3 Months To Service A Watch???

[oo7ml]

Hi,

I just called AP Service Centre in London and to my amazement, I was told that if I drop my watch off next week, it will be back in 10 to 12 weeks :-(

Is this the norm? Would you bearing it elsewhere to get it serviced?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[tcpx]

Sounds about normal to me

[thekman]

I don't like it but seems pretty standard for the Swiss watch industry.

[RockdocBoston]

My USA BREITLING took about the same time years ago, it is the norm

[Peter Toronto]

That’s how long it typically takes for watches dropped off at RSC. The same is the case for servicing my Omegas (unless they need to be sent back to Switzerland).


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[AshAP]

Yes 3 months is not unusual. I previously had an offshore serviced after about 5 years and that took 2 months. I had another offshore serviced and it ended up taking 3 months as it kept failing it’s post service water resistance check.


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[Tools]

Originally Posted by oo7ml

Hi,

. . .
Is this the norm? Would you bearing it elsewhere to get it serviced?

Thanks in advance for your help.

If only takes a few hours to service/overhaul a watch.

At Service Centers watches come in from all over the world, so there are likely dozens or more in the queue waiting for their turn. This, and processing in and out, is what takes the time.

You, of course, can take it elsewhere if time is important to you.

[Smy404]

I will let you know in 3 to 5 months once I get mine back. I dropped mine off 2 weeks ago.

[oo7ml]

Ok, thanks for all of the help.

I presume they give you a replacement / better version of what you handed in, while you wait 4-5 months, in order to try and sell you some limited edition Royal Oak? (joke)

I remember 10+ years ago, Porsche and other similar dealerships would always try and give you a better or newer car for a few days, while they serviced your car... a different world in many ways.

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by oo7ml

Ok, thanks for all of the help.

I presume they give you a replacement / better version of what you handed in, while you wait 4-5 months, in order to try and sell you some limited edition Royal Oak? (joke)

I remember 10+ years ago, Porsche and other similar dealerships would always try and give you a better or newer car for a few days, while they serviced your car... a different world in many ways.

Porsche can no longer do that because all of their loan cars are currently with Taycan owners


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[R35GTR]

If you figure all of the watches from the world across all models being serviced by a very limited number of people in mostly by hand in Switzerland, yeah it’s probably going to take a few months.

[CalSRQ1]

I’d much rather them tell me up front - 3 months than approx 30 days and it takes 3-4 months…. That was the last experience with repairs. State of the world these days on everything requiring service or parts.

[Dan Pierce]

You'll be lucky if they even come close to their own estimated timeline. Nothing to do with the brand, just the way these things tend to play out.
dP

[Dr.Stu]

I'd say 3 months would be a good over/under betting line for most of the high end luxury brands in general (depending upon the complications).

[psm11]

Originally Posted by Peter Toronto

That’s how long it typically takes for watches dropped off at RSC. The same is the case for servicing my Omegas (unless they need to be sent back to Switzerland).


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Really? I had my Omega Planet Ocean serviced (I am in the States) last year and got I back in about a month.

[PBJ1925]

If it makes you feel any better, this is the quote for my ALS service:

" Below is the estimate to service your Lange timepiece at the factory. From the day you proceed ( approval of the charges below), it will take approximately 30-32 weeks if there are no additional parts delay."

[Andad]

I was told by my AD (today) that it was 8 months in Australia.

Could be less for warranty repairs.

[Gerardk]

I took my Datejust to Goldsmiths in Manchester back in November, they said the service would be done by February, taking into account Christmas etc., however, due to shortages of components (diamond dial), they said that there would be an indeterminable delay, I am still awaiting further news. Goldsmiths were apologetic and told me that demand for components was outstripping supply.

Any thoughts?

[crispyness87]

My brand new ROO 43mm taupe spent 2.5 months on its AP service. Really long, but what can we do about it…

[drrd]

New to AP.

Just wondering, do all watches go back to the factory for servicing or are there regional service centres?

The AP website shows the Harrods and Bond Street stores in the U.K. as the addresses for service but I assumed that is just the drop off point.

[jedione65]

If you think 3 months is long, she sent a vintage AP in for a service in March, had to be sent to Switzerland and now being told it should be ready in...September. I got my RO refinished with a very reputable independent, and just for a refinish it took 2 months.

I always dread the waiting game when a watch goes in for service.

[Gerardk]

I was told that mine was being serviced in London by a Rolex service centre, apparently there was some water damage that affected the old black diamond dial, I opted for the £2k Rolex jubilee dial in grey with diamond markers, I should probably have stuck to a standard option. On the plus side, they will return the original diamond dial. I am expecting it to take another 2-3 months, a year or so in total.

[singe89]

Its been a year or so but I usually have been quoted 8 weeks and it comes back around 4-6.

AP is working on a larger and more state of the art service center than their current Clearwater US location to lessen service times Still going to be a bit as they haven’t finalized state/location yet.

[wesdaniel]

I took mine into the boutique in early March and was quoted four to six weeks. It actually came back the last day of May. So, yeah, just about 3 months to the day for mine.

[Ny325]

Sounds about right.

[llngoc]

It took 2 months for a battery to be replaced for a quartz RO left behind by my late mom. It was a literal $840 battery change with nothing else being done.

[Gerardk]

Wow! That must be some battery, is it gold or platinum?

[Henrimontgomery]

Originally Posted by llngoc

It took 2 months for a battery to be replaced for a quartz RO left behind by my late mom. It was a literal $840 battery change with nothing else being done.

Rolex gives me free swap and batteries for my 17013

[Texascrude]

Just got my 5513 back today ( November 28/23)
I took it in October 27/23.
Complete overhaul service plus crown/gaskets, new dial and hands and crystal.
So about 4 weeks. This is in Canada.
Not cheap though, I just got my Porsche serviced and that was 1/3 the cost!!!

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by Texascrude

Just got my 5513 back today ( November 28/23)
I took it in October 27/23.
Complete overhaul service plus crown/gaskets, new dial and hands and crystal.
So about 4 weeks. This is in Canada.
Not cheap though, I just got my Porsche serviced and that was 1/3 the cost!!!

6k to service your watch?


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