That doesn't shock me. My grandfather worked three low paying jobs simultaneously to provide for his family until he was completely bedridden from a series of strokes at a fairly young age. My dad stepped up to help provide for the family, while maintaining a high GPA in school which afforded him scholarships to college, grad school, and a PhD. Now both my grandfather and father have passed away, I am honored to have this piece.Belforte was a lower prices line made by Benrus
That doesn't shock me. My grandfather worked three low paying jobs simultaneously to provide for his family until he was completely bedridden from a series of strokes at a fairly young age. My dad stepped up to help provide for the family, while maintaining a high GPA in school which afforded him scholarships to college, grad school, and a PhD. Now both my grandfather and father have passed away, I am honored to have this piece.
what band would do it justice?
Lance:Thanks for the input. Here is the new band picked up by a jeweler. It runs and keeps time. He wants $300-$500 to do "preventative maintenance " . I said I will wait. I've never heard of that.
View attachment 605955
That doesn't shock me. My grandfather worked three low paying jobs simultaneously to provide for his family until he was completely bedridden from a series of strokes at a fairly young age. My dad stepped up to help provide for the family, while maintaining a high GPA in school which afforded him scholarships to college, grad school, and a PhD. Now both my grandfather and father have passed away, I am honored to have this piece.
what band would do it justice?
Lance:
Awesome heirloom timepeice you have!
"$300-$500 to do "preventative maintenance" from a 'jeweler' (which he/she will most likely 'send-it-off' to get repaired), is a rip-off.
First, when you need to get your timepeice serviced...I would seek a 'qualified and experienced' watch repair service (skip the 'yeah-hoos' at the Mall...they would have no idea 'what time it is').
These types of establishments would have the 'in house' knowledge, experience and expert advice (certified at the rank of 'Master Horologist', and a accredited Quartz Watch Technician with the National Horological Institute), for all types of time pieces (new, used & vintage), and maybe have some watches for sale.View attachment 605968
"A person with one watch knows what time it is; a person with two watches is never quite sure". Lee Segall
Scott:Who is the National Horological Institute? I've heard of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Instituye, and I am a member of the British Horological Institute, but I've never heard of this other organization.
Training as a quartz watch technician will not, in any way, equip someone to work on this gentleman's watch as it is a hand-wound mechanical.
Anyone who thinks $100 is too much for a quality service on a watch has never tried to do one themselves, or priced any of the necessary tools or materials. When I service a watch like the one above, it takes a minimum of 5 different lubricants, each of which costs at least $20 per milliliter (!) and you would be shocked at the cost of some of the required tools. $65 for a pair of tweezers? Really?
I am NOT a watchmaker, merely a hobbyist. I don't mean to offend anyone with any of the above language or information. If my language is too strong, please accept my apologies.
I do agree to avoid the mall kiosk, and look for a qualified watchmaker to provide service, either an AWCI certified CW21 (Certified Watchmaker for the 21st Century) or a graduate of BHI or SAWTA schools. Jewelers RARELY employ one. And while $300 is too much, $100 is probably too little. I never take anything to someone who doesn't value their own service.
Scott:Who is the National Horological Institute? I've heard of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Instituye, and I am a member of the British Horological Institute, but I've never heard of this other organization.