watchnewbie
14
Guidance for Vintage JLC Service
In 1992 while on our honeymoon, my wife and myself bought each other a nice watch to remember the trip by. Her's was a newJLC (from an AD) that never became mass marketed and was apparently a limited edition. JLC says it's authentic but can't locate a model name or number. It had 2 full services by the old JLC service center in VA and battery changes from our local AD (she liked the watch, I would never get a quartz for myself). Even though it still passes leak checks, I sent it in to the Richemont service center in Fort Worth for a service and new waterproofing. They have no idea how to service the watch and told me it needed to go to Switzerland even for a battery change and the minimum charge would be $875. Since the battery usually lasts 2-3 years, thats about $400 per year for maintaining a quartz watch. I own a Patek and Breitling that I service regularly and am used to 1K every 5 years for mechanicals. I called JLC to confirm that there was no misunderstanding and they said anything over 20 years was vintage and needed to go to Switzerland even for a battery change. Even Patek only charges $420 for a complete quartz service and $140 for a battery change.
Guidance for Vintage JLC Service
A service for a mechanical watch is every 5 years.
For many of us it' s still an issue.. One needs a good watchmaker & caretaker..
