Omega Seamaster - Battery Help
Discussion
Hi all.
Before I accuse Omega of trying to pull my pants down i'd like a bit of advice.
I've had my Seamaster for around 15 years and in that time I've had three new batteries. Last week, it started doing the 4-second jump which it had done previously when the battery needed changing. I took it into my local high street jeweller who said they'd send it away for a new battery - £110. Fine, I thought.
Just received a call now saying that the watch movement is "drawing more power than it should from the battery" and that if I just get a new battery, it could simply last a matter of days/weeks rather than years due to this. They have suggested a full service at £325.
I'm a bit pissed off with this really - it may well need a service but and that's fine but now they have me over a barrel and I have no idea if what they're telling me is correct or not.
Can anyone make any suggestions?
If I have to pay for a service, I will do. I want my watch back after all and I want it to work but part of me feels like they're just trying it on for a full service and the associated costs, knowing full well that's not necessary.
Before I accuse Omega of trying to pull my pants down i'd like a bit of advice.
I've had my Seamaster for around 15 years and in that time I've had three new batteries. Last week, it started doing the 4-second jump which it had done previously when the battery needed changing. I took it into my local high street jeweller who said they'd send it away for a new battery - £110. Fine, I thought.
Just received a call now saying that the watch movement is "drawing more power than it should from the battery" and that if I just get a new battery, it could simply last a matter of days/weeks rather than years due to this. They have suggested a full service at £325.
I'm a bit pissed off with this really - it may well need a service but and that's fine but now they have me over a barrel and I have no idea if what they're telling me is correct or not.
Can anyone make any suggestions?
If I have to pay for a service, I will do. I want my watch back after all and I want it to work but part of me feels like they're just trying it on for a full service and the associated costs, knowing full well that's not necessary.
Mr Pointy said:
Do you think the last battery ran down quicker than the previous two? If so, then they may be correct. If not then I'd be tempted to just get the battery changed.
£110 sounds a lot - I had mine done & pressure tested for £65.
No - the last battery has lasted at least 4 years I would say. But.....I don't know if it would have lasted longer had it not had this "problem" which Omega now seem to have found.£110 sounds a lot - I had mine done & pressure tested for £65.
The cost of a battery is about £2.
The cost of getting a battery fitted from a reputable independent (who will be perfectly capable of doing this work) should be about £20.
The cost of a replacement ETA quartz movement isn't going to be more than £30 eg: ETA F05.111 £25 from Cousins. Omega won't service, they'll replace.
Add a bit for fitting the new movement and a little more for waterproof testing.
£300 + for a "service" on a quartz is daylight robbery.
Where are you based?
The cost of getting a battery fitted from a reputable independent (who will be perfectly capable of doing this work) should be about £20.
The cost of a replacement ETA quartz movement isn't going to be more than £30 eg: ETA F05.111 £25 from Cousins. Omega won't service, they'll replace.
Add a bit for fitting the new movement and a little more for waterproof testing.
£300 + for a "service" on a quartz is daylight robbery.
Where are you based?
mikeveal said:
The cost of a battery is about £2.
The cost of getting a battery fitted from a reputable independent (who will be perfectly capable of doing this work) should be about £20.
The cost of a replacement ETA quartz movement isn't going to be more than £30 eg: ETA F05.111 £25 from Cousins. Omega won't service, they'll replace.
Add a bit for fitting the new movement and a little more for waterproof testing.
£300 + for a "service" on a quartz is daylight robbery.
Where are you based?
That may be but that's what Omega charge for servicing a non-Chrono Seamaster. I'm in the Northwest and the watch is currently with the Omega service centre.The cost of getting a battery fitted from a reputable independent (who will be perfectly capable of doing this work) should be about £20.
The cost of a replacement ETA quartz movement isn't going to be more than £30 eg: ETA F05.111 £25 from Cousins. Omega won't service, they'll replace.
Add a bit for fitting the new movement and a little more for waterproof testing.
£300 + for a "service" on a quartz is daylight robbery.
Where are you based?
Just changed mine myself for under £20
Recommended battery
A kit from Amazon to remove the back & seal lubricant.
Marked the back with felt tip & retightened to same spot.
I won't dive to 200m, it will withstand a shower!
Get the watch back & test their diagnosis. I reckon it won't eat a battery.
Must be a fine piece of kit to test the battery draw. I call bullshot on their test.
Recommended battery
A kit from Amazon to remove the back & seal lubricant.
Marked the back with felt tip & retightened to same spot.
I won't dive to 200m, it will withstand a shower!
Get the watch back & test their diagnosis. I reckon it won't eat a battery.
Must be a fine piece of kit to test the battery draw. I call bullshot on their test.
Nezquick said:
That may be but that's what Omega charge for servicing a non-Chrono Seamaster. I'm in the Northwest and the watch is currently with the Omega service centre.
I know very well what Omega charge. I also know what others charge for exactly the same thing.You asked for suggestions, I should have been more explicit.
Politely decline Omega's offer, get your watch back and find a decent indie. Joe at Anglsea watch co. used to post here and has a good reputation.
You are wasting your money with Omega.
I have a Omega Seamaster 'Omegamatic' which I bought new in 1999 but sadly I don't where much any more. The 4 second sweep happened to me many years ago so I sourced the replacement Capacitor a 'Renata GC920 Capacitor' but every Indie I tried, granted most high street ones, couldn't do it as the Cap sits behind a lot of the movement which would have had to be disassembled, so I guess they got nervous and shyed away.
Shame as it's a lovely watch and part of a limited run of < 2000 worldwide. Need to get it to a Pro to get it sorted
Cheers
mikeveal said:
Nezquick said:
That may be but that's what Omega charge for servicing a non-Chrono Seamaster. I'm in the Northwest and the watch is currently with the Omega service centre.
I know very well what Omega charge. I also know what others charge for exactly the same thing.You asked for suggestions, I should have been more explicit.
Politely decline Omega's offer, get your watch back and find a decent indie. Joe at Anglsea watch co. used to post here and has a good reputation.
You are wasting your money with Omega.
I'm mightily hacked off with them to be honest, so I've called BS and will get my local indie to just replace the battery and pressure test it. If it fails within a few months/weeks, I'll send it off to Omega at that stage and stump up for the service.
Cheers for the help everyone!
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