Q&A With Master Watchmaker: Will This Damage My Watch? How Often to Service A Watch? & More

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In this video, I sit down with master watchmaker Roland Murphy from RGM to answer your burning questions about watches. We cover topics like winding, water resistance, construction, and servicing to help guide you on your collecting journey. What other questions do you guys have about watchmaking or servicing?
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0:00 - Intro & Organization
0:40 - Watch Winder
2:30 - Movements
4:40 - Servicing
7:30 - How Long Will It Run?
9:50 - Activities To Avoid
11:50 - Is Hacking Bad?
13:20 - American Watchmaking
17:45 - Water Resistance And Testing
20:50 - Becoming A Watchmaker

[@loevhagen6984]

This video is one of those rare YT occasions that you can just sit down and listen to what is said. And what is said is meaningful from the very beginning. These type of productions are nothing less than absolute gold in an era that everyone has to shout things out loud to get attention. Brilliant video and dialogue.

[@biggiebeil5118]

yup rare type vids no BS or ads or any non sense, straight forward meaningful discussion, dialouge, enjoyed every second !

[@lousyshot1]

Great content!

[@JosephMcGlynn]

@@NemanjaNislijaThank you for the idea

[@denniskai2331]

I loved him in Hellboy and Sons of Anarchy

[@kaffall]

As an RGM customer, I have to say I’m so happy to see you give Roland his due. IMO, he’s making the best American watches ever. As a Pennsylvanian, I couldn’t be prouder to see our horological heritage continue.

[@ajmarion]

Love what Roland is doing for American Watchmaking! 🇺🇸 Great video Teddy

[@runcoweezrun8143]

Yes! We need more "Made in USA" products!

[@jamestheadvisor1650]

There is a new watch coming that is Built in USA at an affordable price! Stay tuned. 🙏

[@hammer1901]

Roland is fantastic to listen to. Would love to see another of these.

[@webvideofan]

A much needed video in the online watch community. A true expert who is down to earth, giving straightforward answers based on vast experience. 👍🏻

[@namenamenamename7224]

RGM is single-handedly keeping real watch making (not just assembly) alive in the US. Incredible video!

[@barrydonelan4284]

Well said.

[@GuessWho120]

I’m an MRI tech and wear my omega seamaster pro 300 everyday to work for about a year. No issues whatsoever. I appreciate Omega’s antimagnetic properties

[@seayak]

Well I hope you leave it outside the 5 gauss line or take it off along with the other metal objects that you remove before going into the scanner room. I certainly would not be reaching into the bore with it!

[@jacobspath4793]

This man is a hero for American watch manufacturing. Someday I will own an RGM

[@steaknzp7855]

Awesome interview, hearing opinions and advice from an actual expert watchmaker is incredibly informative. One of the things that really stood out for me is that even though his company produces watches and doesn’t need the extra work, they continue to do restorations just to further the experience and expertise of their watchmakers. I hope this company remains private and is never sold to a conglomerate.

[@mex3000cf]

Such great info. Especially like Teddy said, as collectors we get told to keep movements running to avoid oils "gumming/drying" and after hearing this, I'm definitely stopping all my non daily wear timepieces!!!

[@LeeRichardson808]

Thank you Roland for sharing your knowledge with us. And thanks Teddy for leading a great interview!

[@DocCohiba]

Wow. He’s fantastic and so happy you’ve taped a session with him.

[@eruno_]

I hate screw down crowns on watches that people will rarely dive with as well, it's so unnecessary

[@kevinpoole8880]

I love great information from a trusted source and Roland is a very trusted source ! Thanx to both of you !!

[@jpdemer5]

ETA movements are perfectly good; I think people are a bit snobbish, and want the movment in their watch to be "special" rather than a generic that tens of thousands of people also have on their wrists. Those exotic movements can cost a fortune to service, which significantly increases the cost of "in house" exclusivity.

