Looking to buy my first "proper" watch... Advice needed...
Discussion
I've got some money saved by, and am getting married in February, so for the occasion I thought I'd treat myself to a new watch.
I'm really taken by the Omega Seamaster...
After trying it on over the Weekend, I'm fairly set that this is the one I'm going to go for, but have a few questions.
Servicing - I've noticed a few posts on here about folk sending their watches to be serviced. How often should this be done, and is there a rough cost per service?
If I was buying with cash from the jeweller, is there any room for negotiation on the price of the Omega watches, or is this at the discretion of the individual dealers?
I'm really taken by the Omega Seamaster...
After trying it on over the Weekend, I'm fairly set that this is the one I'm going to go for, but have a few questions.
Servicing - I've noticed a few posts on here about folk sending their watches to be serviced. How often should this be done, and is there a rough cost per service?
If I was buying with cash from the jeweller, is there any room for negotiation on the price of the Omega watches, or is this at the discretion of the individual dealers?
I have the same Seamaster, albeit the quartz version. Had it 12 years, worn almost every day, it's been everywhere you can think of, never gone wrong at all.
Had it fully serviced twice including any replacement parts and seals. Last service was in July this year, done by Swiss Time Services Ltd.(Essex based), who are Omega's UK service agent. Cost was £180. It took a week. If you get the watch serviced via a high street retailer, they will add a significant mark up and it'll take about 6 weeks to get your watch back!
R.
Had it fully serviced twice including any replacement parts and seals. Last service was in July this year, done by Swiss Time Services Ltd.(Essex based), who are Omega's UK service agent. Cost was £180. It took a week. If you get the watch serviced via a high street retailer, they will add a significant mark up and it'll take about 6 weeks to get your watch back!
R.
I also had this watch for my first 'proper' watch. Was 1st anniv present from wife.
Has been in the bottom of a drawer for the last 5 years. But the battery went on my daily beater watch the other day and so I've started wearing this all the time and I have to say, I like it again now
Omega is the perfect place to start for your first posh watch and as others have said, Dominic H on here is the person to deal with.
Has been in the bottom of a drawer for the last 5 years. But the battery went on my daily beater watch the other day and so I've started wearing this all the time and I have to say, I like it again now
Omega is the perfect place to start for your first posh watch and as others have said, Dominic H on here is the person to deal with.
Servicing recommended every 4-5 years for an automatic, or 8 years for an automatic with the Co-axial escapement (as less wear).
Repair costs can be found through this link:
http://www.omegawatches.com/index.php?id=390.
As regards discounts, 20-25% seems fairly common for most Omega models.
Repair costs can be found through this link:
http://www.omegawatches.com/index.php?id=390.
As regards discounts, 20-25% seems fairly common for most Omega models.
Just had my SMP serviced for the first time this year. Bought it in April 1997 (back when they were £1095 list) and was fine until about June this year when it just wouldn't hold a wind (even when left on a watch winder). Over the last few years it has had to share wrist time with several other watches but has been used as a customer-friendly (not too showy) choice, my holiday watch and been used in anger diving to 30m. I picked it up from servicing a month ago and it's been on my wrist pretty much ever since. I was really surprised by how much I missed it.
I love the straight-forward design, the weight and solidity of the bracelet (must say it is far better than the folded steel and hollow lug end design of my Rolex GMT). As a watch for all occasions, I really do think it punches above its weight. Excellent first choice IMHO. Hope that you enjoy it as much as I have mine.
ETA For a change of look occasionally, I have the official blue rubber strap and steel deployant clasp.
I love the straight-forward design, the weight and solidity of the bracelet (must say it is far better than the folded steel and hollow lug end design of my Rolex GMT). As a watch for all occasions, I really do think it punches above its weight. Excellent first choice IMHO. Hope that you enjoy it as much as I have mine.
ETA For a change of look occasionally, I have the official blue rubber strap and steel deployant clasp.
You can't go wrong with a SMP IMHO - I have 3 of different versions. This is the first one I bought back in 2000 and have it serviced twice in that time. The last service was a couple of weeks ago done by a company called watchdoctors.co.uk - who were recommended to me. £81 for a service, reseal and pressure testing. All turned around in less than a week 
And with the rest of the family
Good luck with your purchase and of course post some pictures when you get one.
