Omega servicing

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Discussion

ChevronB19

Original Poster:

5,780 posts

163 months

Friday 26th August 2022
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Just a heads up - I’m not into watches as such, and know nothing about them.

I bought a Speedmaster Reduced (I am a skinny runt) from eBay about 15 years ago for £400. Yes, I know that’s a red flag.

I bought it as my parents (not well off) wanted to get me something to celebrate me getting a PhD, but a new one was out of their league, understandably. I did my research, and this one seemed to be real, and fortunately was subsequently confirmed as such by 3 Omega dealers (paranoia).

I’ve never had it serviced, and just used it ‘as a watch’, albeit not a daily one. Now that I have a bit of spare cash, and the poor thing is looking a *little* battered (various scratches to case and face, plus missing two of the button covers), I’ve sent it off to be serviced (£465, more than I paid for it lol!).

Dealer said they come back looking like new, so what do they actually do? Replace the face cover, polish the case etc., dismantle/reassemble internals?

Was quoted 15 week turnaround by the way.

Jamescrs

4,479 posts

65 months

Friday 26th August 2022
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It tells all on Omega's website

https://www.omegawatches.com/customer-service/inte...

I sent an old Seamaster off to be serviced around 6 years ago and it came back looking and working fantastically well, mine was gone about 15 weeks.
I have since bought a new Seamaster and would have no issue paying the cost again.

If you consider you have had 15 years of use from it and I assume not new when you bought it then it has done well really.

ChevronB19

Original Poster:

5,780 posts

163 months

Friday 26th August 2022
quotequote all
Jamescrs said:
It tells all on Omega's website

https://www.omegawatches.com/customer-service/inte...

I sent an old Seamaster off to be serviced around 6 years ago and it came back looking and working fantastically well, mine was gone about 15 weeks.
I have since bought a new Seamaster and would have no issue paying the cost again.

If you consider you have had 15 years of use from it and I assume not new when you bought it then it has done well really.
Yep, I’m not bothered about the cost as it stands, it’s served me well, looks great and my only other watch is a £20 Seiko. It was well used when I bought it as well, so to some extent it feels like I’m ‘buying’ a new Speedmaster very cheaply.

I have to confess wearing it whilst doing some angle grinding!

LeadFarmer

7,411 posts

131 months

Friday 26th August 2022
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I dropped my Omrga Planet Ocean off for a service the other day at the dealer I bought it from ten years ago. Cost was £450 plus postage of £18 which I pay when I get it back and was told it would take 12 to 18 weeks.

acd80

745 posts

145 months

Friday 26th August 2022
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I had my Planet Ocean serviced at the start of the year - the watch came back looking like a brand new watch. They gave me a snazzy red case for it and all of the old parts that they had replaced!


nikaiyo2

4,726 posts

195 months

Friday 26th August 2022
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Try https://mighty-watch-repairs.ueniweb.com/ he has just serviced my Seamaster Chronograph, very happy with service and results.

I asked for no polishing or restoration as I prefer my watches to be original.

However I am not certain the reduced speedy is serviceable, I think it’s movement replacement, but not sure on that at all.

gregs656

10,877 posts

181 months

Friday 26th August 2022
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nikaiyo2 said:
Try https://mighty-watch-repairs.ueniweb.com/ he has just serviced my Seamaster Chronograph, very happy with service and results.

I asked for no polishing or restoration as I prefer my watches to be original.

However I am not certain the reduced speedy is serviceable, I think it’s movement replacement, but not sure on that at all.
Definitely serviceable, but it's a modular movement so a bit more effort.

Petrus1983

8,713 posts

162 months

Friday 26th August 2022
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I only send mine to Switzerland via the Royal Exchange in London. ‘Omega House’ in Eastleigh returned my watch in a worse condition that I sent it in.

944 Man

1,743 posts

132 months

Monday 29th August 2022
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STS are an option too.

I am afraid that the comment about a Reduced's movement not being serviceable is ignorant to the point of being funny. Shhh...