[@Nefville]

This answers a lot of questions I have and from an unassailable source. Roland is just an awesome guy, I love what he's done, helping to keep American watchmaking alive, and I'm thrilled that he's getting the exposure he deserves. I *definitely* will have an RGM in my collection at some point.

[@WatchConnoisseurClub]

Wanna say many thanks! I’m WatchConnoisseurClub (changed my yt name as I wanted my channel to sound more professional) Anyways very insightful and helpful! Strongly appreciate the information and will be looking into it more in depth! Keep up the good work Teddy, your videos standard, level of professionalism and insight are as good as ever! I hope to be on a similar echelon to you some day!

[@Shaolinof36thChamber]

You will. Never stop and keep moving forward.

[@benzagorski4136]

Teddy for me as a collector this was one of the most informative videos I have ever watched. Your questions to Roland was what all of us if we had the the chance would love to know. Thank you Teddy for being a real asset to the watch community.

[@dsvillalva]

Bravo Teddy, another excellent video. I had heard of RGM in passing - mostly through your channel - and now looking deeper into the brand I can say I’m excited for a high horology American brand to one day adorn my wrist. Great video. More RGM content please.

[@petrokersta5293]

A great Q&A video! Always good to have a master watchmaker’s perspective.

[@dannysimenauer5745]

Outstanding discussion! Great questions to ask a master watchmaker, and Roland provided excellent insight! I look forward to meeting Roland soon at his upcoming open house.

[@DodyChai]

Loving all these informative videos for us watch nerds. Keep up the great work Teddy 👍🏻

[@TheBajamin]

As a business man I'd be interested in hearing the business side of it. How you get source/material, how do you get distribution, overhead, what does design to product look like etc.

[@pilotwjf]

Sweet episode today. Love that he's getting some exposure. I live in Philly, made the short trip over to his shop and it's definitely special. Too much to list here, but if you get the chance, go.

[@brianyee5504]

Excellent episode. Enjoyed the no nonsense, informative presentation. 👍👍

[@VMIyanks04]

For the inherently American question, it’s the assembly line! The Swiss came to America to learn that and applied it to their manufacturing processes. Waltham was the first watch assembly line I believe, which was based off of the Henry Ford model.

[@Amplitudeproblem]

Fantastic - thank you! I visited RGM way back in 2003 and will never forget it. It's time for me to pick up one of their watches.

[@normang663]

I watched the previous video with Roland about his collection and him sharing his years at hamilton. Made me took out my good ol khaki auto 38mm. It hasnt been worn for over 2 years, took it on a 3-day solo travel to bangkok. Man I fell in love all over again with hamilton.

[@octothorpe12]

I love when you get to interview folks. Here's to more like this!

[@jadedarby7290]

Absolutely perfect video. All questions that I have had for years. Thanks ,Teddy

[@denniskai2331]

In a future video I'd love to see something along the lines of what attributes of a watch should be "normal" at different price ranges (e.g., accuracy, finishing, power reserve). I recently bought an IWC and was a little disappointed in the movement quality compared to what is available at similar price points. It made me think about what is fair to expect at specific price ranges.

[@michaelriera6277]

What was it that you disliked about the movement finishing and what model?

[@denniskai2331]

@@michaelriera6277 Thanks - just the accuracy. It was getting 7+ seconds a day straight from the AD. For the price, the lack of complications, and against comparable benchmarks in the price category - I thought it should be doing better. I've got a $250 dive watch I bought that is doing only one second worse. It feels like you should be getting COSC performance at the price range of the IWC XX

[@sdmwoodworking]

I really appreciate the information here, especially the bit about it not being necessary to keep a watch wound. One of my old watches in particular (a beautiful old Deco Benrus) is running, recently cleaned and lubricated. But if anything breaks, my guy tells me that parts will be hard to find. So I've been winding and wearing it only every couple of weeks, hoping that'll stretch out its remaining life. Thanks.

