[twin fed]

So I brought my Tourneau watch into Tourneau to have it serviced. It was running about 15-20 sec/day fast. They send it out to their service facility and then get back to you with a repair estimate. They said it was typically about $200-250, which was not terrible. The watch is 6 years old and not worn that much, but is kept on a winder. So today I get a email from them saying that it will be $450 to service the watch. This is what they said they are going to do specifically:

"Complete Maintenance of Movement, which is accompanied by a two-year service warranty.
This full service includes disassembly of all watch parts, ultrasonic cleaning of movement parts, lubrication of parts, replacement of gaskets, all adjustments to movement parts, restoration of water resistance, demagnetization, and full Quality Control testing to ensure that watch is functioning to factory specifications."

Now does this seem exceptionally high for this? Maybe a gasket gets replaced, but mostly just cleaning. The case is almost perfect and really needs nothing. I have had other watches serviced for typically $200. To me it seems like they are taking advantage because they are Tourneau? Does anyone have a better place to send a watch out for service?

[overcoil]

Price depends on movement and strap/bracelet so there's that part of it.
But chk out RgM in Lancaster
http://www.rgmwatches.com

[Dang3r]

Not easy to judge, if this was a mistake from beginning after buying, the warranty surely runned out, no?
To give you an idea of maintenance cost: My Tutima goes all 5 years to a very experienced clockworker, which is not necessarily an OEM one to my build.
After last work my watch gained when not worn 1,5 minutes a day, when worn at least 35 seconds.
It took altogether 3 returns before the pre-run was near 0 and I'd paid nothing for that work because it was kinda warranty.
The whole maintenance incl. P&P was 410,- $, that means cleaning, adjusting, new gaskets and regreasing.

[Rat3d ///M]

My question is, when you say you brought your watch in to have it serviced, what was it you were expecting them to do..? A watch service typically includes the things you mentioned, plus a polishing of the case, bracelet, clasp, etc. Rolex charges around $650 for what you mentioned, so the price is reasonable IMHO. I'm just not sure what you expected

[twin fed]

Originally Posted by ||||||||||

My question is, when you say you brought your watch in to have it serviced, what was it you were expecting them to do..? A watch service typically includes the things you mentioned, plus a polishing of the case, bracelet, clasp, etc. Rolex charges around $650 for what you mentioned, so the price is reasonable IMHO. I'm just not sure what you expected

Well, when I went in with the watch, they quoted me $200-250 for everything they explained they were going to do and then told me $450, with no additional work. That is why I was questioning the price.

[Rat3d ///M]

I would ask the dealer you are servicing it through why the difference in price. it's possible if you only expressed concern with regulating the time (you stated it was fast) that their quote was for that alone and then Tourneau decided it needed a full service, hence the higher price. But what they told you was an estimate or a guess of what they think it will cost, not a quote and I find it reasonable in the grand scheme of servicing watches.

[doozyj]

Perhaps you. An go to an independent watch maker. I'm sure you can get some referrals in your area.

[twin fed]

Originally Posted by doozyj

Perhaps you. An go to an independent watch maker. I'm sure you can get some referrals in your area.

Yeah I can try that. Anyone know of a good service place on Long Island or Queens?

[twin fed]

I just spoke with Tourneau and they told me that because it is an Automatic/Chronograph the fee is $450. The $200-250 would be for either a quartz or non-chronograph watch. He also said that the repair dept in the Tourneau store are constantly quoting the wrong price and that they have been told numerous times not to quote prices. So I bit the bullet, so to speak and am just going to have them repair the watch.

[WingZeroX5]

My dad works for Rolex, I can see how much he would charge if you want

[twin fed]

Originally Posted by WingZeroX5

My dad works for Rolex, I can see how much he would charge if you want

I would be interested to compare, if you could ask that would be great. Thanks.

[Bkborn]

I feel your pain. I Recently took my Fortis B42 watch to Tourneau for service and got hit with a $463 bill. I'm thinking, should I have sent it straight to the manufacturer. maybe it would of been cheaper. I would assume, Tourneau has to get paid some how. They had to send it to the manufacturer anyway for fixing. Either way I'm the one paying.

[cays]

I have reason to say this - I don't really trust Tourneau service. I seriously doubt it's as thorough as factory service would be regardless of what procedures are specified.

[RABAUKE]

I had my Rolex Sea Dweller serviced this past summer, it had been 11 years since the previous trip into the shop. $1000+, having said that it always comes back looking like a brand new watch, I'm pretty hard on my watches and I'm always amazed at how good it looks when you get it back.

[twin fed]

Originally Posted by cays

I have reason to say this - I don't really trust Tourneau service. I seriously doubt it's as thorough as factory service would be regardless of what procedures are specified.

Factory service is always best but in this case the watch is made by Tourneau.