I recently scored a nearly all original 6205 Sub in fairly good condition. Gilt dial, (replaced hands set), no corrosion on seal, visibly clean A260 movt, but no crown, and no action from the movt.
I took it to a maker in Sydney, who tells me I should expect to pay somewhere between $AUD1,500 and $3,500 to get it going [serviced] again. A precise quotation will cost $250 alone. Apparently, he is the only maker in Australia with the parts to service this old dog.
I have other vintage pieces, a la 1665, 1675, 1016, and Breitling 806, albeit none as old as the 6205, and at most, my service bills came in at $400. My question is, is his estimation for the restoration justifiable?
Is the cost simply due to the parts, and their scarcity? I couldn't imagine the movt would be any more difficult to work no than any other non-chrono mech.
Can anyone else suggest another maker who could help?
.. you any other source but as of my experiences normally you don't need the spare parts but it's just the dried out movement hindering any action. So a "normal" watchmaker with good knowledge on vintage watches and Rolex watches as well should do the job to get it going.
On a 1803 where Rolex refused the service due to "we have to replace every piece which is building a new watch" my watchmaker serviced it and with the spares (dial, hands, crystal, crown, tube, seals) I provided and a new $180.- croc strap the overall cost was less than $1k.
A friend of mine had an old issued IWC sympathetically restored by Ferntree Gully Watch
November 29 2011, 5:21 PM
...in Melbourne. I'm told it was expensive, but nothing like what you describe. Had the watch in my hand afterwards, and it looked pristine but not over- restored. Google him up and sound him out, if hand-carrying or freighting the watch to Melbourne isn't out of the question for you.
if its a no longer serviced model there are only a couple people sitting on old parts and they cost and arm and a leg..
even if its a currently servcieable model , there is no real parts account holders , except two guys with granfather rights and thats ending soon.
there is a dire shortage of watchmakers in oz, and the good ones are over subscribed with work as far as i can tell and by comparison charge quite a lot.