[@petewatchcollector]

Great episode gents and look forward to future talks with Roland! Look forward to seeing him at their open house in a few weeks

[@herbmerced7780]

Such a chill dude….I can listen to him all day! Learning a lot to boot!!

[@ryanm9554]

LOVE these interview sessions with incredible minds. Really amazing to hear their thoughts and approaches. I also LOVE the zenith and how often it shows up in videos, I have 2 (sport and El Primero) and adore them.

[@ReggyRay289]

I hope to one day own one of his watches, I love what he's doing for American watch making!

[@geoffreydlin8043]

Been a fan of RGM since the beginning. What a fantastic interview.So informative. A legend.

[@RegM86]

Totally agree with the watch winder comments. You also subject your timepiece to more frequent servicing by keeping it on a winder for a prolonged period of time.

[@TheEmmetdocbrown]

I like these interviews. Thank you for sharing these insights with us!

[@lucw9171]

More videos like this one - one of the best so far.

[@victoraltadonna7640]

Such a great episode. Very informative. Very interesting. Thank you for the excellent discussions.

[@korian105]

More please!

[@davidparrishproductions5082]

Teddy thank you for being awesome and showing us what is really great about the watch world.

[@homer5328]

There should be a certification for watch repairers. Some organization for which there is criteria to be a member.

[@Antenox]

Is there no such thing as being factory certified? Like ETA or something for watches that use their movements, Seiko for theirs, etc.?

[@jamesblonde2271]

Homer, what are you talking about? Theres many, not all watchmakers belong or indeed are qualified. M

[@Judah.Rosenthal]

WOSTEP and others

[@thomasa.243]

In Germany, you have to go to watchmaking school (3 years with theoretical and practical final exams) to be allowed to call yourself a watchmaker. If you want to open your own repair shop, you have to go even longer to school to become a "Master". This is also why the watchmaker from Federico is called a "Master Watchmaker" because he did all of that ;)

[@jamesblonde2271]

@@thomasa.243 Whereas my guy is in his last year of studies and is therefore affordable, a drawback is I can only describe (at his insistence) watches as "checked & lubricated" or "inspected and tested" as he doesnt wwant me to offer a watch as "serviced" if it has been by him. My other guy is Master watchmaker Neville Clarke and if the works by him I say so in the description.

[@gabrielorellana7594]

I am proud of RGM. They make very fine watches. I am saving up to buy me an 801.

[@MrHondaguy1]

Mr. Murphy is the man! I hope to own a RGM watch one day.

[@Lebon996]

Wonderful 👍 interview. I do hope that you do more. Very interesting the part about screw down crowns and not really being needed in most watches. Made sense. All useful information with all that good stuff.

[@mattshaffer5935]

I love these conversations!

[@goodie7557]

I am saving up to purchase a RGM watch! The Model 600 Chrono looks amazing! Always love when Roland is on. Thanks Teddy.

[@theronwolf3296]

That physical abilities question was interesting. As a teen in the mid 60s I really enjoyed disassembling and assembling whatever watches I could obtain, but I began to realize that, even at that age, my hands were not steady enough. I began to realize my coordination would probably not be getting better.

[@OrmondOne]

This was hands down the best video around the subject of watches this year. Thanks 🙏🏼

[@klsupreme251]

Great content teddy, this raises your value by a multiple factor

[@johndeorian6654]

I imagine this episode will get reshared as the go-to FAQ for a long time.

[@deanP.]

This was a great video. I think this type of video is definitely something that would be interesting to see continue.

[@Adskie]

Great video, love the depth beyond the average watch reviews online.

[@TheWatchConcierge]

I wish I had the patience and ability to do all those things, restore watches, make parts etc. Not my thing but I do appreciate it very much.

[@robertdefreitas2825]

Thanks Teddy loved the interview. I have learned a lot and common sense is a big thing in taking care of your time piece. Rolland is a wealth of knowledge. Thanks Rolland for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@ChristopherKernan-pk7qn]

You're the man, Roland! On my second 801-COE and can't say enough about it. Pure America!

