whit
558
Typically, if a watch goes to Geneva, be prepared
for a higher than normal servicing costs. If there is case work, dial work, replacement parts, etc., all of these can add up pretty quickly particularly if the watch has been around the block. If the watch is in pretty good shape, then I think you'll be fine.
I just got an estimate for a piece from the '30's which was in pretty rough shape, sent it to Geneva and got the estimate. After 3 days on oxygen, I decided to pass on the repair because the watch was not significant enough to warrant the $16,000.00 and 40 months (the comma is in the right place and the number of zeroes are correct). But, you won't know until PP has a look at it. I would send it so you will absolutely know what it will take to get the watch to PP standards. It costs about $250 to find out.
Three or four years ago, I had a client with an older 96 which had to go back to Geneva and the repair was not that bad dollar-wise, but it did come back with different hands. This 96 had Arabic numerals and Breguet hands, when we got it back, the hands had been changed to stick type hands which I assume may have been original to the watch.
The client didn't seem to mind the change and has been enjoying his watch since.
Send a ref 96 to Patek for servicing?
I have a quick question for the experts out there....... Does anyone have an idea of what the cost of an official Patek service for a ref 96 Calatrava would be? I don't want to pay for a refused quote if it doesn't make sense financially to send it to Gen...
Just check
the home page of Patek. They are listing the MAXIMUM prices for service. Best, Kari
Typically, if a watch goes to Geneva, be prepared
for a higher than normal servicing costs. If there is case work, dial work, replacement parts, etc., all of these can add up pretty quickly particularly if the watch has been around the block. If the watch is in pretty good shape, then I think you'll be f...
Service for 96 steel ...
took about 12 month. Mine was less than €1K, including a new leather strap and a buckle. Told them NOT to touch the dial and the hands. Result: PP did a great job! Good luck with yours.
BreguetToStick
Boy, Oh boy. I'd cry if the stick weren't original, but I'm guessing when I say PP wouldn't make a mistake on something like this. Rishad
Thought it might be appropriate to respond rather than duplicate the thread.
I just sent my Reference 96 to HSWA with a letter giving pre-approval for service and/or forwarding to Geneva, hoping to save some time rather than having them wait for approval to forward. I will report back with information as I get it. Some -pre depart...
We'll be happy to have your feedback as well
This is such a rare experience to deal with a 96 ref. that it is even rarer to read about its servicing. I'm sorry, I don't have a specific source for the 96 reference. I imagine you can ask to keep some parts as they are or refresh them. I heard they can...
It will be my pleasure to share all my knowedge
and experience throughout this process. You make a good suggestion, and I shall call HSWA when the watch is delivered to let them know that I would like to discuss the service options available for this watch. I already know that I want a strap with sprin...
I see you've been thinking already about the dial issue.
As I never experienced such vintage restoration I don't know really the right issues to care about. Maybe other members can help. It is appreciated you wrote on a previous post to gather all the information in one thread but maybe people will miss your co...
Yes, the dial.
I knew the dial was not original from the beginning, so I am hoping that a replacement will be available. Do you know what PP has charged in the past for dial work? Do they refinish, or only replace? Or, in the event that they would do neither, I hope tha...
Ref 96 service
As I understand it at HSWA, any vintage watch will be returned to Geneva for an estimate to service. I don't believe there will be any issue about Patek not being in a position to service the watch. They will restore the watch as best possible considering...
Thank you for the helpful information!
The watch is in transit to HSWA, and I enclosed a note approving forwarding to Genève, so we are probably two months away form an estimate for now. I hope that my estimate is less than the one you speak of, and I would imagine that it will be since I do n...
Timing
I didn't time it because I always left the serviced piece in the sealed wrapper until the client received it, but the client did let me know it was running accurately and was extremely pleased. The cost of this repair was due to the treatment the watch re...
Vintage service costs.
First, thank you for the wealth of information from your experiences. $14,000 for a time-only service would have shocked me as well. Do you recall the reason for the estimate being so high? It is especially surprising in light of the $4,000 service of the...
