Planet Ocean woes
Discussion
TLDR:
Southampton service centre damaged my watch, then lost it, and now need to replace it.
Long version:
Long-time lurker of this section of the forum, but never contributed until now.
Had my first generation Planet Ocean 42mm on stainless steel bracelet from new since 2011. The original Planet Ocean was, for me, the perfect watch and I’d lusted after one since seeing it for the first time as an impoverished student during the mid-00s. Finally had a chance to buy one and got lucky as it was being discontinued ahead of the incoming second generation, which was significantly more expensive and chunky – too much of everything for me.
Last year, it started to exhibit time loss and so I knew it was probably due a service. In early October, I dropped it off at the Omega boutique in Birmingham; the chap inspecting it and booking it in commented how pristine its condition was for a daily wearer, with almost nothing out of place apart from the slowing time, a faint mark on the anti-reflective coating, and a general case and bracelet refurb needed. Off it went for around 8 /9 weeks to the Southampton service centre (Swiss Time Services?).
Around early December, I got the call that it had been returned. Upon collection, I couldn’t believe it was my watch as it looked brand new. All of the casing and the bracelet had been deep cleaned, polished or rebrushed as needed. I could only tell from the faint mark on the crystal that it was indeed my Planet Ocean. The several minutes of awe quickly disappeared when I put the watch on and something wrong caught my eye. The bracelet wasn’t sitting properly and one of the end links closest to where the watch attached to the bracelet had been bent, or rather one of the internal pins had been bent. Due to the curvature of the Planet Ocean bracelet, it almost looked like somebody had brushed too much steel off for a very obvious eyesore. The store was very apologetic and tried fitting some new springbars and link pins to see if they could resolve it there and then, but to no joy. The watch ended up going back to Southampton for them to try and repair the link and pin.
Around 3 weeks later, I received another call to inform me the watch was back at the store for collection. The store and I opened up the package and it was obvious that nothing had been done – the link was still majorly out of alignment. The service report was brief, stating only that a repair had been carried out… Off the watch went again!
Another couple of weeks passed and back the Planet Ocean returned, again with the same problem. The store asked me what I wanted to happen, as it was clear the service centre were just sending the watch straight back out as it went in. The store did say that the service centre would likely need to fit a replacement bracelet as there were few options remaining; I said I was happy for it to be a new or refurbished bracelet, so long as the links were straight! Off it went again…
At the end of January, I was informed that a brand new bracelet had been fitted and that it would be back for collection in early February. I thought nothing of it after several weeks had passed – I’d waited for over 4 months, so another couple of weeks weren’t going to hurt. A few days ago, I received a call from the store’s service manager to break some bad news to me – DPD had lost the watch whilst it was being returned to the Birmingham store! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, as after all the palaver, it was all for nought. Asking what would be done to rectify the situation, the service manager said Southampton were initially only willing to reimburse me to the value of the Planet Ocean to what it last retailed for in the UK - £2,800. To their credit, the store shot that idea down immediately and argued that I’d be unable to buy a new watch and would need to resort to the second hand market to find a replacement first generation Planet Ocean. They pushed for a new like-for-like replacement from the current Planet Ocean range (nearly double what my Planet Ocean was worth!), or something that closer resembled the original Planet Ocean’s size and feel if I preferred.
I popped into the Omega boutique after work yesterday and tried a couple of watches out: a Speedmaster Moon Watch, a Seamaster Professional 300m, a Planet Ocean 43.5mm, and a Planet Ocean 39.5mm.
I loved the look and feel of the Speedmaster. Speaking with my wife beforehand, she agreed with me that all sentimentality had gone as whatever I replaced my Planet Ocean with wouldn’t be the same watch, so she encouraged me to go for a more radical departure. If I was buying the Speedmaster as a second watch, there would be no question, but as a daily wearer, I couldn’t bring myself to it as it was just too different.
The Seamaster Professional 300m in blue wasn’t to my liking at all, though I was a fan of the earlier versions with the squared off date window at 3 o’clock.