[@grale78]

Great episode. Roland definitely clear some doubts to me. This episodes should be done periodically.

[@Shaolinof36thChamber]

Love this video. Great to hear from an expert. ⌚️

[@BollocksThreeofThem]

Fantastic video! Real insight from a longtime expert!

[@statlerwaldorf7130]

Brilliant video, very informative, thank you

[@choond]

Great interview! 👍

[@hernandoloto]

Thank you very much for this great video, it's answer all the questions running in my head. My first watch is a manual winding (Citizen) in my elementary days in the 80's and switch to automatic until my college days. I stop using this type of watch movement for 30 years and I started to going back again to mechanical watch.

[@slaptheaskshow130]

Best video I’ve seen on this channel. Truly amazing guy with great stories and passion for watch making!

[@curtbrown7718]

Very enlightening and enjoyable!

[@JosephMcGlynn]

Fantastic interview! Thank you very much Roland and Teddy

[@justinhendren540]

Great content. Appreciate the information

[@watchout247]

Such a great video. I always enjoy seeing you make videos of this brand. This interview and these questions were great. More please.

[@rulasx75]

This is great information, thank you!!!

[@jefft5789]

Great point about screw down crowns wearing out faster than regular crowns.

[@mikemagners1004]

This was very insightful. Thank you for doing this video.

[@SebastianCristanchoYT]

THIS VIDEO IS AMAZING! So valuable!

[@dscotp185]

Great interview. Very informative. 👍

[@dilly7551]

So happy to see you bring RGM back

[@tonys9413]

A great interview, and a wonderful knowledgeable guest. More of that in the future 👍, thanks!

[@maxgator]

Just fantastic content. Thanks!

[@ryangochuico]

Thank you for this. I learned new things once again ❤

[@markconnolly6484]

Great job! You guys are two of my favorite watch people. I'm not sure what your future plans are, but I really hope it involves more collaborations with Roland.

[@ianbrown7066]

This was a great video. More in the future for sure!

[@krishall4861]

Love this, more please.

[@Mountain-Hiker]

Nice job with this video. I like the sit down style.

[@prettysoIdier]

I’m surprised there isn’t more interaction. I’m not smart enough to understand the intricacies of mechanical watch movements even after watching a bunch of watch and learns, autocad visualizations etc. this is a person who knows it all.

[@kolbe4373]

Great point about not having a screwdown crown when not needed! First time I've heard that. Really got me thinking!

[@dialedindetail5899]

Thx Teddy. Loved the episode.

[@darylwardsnyder4406]

Great episode. Make it a regular series.

[@williamknutson9513]

Recently became a fan of watches and made my first big purchase after watching this channel. All of the content is great and, in some way, still very informative to watches/brand(s) (referring to other videos). Great video Teddy! new fan of your work--Cheers!

[@Dragon_rls]

Thank you Teddy, and Mr. Murphy.

[@artkingofwholefoods74]

You SAVED me from SO MUCH stress. THANK YOU… 🙏 I LEARNED SO MUCH.

[@Dazulolwarrior]

Great video, hopefully you can do more of this.

[@tpolce8187]

Best video you folks have made.

[@SDATech]

Very good episode 👍🏼

[@Hipnosis65]

This was fantastic! More please.

[@stephensparkman3072]

I golfed with my Rolex Date Just for years, most of the time just forgetting to take it off. It never stopped working. However, after about 12 years it started to loose energy and a little accuracy. When it came back from RGM they said the balance wheel was damaged and they had to repair it, etc. Anyway, the fact my Rolex lasted that long after untold rounds of golf is a testament to the watch’s durability IMO. Built like a tank.

[@thewonderoflight]

Brilliant insight and video

[@shrkys4]

Great video and information!

[@szile8]

Thanks for answering my Q!

[@vincebrickner5529]

Great job on this one thank you very informative.

[@janihellberg6911]

I would be happy to see more of these videos.