Montblanc Servicing Costs.......will Never Moan Again !

[AL01]

WHAT!?

 

Look, I cannot go in absolute detail, but a third party can practically restore your Rolex to BRAND NEW and even stick a bunch of diamonds on the original bezel and it would cost about a 1/6th of your servicing cost.

 

Any who, I hope you are satisfied with your service!

 

EDIT: Inconsistent fonts.

Edited October 23, 2018 by AL01

[kandarp]

I recently had a 149 complete rebuilt by Montblanc. They had to replace every single component (including the clip and the nib) and it cost me under $400. Not a bad price, since the pen was practically brand new after this.

 

Edited October 23, 2018 by Fountainpencrazy

[torstar]

i figure the quote for repair is always calibrated to be 1/3 of the value you place

 

or the precise tipping point between "go ahead" and "forget it"

[Dickbrowne]

Ouch, this is just one of the reasons why I learned how to service and repair my own watches - I've a number of vintage Rolex pieces and if I needed to have them all serviced by the manufacturer, I'd need to sell a kidney. That's not a long-term strategy.

 

I'd be careful about allowing Rolex, or anybody else for that matter, replace the hands and dial, unless it's important to you that it looks like a new watch, the Rolex community place great store in "wabi" - the signs of wear, and service replacement dial, hands, bezel insert etc. are likely to de-value the watch considerably.

 

If it helps, I know a number of independent watchmakers who may be able to service the watch for you, but if the keyless works are binding (which may be what's causing the difficulty in time-setting) then the most likely cause is corrosion, so a number of parts may need replacing/restoring.

 

The Cosmograph is a fantastic watch and it sounds like it's well-used (for which I applaud you, I know far too many folk who own nice things and keep them hidden away lest they are damaged), so I hope it all turns out well.

 

Oh, and it does make MB servicing look reasonable by comparison!

[Pen Nut]

Ouch, this is just one of the reasons why I learned how to service and repair my own watches - I've a number of vintage Rolex pieces and if I needed to have them all serviced by the manufacturer, I'd need to sell a kidney. That's not a long-term strategy.

 

I'd be careful about allowing Rolex, or anybody else for that matter, replace the hands and dial, unless it's important to you that it looks like a new watch, the Rolex community place great store in "wabi" - the signs of wear, and service replacement dial, hands, bezel insert etc. are likely to de-value the watch considerably.

 

If it helps, I know a number of independent watchmakers who may be able to service the watch for you, but if the keyless works are binding (which may be what's causing the difficulty in time-setting) then the most likely cause is corrosion, so a number of parts may need replacing/restoring.

 

The Cosmograph is a fantastic watch and it sounds like it's well-used (for which I applaud you, I know far too many folk who own nice things and keep them hidden away lest they are damaged), so I hope it all turns out well.

 

Oh, and it does make MB servicing look reasonable by comparison!

 

I do have a good friend who is, or should i say was, an accredited Rolex watch maker but sadly a couple of years ago this was taken from him (and others) which makes intricate parts location at best difficult. Nearly 30 years his work was up to the required standard but one inspection from Rolex staff and that was it ! Odd how quite a few others in the area also suffered the same fate

[tamiya]

Yep most Indy watchmakers have lost their Rolex parts accounts now... Rolex wants to control the servicing market Inhouse.

 

Trouble is, they love replacing original dials/hands (on your dime!) to detriment of collector value... plus refinishing cases back to showroom shine. With new crown, new crystal...

 

Other drama is for calibres over 20-25yrs parts have run out at factory, they can't service/repair/restore those. Only avenue is independent repairers with a hoard of old stock parts.

[AndyLogan]

Recently received this pen back, I was in Melbourne last month & decided to have the pen serviced, No charge, I only paid for the postage to have the pen sent back to Adelaide via overnight shipment. It probably all depends on which boutique you send your pen to.

Edited December 12, 2018 by AndyLogan

[tamiya]

Neato. Did you go through boutique or went straight to the CSC yourself?

[meiers]

Recently received this pen back, I was in Melbourne last month & decided to have the pen serviced, No charge, I only paid for the postage to have the pen sent back to Adelaide via overnight shipment. It probably all depends on which boutique you send your pen to.

IMG_0446.jpg

IMG_0445.jpg

That is outstanding service.

[AndyLogan]

That is outstanding service.

 

You are right Meiers, we may bemoan the horrendous service of some boutiques, but I believe we must also commend those boutiques that provide good service to pen lovers everywhere.

[Pen Nut]

 

You are right Meiers, we may bemoan the horrendous service of some boutiques, but I believe we must also commend those boutiques that provide good service to pen lovers everywhere.

 

I have had some excellent service from Montblanc but got really involved with an attitude issue of aloofness (is that a word?) that got me wound up. Their artisans (workers as we would say) were beyond reproach and never made errors is what they hit me with but with assistance from a fellow FPN member all was resolved but never once did they say 'whoops' or 'yeah sorry but our beer is very strong over here and it was done on a Friday", which would have been fine by me.

Edited December 16, 2018 by Pen Nut

[tompyke]

wow, that is some bill for a repair!!

 

I own a Tag and have had it serviced and nowhere near that cost, granted it wasn't majorly damaged, but still. Thats just amazing.

[Pen Nut]

Oh and Patek can give a wow repair quote as well !!!! Do like the bit that states there is a 4 year wait period before the work can be started !!

 

Must be busy eh

 

 

Edited December 17, 2018 by Pen Nut

[tamiya]

Oh and Patek can give a wow repair quote as well !!!! Do like the bit that states there is a 4 year wait period before the work can be started !!

 

Must be busy eh

whoa, that's a quote for wholesale overhaul & restoration!!

 

Have never dared get a quote from our local PP guy. Once when I tried seeing where he was located, found he had a sign up saying he's gone to Switzerland for retraining for over a month...!

 

 

eh, what's a 4yr wait - it's nothing to the next generation

[Pen Nut]

whoa, that's a quote for wholesale overhaul & restoration!!

 

Have never dared get a quote from our local PP guy. Once when I tried seeing where he was located, found he had a sign up saying he's gone to Switzerland for retraining for over a month...!

 

 

eh, what's a 4yr wait - it's nothing to the next generation

 

Oh yes I remember "you dont really own a Patek Phillippe you merely look after it for the next generation"

[tamiya]

Oh yes I remember "you dont really own a Patek Phillippe you merely look after it for the next generation"

Yep the grandchildren might still be paying it off then they discover these things need regular servicing and that bill costs more than their car...!

 

Can't say PPs float my boat. Neither do APs... what's so exciting about the Royal Oak, why are ppl so crazy about them? Ok maybe when they first came out it was angular & distinctive; today it looks awkward & too miamivice.

 

Then again I always wonder who buys the watches at MontBlanc too. Don't know anybody in my circles that owns nor wears one yet.