I don’t learn about you, however a part of the entire enchantment of watches for me is the notion of longevity. The idea is that, if taken care of and serviced, a watch ought to final a really very long time certainly. Nonetheless, a latest expertise with Seiko has left me somewhat troubled.
The idea of longevity is carefully tied to our horological passion, simply as it’s to outdated Toyota pick-ups or classic BMW bikes. There’s a well-known video sequence on the UK automobile present High Gear. In that sequence, they attempt to destroy a Toyota truck utilizing more and more elaborate means. This contains having the automobile parked on the highest of a high-rise earlier than it’s flattened by explosives. Remarkably, the Toyota retains working after it’s pulled from the rubble. You may see a few of that under.
Servicing your watch
Past the truth that it makes unimaginable tv, the episode highlights an idea that the watch trade has by no means did not remind us of: you might be shopping for one thing that’s made to final. It will also be that you’re spending cash on a mechanical timekeeping object as a result of it can outlast you. The thought is that you would be able to hand it right down to your kids sooner or later. This primary idea is not only a worthy advertising and marketing ploy. There may be some reality to the concept we purchase one thing like a well-made mechanical watch partly as a result of it goes in opposition to the grain of the deliberate obsolescence we see in smartwatches and so many different gadgets at this time.
The issue with this notion is that we additionally have to think about servicing the watch each 10 or so years. Often, that isn’t an issue for the primary and even second service, however when a watch has been out of manufacturing for, say, 25 years, this may elevate some points. It is a probably prevalence as a result of most mechanical watches will nonetheless be ticking in 25 years until some unexpected tragedy befalls them.
A case research: servicing a neo-vintage Seiko
However it isn’t all rosy. Just lately, I went via fairly the rigmarole to get a Seiko ref. 7002-7000 dive watch serviced. Seiko produced the 7002 diver sequence from 1988 till 1996. My specific model hails from round 1991. It was the predecessor to the Seiko SKX007, and with an identical case profile to that watch, the 7002 is a good-looking piece. In keeping with this excellent article by my colleague Mike Stockton, the watch began as a 150m-rated diver and developed right into a extra strong instrument with a 200m ranking resulting from modifications in development round its crystal.
Nacho, Fratello’s managing editor, additionally owns a Seiko 7002
I had foolishly taken the watch swimming within the ocean with out being sure of its service historical past. I observed that there was some fog beneath the crystal after I emerged from the ocean, and I knew I used to be in hassle! Immediately, I despatched the watch to Seiko to have it overhauled and serviced. After it had been sitting within the store for every week, I acquired an e-mail from Seiko stating that the corporate now not serviced or provided any assist for this watch or related watches from that period. Just a little gobsmacked, I then hunted round and ultimately discovered a watchmaker in a special state and despatched him the look ahead to an overhaul. Lengthy story quick, I did understand some watch corporations refuse to service older watches, however I by no means anticipated this to be the case for a big producer like Seiko.
The great thing about a generic mechanical caliber
The issue inherent in that is that it makes me query simply how lengthy I can get my newer Seiko watches serviced. In 25 or 30 years, will it even be doable? The lesson right here for me is that there’s something actually enticing a couple of generic Swiss caliber. Why? As a result of it will likely be simpler to service within the years to come back. One thing like an ETA 2824-2, a Sellita SW200-1, or a 7750-series chronograph can be a lot simpler to take care of. That is in comparison with an in-house caliber, like those Seiko produces. Future serviceability is especially affected once we take into account that Seiko makes all the pieces in-house, from the lubricants to the crystals and, after all, the motion components contained in the watches.
In stark distinction to my latest expertise, I had an IWC from the Nineteen Nineties serviced by the Schaffhausen-based watch firm with out difficulty. The caliber contained in the watch (an IWC 3706 chronograph) was based mostly on a Valjoux 7750 motion. Which means that not solely may IWC simply service it, however a number of unbiased watchmakers throughout my house nation of Australia may have as effectively. Reasonably than blowing me off like Seiko did, IWC was completely happy to service my watch.
Picture: Zeitauktion
Future serviceability is a severe consideration
Now, this text isn’t meant to single out Seiko. Certainly, this is a matter that many manufacturers share. However I believe it acts as a pin to the balloon of the concept we purchase mechanical timepieces to flee the throwaway capitalism surrounding us. The concept a watch firm will make hundreds of watches after which refuse to service them inside 25 years appears to me to fly within the face of that concept.
One thing occurred to me as I used to be going via this example. Ought to manufacturers state not solely a guaranty interval but in addition a interval of future serviceability of their advertising and marketing? Many watch manufacturers provide more and more prolonged warranties on their merchandise. These might be a number of years past the one or two we used to count on. Wouldn’t it’s related to contemplate whether or not the model can be prepared to have a look at your watch when it’s due for, say, its third service? I believe so. For instance, the folks at IWC have instructed me they might be completely happy to service my grandfather’s Cal. 89 from the early Sixties. Think about if Seiko would additionally do the identical to one thing as traditionally essential as an unique 62MAS dive watch…
Concluding ideas
After all, future serviceability just isn’t usually on the entrance of our minds, notably when shopping for a brand new or perhaps a classic watch. We are sometimes extra centered on the design, the situation, and the chase. The potential of having a watch serviced, nevertheless, is a essential element of long-term possession. Maybe it’s time for manufacturers to be extra forthcoming about how lengthy they’re prepared to service their merchandise, particularly when the merchandise they promote are claimed to be able to outlasting their house owners. Watch servicing appears to me to be an essential level to contemplate.
However what do you suppose, Fratelli? Ought to manufacturers be extra forthcoming about future serviceability, or is it not a large enough difficulty to fret about? Let me know within the feedback. I’m trying ahead to studying your tackle the matter.
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