ALS 1815 from 2000 - thoughts on maintenance etc?

[shahuk]

Hi All -

My current collection consists of modern automatic watches (pp, rolex, tag). I have seen and have fallen in love with the aesthetics of a mid-2000 ALS 1815 in platinum. The watch is in mint condition with box and papers. It has the 941.1 movement that is still used in the Saxonia line (I think).

I'm a bit worried about buying a watch with an almost 20yo movement as I don't want to get into expensive maintenance etc. The watch has however been serviced by the dealer that is selling it (very well respected dealer). If anyone has any experience with this movement or thoughts around what ownership may entail in terms of service/maintenance, would be appreciated.

thanks!

[PJ S]

You’ve a Patek, and you’re worried about “expensive maintenance”?
Oxymoron much?


The dealer has a watch repairer on site or that they trust and use?
When was it serviced and are they offering a warranty on it? If so, how long?
If you know of a watchmaker yourself, or they have one, get them to put it on the timegrapher and provide a printout of the amplitude and deviation in each of the 6 positions.

Two minutes on Google would’ve given you the following info…

https://www.alange-soehne.com/en/cus...ervice-prices/
https://www.alange-soehne.com/assets...2017-DE-EN.PDF
http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...5112&rid=12189
http://watchesbysjx.com/2016/06/in-c...york-city.html
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=402196

[shahuk]

Originally Posted by PJ S

You’ve a Patek, and you’re worried about “expensive maintenance”?
Oxymoron much?


The dealer has a watch repairer on site or that they trust and use?
When was it serviced and are they offering a warranty on it? If so, how long?
If you know of a watchmaker yourself, or they have one, get them to put it on the timegrapher and provide a printout of the amplitude and deviation in each of the 6 positions.

Two minutes on Google would’ve given you the following info…

https://www.alange-soehne.com/en/cus...ervice-prices/
https://www.alange-soehne.com/assets...2017-DE-EN.PDF
http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...5112&rid=12189
http://watchesbysjx.com/2016/06/in-c...york-city.html
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=402196

I have an almost new 5167 and have no concerns about expensive non-service related issues in the near future - this was my point and I should have made it clearer - I have never bought an ‘old’ watch before and I am looking for guidance (due to inexperience) on what can break and be expensive to fix, vs sending in for service. I ask because i assume that unlike wine, a movement does not improve with age.

They do have a watchmaker on site and the watch has been serviced prior to being made available for sale but there are no service records of it going back to the factory.

The middle part of your message was helpful - I will ask them to put the watch on a timegrapher and provide the read outs. Thank you for your response - reading it make me chuckle - although I’ve lived in the US for many years I’m from the UK and I haven’t had a good healthy dose of sarcasm for a while

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by shahuk

…

Thank you for your response - reading it make me chuckle - although I’ve lived in the US for many years I’m from the UK and I haven’t had a good healthy dose of sarcasm for a while

<rubs hands>
Ah… well then, you’ve come to the right place, old chap.

If my suspicions are correct, you’re looking at this one – in which case, Albert’s got a very good reputation.
The timegrapher results will indicate a general health of the movement, but won’t replace being visually inspected by an experienced watch repairer – which you’ll be hoping that the seller’s on-site one is.

I linked to the official service centres for AL&S, one in particular is highly regarded – it might be worth a bit of a chat with him to settle your concerns about an 18 year old movement in relation to its seemingly lack of servicing.
I’m not sure what the oil development has been in that timeframe, but if not much, then it may turn out that if the watch was worn relatively infrequently, that very little extra wear has occurred as the oil aged, etc.

If you’d rather not take the risk of a major bill looming in the next 5 years, say, then how about looking at a few alternatives?

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/alangesoe...-id7722497.htm
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/chopard/luc--id7284172.htm
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/chopard/l...-id8156740.htm

[shahuk]

Originally Posted by PJ S

<rubs hands>
Ah… well then, you’ve come to the right place, old chap.

If my suspicions are correct, you’re looking at this one – in which case, Albert’s got a very good reputation.
The timegrapher results will indicate a general health of the movement, but won’t replace being visually inspected by an experienced watch repairer – which you’ll be hoping that the seller’s on-site one is.

I linked to the official service centres for AL&S, one in particular is highly regarded – it might be worth a bit of a chat with him to settle your concerns about an 18 year old movement in relation to its seemingly lack of servicing.
I’m not sure what the oil development has been in that timeframe, but if not much, then it may turn out that if the watch was worn relatively infrequently, that very little extra wear has occurred as the oil aged, etc.

If you’d rather not take the risk of a major bill looming in the next 5 years, say, then how about looking at a few alternatives?

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/alangesoe...-id7722497.htm
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/chopard/luc--id7284172.htm
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/chopard/l...-id8156740.htm

Thanks for your thoughts and advice - I did indeed have an email exchange with Alkis at the NY service center and based on his thoughts and also the fact the dealer has a great reputation and will provide a 1 year warranty, I'm going to pull the trigger. I went in to look at the watch yesterday and I'm smitten!

On a separate note, how cool is it to be able to have an email exchange with a real person with knowledge at a Brand service center. Its suddenly gotten me way more interested in AL&S

[PJ S]

Good stuff... and congrats on taking the plunge.