The Planet Ocean 43.5mm with black dial was comically big on my small wrist (6.5 inches). The ceramic bezel and polished dial, along with the increased thickness, were simply too much and made the watch look and feel much larger than its 43.5mm measurement. I got away with my 42mm Planet Ocean because it was much thinner and its bezel to dial ratio created an illusion of it looking smaller than it actually was, especially with the low-key matte black face.
Finally, I tried on the 39.5mm size Planet Ocean with blue dial. I really liked it, and I was reminded of the titanium edition Planet Ocean from several years back. Despite being over 2mm smaller than my original Planet Ocean, the additional thickness and changed dimensions of the watch (wider bezel, shorter lugs and end links) made it feel similar whilst also fitting better. The glass case-back was a nice addition, but the killer feature that sold it for me was the clasp with micro-adjustment! Being able to re-size on the fly and do away with the half link was a revelation!
My choice is currently sat with a brand manager at Southampton, so I should be with my new watch by the weekend with some luck.
Southampton service centre damaged my watch, then lost it, and now need to replace it.
Long version:
Long-time lurker of this section of the forum, but never contributed until now.
Had my first generation Planet Ocean 42mm on stainless steel bracelet from new since 2011. The original Planet Ocean was, for me, the perfect watch and I’d lusted after one since seeing it for the first time as an impoverished student during the mid-00s. Finally had a chance to buy one and got lucky as it was being discontinued ahead of the incoming second generation, which was significantly more expensive and chunky – too much of everything for me.
Last year, it started to exhibit time loss and so I knew it was probably due a service. In early October, I dropped it off at the Omega boutique in Birmingham; the chap inspecting it and booking it in commented how pristine its condition was for a daily wearer, with almost nothing out of place apart from the slowing time, a faint mark on the anti-reflective coating, and a general case and bracelet refurb needed. Off it went for around 8 /9 weeks to the Southampton service centre (Swiss Time Services?).
Around early December, I got the call that it had been returned. Upon collection, I couldn’t believe it was my watch as it looked brand new. All of the casing and the bracelet had been deep cleaned, polished or rebrushed as needed. I could only tell from the faint mark on the crystal that it was indeed my Planet Ocean. The several minutes of awe quickly disappeared when I put the watch on and something wrong caught my eye. The bracelet wasn’t sitting properly and one of the end links closest to where the watch attached to the bracelet had been bent, or rather one of the internal pins had been bent. Due to the curvature of the Planet Ocean bracelet, it almost looked like somebody had brushed too much steel off for a very obvious eyesore. The store was very apologetic and tried fitting some new springbars and link pins to see if they could resolve it there and then, but to no joy. The watch ended up going back to Southampton for them to try and repair the link and pin.
Around 3 weeks later, I received another call to inform me the watch was back at the store for collection. The store and I opened up the package and it was obvious that nothing had been done – the link was still majorly out of alignment. The service report was brief, stating only that a repair had been carried out… Off the watch went again!
Another couple of weeks passed and back the Planet Ocean returned, again with the same problem. The store asked me what I wanted to happen, as it was clear the service centre were just sending the watch straight back out as it went in. The store did say that the service centre would likely need to fit a replacement bracelet as there were few options remaining; I said I was happy for it to be a new or refurbished bracelet, so long as the links were straight! Off it went again…
At the end of January, I was informed that a brand new bracelet had been fitted and that it would be back for collection in early February. I thought nothing of it after several weeks had passed – I’d waited for over 4 months, so another couple of weeks weren’t going to hurt. A few days ago, I received a call from the store’s service manager to break some bad news to me – DPD had lost the watch whilst it was being returned to the Birmingham store! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, as after all the palaver, it was all for nought. Asking what would be done to rectify the situation, the service manager said Southampton were initially only willing to reimburse me to the value of the Planet Ocean to what it last retailed for in the UK - £2,800. To their credit, the store shot that idea down immediately and argued that I’d be unable to buy a new watch and would need to resort to the second hand market to find a replacement first generation Planet Ocean. They pushed for a new like-for-like replacement from the current Planet Ocean range (nearly double what my Planet Ocean was worth!), or something that closer resembled the original Planet Ocean’s size and feel if I preferred.
