I have a TAG Heuer Professional, purchased new in January 2001. Other than battery replacement every 2 years, I have never sent it in for maintenance. It really keeps time well, gaining <2 or 3 seconds a month. Case and crystal condition are virtually scratch free. I don't know the condition of seals to protect the waterproof quality.

Question: If it was yours, would you send it in for maintenance. Estimated cost $310, plus shipping.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Johnny 3eagles,

A) You should be able to find a local watch place to test the seals. (Did you send it to Tag for the batteries, or have them swapped? If it went to Tag, I would think they'd test the seals.)

B) After 19 years... Yes, its probably time. My Sinn UX has a bit more of a work load (its oil filled), and its recommended service interval is 7-9 years.

Battery replacement was done by local jewelry stores. Never been back to TAG.

Thats an awful lot of money for a service on a quartz movement. That’s automatic chronograph territory. I was under the assumption with a quartz movement it’s best to replace battery until the movement eventually gives up the ghost and then just replace the movement with a new one. I’d be surprised if a new quartz movement cost even half of that service cost. Pressure testing is pretty inexpensive.

I wouldn't do it, unless I was planning to sell it and wanted that slip of paper as an authenticity doc and proof of service. However, in this case, I don't believe it to be worth it. So I would pass and continue to search for a local place which could test up to 10 bar.

quote:

Originally posted by Vgex:
I wouldn't do it, unless I was planning to sell it and wanted that slip of paper as an authenticity doc and proof of service. However, in this case, I don't believe it to be worth it. So I would pass and continue to search for a local place which could test up to 10 bar.

I agree . If you're planning on keeping it , wait until it NEEDS service .

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I'm wearing a Seiko Dive watch I purchased new in 1978 or 79. I've had it cleaned and lubed 3 times in that time and it works great.

I only get it done when it stops working and not before.

My estimated price was way off. The TAG maintenance package is $185 including return shipping. Includes all new gaskets, complete cleaning and water and time testing. 1 year warranty on all work performed.

Now that sounds more like it. I thought something was up when the service quote for your quartz Tag was more than my Hamilton automatic quote.

That’s a great looking watch.

My mistaken quote was from the repair to my wife's TAG, I just looked at the bottom line on the second page of her repair order for my guess. She has the Ladies version of the same watch. Hers needed parts to return to service.

Both watches will be passed to our son and daughter-in-law and hopefully someday to our twin (boy and girl) grandchildren.

Other than guns and money, it's the only stuff we have to pass on.

When I sent my wife's watch back to Tag about 10 years ago for the same service, it was $140. I was a little surprised when I got it back and the paper work said they replaced the movement as well as the battery, then I looked it up online and found the movememt for $20. Quartz movements are cheap.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
My estimated price was way off. The TAG maintenance package is $185 including return shipping. Includes all new gaskets, complete cleaning and water and time testing. 1 year warranty on all work performed.

That is more reasonable. But if you don't wear it in the water, does it matter if if is sealed?

I would wait until the watch stops working all together before putting in a new movement.

My cost for that movement which is a ETA mov is 40 to 50 bucks plus shipping, not including labor to install it.

So 185 dollars isn't too bad I would charge around 150 and up. As for the seals and pressure testing another 20 bucks or so. If you don't go in the water with it and only wash your hands it should be fine just to coat the seals in silcone grease.

Unfortunately most watches that old and that are quartz lose so much value that it wouldn't be even worth it to service and sale it. That watch alone in working order you'd be lucky to get 150-200 dollars for it.

My Tag require a new movement, battery, inspection, and seal was $118 five years ago. And that includes the $10 they added when I picked it up.

SCrew the TAG factory. Every watch (3) I've owned from them breaks every 2 years, almost like clockwork. I sent one back to them to be repaired and they sent me an estimate that was like $700 to repair their crappy, fragile, over priced watch. I had them send it back to me and a local watch place fixed it and put a new battery for $120. It of course broke again 2 years later (once just under warranty, another time the crown didn't turn anything, and 3rd time it just stopped). I replaced it with a Rolex in 2012 and the Rolex has never missed a beat. Find a local watchmaker that works on high end watches to fix it.