Q&A with a Watchmaker - ETA vs In-House, Put Watch on A Winder, & More

Some watch enthusiasts never even think about what it takes to service a watch, while others talk about the importance of service intervals and how easy or difficult one movement is to service compared to another, but we seldom get the opportunity to get real answers from a professional. In this video, I ask a certified watchmaker at Borsheims in Omaha, Nebraska a few burning questions I think we've all wondered about.
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[@harrycalmar6573]

It would be cool to see watch movements at different price points. Would love to understand the differences

[@harrycalmar2919]

Me too!

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

I can work on something like that in the future

[@mariog7213]

@@TeddyBaldassarre please do. Your videos like this are quite unique and very interesting

[@mariog7213]

Specially if some in house movements can be added in the mix

[@jimmybee440]

Yeah I have HydroConquest and would love to hear about the various ETA movements - how they are different, why a manufacturer would choose one over the others. There’s something sexy hearing them described as workhorses, but I want to be able to articulate what that means.

[@Robbe1984]

Great video. The watchmaker seems like a humble person just giving his honest opinion in his field of work.

[@mariog7213]

Yeah that’s cool. All the watchmakers I’ve met are just watch nerds like me and they enjoy talking watches with others in the hobby.

[@Robbe1984]

@@mariog7213 I'm fairly new to this game but I've always admired the tons of different watches my grandfather had in his home. I too was a watch nerd as a kid and I've been drawn into this world lately. Tge mechanical parts of an automatic is just so mesmerising to my OCD brain. I think my girlfriend will leave me if she finds out what I've ordered the last couple of weeks 😁

[@mariog7213]

@@Robbe1984 lol. I feel you man. I’ve spent so much this last year 🤣

[@oscarosullivan4513]

Some of the best people at a high class watch meet are the watch makers

[@Karsonbarnes11]

Thank you, I appreciate that!

[@dylanlamb8710]

I mentioned the other day in a FB watch group about how you’ve really stepped up your game, and your videos have such a great range of information, and your expansion into the AD world is awesome as well. There are a LOT of KZbin watch “pros”, and they make sure you know it...your insight, and range from the relatively inexpensive to the very expensive, while remaining humble and not pretentious is unique in this world. You’re not a snob, and are a great ambassador for this hobby/affliction/passion.

[@katiewong2051]

2 Field Trips within a month! Love to see you in action!

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Just waiting for things to go completely back to normal so we can do more. These are certainly more of production but I enjoy this compared to always doing the traditional talking head.

[@katiewong2051]

@@TeddyBaldassarre Who wouldn't look forward to that? 😃

[@JHEVR]

Please start using timestamps in the description of the video, to divide the video on the questions you asked

[@BruBish]

Love the variety of content you’re putting out there. Also myself and my friend commented to each other about your overall business hustle. We absolutely love what you’re doing with the sales side too. Great to see how you’ve grown the project

[@Jpjc474]

I agree and it feels so natural unlike a lot of other KZbin channels.

[@scottfulps2065]

Such an important and informative video...Teddy, your channel is quickly becoming the superlative go-to channel for all things horology, and for good reason. Very glad I subscribed.

[@timetowatch_francois]

@Scott Fulps - "Quickly" is an understatement in my view 😉 Since the last week of Sept 2021, Teddy's gone from 280K subs to close to 400K subs and all this in only a few short weeks. @Teddy Baldassarre - Congrats! It's all your hard work and passion that is showcased and people love it. I know I do.

[@alphacause]

Even for many watch enthusiasts, this was an illuminating video. It really gives the viewer a greater appreciation for what goes into maintaining these precision instruments. Thank you Teddy.

[@ManuelFernandez-di4lx]

That old-school intro man.....

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Only the real ones recognize haha

[@henrycollins2478]

Hits different

[@r.westerling4280]

10:08 Servicing: every 5-10 years

[@TheBrabecFamily]

Thanks for collaborating on this informational video! I appreciate the education, Karson & Teddy!

[@Javi_C]

More of this!!

[@anthonystevens8683]

Great insight into the service side from the specialist watch makers view. Great point that it is one thing covering an initial purchase but the additional need to maintain that purchase. Many thanks as well for covering the modular movements as well.

[@nivinbasheer3736]

This was such a interesting video,as a doctor I felt like I was going through an orientation in a lab facility and I loved it

[@MArk-yn4sp]

Another superb video. If a watch seller says the watch has been serviced, ask for the service invoice since the workmanship comes with a warranty, and more importantly, it gives an idea of the competency of the service and what was replaced.

[@KTList]

Awesome tips from a smart and humble professional 🙂

[@Karsonbarnes11]

Thank you!

[@vicentelopez4738]

Wow the time went by fast, I was all “20 min passed?” Time flies when you’re having fun 😀

[@jasonlewis6914]

Now seiko spring drive movement is top notch. so amazing watching that sweeping hand.

