ETA Service Cost Determined by Name on Dial?

[Ray916MN]

In my experience, factory authorized service agents service rates depend on brand. Independent service agents, do not. Dealers in my area who have in house service, are also more than happy to send watches to the factory to be serviced. In some cases lack of access to parts forces them to do so. In house service rates depend on complications and the movement, not brand. I generally avoid any service providers who do not do regular service work in house. There is zero value in my experience in putting a middleman in between you and the person/company servicing your watch.

[Rdenney]

I think Ray has it--it seems from the original post that the AD in question was not an AD for TAG-Heuer, which tells me that they were an independent repair shop for that brand. That means they can charge whatever they want, instead of having to stay true to the manufacturer's published service rates, which are probably built into their dealership agreement, even when they provide the service. So, a normal independent fee for the TAG-Heuer, but the factory-mandated service charge for another brand for whom they are an AD, even if the two watches have the same movement.

For watches not in warranty, I would be happy to find an independent, if the necessary parts are available. I was discussing with a well-known watchmaker a service on my Ebel 1911 Senior, which has a Lemania 8810 movement. He said that Ebel won't provide parts to independent watchmakers, but that he might be able to find the parts he needed from Swatch, since Lemania is now part of that fold, and he is a Swatch authorized repair center. But they won't be able to provide the gasket for the rear cover, which is made exclusively for the 1911 models with removable backs. We didn't pursue it--he had health problems I am in no hurry. But the point is that there is more to the issue than it just being a supplied movement.

Rick "thinking the service issue is an outgrowth of the systematic acquisition of independent ebaucheries into watch conglomerates in the Swiss industry" Denney

[Ryan]

In my experience, factory authorized service agents service rates depend on brand. Independent service agents, do not. Dealers in my area who have in house service, are also more than happy to send watches to the factory to be serviced. In some cases lack of access to parts forces them to do so. In house service rates depend on complications and the movement, not brand. I generally avoid any service providers who do not do regular service work in house. There is zero value in my experience in putting a middleman in between you and the person/company servicing your watch.

I think Ray has it--it seems from the original post that the AD in question was not an AD for TAG-Heuer, which tells me that they were an independent repair shop for that brand. That means they can charge whatever they want, instead of having to stay true to the manufacturer's published service rates, which are probably built into their dealership agreement, even when they provide the service. So, a normal independent fee for the TAG-Heuer, but the factory-mandated service charge for another brand for whom they are an AD, even if the two watches have the same movement.

For watches not in warranty, I would be happy to find an independent, if the necessary parts are available. I was discussing with a well-known watchmaker a service on my Ebel 1911 Senior, which has a Lemania 8810 movement. He said that Ebel won't provide parts to independent watchmakers, but that he might be able to find the parts he needed from Swatch, since Lemania is now part of that fold, and he is a Swatch authorized repair center. But they won't be able to provide the gasket for the rear cover, which is made exclusively for the 1911 models with removable backs. We didn't pursue it--he had health problems I am in no hurry. But the point is that there is more to the issue than it just being a supplied movement.

Rick "thinking the service issue is an outgrowth of the systematic acquisition of independent ebaucheries into watch conglomerates in the Swiss industry" Denney

Very helpful. Thanks, Rick. And thanks, Ray.

[scottjc]

If you have multiple ETA based watches then do as I did and find somebody well versed in these movements and send them one-by-one until all your watches have been serviced.
My aim is to have my whole collection serviced and running to spec but I seem to buy them quicker than they can be serviced...
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