Service & Maintenance - Seiko SNM035 "Land Monster" - The First Service

This is the first watch in the collection to be serviced. I bought the Seiko SNM035 via Amazon in February 2012. The Land Monster has (over the years) faced progressive opaqueness on the dial crystal.

This year, I decided to send it in for service and maintenance since it has been more than 12 years since I got the watch. I sent it to the authorized dealer in Malaysia, Thong Sia Watch Company. Although no longer under warranty, as official distributor of Seiko watches, the company will have the resources of the brand to repair anything that may need repairing.

After a month, on 20 November 2023, at a cost of RM200 (+RM4 for credit card payment), I got it back.

 

 The watch looks like new and timing has been impeccable. Below is the watch on my wrist.

 

My advice is that, whenever possible, send your watch back to the brand. Private service outfit may be able to do it but they may not have 100% in terms of parts especially for older watches.

Cartier Santos De Cartier Large Watch Automatic Sunburst Jade Green Dial Ref. WSSA0062 - Feels Natural on the Wrist, A Review (plus Video)

The first Cartier in the collection. I am officially old as I have suddenly fallen in love with the design of the Santos. I used to smirk at the Cartier styling as I find it to be of a bygone era. Anyone that appreciate the design must be of an older generation. A bit of 'age-ism' on my part I must admit. Nevertheless, the design does have its good points that can slowly turned a 'hater' to an 'appreciator'. It happened to me.

The colour green pushed me over the edge to truly start liking the Santos. While browsing the Cartier Boutique at the Gardens Mall, I made friends with one of the dealers. She is also loves the hobby and we both clicked. Despite not an existing client of the boutique, she offered me the green Santos when it become available (June 2023). I took her up on the offer. In the back of my mind, I have my doubts.

 

True to her words, I got a call from her. When I said that I would come immediately she was surprised as the only example they have is a display unit. Anyway, she immediately made an order for me. A week later and the watch allocated to me was at the shop.

 

Unfortunately, the acquisition process got delayed again. As she was expertly showing me how to replace the bracelet and how to re-size the bracelet she noticed the gears for the manual winding wasn't engaged to the crown. She was so embarrassed that she apologized profusely. She insist in getting a replacement instead of repairing the watch.