[@Gnomosfortheoffice]

In-house is not necessarily 'better', but when I spend like 5k for an IWC I expect them to have built and developed the movement themselves. I can get a chronometer grade ETA/Sellita for under 2k from a brand like Longines. Not sure why you'd want to pay a premium of 3k just because there's a different name on the dial.

[@johnanth]

Go used for IWC. They have some fantastic in-house movements, including grand complications at surprisingly low prices. That's the joy of limited brand equity, great for used market buyers!

[@hosamfa30]

I come from a watchmaker’s family and It’s very interesting and curious to see this kind of instruments and high quality materials. Really good video Teddy, you’re awesome!

[@lcm6091]

Teddy, thanks for another home run video. Timely information ( for me) concerning the watch winders and frequency to wind a watch that’s not worn daily. Great to get first hand advice.

[@herbplaxe]

Great video. Love the watchmaker. He really knows his stuff. Thanks!!

[@GeorgeFrideric71]

Great video. Thanks Teddy. Word up with the guy at 14.48 too!

[@tomorrowcomestoday1621]

I liked it before I even saw it. Excellent content. Already shared to all my friends who are into this passion.

[@StuntpilootStef]

I fully agree about the virtues of just picking a 'boring' ETA movement. I just bought my first vintage piece and I specifically went looking for one with an ETA movement because the servicing is so much easier. It's easier to find parts and your way more likely to find a watchmaker capable of working on it. Those $300 Omegas might sound nice, but wait till you see the servicing bill...

[@briancarpenter1255]

Such an interesting video , but then again I shouldn't be surprised because it's from you Teddy. Thanks again for giving us a look inside of a watchmakers domain, something no one else is doing.

[@breannesimmons729]

I know Karson! It’s so cool to watch your videos with my husband and learn about watches with someone I know.

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Thank you both for watching. Karson was a great guy!

[@TheBrabecFamily]

We love having Karson at Borsheims. He is so talented!

[@breannesimmons729]

@@TeddyBaldassarre I’m glad you had the opportunity to meet him!

[@breannesimmons729]

@@TheBrabecFamily you’re very lucky! He’s a hard worker and very smart.

[@Karsonbarnes11]

Hi Breanne! Thanks Teddy, I had a great time it was fun!

[@fredlarke3806]

As a hobbyist, this video was great; very interesting; makes you realize that not all watchmakers are created equal; let's have more like it! (I also thought it was funny that, in the midst of all that mechanical watch servicing equipment, they had a digital clock on the wall! ha ha.)

[@domingocorona7028]

I appreciate this video. I’m up the hill on my watch journey and knowing deeper details about movements is great. Helps with informed purchases.

[@KillingTimeWithNorman]

So informative! I love hearing feedback from a watchmaker - much deeper insights than you typically encounter. Thanks so much for this video Teddy!

[@WonderofWatches]

What a gent that watchmaker was, very nice video Teddy

[@adamk1520]

The irony of having a digital clock in a building filled with mechanical watches. I’m assuming that is used to know the exact time.

[@mihir.h.m]

Really useful video, for anyone with any amount of knowledge in the watch world! Great one Teddy!👍

[@Hodgeypodgesmodge]

As an apprentice watchmaker, this video is quite nice to watch. I think the consumer needs to be a bit more aware of their watch, straight up.

[@kevinr206]

I’d like to know more about how to know when to service, where to service, what to service, and what it costs

[@Sumerdini]

Very helpful video. Thx Teddy 💕👌A free sprung balance ETA is the way to go, IMO...

[@waspstinger01]

Teddy, I must compliment you on the way you show respect for your audience by being well dressed. I appreciate it. So many KZbin hosts just wear a sloppy T-shirt and look like slobs. You, sir, are well dressed, well groomed and well spoken. It shows respect. Much appreciated. Keep up the good work.

[@DCTag]

This was a good video. I thoroughly enjoyed it

[@noeldavis618]

I've always wondered if a watch fails a wet pressure test, what does the watchmaker do? Immediately disassemble the whole movement and dry it out? Or do they have a trick to dry it out? Just seems like a potentially destructive test. I can see why the dry tests are preferable at least as a start.

[@Karsonbarnes11]

Great question. Firstly some watches (such as Rolex) only use wet testing for their watches. Because of this we first test the watch without the movement and dial before casing up and doing a final test. Other watches (such as Omega) do a dry test (air only) to ensure the watch is water resistant before verifying with the wet testing equipment. The first machine on the left (Diabolic E) is a vacuum test and by nature safer than a pressure test. The reason being a vacuum test is trying to draw air out of the case versus a pressure test trying to push water in the case. Dry test is quicker and generally safer but it is theoretical. So until the watch is subjected to water it's not real world testing. 🙂

[@fLaMe98able]

It was my understanding that they’d usually remove the movement, dial, and hands - leaving just the case, crystal and caseback for wet testing

[@Karsonbarnes11]

@@fLaMe98able Yes, Rolex is a brand that only does wet testing and thus first tests the watch case with no movement or dial inside.

