Lube Job: how much should it cost?

[johnny action]

Just purchased a nice, used vintage Orient King Diver (fig 1) from eBay. And so now I'm thinking that it might be prudent to take it in to my local watch shop for a quick evaluation, cleaning, re-sealing or whatnot (the watch runs fine, but it couldn't hurt, right?). And no, I'm not about to take it diving or swimming, but I don't want to ruin it at the sink when I wash my hands....

Problem is they want to charge me US175$ for the check-up, plus parts and even more "if we find something wrong."

Weird thing is that I paid $175 for the watch - exactly what I'd be paying for the tune-up. For a relatively inexpensive (and old) watch, $175 seems a bit much to pay for a lube job - or am I way off base here?

fig 1

[MadMex]

Can you put a price on piece of mind? You can either pay his price, or find someone less pricey, or just not get the watch wet.

I'd ask what you get for that price. If it's a full R&R with new gaskets and water testing, then that's reasonable...

[Ozy]

Weird thing is that I paid $175 for the watch - exactly what I'd be paying for the tune-up. For a relatively inexpensive (and old) watch, $175 seems a bit much to pay for a lube job - or am I way off base here?

fig 1

Its not the watches fault that it is cheap and requires maintainance to continue being a watch.

[Dwelch83]

You've got to figure out what is included in the $175. A full disassembly, cleaning, reassembly and oiling for $175 is a steal. On the other hand a zero disassembly and dipping the movement and oiling like a lot of "watchmakers" are doing isn't a very good deal.

Costs $600 for a Rolex service (movement service, adjust, and polish). And there's nothing really that makes a Rolex more complicated to service than an Orient, both a labor intensive process to disassemble, clean, and reassemble.

[primerak]

Considering your usage and the price you paid I would just leave it alone and risk it - worse case scenario you can just buy another used one.

[DocKlock]

Afraid I'm with primerak on this one. Cost $175, will cost (another $175) to 'lube' it = way more than I would ever pay for the watch to begin with.
Just my 2 cents worth.

[Rojote]

I would not spend 175.00 to tune up a used, lower end Orient. Leave it alone.

[WJBecker]

I would just enjoy the watch as is. If she seems to be running and keeping good time, I wouldn't bother based on the price of your initial investment.

[bencayetano]

Local shop in Oahu? May I ask which one? Have you asked around? I know there's a few options on the island but I haven't had to use one yet.

Seems a bit much.

[johnny action]

Honolulu Time Company, on Kapiolan Blvd.

BTW, Gov. Cayetano, congrats on the primary election results last week and Stop the Rail!!!

Local shop in Oahu? May I ask which one? Have you asked around? I know there's a few options on the island but I haven't had to use one yet.

Seems a bit much.