RiggaTheMighty

136 posts

74 months

Thursday 1st September 2022
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nikaiyo2 said:
Try https://mighty-watch-repairs.ueniweb.com/ he has just serviced my Seamaster Chronograph, very happy with service and results.

I asked for no polishing or restoration as I prefer my watches to be original.

However I am not certain the reduced speedy is serviceable, I think it’s movement replacement, but not sure on that at all.
Thanks mate.

You are indeed half correct, as Omega movement exchange the “bolt-on” chronograph and service the standard movement.

They are lovely watches, but 9/10 the main movement just needs serviced and fitted back onto the chronograph module.

They are known as the Watchmakers nightmare, but I’ve serviced a few of the modules in the past. Just have to take your time. Lol

ChevronB19

Original Poster:

5,780 posts

163 months

Tuesday 7th February 2023
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Just a follow up on this. I sent (via an authorised Omega watch dealer) this watch to Omega in late August.

Quoted 3 month turnaround, and it’s *still* not back!

Ziplobb

1,358 posts

284 months

Tuesday 7th February 2023
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bloke here on the Isle of Wight I can put you in touch with who is a decent watchmaker and will be a fraction of what Omega charge. He does lots of trade work for the big dealers on the UK mainland

ChevronB19

Original Poster:

5,780 posts

163 months

Tuesday 7th February 2023
quotequote all
Ziplobb said:
bloke here on the Isle of Wight I can put you in touch with who is a decent watchmaker and will be a fraction of what Omega charge. He does lots of trade work for the big dealers on the UK mainland
Thanks, but it’s already with them, but will bear it in mind for next time.

hilly10

7,118 posts

228 months

Tuesday 7th February 2023
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Had mine back from Genesis watchmaking last week and it’s fantastic £360 full service and light refinish. Replaced all pins in the bracelet £43 turnaround in 10 days.

Petrus1983

8,713 posts

162 months

Tuesday 7th February 2023
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ChevronB19 said:
Just a follow up on this. I sent (via an authorised Omega watch dealer) this watch to Omega in late August.

Quoted 3 month turnaround, and it’s *still* not back!
They can be a bit slow - have you contacted them? The Royal Exchange Omega use to be good at finding out where mine was. I’ve cracked the glass on mine so looks like it’s heading on holiday.

Rockatansky

1,700 posts

187 months

Tuesday 7th February 2023
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Just sent my seamaster to Swiss time services last week, still waiting on the initial assessment.... eek

LC23

1,285 posts

225 months

Wednesday 8th February 2023
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Omega service turn around time is currently running at about 6 months. Did you get the book in paper work where you can check the (lack of) progress online?

NDA

21,574 posts

225 months

Thursday 9th February 2023
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My Planet Ocean was serviced and repaired in two weeks - took it into the Omega boutique on Bond Street.

It was under warranty, so that could be the difference maybe?

Took my partners Rolex into Rolex London this week for its first service (it stopped) and am awaiting news on how long it will be. Whilst I was there I overheard a chap being refused a service because his dial was not a Rolex dial. The watch was genuine, but not the dial. He also had another with a diamond bezel - also refused a service.

gregs656

10,877 posts

181 months

Thursday 9th February 2023
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NDA said:
My Planet Ocean was serviced and repaired in two weeks - took it into the Omega boutique on Bond Street.

It was under warranty, so that could be the difference maybe?

Took my partners Rolex into Rolex London this week for its first service (it stopped) and am awaiting news on how long it will be. Whilst I was there I overheard a chap being refused a service because his dial was not a Rolex dial. The watch was genuine, but not the dial. He also had another with a diamond bezel - also refused a service.
I have had a GMT with them more or less since September last year. It went in under warranty for a misaligned date window, then back in again because they hadn't fixed it, So annoying.

Rockatansky

1,700 posts

187 months

Saturday 18th February 2023
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Rockatansky said:
Just sent my seamaster to Swiss time services last week, still waiting on the initial assessment.... eek
And three weeks later still waiting, despite their initial acknowledgement email saying I'd hear back in five working days.....