[@noeldavis618]

@@Karsonbarnes11 thanks! That’s the answer I was looking for. Makes good sense!

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

Wet testing we see in this video is an air vaccum test. when the watch fails air bubbles come out of the watch and you see the leakage point trough the glass water tank. This test can be done on the running watch without danger for it.

[@henrycollins2478]

I’ve been loving all the behind the scenes videos recently

[@shadowgolem9158]

Whew, those torque collars are cool but no joke $$$! More than the screwdriver set costs and that is already a punch in the wallet.

[@zillsburyy1]

a lot of people love to hate on the NH35 but in reality its a solid workhorse

[@crini413]

This was very cool! Thanks for doin this

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Thanks for watching buddy!

[@royneitzke4347]

Teddy, any tips on how to find a qualified watchmaker to keep things running properly? How do you tell? Is it a good idea to find a good watchmaker that you have to send your time piece to?

[@btyc]

I like how that machine was called Diabolic~e 🤔, like a torture test for your watch

[@mfrankel8321]

Great video. I am a sucker for ETA/Selita movements. The best indicator for me when a watch needs to be serviced is when the time is off the tolerance range. If you hack to a cell phone time source, it is is pretty to determine when this happens.

[@jim2950]

I am wearing a 1944 Omega men's 18k automatic bumper. It's beautiful and runs fantastic. It is a true champion.

[@AK-rq1cz]

This was incredibly informative

[@galaga8834]

Teddy, I absolute love videos like this. Top effort, mate and greetings from Australia.

[@OrryYoung]

Awesome video Teddy, super informative!

[@suckthebox]

Really enjoyed this one. Thank you

[@Alias_Anybody]

"What it takes to service the movement" Me: I'll need a screwdriver, a battery and 5 minutes.

[@murph8411]

It was a pretty uneducated question to ask about all the extra training required to service in house movements when unless it’s something very, very unusual or has unusual complications all watches are basically very similar.

[@andrewawrinka9572]

Another highly informative knowledge from Teddy.. Thanks Ted.. 🙏

[@tarasmathers7423]

So very informative. Great presentation Teddy. IMHO, you're a true enthusiast, through, and through

[@tiburonski]

That was really interesting and the watchmaker is a nice guy! Would be great to see more of these kind of infos first hand from a watchmaker...maybe a watchmaker can tell us more about the movements in modern and vintage watches and which ones are really worth an extra price...for example co-axial, vertical clutch, column wheel chronograph...

[@UGA.D]

Great video. Thanks for making it.

[@GuyVanderAa]

Nice these field trips. And this is a great topic. Fantastic, thank you!

[@tiberiuvincze8288]

Nice one, a start again!

[@georgegherghinescu]

Please check your watch movement every year when you test for water resistance. The test is an acoustic test on a Witschi machine and the watch does not need to be open. It takes just a few minutes and the watchmaker can interpret the test results and inform you if the lubricants in the movement are failing. If you wait for 10 years your watch is guarranteed (!) to suffer wear as modern materials (steel especially) are much softer than in the olden days. Modern lubricants (Moebius sinthetic oils) fail without gumming up like old oils and do not stop the movement due to incresed viscosity (a good thing that used to tell you the watch needs attention), modern oils just migrate and degrade leaving the running surfaces without a protection film and the soft steel wears out fast. Anyone familiar with post 2000's Rolex rotor pivot wear? If you care about your watch test it! PS: modern oils are great, they just need a bit of care. Modern steel otoh is not, soft stuff that get's chewed easy, optimised for reduced tool wear in production.. every cent matters!

[@yz8096]

Great video, Teddy! Definitely sheds some light on things!

[@anildamodar8142]

Love this format.. Very informative.. Great work

[@introvertswag6494]

I love working with my hands, and recently I've been considering going into watch making as I would love to make watches.

[@andreaiacolina]

Super interesting video!

[@atoopir2045]

Love your videos, keep it going teddy!!🥳

[@SupperUpper]

Wow! Exceptionally nice one! Thank you!

[@stephenso3]

Excellent content Teddy. Learned a lot from this one. Keep it up 👍

[@michaelriera6277]

Very informative thanks!

[@BennyC754]

Great video! Good questions, and great info.

[@jeffbaylor3751]

Love your videos. So informative and really well done.

[@mikefortney7879]

Nicely done. They all perform the same functions. Telling the time. There’s a lot of pride of ownership that comes into play with owning something special or more unique. I like having a watch that was built with some pride.

