Dear Ladies & Gents (Inc. Omega S.master Pro 41mm Quartz)

[TrueMarble]

This is my first post here and am posting after a random search to try and find out if I have buggered myself badly and how to sort it!

I bought a 2nd hand Omega, Seamaster, Quartz, 300m, in pretty bad condition for about £700 with no case or id cards, I had a look around to see if I could get it patched up and how much for. The first thing wrong is the bezel which has lightened majorly into a sky like blue, next is the crown which is difficult to both turn or pop in or out, the third is probably the bracelet which seems to sway and is not 'tight' not in length or fit but in the way the links seem loose. I have been told these are all just down to aging. To sort it I went to Omega themselves, they have come back with a quote of 645 to renew the whole thing without a new bezel or 815 with the bezel?

This seems absolutely ridiculous for a watch purchased for £700 to begin with, are there any ideas/places as from the sounds of things, much needs to be done to it to return it to a wearable shape!

Thanks,

[anonymous-user]

First problem was buying a second hand Omega quartz watch. Not worth much to start with. Second problem is getting a quote from Omega for the work.

[TrueMarble]

Thanks for the help...

[dc2rr07]

I presume you purchased this with the intention to repair it, as this watch new would be about £2700 getting it repaired at the cost you have been quoted still works out in your favour.

[TrueMarble]

Yes I'm aiming to do that but had perhaps put the worth of the watch at a tad lower (£1,600) is the Omega quote still the best/only place to go for as was a tad shocked that it would be that kind of level!

[KungFuPanda]

Try getting a price for a service from a normal watchmaker who perhaps will be able to source a bezel insert from Omega and fit it themselves?

[AB]

Got bro one for his birthday recently and paid not much more than that for one in good condition with B&P.

I know this doesn't help but in future come here for advice first.

They don't sell the quartz new anymore so just bite the bullet and get it done is my opinion, better to have a £1,600 watch that is as good as new than a £700 stter?

[dc2rr07]

KungFuPanda said:

Try getting a price for a service from a normal watchmaker who perhaps will be able to source a bezel insert from Omega and fit it themselves?

That would be my suggestion to see if they are any local independent jewellers who do in house watch repairs.

[LordHaveMurci]

May be worth getting a quote from Ryte Time(sp?)or STS.

[Ikemi]

Out of interest, do you have a photo of the watch? As for repairs, I'd echo what others have said with regards to finding a reputable watchmaker to carry out the component replacements. Variomatic, a member on here, may well be able to help you!

Does the quotation from Omega include much work to the loose bracelet? If so, you could always forego the bracelet work/replacement and strap a NATO band to it. That will save some cash now, and you can look to have the bracelet repaired/replaced another time. Unfortunately, as Omega RRP increases, so does servicing/component costs.

The crown issue would be my main concern, but what with being a quartz movement, it's (I'm guessing) less complex to work on in comparison to an auto movement!

[Variomatic]

Without the case ref from inside the back (NOT the same as the model number!) it's very hard to know availability of genuine parts but they're likely to be available, if quite expensive. But, as an educated guide:

The bezel insert will almost certainly be available as a generic - it's only an aluminium ring with some printing on it so you'd have to be pretty determined to support Omega's shareholders to insist on original there! Decent generic rings typically work out at around £30, supplied and fitted.

The tight crown will be the seals either dry or deteriorating. Depending on the exact cause that could require anything from a little silicone grease to a replacement crown (genuine). Including pressure testing and battery replacement while it's open anyway, anything from about £25 to £100- again, depends a lot on the exact case number.

So rough guide would be between about £50 - £130 for the bezel and crown problems.

Bracelet may be more of a problem, depending where the wear is.

If it's in all the links (including any fixed ones) then it's time consuming (and expensive) to sort out because it involves drilling the (hidden) pins, replacing, and refinishing the edges to hide them again. In that case it's probably better to either live with it or find a good used bracelet.

If it's just on the removable ones then replacing the pins & sleeves usually cures it. Roughly £40 - £50 to replace the full set.

Omega would also, naturally, have included their mandatory movement service in their quote whether it's actually needed or not. From an independent that should normally be optional (assuming it's running ok, of course).

Bottom line, I can't see any way I could justify pushing the bill over about £225 for that lot, probably a fair bit less, unless there was a bracelet replacement involved!