Watch Service

Cameron1590_2

Hello,

I received a watch as a gift around four years ago. I am conscious that it is now due a service. 

I have been quoted £280 for a full service. Does anyone know if this is an acceptable amount to pay?

The watch is a Tissot Chemin Des Tourelles Powermatic 80. 

Ironically, it was over £2000 a few years back and now they only retail for £800. I’m assuming Powermatic 80s are now “old” in the world of watches. 

Thanks 

Cameron1590_2

Just to update anyone who might come across this thread in the future. I contacted Tissot directly, they charge £80 including collecting and return shipping. 

Saved a small fortune 

hope this helps someone in years to come. 

vacheron

I think you got a great deal at £80 for a manufacturer backed service of an automatic. I doubt you would find an independent watchmaker who would do the job for that price. 

I have a colleague at work who was quoted £140 from TAG to "service" her quartz watch which basically comprised of a battery change and pressure test (the battery change part of which I did for her in 3 minutes at a total cost of 80p!)

Regarding the drop in price. That is very unusual. All the watches I own now have RRP's in  excess (sometimes way in excess) of what they were when I bought mine, however we are talking 10-20 years old not 4. Tissot RRP's can tend to be on the high side compared to their usual selling prices though, but that is still quite a difference and very unusual (in my experience). 

daveyjp

You need to compare like for like. 
£80 will be a battery service.
A full service involves stripping the internals, full clean, lubrication, new seals etc.
https://www.tissotwatches.com/en-en/customer-service.html

As for drop in price this is why it is better value to buy used, you will save 50% off new price after a couple of years.

vacheron

daveyjp said:

You need to compare like for like. 
£80 will be a battery service.
A full service involves stripping the internals, full clean, lubrication, new seals etc.
https://www.tissotwatches.com/en-en/customer-service.html

As for drop in price this is why it is better value to buy used, you will save 50% off new price after a couple of years.

The OP's model is an automatic (what appears to be a decorated ETA 2824-2 with a different rotor), so there is no battery to service.

However, based on your link, if Tissot have recommended the "partial maintenence", all they do is re-regulate the watch (which is most probably unnecessary) and then check the water resistance (mainly due to them opening the watch in the first place).

However, this is far less than the amount of attention the average mechanical watch owner would expect the manufacture to be recommending and undertaking on a watch that is 4-5 years old.

It is not too dissimilar to to taking your car to the garage for its yearly service only to have them only check the idle speed and do a compression test, then not even change the oil!

In short, unless your watch has an obvious problem with the timekeeping, or you regularly swim or dive while wearing it, it is basically un-necessary work..... not that I think the 3-5 year oil change interval which almost all "high end" manufacturers mandate is necessary either, but don't get me started on that topic! :-P