Pricy Watch Repair Recommendations

Orange · Mar 10, 2012

Hi, I recently received a Richard Mille 005 as a gift. After using it for 4 months I have so far already had to replace the strap because the kevlar band holder snapped. I am pretty sure the watch is out of warrantee even with the current 5 year warrantee plan. From what I gathered online, it seems that RM 005 is a watch known for problems and most people send it back for repairs on a consistent basis. As it being a gift I can't complain and resell this watch.

Last week the movement of the watch stopped. The automatic mechanism doesn't wind the watch and even normal winding does not help the watch move. It is only through heavy consistent winding or shaking that the second hand moves again but for only a short while until it once again stops. I would like to bring it in to the Richard Mille store to look at and to get a quote but I'm concerned about the x'000's repair that I hear is common on watches of this calibur. The strap alone cost me $500 to change (leather strap).

I know Timezone's is the place to go for watch related questions but I'm sure there are enough watch aficionados here that could assist. Timezone's current layout also gives me a headache while trying to search through it. I went through 10 pages of search results and felt like the information gathered was disappointing.

Theodore · Mar 12, 2012

Hi Orange,

Sorry to hear about your watch.
Couple of remarks come right to mind, as an owner here of Patek, Vacheron, RM, Roger Smith, Seiko, Perregaux and other watches:

The RM005 has been off the RM production list for more than 6 years now; I don't know if your particular watch was bought 2nd hand or new old stock?
In any case, EVERY mechanical watch in the world, from EVERY brand needs servicing once every 5 years. Period, end of discussion.
It might run longer before something breaks and wears down in your watch, but it will be destroyed - slowly.

In fact: if the watch is new old stock and has been in the drawer (or hot spotlights of a window) for 6 years, it will not be working well at all to begin with: the oils will have dripped to one side and/or be baked by the heat of the lights.

It rather amazes me that everyone thinks they can run their watch for X years without having it oiled or cared for, whilst they would never consider driving their car around without an oil nd filter change, and a brake relining every XX,XXX miles. To quote the famed (now deceased) giant of English horology George Daniels: "Cars and watches are just the same, only cars are bigger".

Straps? Please check current prices for Rolex, Patek or other straps; you might be very surprised. And all leather straps get rather worn out after even a couple of years of use, especially if one sweats easily for instance.

However that is not really to the discussion here: if you buy a Ferrari or Porsche, don't expect to pay the same price as having a Fiat 500 serviced !
I have a friend who just paid AP more than Euro 2,700 for a simple servicing of a non-complicated piece (Royal Oak).

To that end, RM has now set published pricing for repairs and servicing, so there can be no lack of clarity in the worldwide market.

Anyway, sorry for the rant, but I think you will find RM rather reasonable in these issues compared to many other brands on the market!

Cheers,
Theo

Cant kill da Rooster · Mar 12, 2012

^ nice first post.

Newcomer · Mar 12, 2012

Cant kill da Rooster said:
^ nice first post.

+1.

TheTukker · Mar 12, 2012

Newcomer said:
+1.

+7; look forward to Theo's contributions here.

Orange · Mar 13, 2012

Theodore said:
Hi Orange,

Sorry to hear about your watch.
Couple of remarks come right to mind, as an owner here of Patek, Vacheron, RM, Roger Smith, Seiko, Perregaux and other watches:

The RM005 has been off the RM production list for more than 6 years now; I don't know if your particular watch was bought 2nd hand or new old stock?
In any case, EVERY mechanical watch in the world, from EVERY brand needs servicing once every 5 years. Period, end of discussion.
It might run longer before something breaks and wears down in your watch, but it will be destroyed - slowly.

In fact: if the watch is new old stock and has been in the drawer (or hot spotlights of a window) for 6 years, it will not be working well at all to begin with: the oils will have dripped to one side and/or be baked by the heat of the lights.

It rather amazes me that everyone thinks they can run their watch for X years without having it oiled or cared for, whilst they would never consider driving their car around without an oil nd filter change, and a brake relining every XX,XXX miles. To quote the famed (now deceased) giant of English horology George Daniels: "Cars and watches are just the same, only cars are bigger".

Straps? Please check current prices for Rolex, Patek or other straps; you might be very surprised. And all leather straps get rather worn out after even a couple of years of use, especially if one sweats easily for instance.

However that is not really to the discussion here: if you buy a Ferrari or Porsche, don't expect to pay the same price as having a Fiat 500 serviced !
I have a friend who just paid AP more than Euro 2,700 for a simple servicing of a non-complicated piece (Royal Oak).

