Apple announces self-service repair. Implications for the watch industry?

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/11/apple-announces-self-service-repair/

So, this was unexpected... the "right of repair" lobby seem to be very happy with the news, and given Apple is the biggest company in the world, I betcha there'll be a few others thinking they'll have to follow suit.

I know there's been frustration over the years with Omega (and others) restricting access to parts, with comments I've read on Otto Frei's website being a good example. Can we perhaps hope there might be an appetite for change? Or is the current situation a good thing, with quality control ensured better than a free-for-all situation?

(By the way, this is my 200th post. Thanks to all in the community, and the moderators, for all the education and entertainment so far!)

I don't think it's a move with major ill intentions, indirectly they win, users take responsibility if they decide to work on their devices themselves - by directly selling to users they also eliminate counterfeit part installing repairmen, make more money, and sell more devices as seemingly you can now repair the devices, practically I don't know what'll change since the costs will be high

I really wish we could buy Omega parts, I'd probably spend $500/mo on parts 😁 Crowns, gaskets, crystals for all the watches! New hands to those in need!

But I've never seen "watches" included in "right to repair" - it's pretty much just electronics scope-wise, as far as my very shallow research goes

Haha, but if they activate Order 66, you're dead too 😁

Seriously guys, even if Omega launches "Self-service Repair Programme" and will make parts available for everyone - how many of us could service a modern Omega calibre without breaking it?

We don’t even have the water testing machines in the first place hahaha

@JwRosenthal …….. some of us do?

So fancy!!!!

I can see the conversation now.

USITA: Per our new DIY law, you have to make parts available for all models you sell for a minimum of twenty years after the last year of production for a given model.

Swiss Watch Industry: And if we don't?

USITA: We will revoke your import license and you will no longer be able to sell your products in the states, or to US residents overseas, as we will confiscate them at the border.

Swiss Watch Industry: So?

PRC: Send them over, we've got plenty of customers. And for every customer, we have a hundred customers who will buy one as a means of laundering money. The artificial scarcity that the US creates will only enhance the flow of illicit capitol. Win, win, win.


This is coming from a guy with a stack of dead iPods I collected from workmates for battery replacement. Oh, and the batteries came from Guangdong. Full circle.

Does this mean I'll be able to add memory to my Macbook?

Get an old Mac Mini ..... ;0)