[@christopherniccolini9394]

Great video, Teddy. Super informative

[@styx4947]

Good stuff Teddy, You're officially part of the infamous, "grey market". Good luck, I think you will do well

[@KirksDrumRoom]

Great informative video, Teddy!

[@GreySectoid]

Excellent content, hearing it all directly from a watchmaker, there's no substitute.

[@underachievingwatchcollect1878]

I’d love to know what watch makers think about which calibers are better than others and why?

[@thewatchnoob7880]

Awesome Video Teddy!! Very informative 👌🏼

[@timetowatch_francois]

Man oh man what this nice to watch. Love to see the "backstage" details and tools of the trade. Great video! Loved this! 😃👍🏼

[@marcgirard7551]

Great educational video here, Teddy. Super cool and would love to keep seeing more in the line that you've done lately with the $25K collection and this video. Great work! Makes me want to go buy a bunch of watches now! I feel like I "need" a good chronograph!

[@JohnBuckmaster-sw3wm]

Enjoyed the insight ...Great video for fellow enthusiasts. Thanks Teddy!

[@f0sterPlays]

This, is content. Thanks.

[@tychovanvugt5531]

You're a great interviewer Teddy!

[@georgecostanza2157]

I work with watchmakers and this was a cool video

[@tomo9224]

The loupe at his throat made him look like a cyborg. Great episode Teddy 👍🏻

[@richarddavis7548]

great video - thanks!

[@marvincastellanos5057]

Karson Barnes… I kept thinking he is going to pull his mask down and show he is actually Jonna Hill. Great video. I love the Valjoux7750 movement.

[@caleb7107]

Teddy, this is extremely high quality content. I also love you shopping with Kevin O'Leary. You're the man

[@paredair]

What was the Watchmaker’s watch? I couldn’t quite make it out. I always find it interesting; my watchmaker wears an IWC

[@apanteli]

Franck Muller?

[@NuryPPanaligan]

JLC?

[@dylanlamb8710]

Great video Teddy! Lots of great information in this one. If someone is looking at opening case backs and turning screws, that set of screwdrivers is most important. I’m just a hobbyist, but Bergeon has the best of everything...it’s PRICEY, but well worth it. Buy some cheap pocket watches off Amazon ($10) to tear apart with no worry of screwing up. I’d never open one of my luxury watches with my limited experience, but it’s a great hobby if you’re really into getting frustrated and losing tiny screws...lol.

[@cdsea2669]

Most of what I wanted to say is already down there in the comments 😂 so stars re aligned. Awesome content of recent Teddy! 🙌 More of such would be great 👍

[@peterblomme2007]

Great video!💯

[@youraveragepasser-by7367]

Love the variety of your videos dude🔥🔥🔥

[@Sbrussaard]

Great video Teddy 👌👌

[@sergefog]

I have had my SW200-based microbrand for over 10 years now, never been serviced and it works well. My advice would be to run your watch until it starts to play up then get another one. Especially today with things like ORIS's cal 400 and its 10 year service intervals

[@baze3SC]

Yes. You can get it lubricated and regulated again, it doesn't cost much and it will buy you another 10 years. If something breaks, swapping out the whole movement is more economical than attempting to repair it. Though you'll probably want to buy a new watch anyway. It's like with old cars. At some point the cost of repairs becomes bigger than the value of the vehicle itself. Unless it's a very special classic car it's just not worth it.

[@therodentryresistance95]

In-house in basically used to sooth snobs' thirst to feel they have something special. In the vast majority of cases it is not worth it.

[@Gnomosfortheoffice]

Ignorant comment. Spring Drive, Omega's METAS technology, Lange's Zeitwerk, Longines 13ZN, Piaget's ultraslim calibers... I could go on and on giving examples of in-house watchmaking that all bring something genuinely interesting to the table. BTW: Nomos makes in-house watches that are more affordable than many ETA-powered watches.

[@javieroargubi]

what about seiko? Orient? theyve sold millions of movements to other watch companies..

[@kavashaman7555]

Basically lol some folk are gonna get triggered by this comment

[@roygardiner2229]

Thank you to Carson! It was so informative.

[@toddalquist3391]

Love the videos with you out and about!

[@bobbycalifornia7077]

I can guarantee that one of (if not THE) brand he mentions with regard to working out the kinks of new in house movements is Tudor. I speak from experience myself.

[@rc7059]

Great video, really enjoying all your content, thanks

[@stevefox8605]

Thank you Teddy, fascinating. Really enjoyed it. Cheers mate 👍🏻👍🏻

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Thank you Steve!

[@antburman]

Fascinating, thanks.

[@stevecatalano9856]

Teddy - would love for you to do a review of the Omega Seamster Aqua Terra Worldtimer. Keep up the great work!!