To that end, RM has now set published pricing for repairs and servicing, so there can be no lack of clarity in the worldwide market.

Anyway, sorry for the rant, but I think you will find RM rather reasonable in these issues compared to many other brands on the market!

Cheers,
Theo

Thank you for your response Theo.

The watch has been serviced before about 3 years ago. It is about time to be serviced again. I hope it has something to do with the oils needing to be changed/replaced.

The watch was a gift and it was kept in a safe until recently. The straps, I agree will wear out eventually and will need to be replaced. It may just be me but compared to other top end brands I don't feel the RM leather strap quality is not as high but still command the high prices.

I'm glad to hear that RM has a transparent pricing policy. That is most reassuring.

Few final questions:

Does RM manufacture their own movements? (to see if I should also check with RGM)

Which watch brands are completely unreasonable when it comes to repair/maintenance prices?

ThatGuy · Mar 13, 2012

Hi,

An important consideration before diving into the world of luxury watches is the how much it will cost to maintain such fine timepieces. In general, brand and type of complications will determine the price of service.

I have experienced watches where they "lose" power reserve in the past. The problem was not actually the power reserver, but rather, an issue with the oils. These can become sticky resulting in parts not moving.

For your RM, I would only trust an authorized RM service centre to handle such a piece. As it's a gift, it would be wise to only use an authorized centre. You will be very pleased with the outcome, though these places tend to take months for what seems like a simple fix.

I only wear watches bought from stores, so I do have peace of mind with my watches. I highly encourage you to treat your watch to a fine "spa" service. This way, it's like a newborn watch for you. This is the best feeling and why I like new watches.

And, replacing the strap with an OEM one should also be done to mainain the look of the RM. A fabulous gift indeen.

Theodore · Mar 14, 2012

Hi Orange,

You know it is weird; keeping watches in safes is not good ;-)

Imagine all the oils are kept in place by surface tension. If the watch is in one position for months on end, all the oil will eventually 'lean' to one side, leaving parts of the movement 'naked'.
Watch oil is highly advanced, expensive stuff, but it still can't resist gravity very well.
This is actually one of the several real reasons behind Breguet's invention of the tourbillon in fact, often ignored in PR bla texts.

Safekeeping watches only works well if you literally turn them around: dial up, dial down, crown down, crown up, etc. once every few weeks to let the oils slowly move around.
Otherwise when you do wear it suddenly after 6 months in storage, it might affect the movement.

RM does not make their own movements, they design and have them made by the experts.
This is exactly how the Swiss made clocks and pocketwatches starting in the 17th century.
The 'manufacture' concept is a bit of a myth created as a PR tool by many firms.
But if I go into that, I will need 5 pages….

Suffice to say, there is only one real watch manufacture in the entire world: Seiko, in actual point Grand Seiko series. No joke.
No one else on the Earth makes their own alloys and final product for winding springs, balance springs, glass, cases and everything else..Even if they say they do ;-) !

RM Straps: they are made 100% in Switzerland by the best maker there. But it is a very complex strap to make, mixing leather, titanium and composites.

Worst for servicing? Audemars Piguet…A friend of mine used to have more than 32 of them; he sold them all off after he saw the bills.
Outrageous prices, and slow as the dickens..But nice watches; if you love them you just gotta grin and bear it I guess...

Hope your watch gets back in line soon. It is a true classic and desirable since as I mentioned it s no longer available.
Ciao!
Theodore

Theodore · Mar 14, 2012

Duly noted!
Will finish any further responses to thread here and then 'populate' the watch section in future ;-)
Ciao,
Theodore

JMartin · Feb 12, 2014

Friend of mine always mentions this site but he's in the UK.
When i'm in the US i just go to one of the local watch repairers in my area.
But they cant always get the parts needed. Depends on the watch manufacturer.

Latest posts

Pricy Watch Repair Recommendations

Orange

Senior Member

Theodore

New Member

Cant kill da Rooster

Distinguished Member

Newcomer

Stylish Dinosaur

TheTukker

Distinguished Member

Orange

Senior Member

ThatGuy

Senior Member

Theodore

New Member

Theodore

New Member

JMartin

Member

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Latest posts

Similar threads

Featured Sponsor

How important is full vs half canvas to you for heavier sport jackets?

Definitely full canvas only

Half canvas is fine

Really don't care

Depends on fabric

Depends on price

Forum Sponsors

Members online

Forum statistics

FOLLOW STYLEFORUM ON:

Newest Posts

New Listings in Buying and Selling