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Catch me up on Omega Retailers..

O
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I haven't been out to the local jewelers in some time so when I stopped in recently they were no longer Omega dealer as it had been pulled. Same story with other somewhat local family owned jewelers with Omega. Replaced by boutique a couple hundred miles away. How's the new strategy playing out for Omega?
 
Evitzee
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That's the way the industry is going in general. More boutiques, fewer ADs. Is it working, probably.
 
bsowers34
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My local AD is still there. They sell new Omega and Breitling, and are big in pre-owned Rolex.
 
ErichKeane
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My 'local' AD ended up losing their Omega account when the Boutique opened. That said, no one I've ever talked to had a positive experience with that AD, so nothing of value lost. The OB is actually pretty amazing though.
 
O
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I suppose my bigger concern is omega parts/service. While new watch access is gone they say they still have access to parts when servicing.
Long term it's hard not envision that also going away and service controlled through boutique outsourcing to omega service center completely eliminating parts availability outside of their control like so many others.
 
Dan S
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O Overwound
I suppose my bigger concern is omega parts/service. While new watch access is gone they say they still have access to parts when servicing.
Long term it's hard not envision that also going away and service controlled through boutique outsourcing to omega service center completely eliminating parts availability outside of their control like so many others.
Seems like speculation. I haven't heard that Omega is canceling parts accounts.
 
O
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Dan S Dan S
Seems like speculation. I haven't heard that Omega is canceling parts accounts
Not speculating anything, of course curious if it could be a concern if not just a thought. Certainly hope that never happens while I still miss the days of Otto Frei.
 
Dan S
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O Overwound
Not speculating anything, of course curious if it could be a concern if not just a thought.
O Overwound
Long term it's hard not envision that also going away and service controlled through boutique outsourcing to omega service center completely eliminating parts availability outside of their control like so many others.
You can say you're not speculating, but this comment is the very definition of speculation. You can worry if you so choose, but in contrast with some other brands, there is no evidence that Omega is scaling back parts accounts.
 
O
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Dan S Dan S
You can say you're not speculating, but this comment is the very definition of speculation. You can worry if you so choose, but in contrast with some other brands, there is no evidence that Omega is scaling back parts accounts.
of course it is and I do hope for long supply of parts
 
V
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There are really two separate issues here: authorized dealers (ADs) and authorized repair centers.

1. Authorized Dealers
About 15 years ago, my local Omega AD (who also carried Longines and Tissot) told me their Omega account was being cancelled because their sales volume was too low. The couple who owned the shop retired shortly afterward. Meanwhile, other ADs in our city continued selling Omega because their sales volume was strong enough to maintain the account. Their sales staff also receive brand training directly from Omega.

2. Authorized Repair
Swatch Group (which owns Omega) does not sell parts to the general public. However, Omega does allow independent watchmakers to apply for certification, receiving certain training and meeting certain standards to become authorized repair centers with access to genuine parts. The idea is to maintain a consistent, high standard of service across the board.
 
dsio
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I know of more (large) independents gaining parts accounts in recent years here in Australia so it doesn't sound like there's any desire to stifle that. It's not a cheap thing to get necessarily, I've heard costs to get certification locally in 200K+ dollar range (AUD) but they were sort of like they understood why it was necessary.
 
O
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V vbomega
There are really two separate issues here: authorized dealers (ADs) and authorized repair centers.

1. Authorized Dealers
About 15 years ago, my local Omega AD (who also carried Longines and Tissot) told me their Omega account was being cancelled because their sales volume was too low. The couple who owned the shop retired shortly afterward. Meanwhile, other ADs in our city continued selling Omega because their sales volume was strong enough to maintain the account. Their sales staff also receive brand training directly from Omega.

2. Authorized Repair
Swatch Group (which owns Omega) does not sell parts to the general public. However, Omega does allow independent watchmakers to apply for certification, receiving certain training and meeting certain standards to become authorized repair centers with access to genuine parts. The idea is to maintain a consistent, high standard of service across the board.
Thank you for laying out the current protocol.
 
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