Anyone considering the purchase of one of these watches should inquire whether the brand will provide repair parts to the independent watchmaker of the customer's choosing, or if the watch can only be repaired at the manufacturer's repair facility. The brands noted below are reputed not to be willing to sell repair parts to independent watchmakers.
It's worth noting that repairs are differ from service such that in some cases the part that needs to be replaced as a part of routine service is generic enough that it can be sourced from sources other than the maker. Other parts, though not exactly generic, aren't unique to the point that an independent watchmaker cannot fabricate what's needed from a third party supplier. For example, one's watch may call for a 35mm diameter crystal. The watchmaker can conceivably cut a 40mm one to make it a 35mm one.
I have watches from one of the makers noted above, Breguet, and I've had it serviced by D.C. watchmakers. Of the remaining makes of watch that I have, I've I've not tried to get them serviced. I have a Cartier watch, but it's a quartz watch from the 1980. All I've ever done with it is replace the battery from time to time, and I didn't send it to Cartier for that.
Just sharing info I came across. Do with it what you will. Personally, I think it in the consumer's interest to make clear to a watch seller, especially if it's a brand boutique with whom one is dealing, whether being able to obtain service from a local watchmaker matters to oneself. I know for myself, if the maker wants $1K+ and six to 12 weeks, and a local fellow will do the work for $500 in two weeks, it matters.
EDIT
Please note that in no way do I think the list above reflects the reality that is applicable to watch makes that aren't listed. It's just a list to indicate what one watchmaker has observed with regard to the noted companies. There are far, far too many watch companies for any one person to have had direct experience with repairing all of them. (http://www.watchuseek.com/site/brandslist.htm)
All the best.
It's worth noting that repairs are differ from service such that in some cases the part that needs to be replaced as a part of routine service is generic enough that it can be sourced from sources other than the maker. Other parts, though not exactly generic, aren't unique to the point that an independent watchmaker cannot fabricate what's needed from a third party supplier. For example, one's watch may call for a 35mm diameter crystal. The watchmaker can conceivably cut a 40mm one to make it a 35mm one.
A. Lange & Sohne | Alfred Dunhill |
Bertolucci | Blancpain |
Breguet | Breitling |
Bulgari | Cartier |
Certina | Chaumet |
Chopard | Daniel Mink |
David Yurman | Dior |
Doxa | Ebel |
Fossil | Frederique Constant |
Franck Muller | Guess |
Glycine | Hublot |
Harry Winston | Krieger |
Jaeger-LeCoultre | Marcel Watch |
Luminox | Mont Blanc |
Meylan Stopwatches | Piaget |
Parmigiani | Raymond Weil |
Pierre Balmain | Sector |
RGM | Tourneau |
Skagen | Ulysse Nardin |
Tutima | Van Cleef & Arpels |
Vacheron Constantine | Zodiac |
I have watches from one of the makers noted above, Breguet, and I've had it serviced by D.C. watchmakers. Of the remaining makes of watch that I have, I've I've not tried to get them serviced. I have a Cartier watch, but it's a quartz watch from the 1980. All I've ever done with it is replace the battery from time to time, and I didn't send it to Cartier for that.
Just sharing info I came across. Do with it what you will. Personally, I think it in the consumer's interest to make clear to a watch seller, especially if it's a brand boutique with whom one is dealing, whether being able to obtain service from a local watchmaker matters to oneself. I know for myself, if the maker wants $1K+ and six to 12 weeks, and a local fellow will do the work for $500 in two weeks, it matters.
EDIT
Please note that in no way do I think the list above reflects the reality that is applicable to watch makes that aren't listed. It's just a list to indicate what one watchmaker has observed with regard to the noted companies. There are far, far too many watch companies for any one person to have had direct experience with repairing all of them. (http://www.watchuseek.com/site/brandslist.htm)
All the best.