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| How often should my watch be serviced? |
http://www.vintagezodiacs.com/watchrepair.php
Vintage automatic and manual wind watches were intended to be serviced every 3-5 years! If the eBay watch (or any other watch you are considering buying!) you are bidding on does not specifically say "just serviced" then you should plan on needing to have the watch serviced upon its arrival.
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| Watch Repair Info |
Butch@VintageZodiacs.com
Good news! I have found someone to service my collection that I trust! I have asked them if they would be willing to help you out and they said YES! As a matter of fact, if you mention my name and web site they will even pay the return shipping in the USA on your repair! They will email you with an estimate approval the same or next day they receive your watch. They usually are able to get them back within 2 weeks. They can fix most any brands too! Please email me for more information.
Join the Forum and sign up. Then you can do a search for "BWG" to find recommendations from others here that have used him.
Sorry, no parts without a service. There are no new Zodiac bands available!
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If you have a modern Zodiac, I am sorry, but I cannot help you with it. You will need to contact www.zodiacwatches.com for all your post-1990 Zodiac needs. Some modern Zodiacs are: case numbers formats like 123.12.123, Gold, Silver, Red Points, Astrographic 2000, and newer Super Sea Wolfs in the leather pouch, Marine Life, and Sea Wolf II models. Good luck!
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Often I get an email that goes something like this... "I just got a 30-40 year old Zodiac from my father (or grandfather or uncle or myoldhuntingdog) and it still runs fine!" or "I bought this Zodiac and have not worn it for 20 (30 or 40!) years. I just dug it out of a drawer and it still works!"
I have been meaning to write an article for quite some time now, but this will have to do for a while. I am not selling a service, just trying to be informative. Here are some statements I have made to Zodiac owners of late.
Would you run your car on the same 5 qts. of oil for 20 years? Would you park your car for 5 years, and then start it up and run it on 5 year old oil?
Put another way, here is what I told another guy the other day:
Please place a note around your watch so that when you pass on (MANY YEARS FROM NOW I HOPE!) your son understands than an automatic watch is made to be cleaned every 3-5 years. There is oil in it to prevent metal on metal wear. When a watch is not worn, one of two things happens, the oil evaporates or collects to one side and turns into "tar'". When a watch is serviced it is tested in several positions, not just face up or down, as on a table top. A properly serviced mechanical can last over 100 years, IF properly serviced.
And another example on quick setting the day and/or date:
Presuming your watch has been serviced in the last 3-5 years... Normally you keep winding it past midnight until the day is correct and then STOP. Now you wind it back to 8:30 p.m. and back to midnight until the date is correct. Then you set the time. >IF< the watch's date is WAY OFF, do this about 5 days at a time and let it rest for a minute. The gears are very small and when you wind them quickly it is like taking your car over 100 MPH! By letting it rest for a minute you let the gears cool off.
Be aware that these are mechanical watches and were intended to be serviced every 3-5 years. If one has been sitting a long time all the oil has evaporated or congealed over to one side of the watch. The gaskets also deteriorate over time and "melt" into the movement.
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My Philosophy
Watches are a hobby to me. A friend of mine calls it "my passion" and perhaps it is. It is FUN and I meet a lot of nice people. I buy, sell, and trade them to add more to my collection. This is not a business but merely a hobby to me. I assure you, given the restorations I have done, I do not make money at this. I have a full time vocation as a Computer Consultant which is my main source of income and keeps me very busy (thank goodness for technology) the better part of the day.
The obligations of my job take precedence over the time which I can devote to my hobby. Sometimes I will answer email at 2:00 A.M. Sometimes I cannot get to my email for a day or two. My vocation keeps me very busy; this is why I do not post a phone number or an address on my site.
Email is great in that it can be answered when I have the time to do it. This convenience enables me to focus on my hobby and to assist colleges and friends with their watch needs at a time that is convenient and workable for me.
I want to help you if I can. Please read the information on this site. Send me an email. I LIKE email. If I can help you to get your watch serviced by someone else, or give you some information to make your watch or collecting better I would love to be of assistance.
Let us talk, but let's do it via email.
I wish to thank you in advance for your understanding. I'm looking forward to receiving your e-correspondence.
Thanks for your trust and for your friendship.
Best personal regards,
Butch Dunn
Service Examples From My Watchmaker:
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