Maintenance question

[OSC Jim]

I’ve owned an SKX-173 for nearly three years now. From what I’ve read, Seiko recommends sending the watch in every couple of years or so for routine maintenance (lubricating the gears and replacing gaskets), but I’m sort of thinking that I could probably hold off on that for at least another two years. I do wear the watch while swimming and snorkeling, but I’m not a diver. Also, I’ll switch it out with my G-Shock from time to time, so the watch isn’t a “beater” by any stretch of the imagination. Given that I haven’t really subjected the watch to any torture, should I still go ahead and send it into COSERV for routine maintenance? Thanks in advance for any input.

[Don_Wallbaum]

Hi Jim;

I don't know anything about that watch, but my current experience with COSERV is, if it aint broke.... You may well end up with a watch in worse condition than when it went in. This is the issue I am having now with COSERV.

Not that it is a bad shop - I think the people there care about the work - but I personally have had a string of difficulty.

Again, IMHO, and based on ZERO horological, mechanical, electrical or common, knowledge, I would say that unless you are having an issue with the watch,... wear more and worry less.

(Of course, I could be totally wrong... <g>)

[OnTimeGabe]

Since you're not subjecting it to any serious underwater pressure, your gaskets should be good for years to come. I've got Seiko divers close to 10 years old that have never been opened, and they do fine in the pool and at the beach. Just make sure you rinse it well and wash the salt and chlorine off it, and things should be fine. It's rare to hear of a Seiko diver flooding unless it's very old or someone has opened it up and damaged the gaskets somehow.

As for the movement, most people just run their 7s26 watches until they have a problem with their timekeeping. You can buy a whole new movement for under $50, so it doesn't make much sense to pay that much or more to have it serviced every few years.

[John MS]

I’ve owned an SKX-173 for nearly three years now. From what I’ve read, Seiko recommends sending the watch in every couple of years or so for routine maintenance (lubricating the gears and replacing gaskets), but I’m sort of thinking that I could probably hold off on that for at least another two years. I do wear the watch while swimming and snorkeling, but I’m not a diver. Also, I’ll switch it out with my G-Shock from time to time, so the watch isn’t a “beater” by any stretch of the imagination. Given that I haven’t really subjected the watch to any torture, should I still go ahead and send it into COSERV for routine maintenance? Thanks in advance for any input.

I would not worry too much about the movement. When it's ready for a service, the timing will change, usually getting faster. For shallow diving or snorkeling I would have it pressure tested at least once every other year.

[OSC Jim]

Thanks for the input! You guys confirmed what I sort of suspected all along. I figure that I've got a good while before my watch will be ready to go to the shop .