I have a 15 year old Tag Heuer Carrera watch that I bought at Ben Bridges 15 years ago. It started losing time so I dropped it off at local BB store June 28th to get it cleaned and serviced ($380).
They sent watch to Seattle BB HQ and I am not sure where they sent it from there (to Tag?)but I call now every 2 weeks for past month and a half and am always told there is a backlog and it takes 3-4 months?
This does not seem right to me. Comments?

I'm assuming we're talking a full overhaul. Disassembling every single part (often numbering in the hundreds), cleaning, inspecting, replacing worn parts, reassembling and lubricating, regulating.

It's a very labor intensive process of course, so when things get busy, it can be a bit. I can't speak to that facility, since neither of us knows who is doing it, but the places I use are typically around a 2 to 4 week turnaround.

But my go-to shops are more expensive than $380, so you win on that front.

Rolex hit me for $1500 for a basic service and took 6 months. I’m guessing it’s a demographic collapse issue.

3 - 4 months sounds realistic. I have a 70 + year old International Watch Co. watch that I inherited from my father. When i got it, the watch was really beat up. Took it to the local IWC store, off to Switzerland for a full refurb. Came back at least 4 months later, maybe more, looking and functioning like new. Really perfect. Expensive but well worth it.

That's about right on timing.

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but I call now every 2 weeks for past month and a half and am always told there is a backlog and it takes 3-4 months?

Curious. If they told you that it takes 3 to 4 months, and I'm assuming they told you they would contact you once it's ready, why do you continue to call them every 2 weeks?

Why not wait for their call in 3 to 4 months, and perhaps give them a call once the 4 month mark passes if you have yet to hear from them?

I've been having my Tag serviced here for almost 20 years. He also service my wife's Rolex. Real quality work.

https://usawatchservice.com/index.html

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Originally posted by a1abdj:

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but I call now every 2 weeks for past month and a half and am always told there is a backlog and it takes 3-4 months?

Curious. If they told you that it takes 3 to 4 months, and I'm assuming they told you they would contact you once it's ready, why do you continue to call them every 2 weeks?

Why not wait for their call in 3 to 4 months, and perhaps give them a call once the 4 month mark passes if you have yet to hear from them?

This happens at the swim meets with the younger kids. Kid rolls up says “I’m in Heat 6 of Event 10, is it my turn yet?” “No, we are on Heat 2 of Event 3. Looks like there’s 5 to 7 heats in each event, so there’s at least 35 races before yours. Come back in 40 minutes.” Two minutes later, same kid, “What event is it now? I’m in Heat 6 of Event 10, is it my turn yet?” This goes on every two minutes until it really is the kid’s turn to go.

A few years ago when I sent my Breitling out for a full movement service and polishing the case and bracelet I was told 12 weeks.
At the time it also cost me just under $500 dollars.

Back in 2021 I sent my Tudor Black Bay GMT in for a date wheel issue and was also told about 12 weeks.

I think 3 to 4 months is the standard time they tell people based on the average amount of work they have ahead of you and what the average turnaround time has been.

Both times I have had a watch in for service I have gotten it back in less than the time quoted, it just depends how many people are ahead of you.
Another thing to think about, do they have to source parts from manufacturer to replace anything that can not just be serviced.

When I sent my Tudor in for repair I was told the wait time was based on if the service center had the parts or not.
If they had to be sent from Switzerland I was told it could take much longer than what I was originally told.

I keep calling because each time I geta different person and some count 3-4 months from date I sent the watch and some start counting the day I approved the repair cost which was 5 weeks later. I was originally told 2-months. Now I just wait.

Here is a relevant discussion that will answer your question:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgzA5DEyCEw

TL;DR - there aren't enough watchmakers to service the market's massive sales uptick spurred by an increase in social media "status" given to mechanical timepieces.

I have 56 [!] mechanical watches. My watch guy lives 6 miles from me. He has a full time job, services watches in his spare time. He has about a
month's turnaround [at least for me]. I'm his only in person customer, most of his work is shipped to him. Not sure if he's taking new customers.

I follow a few watch repair / service guys on Youtube and Instagram. One of them talks often of the school and classes he took to get started. So I looked into it. The school advertises that 100% of their grads work full time in the field. I started looking into it and they are right, there is a severe deficit in watch repair.

Knowing it takes about 10 weeks for my local Rolex certified watchmaker to service a Rolex GMT I don’t think 2-4 months is an outrageous time estimate at all. If it is a chronograph the long end of that is probably realistic.

Here is a breakdown of what they do. https://www.tagheuer.com/us/en...omplete-service.html

I sent my Tag Professional 2000 in for servicing about 15 years ago now. At the time it cost me $650.00. I'm surprised your cost is so low. Mine is still running great to this day without any further service. Of course it is not a mechanical movement.