And with the rest of the family
Good luck with your purchase and of course post some pictures when you get one.
I bought a full sized SMP Auto 5 years ago last august and it has never skipped a beat in all that time and has been worn daily. A tough watch of outstanding quality and in my opinion fairly understated and not one to draw unwanted attention.
Mine is in for service now (4 more long weeks to wait) and I miss it enormously. I am wearing a Speedmaster in it's absence but I am counting the days until it's safe return to my wrist. The service is costing £180 from an AD and includes a case refurb' and polish to get it looking shiny and new again.
It really is a great watch. If you get one then I am sure that you will love it and get as much enjoyment as I do out of mine.
Mine is in for service now (4 more long weeks to wait) and I miss it enormously. I am wearing a Speedmaster in it's absence but I am counting the days until it's safe return to my wrist. The service is costing £180 from an AD and includes a case refurb' and polish to get it looking shiny and new again.
It really is a great watch. If you get one then I am sure that you will love it and get as much enjoyment as I do out of mine.
Spice_Weasel said:
I love the straight-forward design, the weight and solidity of the bracelet (must say it is far better than the folded steel and hollow lug end design of my Rolex GMT). As a watch for all occasions, I really do think it punches above its weight. Excellent first choice IMHO. Hope that you enjoy it as much as I have mine.
ETA For a change of look occasionally, I have the official blue rubber strap and steel deployant clasp.
I have to agree with that. I've just bought a Seamaster Ti as my first "decent" watch as I wanted something for all occasions. I plan to swap between the bracelet and a strap depending on mood. ETA For a change of look occasionally, I have the official blue rubber strap and steel deployant clasp.
Quinny said:
Spice_Weasel said:
Just had my SMP serviced for the first time this year. Bought it in April 1997 (back when they were £1095 list) and was fine until about June this year when it just wouldn't hold a wind (even when left on a watch winder).
Could I ask, where you sent it for service???Got a GMT version that needs a little TLC
Another vote for the seamaster, i've had mine just over 5 years, i had it serviced two years ago with omega and it cost me £50 after i kicked off at goldsmiths they were so poor and took ages to get in touch with me.
I've worn it everyday almost from working in a bakery and as a delivery driver whilst at uni, had it caked in sand and sun cream on holiday and it still looks great.
I may treat it to a new strap soon. Really good classy watch that is much better built than my Brietling and Rolex, but not IWC.
I've worn it everyday almost from working in a bakery and as a delivery driver whilst at uni, had it caked in sand and sun cream on holiday and it still looks great.
I may treat it to a new strap soon. Really good classy watch that is much better built than my Brietling and Rolex, but not IWC.
AMacA said:
I've got some money saved by, and am getting married in February, so for the occasion I thought I'd treat myself to a new watch.
I'm really taken by the Omega Seamaster...
After trying it on over the Weekend, I'm fairly set that this is the one I'm going to go for, but have a few questions.
Servicing - I've noticed a few posts on here about folk sending their watches to be serviced. How often should this be done, and is there a rough cost per service?
If I was buying with cash from the jeweller, is there any room for negotiation on the price of the Omega watches, or is this at the discretion of the individual dealers?
I've had mine since 1999, as your pic, but the full size automatic version.I'm really taken by the Omega Seamaster...
After trying it on over the Weekend, I'm fairly set that this is the one I'm going to go for, but have a few questions.
Servicing - I've noticed a few posts on here about folk sending their watches to be serviced. How often should this be done, and is there a rough cost per service?
If I was buying with cash from the jeweller, is there any room for negotiation on the price of the Omega watches, or is this at the discretion of the individual dealers?
I had it serviced last year via Omega UK at a cost of £340 (inc service, new dial & new hands).
I also had a complete new bracelet fitted after Omega were unable to repin the old one.
Funny this thread came up, i haven't worn it in months & took it out of the box this morning & have been wearing it today.
How much are they new at present?
Have this watch in full size automatic. Had 1st service at Omega at some expense (as per above) and received it back running seriously slow. 2 yrs later had it service at a local watchmaker for about a third of the price and was subsequently running absolutely fantastic, maybe 10 seconds a month of now, incredible. Returned much, much quicker too.
Moral: don't bother sending it to Omega, find a good horologist.
Moral: don't bother sending it to Omega, find a good horologist.
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