Does a Full Service Truly Restore a Watch's Movement?

[Disannex]

Hello fellow watch enthusiasts,

I'm currently contemplating the purchase of a pre-owned 7 year old TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 (2017) from a professionel seller, that has undergone a full service, and I'm eager to gather insights from the community about the restoration process. Specifically, I'm curious about whether a full service genuinely restores a watch's movement to its original condition and whether the performance is comparable to a new watch.

Here are the details of the watch I'm considering:

Watch Details: TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 from 2017

Maintenance: Fully serviced (450Euros), including replacement of the sapphire crystal(181.50Euros), metal bracelet(302.50Euros), and polishing(79Euros). This was done 1 year ago - the watch hasn't been used since.

Price: The seller is asking for 1700 Euros, down from the original listing of 2000 Euros

Condition of Movement: Does a full service truly restore the movement to its original condition? A full service of a watch involves disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, replacing worn parts, reassembling, lubricating, regulating, and testing the timekeeping accuracy of the watch. I'm curious to know if whether the performance of a fully serviced 7-year old watch is comparable to a new watch.

Value Proposition: Considering the maintenance history and age of the watch, do you think 1700 Euros is a reasonable price? Would it be a better decision to spend the same amount on a newer watch from let's say 2022 that has NOT undergone any servicing, maintenance or replacement of sapphire crystal, metal bracelet, and polishing as the 7 year old watch has

Effects of Inactivity: Given that this 7-year-old watch was fully serviced a year ago but has not been used since then, what impact does this inactivity have on the watch? I've heard that when a watch is standing still for a long time, it can dry out and potentially require servicing again.

Thank you in advance for your input

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Disannex

. . .

Condition of Movement: Does a full service truly restore the movement to its original condition? A full service of a watch involves disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, replacing worn parts, reassembling, lubricating, regulating, and testing the timekeeping accuracy of the watch. I'm curious to know if whether the performance of a fully serviced 7-year old watch is comparable to a new watch.

. . .

Depends entirely on the quality of the service. If all you state is done, then on a 7 year old watch there is no reason to expect less than like-new performance.

If the service is the quick sonic-clean major components, nothing worn replced, and lubed; the performance may not be up to par.

[Disannex]

Originally Posted by Tools

Depends entirely on the quality of the service. If all you state is done, then on a 7 year old watch there is no reason to expect less than like-new performance.

If the service is the quick sonic-clean major components, nothing worn replced, and lubed; the performance may not be up to par.

The full service and replacements were done by Tag Heuer, so I can rest assured that the work was done professionally and correctly.
The purpose of my post was to find out if this purchase stands out among the available options, both currently and in the future. I'm trying to find out if a full service can bring the watch back to its original quality, making it a better choice than an unserviced 2022 model, even if available at the same price.
I have never owned a watch before and I want this watch to be my first and only watch that I will have for as long as possible, so I want to make it count. That's why I'm seeking help here.

[joli160]

Like you state the Tag has gone for a factory service so it is like new. Buy worry free imo.
The watch sitting idle for a year has no negative impact.

Personally I would buy the newest you can find and even stretch the budget a bit for a 2023 issue.
It may run very well for even a decade before it requires a service.

As for pricing Tags are a soft in the used market so do make an offer instead of accepting asking price

[enjoythemusic]

Since Tag did the service, you're fine imho

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Disannex

. . . I'm trying to find out if a full service can bring the watch back to its original quality, making it a better choice than an unserviced 2022 model, even if available at the same price.
. . .

Although we can never actually know, it is likely that a factory serviced watch would be a better choice over a non-factory serviced watch if they are at the same price point and year.

"Better choice" is entirely subjective, but I would take the factory service watch, all else being equal. I might not make that choice without absolute proof of this factory service.

[Disannex]

Originally Posted by Tools

Although we can never actually know, it is likely that a factory serviced watch would be a better choice over a non-factory serviced watch if they are at the same price point and year.

"Better choice" is entirely subjective, but I would take the factory service watch, all else being equal. I might not make that choice without absolute proof of this factory service.

Regarding the authenticity of the watch and proof of the servicing (plus replacement of glasses, watch strap, and polishing), he sent me the document of quotation from Tag Heuer showing what has been done to the watch and the serial number on the quotation matches the serial number on the watch and the warranty card. Don't worry, I have contacted the boutique listed on the quotation and confirmed that it is correct and genuine.

This is a description by Tag Heuer pf the watch before it got serviced (translated from french)
"The watch shows signs of normal wear and tear. The movement is not sufficiently lubricated to ensure proper functioning. To guarantee waterproofing, the seals must be replaced every two years. The glass is scratched. The bracelet is worn. The estimated repair time is 9 weeks (except for vintage models) from the date of receipt of your approval and subject to availability of spare parts. This quote is non-binding and only covers the works expressly mentioned. Any additional intervention that could not be foreseen at the time of this quote's issuance must be approved by the client. Offer validity: 3 months. Best regards, your after-sales service team

I have written the same post on Watchuseek forum, and everyone there also prefers the 7-year serviced watch over the 2-year unserviced watch. Does that mean that the movement in the 7-year-old is most likely in better condition than the 2-year-old watch, assuming that the 2-year-old watch has normal signs of wear? That's basically what I want an answer to. I want to find out if I should wait until there is hopefully a used 2022 watch for sale at this price, or buy the fully serviced 7-year-old watch with replacement of glass and bracelet and polishing of case right now
I was very unlucky a few days ago. Shortly ago I came across the same watch, but from 2023, still under manufacturer warranty until January 2025, from a well-known 5-star professional seller on Chrono24 for 1629 euros (with free insured shipping). But I took too long to decide because I thought the offer was too good to be true and before I knew it, the watch was sold. The possibility of getting such a good deal again is very small.
I don't want the same thing to happen with this watch, so I want to find out if it's a good purchase before it's too late. At the moment I can see on Chrono24 that the watch from 2022-2024 is much more expensive than 1700Euros.
I forgot to mention that the watch I'm looking at is the Day-Date 41mm model and not the cheaper 39mm model

[Calatrava r]

I would look to buy a new model at a discount, unless there is something special about this particular reference to you.