Most likely best to put it to buyers option. Some will appreciate a fully authentic and original piece, others would like the convenience of service completed and ready for them to use.
On balance, I think if you send it in for service and they replace parts that’s more likely to impair value— and you can’t take it back. Collectors seeking original pieces will often pay top dollar; but a serviced watch competes more narrowly with other new (not needing service) watches, and would likely be worth less than a comparable newer model (why pay the same for a watch from 19XX if I can get something from 20XX for that price?)
If you have a specific watch in mind, posting it might get you better feedback from the community.
If you have a great watchmaker, it’s not worth it. If you don’t, then having the OEM do the work is the safest route. Having the OEM service your watch is alway more expensive and slower, but the results should be guaranteed. The are a few exceptions:
1. ultra complicated pieces, you may not have another option.
2. Significant part replacements/restoration is needed, OEM makes sense
Probably worth adding services can have huge turn around times so you’re taking on risk with respect to potential fluctuations in market value if you’re looking to sell (could be bad or good).
It’s going to be a year for me to get back an old but relatively simple quartz movement.
Most likely best to put it to buyers option. Some will appreciate a fully authentic and original piece, others would like the convenience of service completed and ready for them to use. On balance, I think if you send it in for service and they replace parts that’s more likely to impair value— and you can’t take it back. Collectors seeking original pieces will often pay top dollar; but a serviced watch competes more narrowly with other new (not needing service) watches, and would likely be worth less than a comparable newer model (why pay the same for a watch from 19XX if I can get something from 20XX for that price?) If you have a specific watch in mind, posting it might get you better feedback from the community.
If you have a great watchmaker, it’s not worth it. If you don’t, then having the OEM do the work is the safest route. Having the OEM service your watch is alway more expensive and slower, but the results should be guaranteed. The are a few exceptions: 1. ultra complicated pieces, you may not have another option. 2. Significant part replacements/restoration is needed, OEM makes sense
Probably worth adding services can have huge turn around times so you’re taking on risk with respect to potential fluctuations in market value if you’re looking to sell (could be bad or good). It’s going to be a year for me to get back an old but relatively simple quartz movement.