$14,000.00 service
I will admit the watch had some issues, a dial with radium Arabic numerals and radium filled hands which had burned a shadow on the dial so that in itself was something I knew could be a little pricey but the cost was primarily the movement. One particula...
I heard the service dial is a new dial made with the original specs and replaces the old one.
It is made following the dial mentionned on the papers (or in their official archives) for this serial number. I don't know how much it will cost you, it depends on the rarity, the material, the volume they have or produce etc... Can they refinish yours? ...
Regarding the Dial, Refinish vs. Replace?
Assuming the dial on my watch is an original which has been refinished, I wonder what the difference would be between refinishing back to original vs replacement? It seems like the end result would be the same, except that I would have the original plate ...
I'm afraid that's beyond my knowledge
I imagine the thing to keep in mind is that, in terms of value (historical or financial) it is always better to keep the original parts. You'll be able to know more and decide when they give your the estimate but it is may be good to mention that you stud...
Refinish would be my choice
I realize that I wrote my post far too soon. The big difference of course would be that the refinish would retain the original hour index. To me this is far more preferable. It is one step closer, having arrived at the local post facility in New York, it ...
Update
The 96 was delivered to HSWA on the 6th, and I just received the following letter: I hope that the omission of a time estimate does not indicate a lack of attention to detail. ...
Performance Gap
Since I had not received any correspondence besides the highly specific and detailed letter above, I contacted HSWA to check the status of the watch. It is on its way to Genève, as I had expected. My question though, to a company of this standing: Would i...
Performance Gap
It appears everything is going as it should. If you noted in your correspondence if the watch needs to be sent to Geneva to do so, their response which lacked the time frame for the estimate does not mean a lack of attention, rather that they have underst...
Understood, but I would still call it a gap
Please note that I did not call this a total failure. Yes, they did acknowledge receipt of the watch. I did approve forwarding if necessary. I absolutely consider that letter an example of lack of attention or care. How difficult would it have been to rep...
Gap
You make a very good point and maybe, just maybe, someone from Patek will see this and make some changes going forward.
I appreciate your understanding.
My goal is not to be an unreasonable customer, but just to share my experiences. I hope that the companies do come read here, it is only of benefit to them.
The Estimate has Arrived!
For the sake of accuracy, it arrived via e-mail on 25 July, 13:27 Pacific / 16:27 Eastern time. This exposed a bit of an inconsistency with regard to business hours. In the email, the business hours are listed as until 5pm (17:00 Eastern), although when I...
The estimate
It appears the watch will be getting a long overdue tune-up and I'm sure you will be pleased when it's completed. I would suspect quite a few parts are being replaced given the estimate for the service and going forward, I would think future service costs...
I did not ask, although I have this information.
It was explained in satisfactory detail on the estimate: "Dial Restoration: The protection glaze and background color will be removed and reapplied. The dial plate is entirely taken apart and polished. The dial print and brand name are reproduced accordin...
The Final Stretch in Great Suspense, and a Bit Strange
Imagine my elation when I saw the caller ID for HSWA on Friday, the 3rd (ten days ago)! I was so excited that even though I was at the dentist having my teeth cleaned, I asked him to pause so that I could answer. A pleasant representative informed me that...
Serendipity!
I was surprised to see the HSWA phone number show up on my phone at 20:05 Eastern Time (17:05 for me out West). They were on my mind though, having written the above update about 150 minutes earlier. It was Pat (Patrick), the Service Manager at HSWA. The ...
Vintage Restoration cost [nt]
I have sent several watches to PP in Geneva for restoration, including two 96's both in steel. I have just sent in two vintage PPs for restoration and here is my estimate. Mandatory Service -Disassembly and examination of all components -Cleaning and repl...
This will interest people looking for vintage servicing
Even if that may quite significantly change from a watch to the other, depending on the pieces that have to be changed. Thank you very much for sharing this estimate And welcome on our forum! Best, Mark