(So Teeritz, am I correct in my assumption that this watch probably needs a service? Also, I'd love to know your opinion on Ballast watches. Thanks!)
You can take a look at the website of my awesome neighbors here. Thanks again guys, and do you need another Galactic Ambassador? I'm in the job market right now and can get you a resume immediately.
Hmmm, I would be surprised if it required servicing, considering that it's new. Never mind that it may have been sitting in its box for a while. Once you start wearing it, it should keep on ticking. While the oils may have settled in various parts of the movement, a week or two of daily wear should be enough to distribute lubrication throughout the relevant areas of the movement. Bear in mind that we're talking miniscule amounts of a very thin viscocity oil that is only placed on certain parts rather than flooding the entire movement. Is the seller able to offer a replacement, considering you've only just bought it, or do they offer a warranty whereby they will repair or service it for you free-of-charge? Croton made some interesting watches back in the 1960s, but it appears the company may have changed hands (or been resurrected) in the last few years because I don't know of any watches of theirs from the '80s, '90s or early part of this century. Judging by the movement, it looks automatic, although hard to tell without seeing the back of it, and you should be getting more than 28 hours out of it. However, aside from that, I would wear it for 7 to 10 days and see if its power reserve improves. The problem could be as simple as a loose screw which is preventing the watch from running as it should. While quality control is usually pretty good, some watches do slip through the net.
ReplyDeleteLuckily, I don't think you spent too much on this watch, but you may have to ask yourself if it's worth spending $80 to $120 getting it fixed. Obviously, get the watch repairer to quote you on any work before he goes ahead with it.
I had a look at Ballast's website. Never heard of them and they appear to be a new brand of watches, very similar to some TW Steel watches (that's another brand). My main problem with new brands is that there's no guarantee that they'll be around in ten or fifteen years, which is okay if the watch costs you a hundred bucks, but if you're paying say, $250+, then you'd like to get a watch that will be able to have parts replaced further down the track. Which brings me to my next point; I had a customer who would come to my store and look at $2000-$3000 watches and sigh. However, every time I saw him over the next three years, he would come in wearing some new inexpensive watch that he'd just bought at a shopping mall. Two hundred dollars here, three hundred dollars there, and without realising it, he'd spent two grand which he could have used towards that one $2000 watch that he really wanted.
What I'm getting at is; watch collecting can be a real buzz, but it can also be a slippery slope where you wind up buying watches on the spur of the moment instead of saving for one that you really like. I have a decent collection of watches and I'd love to get a vintage Rolex, but I've still bought about two or three cheaper watches on a whim instead of keeping my eyes on the prize. If you really like the Ballast watch, then go for it, but if you really, really like the Hamilton, then keep saving. Another plus with the Hamilton is that they are a large company and parts will be readily available for them, ensuring that you'll have it for decades, and be able to hand it down if it's serviced regularly.
As for Croton's 'guarantee for life', well, even Patek-Philippe don't offer that on their cheapest watch...which starts at twelve grand.
My apologies if any of this is disheartening, but I'd rather see you end up with one nice, dependable wristwatch rather than two or three nice-looking, but dubious watches.
If you have any further questions, Miss S, feel fre to e-mail me.
Teeritz, you rock.
DeleteThank you for the info! I could probably contact the seller and see if they would service it, but I don't want to send it all the way back to Jersey, which is also why I haven't contacted Croton about it. I only spent $65 on it, and I like it enough I don't mind getting it worked on, but it will certainly be a while before I purchase another.
From what I understand, Croton was purchased a few years back. They seem to like to dip their toe in any and every design, and then do something completely different the next season. They aren't offering any skeletons right now, which is why I think my watch is a few years old. Their warehouse sales are a yearly affair. My watch supposedly retails for $250, but I didn't pay anywhere near that, or I really would have waited to get a Hamilton. Of course, that does validate your point, haha.
It is an automatic. It also has a display back. I can take a photo and post it with my next blog. They apparently get their movements from all over, but this one is Chinese.
Nah, none of it is disheartening, and I really do appreciate the info and advice. I'll hold out for a nicer watch and make this one my everyday beater. And I'll definitely ask the repairman before committing to a service, Though the buckle already needs a polish since I smacked it on something-or-other.
I've actually been considering taking some classes in watchmaking. It looks fascinating and like it would add to my crafting repertoire in a big way. I used to work in a jewelry shop and have considered going back into the field, but if I do,I think I want to focus on creation and repair. I might just have to email you, good sir.
Thanks again!
You might want to get one of those autowinder boxes, since you're collecting anyway. It may help.
ReplyDeleteYou know, that isn't a bad idea. I'll have to see if I can find one local. I'm less and less inclined to get things shipped to me these days.
DeleteI think one of the problems may be that I haven't moved around much since I got it. It seems to keep time better the more active I am. Some days that's difficult, but others I can practically jump.
If only we were profitable enough to hire more people! We are currently working pro-bono for ourselves, hahaha! Thank you for the kind words :)
ReplyDeleteOh man, it's so difficult to be a small business in this economy! Keep up the good work, guys! And you're very welcome! :D
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