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565 movement repair

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Dear all

I am looking for a bit of advise. I'm based in the UK (Essex) and looking to get an Omega Seamaster 565 repaired. Currently the balance spring is broken.

About two years ago, I paid a online watch repair service to repair the watch. I found a old new stock balance spring and supplied it. The repairer asked for more money as he said he had sourced bits but never provided them.

After about a year, no repair work had been done and after asking for an update, contact was limited to what's app and they never answered the phone.

Eventually I got the watch back, now in a worse condition with bracelet now broken and still not working.

Can anyone suggest a trusted company / individual that can repair the watch at a reasonable price. I appreciate that this is a skill and there is a real cost to repair and servicing.

The watch has sentimental value to me.

It was an awful time with the past repairer, due to this I am also wondering if the 565 movement could be replaced with a modern movement.

Thank you for looking.
 
iosist
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Oof, brutal story to read as someone looking at buying a Seamaster with a 565 cal right now. I don't have any watchmaker suggestions, but I'm sure some searching on this forum will turn up some reputable people in your region.

Can I ask if the movement was in decent, recently serviced condition when you bought it? And what caused the damage to the balance spring? From what I've read about these movements, people generally describe them as durable and relatively easy to service.
 
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The watch was given to me by my farther. He wore it during his time in the military as he bought it from the NAFI in Germany. The watch balance had lost time since the 60's.
 
V
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Unfortunately, I can't comment on trusted watchmakers in the UK as I'm in US, but I just wanted to say that Omega 565 is a wonderful movement (one of the best, if not the best that Omega ever made) that shouldn't be difficult to repair for a qualified watchmaker.
Speaking of watchmakers, there is this guy: https://watchguy.co.uk/about/
I've never interacted with him, but his blog is interesting.
 
E
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5 565fixme
Dear all

I am looking for a bit of advise. I'm based in the UK (Essex) and looking to get an Omega Seamaster 565 repaired. Currently the balance spring is broken.

About two years ago, I paid a online watch repair service to repair the watch. I found a old new stock balance spring and supplied it. The repairer asked for more money as he said he had sourced bits but never provided them.

After about a year, no repair work had been done and after asking for an update, contact was limited to what's app and they never answered the phone.

Eventually I got the watch back, now in a worse condition with bracelet now broken and still not working.

Can anyone suggest a trusted company / individual that can repair the watch at a reasonable price. I appreciate that this is a skill and there is a real cost to repair and servicing.

The watch has sentimental value to me.

It was an awful time with the past repairer, due to this I am also wondering if the 565 movement could be replaced with a modern movement.

Thank you for looking.
1753117910822.webp
Hi I have had a similar problem with local repairers, you could try the place in Chichester "Perfect timing". He is on the Authorized list for Omega repairers. As my watch was deamed to be best sent off the Switzerland. I trust you can see my paperwork with the details. I hope you can find this helpful.
Regards Nick.
 
Peemacgee
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Welcome @565fixme

Swiss Time Services are in Essex if you really wanted someone local.
They are Omega certified and should be able to get any parts you require. but will be relatively very expensive.

I can personally vouch for Christian (watch guy) and Mitka who will both be much more reasonable on cost but depending on the parts you need may have difficulty sourcing them.

Hope that helps.
 
Peemacgee
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@vbomega

I would opine that the cal 564 was the finest movement Omega made at the time - if only because they tweaked it to be chronometer rated.
 
DON
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The balance is still available (maybe) and used in a number of movements, so should be easy to source.
 
Knebo
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iosist iosist
And what caused the damage to the balance spring? From what I've read about these movements, people generally describe them as durable and relatively easy to service.

A balance spring (hairspring) doesn't break by itself. It's almost always due to a mishap during servicing. What can break under extreme shocks is the balance staff.

I've also heard good things aboud WatchGuy and Mitka. But I'm not in the UK, so not first-hand.

Definitely have the 565 restored. It's an excellent movement and should be easily repaired. Don't even think of putting a more modern movement in it.

Have any pictures of the watch and movement?
 
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E [email protected].
1753117910822.webp
Hi I have had a similar problem with local repairers, you could try the place in Chichester "Perfect timing". He is on the Authorized list for Omega repairers. As my watch was deamed to be best sent off the Switzerland. I trust you can see my paperwork with the details. I hope you can find this helpful.
Regards Nick.
Thank you for sharing, please could you give me a ball park figure of how much this cost. Thank you
 
Davidt
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Peemacgee Peemacgee
Welcome @565fixme

Swiss Time Services are in Essex if you really wanted someone local.
They are Omega certified and should be able to get any parts you require. but will be relatively very expensive.

I can personally vouch for Christian (watch guy) and Mitka who will both be much more reasonable on cost but depending on the parts you need may have difficulty sourcing them.

Hope that helps.

I second this. For vintage Omega, STS, WatchGuy and Mitka are my go to in the UK
 
E
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5 565fixme
Thank you for sharing, please could you give me a ball park figure of how much this cost. Thank you
Hi 565fixme,
Yes it was a fixed price, for £620. So what ever was needing to be replaced etc and serviced was included. I also had it returned in their red transit box. Which was more cost effective than the local repairer doing it.

17531829525494101871847452851098.webp
 
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I
Passover Passover
Mitka offers an inspection prior to further works,

you can find his complete price list here:

https://mitka.co.uk/price-list/

What did the 'Online watch repair service'
E [email protected].
Hi 565fixme,
Yes it was a fixed price, for £620. So what ever was needing to be replaced etc and serviced was included. I also had it returned in their red transit box. Which was more cost effective than the local repairer doing it.

17531829525494101871847452851098.webp
Thank you for sharing that info. That is really helpful. I really appreciate that you replied. Thank you again.
 
5
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E [email protected].
Hi 565fixme,
Yes it was a fixed price, for £620. So what ever was needing to be replaced etc and serviced was included. I also had it returned in their red transit box. Which was more cost effective than the local repairer doing it.

17531829525494101871847452851098.webp
Thank you for sharing that info. That is really helpful. I really appreciate that you replied. Thank you again.
 
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