Anyone know about Tag watch repair?

Wolfetone

Frau Wolfetone went swimming with the crown of her Tag watch unscrewed. This was two years ago so I would strongly assume that the entire interior of the watched one solid lump by now. The used value of the watch is around £250 plus it's of sentimental value as well.

Does anyone know if a replacement movement is available? It will have to have the hands and face replaced. I believe that there are good quality generic movements that are available for other watches.

Any ideas/opinions/comments?

chillidoggy

Without having seen it, it's difficult to tell, but if it was seawater, just bin it.

Myranda

Open it and have a look rather than assume... might be repairable, or it might cost an extra £50 to get the old movement chiseled out 

But Tag movements wont be cheap, so you'll probably want a generic one - pop into a proper watch selling jeweller (not a chain like H.Samuels or whatnot) and they should be able to tell you real prices...

Wolfetone

Myranda said:

Open it and have a look rather than assume... might be repairable, or it might cost an extra £50 to get the old movement chiseled out 

But Tag movements wont be cheap, so you'll probably want a generic one - pop into a proper watch selling jeweller (not a chain like H.Samuels or whatnot) and they should be able to tell you real prices...

Thanks Myranda

Wolfetone

chillidoggy said:

Without having seen it, it's difficult to tell, but if it was seawater, just bin it.

I think that after a couple of years, the type of water is incidental!

Myranda

There's a guy very local to me that looks a lot like Hans Moleman from The Simpsons but he is a proper watch maker... tiny little shop with virtually nothing of interest in the window, and watches and clocks galore. Look for a place like that (don't need to be a half-mole-half-man though... that's just a bonus).

If you're anywhere near london or Birmingham there's the jewellery quarters where you should find several such shoppes

Travisthedog

Omega will charge £250 just to acknowledge my existence when it comes to my seamaster

Expect similar from Tag

chillidoggy

And over £400 from Rolex. Edit: £461.

Travisthedog

My last omega bill was ( for a new clasp, service and buff up) £456

wibble

If you've got one of these near you, you can get a free quote otherwise you can mail it in to them...

http://www.thewatchlab.co.uk/

I've used them for a battery replacement and reseal on one of my watches before.

chillidoggy

Travisthedog said:

My last omega bill was ( for a new clasp, service and buff up) £456

I just paid £1,731 for a new clasp, face, hands, bezel and service. Damn near died when they told me, but I didn't realise how much they are new. I'm considering selling it now.

thisisguitar

At the price it cost it's probably an ETA movement (I'm assuming it's not mechanical). Changing the movement is a fairly simple job if you have the right tool to get the back off. Tag will obviously charge a fortune for the work though. You could try an independent place if you have one locally… or if you are adventurous get the tool yourself and have a go.

If it has notches around the edge you can use this… http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/390680561962?hlpht=true&ops=true&viphx=1&lpid=95&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=95&ff19=0

I used to work for in-time watch repairs many years ago :-)

thisisguitar

Add this for getting the hands off

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Watch-Watchmaker-Repair-Tool-Hand-Remover-Lifter-Presto-Plunger-Puller-DIY-/360507142481?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_WatchAccessories_SpareParts_SM&hash=item53efe67151

jd0272

chillidoggy said:

Travisthedog said:

My last omega bill was ( for a new clasp, service and buff up) £456

I just paid £1,731 for a new clasp, face, hands, bezel and service. Damn near died when they told me, but I didn't realise how much they are new. I'm considering selling it now.

That, my man, is quality second hand guitar money. I'm now thankful I'm wearing a TW Steel. Do me nicely. Manages to tell the time accurately on a consistent basis.

Yer all lunatics.

boogieman

I just replaced the battery on my watch. 29p.

badlydrawnbanjo

The TAG service centre is in Manchester and they will assess it for you. I'm not sure if it's a free service if you don't have the work carried out though. Mine's been there a few times.

sw67

My tag was acting up and i manged to get it repaired by an old school repairer for under £10. He showed me a new ETA movement that was to replace mine as a last resort for £150

Wolfetone

sw67 said:

My tag was acting up and i manged to get it repaired by an old school repairer for under £10. He showed me a new ETA movement that was to replace mine as a last resort for £150

A new ETA movement (according to Ebay) can be got at around £25

thisisguitar

Have you opened it up?

Wolfetone

thisisguitar said:

Have you opened it up?

No, but I have a tool on order as we speak. 

Wolfetone

thisisguitar said:

Have you opened it up?

No, but I have a tool order as we speak.