Do you include service costs when choosing a watch?

[returntorolex]

Simple question.

How much (or little) do service costs factor into the decision process? In general, more complications = more service cost. Compare a Datejust to a Daytona for example.

Since I have a tendency to keep timepieces longer, this is at least in the top 5 reasons when making my decision.

Thoughts?

[cop414]

It's in the back of my mind but I wouldn't let it stop me from buying anything that I want.

[Mystro]

X2

Originally Posted by cop414

it's in the back of my mind but i wouldn't let it stop me from buying anything that i want.

[ingmar]

I do. But not Rolex. Standard movements.

However, when I had a JLC Moon & was told they were serviced by the same people that did perpetuals, I was more than aware.

My 15202 AP, however, doesn't bother me as it just "feels" like it should cost a lot to service.

Originally Posted by Mystro

X2

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by cop414

It's in the back of my mind but I wouldn't let it stop me from buying anything that I want.

[Old Expat Beast]

I always factor it in, and do it soon after buying, but RSC Hong Kong is much cheaper than most countries.

[mjclark32]

Figure $500 for a simple complication Rolex and $950 for chrono's. Of course this is general and going through a non RSC source.
I picked up my father in laws date just whom went through an AD and it was about $900 for a service

[I-luv-Rolex]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

Figure $500 for a simple complication Rolex and $950 for chrono's. Of course this is general and going through a non RSC source.
I picked up my father in laws date just whom went through an AD and it was about $900 for a service

Someone correct me if I am wrong. I thought Rolex Service USA charge a flat fee. Except they will charge you extra for replacing the gold hands.

[Invictus Maneo]

Originally Posted by I-luv-Rolex

Someone correct me if I am wrong. I thought Rolex Service USA charge a flat fee. Except they will charge you extra for replacing the gold hands.

Okay,you stand corrected. The cost varies with the watch and also varies from RSC to RSC. Maybe not so much in the US but certainly abroad.

[tolgi06]

I think this is an important issue. Mostly that is why Rolex started to develop and use their in-house chronograph for Daytona.

[Speed]

Depends how much you want the watch in question. Is it a hard-to-find / in demand piece? If so you may be lucky just to land it. Garden variety watch? Desperate seller? Then you can bargain away using service cost as a ploy.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by returntorolex

Simple question.

How much (or little) do service costs factor into the decision process? In general, more complications = more service cost. Compare a Datejust to a Daytona for example.

Since I have a tendency to keep timepieces longer, this is at least in the top 5 reasons when making my decision.

Thoughts?

no

[nate196]

Funny you say that, I thought about AP Royal Oak 15400 however service cost are about 1200-1500 I was told,

[kilyung]

Depends on the watch

[Rags]

I've thought about it but I'll worry about the price when the time comes for a service.

[AIKO]

I do not factor service cost, I do factor reliability of the brand.

[rollerball]

Usually no. I hope that it would last forever without service.

[Minimalist]

Never crosses my mind, probably will the next time now that I've read this thread lol....but seriously it's not somethine I think about. I'll just deal with when the time comes.

[HL65]

Nope can't say I do.

[Shem]

Service costs are in the back of my mind when I buy watches, but more importantly than that, service intervals, and even more importantly still, service times definitely weigh in. If the watch requires service every 3-5 years and that service takes 6+ months, it's going to impact my buying decision regardless of how much the service costs.

[ec51]

Originally Posted by Shem

Service costs are in the back of my mind when I buy watches, but more importantly than that, service intervals, and even more importantly still, service times definitely weigh in. If the watch requires service every 3-5 years and that service takes 6+ months, it's going to impact my buying decision regardless of how much the service costs.

Where are you servicing a watch where it takes 6+ months?

[JadeRaven]

Originally Posted by ec51

Where are you servicing a watch where it takes 6+ months?

Patek, et al.

[Muzz]

I really don't. If I like it, I buy it.

[Eric Chan]

No. If you can't afford the service, then you can't afford the watch. Very similar logic to buying a car.

[locutus49]

Exactly my thought.

Originally Posted by Eric Chan

No. If you can't afford the service, then you can't afford the watch. Very similar logic to buying a car.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Eric Chan

No. If you can't afford the service, then you can't afford the watch. Very similar logic to buying a car.

Well, if that's your philosophy, then you must consider services costs when you buy a watch, or at the very least, you recommend that others do so.

For myself, it is a factor to consider.

I don't consider Rolex service costs to be a limiting factor however.

[dman]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Well, if that's your philosophy, then you must consider services costs when you buy a watch, or at the very least, you recommend that others do so.

For myself, it is a factor to consider.

I don't consider Rolex service costs to be a limiting factor however.

Agree with this statement. The service for a Rolex is sort of just "cost of doing business" but when talking about grand complications on watches like Patek or Lange then price would be a factor with me...then again if I could afford those it probably wouldn't be.

[returntorolex]

Originally Posted by Eric Chan

No. If you can't afford the service, then you can't afford the watch. Very similar logic to buying a car.

I hear you....let's say this:

Buyer can easily afford watch and service and is deciding between two watches. Buyer is equally passionate about both. Both are similar in suggested retail price - let's say $30,000.00.

Service cost on Watch 1 runs X
Service cost on Watch 2 runs 3 times X

For me, this is in the mix when it comes to decision time. It is not the most important but is one of the half dozen factors that are considered prior to selection.

Make sense?

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by returntorolex

I hear you....let's say this:

Buyer can easily afford watch and service and is deciding between two watches. Buyer is equally passionate about both. Both are similar in suggested retail price - let's say $30,000.00.

Service cost on Watch 1 runs X
Service cost on Watch 2 runs 3 times X

For me, this is in the mix when it comes to decision time. It is not the most important but is one of the half dozen factors that are considered prior to selection.

Make sense?

that reasoning makes financial sense but buying a 30k watch doesn't, meaning there are so many more factors buying a luxury item I don't think service comes into play. buying a watch for me is an emotional, visceral, passion, and at that level of cost I am getting the watch that I like the most!

does that make sense?

[returntorolex]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

that reasoning makes financial sense but buying a 30k watch doesn't, meaning there are so many more factors buying a luxury item I don't think service comes into play. buying a watch for me is an emotional, visceral, passion, and at that level of cost I am getting the watch that I like the most!

does that make sense?

Yeah...lol it does. Your last "does that make sense" tickled me and reminded me of this exchange:

"ARE WE CLEAR?"
"Crystal."