21 guy down here in SD that does wonderful work. RSC is not bad idea but I don't know if they'd measure the amplitude for you to tell you how the watch is running/if it needs service. My watchmaker would do that for me and I'm almost sure ABC or LAW would do it also.

[jb335]

Originally Posted by sensui

I think the consensus with any vintage/semi vintage piece in that area is to take to LA Watchworks or ABC watchwerks. I don't go all the way there since I got my own cw21 guy down here in SD that does wonderful work. RSC is not bad idea but I don't know if they'd measure the amplitude for you to tell you how the watch is running/if it needs service. My watchmaker would do that for me and I'm almost sure ABC or LAW would do it also.

Thanks! ABC is literally three blocks from me. Awesome.

[sprezzatura]

Originally Posted by jb335

Thanks all.
@sprezzatura, good idea about RSC in BH. I know exactly where they are too. Unfortunately, only open M-F 9a-5p. Tough to make with my work schedule.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a watch guy in LA? Bonus if they are in downtown LA.

That's too bad about the hours; the weekend plan, as I laid it out, sounded too good to be true, to be honest! At any rate, sensui is probably right: I don't think an amplitude test is part of their regular service estimate. Though you could probably get them to do it, if you note on the form a possible inconsistency in keeping time when you are actually turning the watch in (whether that's a genuine concern on your part or not).

[BristolCavendish]

> Also, is it safe to wear this watch as my daily? Or should I give it a couple days off a week or so?

Shouldn't be a problem. There are folks with 4-digit references who wear them daily. Just remove the watch when doing something that might potentially damage it (i.e. working on cars, home repairs etc.).