I popped into the Omega boutique after work yesterday and tried a couple of watches out: a Speedmaster Moon Watch, a Seamaster Professional 300m, a Planet Ocean 43.5mm, and a Planet Ocean 39.5mm.
I loved the look and feel of the Speedmaster. Speaking with my wife beforehand, she agreed with me that all sentimentality had gone as whatever I replaced my Planet Ocean with wouldn’t be the same watch, so she encouraged me to go for a more radical departure. If I was buying the Speedmaster as a second watch, there would be no question, but as a daily wearer, I couldn’t bring myself to it as it was just too different.
The Seamaster Professional 300m in blue wasn’t to my liking at all, though I was a fan of the earlier versions with the squared off date window at 3 o’clock.
The Planet Ocean 43.5mm with black dial was comically big on my small wrist (6.5 inches). The ceramic bezel and polished dial, along with the increased thickness, were simply too much and made the watch look and feel much larger than its 43.5mm measurement. I got away with my 42mm Planet Ocean because it was much thinner and its bezel to dial ratio created an illusion of it looking smaller than it actually was, especially with the low-key matte black face.
Finally, I tried on the 39.5mm size Planet Ocean with blue dial. I really liked it, and I was reminded of the titanium edition Planet Ocean from several years back. Despite being over 2mm smaller than my original Planet Ocean, the additional thickness and changed dimensions of the watch (wider bezel, shorter lugs and end links) made it feel similar whilst also fitting better. The glass case-back was a nice addition, but the killer feature that sold it for me was the clasp with micro-adjustment! Being able to re-size on the fly and do away with the half link was a revelation!
My choice is currently sat with a brand manager at Southampton, so I should be with my new watch by the weekend with some luck.
Edited by Cybertronian on Wednesday 20th February 14:38
Fingers crossed, I may be able to pick it up this weekend! Whilst I'm at it, I'm going to ask if they'll discount one of the official leather straps for me.
hilly: how much did the addition of the clasp with micro-adjust cost you? It looks like you've had to purchase the main clasp and a couple of end links as well?
hilly: how much did the addition of the clasp with micro-adjust cost you? It looks like you've had to purchase the main clasp and a couple of end links as well?
Good choice and good to hear the AD looked after you.
I have the new SMP 300 with the date window at 6 O'clock as well as a Speedmaster Moon Watch.
Your assessment of the Speedmaster is spot on - it's a wonderful "second watch", but a manual wind, non-chronometer accurate, non-waterproof watch that picks up scratches and marks easily isn't the ideal daily wear.
My SMP has the micro adjust clasp and it's great.
Hope you enjoy it.
I have the new SMP 300 with the date window at 6 O'clock as well as a Speedmaster Moon Watch.
Your assessment of the Speedmaster is spot on - it's a wonderful "second watch", but a manual wind, non-chronometer accurate, non-waterproof watch that picks up scratches and marks easily isn't the ideal daily wear.
My SMP has the micro adjust clasp and it's great.
Hope you enjoy it.
Edited by Seight_Returns on Friday 22 February 08:55
Cybertronian said:
hilly: how much did the addition of the clasp with micro-adjust cost you? It looks like you've had to purchase the main clasp and a couple of end links as well?
Yes you have to buy two end links and the clasp, genuine Omega parts ebay was my friend circa £225 all in plus I sold original clasp £60 Slight update on this.
Brand Manager at Southampton approved the replacement Planet Ocean 39.5mm, but with the added complication that they're having one sent from the factory in Bienne to the boutique in the Bullring, which will take some 2 to 3 weeks. It's seemingly the less popular size compared to the 43.5mm version, so less available stock.
I wrongly assumed they would work with the boutique and I would get one from their store stock, and the brand would reimburse/replace the boutique's example.
In the meantime, I've managed to sell all the spare, unused bracelet links and the red box, instructions, warranty card holder etc for over £100!
Brand Manager at Southampton approved the replacement Planet Ocean 39.5mm, but with the added complication that they're having one sent from the factory in Bienne to the boutique in the Bullring, which will take some 2 to 3 weeks. It's seemingly the less popular size compared to the 43.5mm version, so less available stock.
I wrongly assumed they would work with the boutique and I would get one from their store stock, and the brand would reimburse/replace the boutique's example.
