..... there almost was a major career change for me. Glad I didn't apprentice to become a watchmaker because:

 

are the good ol' days gone then? am I late to the game?

 

I knew about that... guess it will be interesting to see what happens. I've picked up a few parts here and there, but generally, I need a pro to handle work on my watches. Here's to hoping the certified independents continue to be able to get parts at least.

 

Maybe those large stores but smaller independent watchmakers in areas where Omega won't set up shop they will allow for them to still order parts otherwise who the heck is going to provide quality service in smaller markets.

 

Almost bought a very rare 38mm 18kt. cal.453 Vacheron with a stunning Guilloche dial. Unfortunately it was missing the correct "mushroom" crown. After calling/Emailing everyone, including Alex from The Hour Lounge, NO crown. Alex put me in touch with Vacheron and I was informed that they do not out source any of their parts. However they could replace the crown with the correct vintage crown only if I sent them the watch. BTW: In addition to the crown they required a simple service (oil&lube), and their reissued Certificate of Origin. Needless to say if any additional
repairs and or parts were required there would be an additional charge, due in advance. Send your watch plus $2,500.US and there would be a minimum of 6 months before it would be returned.

Hard to believe that I didn't buy the watch

 

Miki, that's EXACTLY what the watch world is turning into. The Swiss want it that way, and nobody will tell them different.

 

If there is demand in the market for independent watchmakers, they will be there to serve that market.

As for the Swiss...lthey will listen. To the bottom line. And right now, it's telling them they are on the right path.

And that's the bottom line.

 

And Certified by Omega seems to mean charging
their "recommended prices" I would assume

 

What effect does this have on vintage watch collections?

More desirable because they're less common and harder to maintain, or less so for the same reasons?

 

Do we have solid confirmation that certified watchmakers will or will not still have access to 321 parts? And are there other movements on the list that must be sent to Switzerland?

 

Al has said before that there is no indication that he (and other certified independents) would lose access to parts... yet...

He's also said that he is not required to charge omega prices..

..i just can't find the threads..

 

Exactly...The first Certified by Omega repair specialist I called regarding service for my 105.012 quoted me Omega's recommended basic service charge for a cal.321 is $1,150.US plus parts. How 'bout them apples

 

Maybe you get to relocate to Geneva working for Richemont. And work just half a year due to summer holidays and no one seems to work there during winter.

 

Very accurate it's a business after all

 

I am an independent watchmaker...no one tells me what to charge. The only places that are mandated what to charge are Omega service centers.

 

Certified independent watchmakers can service any watch they want to. No one tells me that I have to send Cat. 4 watches to Omega for service.

I seem to explain the 321 parts issue at least once a week here, but maybe a different approach will help...

Let's say there are 2 levels of parts access from Omega for the 321:

1 - Full access to any parts needed

2 - Access to some parts, but not all.

The only place that currently has level 1 is Bienne. This is recent thing in the last couple of years, when Omega told all service centers (including places like STS) that they must send 321 watches and other Cat. 4 watches back to Bienne for service. STS apparently has some side company (can't recall the name) that does service 321's, because that side company is not an official Omega service center, so they have found a way around this.

But, they only have access as 2 above, just like me. Now since the change in policy was fairly recent, a place like STS might still have a good stock of parts that they can no longer buy directly from Omega for the 321, so they might have more parts than others for the time being. Not picking on STS here but just a company that people here are familiar with so it is a good one to use as an example.

There is also level 3, which is the open market. There are 321 parts floating around from old watchmaker estates that material suppliers buy up, etc. so virtually anyone can get a part if they are willing to look long enough and pay enough for it.

As has been noted, there is no indication that at the end of this year Omega is cutting off independent watchmakers that are certified with them. There is apparently a new certification program for US based watchmakers, but the details have not been rolled out yet. As it stands now, any watchmaker who meets Omega's requirements for education, experience, shop equipment, and has gone through their training can get a parts account.

Cheers, Al

 

Uh oh. Hope it's not a Cartier-esque or Rolex-ish "program". I'll keep my fingers crossed for Al and other independents currently with Omega accounts, but Swiss watch companies are monkey see, monkey do. If other brands are getting away with something, you can bet the rest will be implimenting similar standards soon.

 

Apologies and much thanks for your patience. I think there is just enough uncertainty about exactly what the end of the year means for the various types of watchmakers that we keep asking.

That answers my second question. I had a look at the Cat. 4 list again. Longer than I remembered: anything before 1965, although I see some in the Cat. 3 column that are older than that.

While this does give hope, "no indication" and "details have not been rolled out yet" guarantee this will be asked again. Thanks Al.