The Watch Appreciation Thread - Page 1277

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cant kill da Rooster 

I'm about to pull the trigger on a Stowa Antea KS41 but really stuck on the strap. I found the lower end straps from Stowa rather poor quality. I wonder also if the bracelet would be the better choice.

Any other Stowa owners out there who have experience with the bracelet, croc or napa straps? Are they worth the money. Any other Antea or Tangomat owners who can advise the best strap colour? Thinking maybe navy or DB for versatility.

I can't speak to the bracelets but the strap on my Marine was nothing to write home about. I put it in an aftermarket strap right away. Now the strap on my Nomos Ludwig is an entirely different story. If you might be interested in Nomos the cordovan straps are killer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnguy001 

I will have to say the new Omega deployant ain't half too shabby though

I'll have to keep that strap guy in mind, thanks!

The Omega deployant is very well executed indeed.  BTW - that same guy can make straps to custom fit the Omega deployant.  I know a lot of guys who happily have gone that route as a cost effective way to get multiple-strap options for their Omegas.

Anyone know the general cost of service for a standard Royal Oak? I have heard that AP charges quite a bit for service. I was contemplating purchasing a 14790 if I can get it for less than 6k. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by stafa 

Anyone know the general cost of service for a standard Royal Oak? I have heard that AP charges quite a bit for service. I was contemplating purchasing a 14790 if I can get it for less than 6k. 

There used to be a section on AP's website that had estimates for servicing their watches, based on complexity, and what was being done with the watch.  IIRC a basic time only RO was around $1,000-1,200.  Thats if nothing is wrong and no parts other than gaskets need replacing.  If the watch has been damaged, serviced by a hack that damaged part of the movement etc...the price goes up. 

With something like a RO, buy the best example you can afford, not one with the lowest price you can find.  You don't want to buy someone else's headache.  I knew a guy that bought one thinking he got a great deal from a gray dealer, until it wasn't functioning properly and he discoverd the watch had been opened by a hack who screwed something up, and it cost him about $2K in repairs.  Lots of the older ROs have been serviced by amateurs that don't know what they are doing and may have damaged movements and many have been over polished (losing most of their beveled edges)...it can be very expensive trying to remedy these mistakes.   

Good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by in stitches 


depends what needs to be done, figure a couple hundred, but it could cost a grand easy if there is a lot to do. so is my experience.

Hi Stitch,

Not if AP is doing the service work.  It starts at about a $1,000.  Also I imagine parts availability and the specific rubber gasket that used on a RO is going to be tough for an independent to source (unless your indy is reusing the gaskets).  Not to mention, I'd never let an indy have a go at polishing a RO.  I've seen far too many overpolished messes that have nearly round bezels.