In the meantime, I've managed to sell all the spare, unused bracelet links and the red box, instructions, warranty card holder etc for over £100!
Seight_Returns said:
2 to 3 weeks ? Is someone walking from Switzerland with it ??!!
I questioned this. I rang another dealer just out of curiosity to see if 2 - 3 weeks was normal. They said worst case scenario would be 10 days, with 7 being the norm.I've waited this long, so a few weeks won't kill me.
FFS...
Had a call this afternoon from the Omega boutique, sharing that DPD had found the watch after some 6 weeks.
As a goodwill gesture, the service centre/brand has offered me a complimentary service for the next time.
I've refused to accept my original Planet Ocean, stating that this entire experience has been shambolic and embarrassing for Omega. I'd gotten over my old watch, even going as far as selling the box and all the various bits and pieces that I then had no more use for. Obviously, I wouldn't be able to sell the watch for as much now seeing as its incomplete.
I'd had my heart set on the new Planet Ocean and now don't even know where I stand anymore. The service manager will have to go through re-approval all over again to get the new Planet Ocean signed off, and a very real outcome is it may not be signed off.
Really disappointing.
Had a call this afternoon from the Omega boutique, sharing that DPD had found the watch after some 6 weeks.
As a goodwill gesture, the service centre/brand has offered me a complimentary service for the next time.
I've refused to accept my original Planet Ocean, stating that this entire experience has been shambolic and embarrassing for Omega. I'd gotten over my old watch, even going as far as selling the box and all the various bits and pieces that I then had no more use for. Obviously, I wouldn't be able to sell the watch for as much now seeing as its incomplete.
I'd had my heart set on the new Planet Ocean and now don't even know where I stand anymore. The service manager will have to go through re-approval all over again to get the new Planet Ocean signed off, and a very real outcome is it may not be signed off.
Really disappointing.
Sadly you don’t really carry any leverage any longer, I would be shocked if they stood by their offer of a replacement watch now.
Along with the service maybe they could supply a new box and some paperwork to verify authenticity etc to at least try to replace what you have unfortunately sold.
Along with the service maybe they could supply a new box and some paperwork to verify authenticity etc to at least try to replace what you have unfortunately sold.
Irrespective of their legal obligations - you've had a very poor ownership experience with a luxury item whose only real purpose is to provide an enjoyable ownership experience.
I would feel like you do. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a goodwill gesture sufficiently generous to take the bad taste away.
I would feel like you do. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a goodwill gesture sufficiently generous to take the bad taste away.
Sadly I think you’ll struggle now. Personally I wouldn’t have sold anything until the new one was safely on your wrist. But you can’t turn the clock back.
At the end of the day if you get your own watch back, working and in appropriate condition, the box and papers you can replace.
Did you let the card go as well? It would be of no use to anyone else other than a counterfeit operation with your serial number on it.
You could always contact the buyer and ask if you could repurchase the card - if they still had it? A long shot perhaps but maybe worth a go.
At the end of the day if you get your own watch back, working and in appropriate condition, the box and papers you can replace.
Did you let the card go as well? It would be of no use to anyone else other than a counterfeit operation with your serial number on it.
You could always contact the buyer and ask if you could repurchase the card - if they still had it? A long shot perhaps but maybe worth a go.
Thankfully, I still have the original warranty card and chronometer certificate - I didn't sell those as it was assumed that the watch had fallen into the wrong hands. The instruction manual, box, card wallet and polishing cloth all went.
There are dozens of boxes on ebay, so I can always resource one. If I've no choice but to take my original watch back, then I'll ask that they provide another box as I only sold mine in good faith once they'd confirmed and approved the replacement watch.
I dropped off the Planet Ocean just before my son was born. He's now 5 months old and moving on to solid foods to hit home just how long this ordeal has taken.
There are dozens of boxes on ebay, so I can always resource one. If I've no choice but to take my original watch back, then I'll ask that they provide another box as I only sold mine in good faith once they'd confirmed and approved the replacement watch.
I dropped off the Planet Ocean just before my son was born. He's now 5 months old and moving on to solid foods to hit home just how long this ordeal has taken.
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