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Dan S
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N Nitram986
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UPDATE 25.10.2020
I just picked up the watch at the Store and indeed they found the backside back. I am halfway relieved but would have wished to also return the old Bezel.... Omega did not offer any excuse or explanation and also no discount on the service.

I am glad that the part obviously was not stolen, but still surprised about the carelessness and amateurism in the service center. As mentioned by others in this forum, they really should have known what they are dealing with.

So the only thing left to say here is that when sending a watch with some history in it to Omega for service, you should describe really exactly what you want to have done under the assumption that they will otherwise rip the thing apart and reassemble it with new parts. If you want a new watch, that might be fine...

I myself will for now hold on OMEGA's - this was just way too wired.

Somehow, I am still skeptical that we know the full story. Clearly the "store" has self-interest in placing the blame on Omega, but there are some pieces of this story that aren't credible. Personally, I would avoid this store in the future. We already have a huge amount of knowledge about the Omega Service Center, and your anecdotal experience does not add up.
 
N
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Spinakerr Spinakerr
Have you contacted Omega directly with the reference numbers? I think they would be most interested in either clearing their name and/or their reputation being damaged by the dealer...
It's cute how everyone thinks holy OMEGA is not to blame. The dealer, which is actually owned by Swatch-group (That ownes Omega) did really their best and has helped me to put pressure on the Servicecenter. OMEGA fυcked this up, sorry guys.
 
padders
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I still really don't understand the fixation with the bezel. If Omega chose to unilaterally change a damaged bezel for a brand new identical part (worth at a wild but educated guess ~$300-400) then I would be overjoyed.

I'll lay my cards on the table here. Based on the facts presented I call BS on part or all of this story. There I have said it. Before you continue your libel of the service centre, how about a shred of proof.
 
N
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padders padders
I still really don't understand the fixation with the bezel. If Omega chose to unilaterally change a damaged bezel for a brand new identical part (worth at a wild guess ~$300-400) then I would be overjoyed.

I'll lay my cards on the table here. Based on the facts presented I call BS on part or all of this story. There I have said it. Before you continue your libel of the service centre, how about a shred of proof.

Well, since its a flown watch I was hoping to keep it as original as possible and if the Bezel with its authentic scratches is missing, its at least a shame, wouldn't you agree?
 
N
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padders padders
I still really don't understand the fixation with the bezel. If Omega chose to unilaterally change a damaged bezel for a brand new identical part (worth at a wild but educated guess ~$300-400) then I would be overjoyed.

I'll lay my cards on the table here. Based on the facts presented I call BS on part or all of this story. There I have said it. Before you continue your libel of the service centre, how about a shred of proof.

What more proof do you need? You have the pictures and the Offer? Further you are free to believe whatever you want.
 
padders
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N Nitram986
Well, since its a flown watch I was hoping to keep it as original as possible and if the Bezel with its authentic scratches is missing, its at least a shame, wouldn't you agree?
Flown watch my arse. My Dynamic 3 went up in a Hawk fast jet on the wrist of one of Prince William's military pilot instructors but you won't hear me harping on about it because a 'flown watch' was worn on the wrist of an Astronaut.
 
N
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padders padders
Flown watch my arse. My Dynamic 3 went up in a Hawk fast jet on the wrist of one of Prince William's military pilot instructors but you won't hear me harping on about it because a 'flown watch' was worn on the wrist of an Astronaut.
Thats nice, so you understand how upsetting it is if it comes back from the service like mine, right?
 
SkunkPrince
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A wise man (Bruce Williams, a radio host) once said something I find very significant... "don't fall in love with anything that can't love you back."
 
amcclell
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We will never really know who was to blame, or if it was incompetence or intentional malfeasance. I have my suspicions but it is neither here nor there. The important thing is that you have your original caseback on the watch which is more than I though you would get.

Congratulations on this.
 
Foo2rama
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N Nitram986
It's cute how everyone thinks holy OMEGA is not to blame. The dealer, which is actually owned by Swatch-group (That ownes Omega) did really their best and has helped me to put pressure on the Servicecenter. OMEGA fυcked this up, sorry guys.
There are no omega owned dealers... well I guess Tourbillion is kinda but those are rare if one even still exists.

you never said this was a Boutique. If it’s a Boutique why did you not say so earlier? And why will you not name the boutique then? If it’s owned by Omega they all have the same processes or someone went rogue and threw the entire handbook out.

As for why we doubt Omega did it is that we have collectively down hundreds and hundreds of the same transaction as you and at every step it has differed from every other transaction we have seen at almost every step.
 
Lurk41
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N Nitram986
It's cute how everyone thinks holy OMEGA is not to blame. The dealer, which is actually owned by Swatch-group (That ownes Omega) did really their best and has helped me to put pressure on the Servicecenter. OMEGA fυcked this up, sorry guys.
Being handled by a Swatch store in Amsterdam, your X-33 was either sent to the Swatch service center in Eindhoven or the Swatch service center in Brussels (from my understanding, it was sent to Eindhoven). Both are approved by Omega - as listed on their website - but none is owned or run by Omega.

The Swatch part of Swatch Group messed up - either the store or the service center it was sent to. But Omega has nothing to do with it
 
Bauhaus
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Frustrating to get it back like this.

Regarding the case back, could it be they assumed the case back was no original Omega part and therefore had to be replaced?
Still odd this was not seperately quoted though.
 
Bauhaus
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Foo2rama Foo2rama
There are no omega owned dealers... well I guess Tourbillion is kinda but those are rare if one even still exists.

Amsterdam still has one.
 
Syrte
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N Nitram986
The store did really their best, but all the mistakes have been made at OMEGA...
How do you know?
No matter where it was,the fact you complained may have caused a part to reappear after being stolen.

Now that you have recovered your case back...congrats.... it sounds interesting. Do you have letters of provenance and can you tell us more about the watch?
Edited:
 
Taddyangle
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Did they charge you for the service?

I had mine serviced last year. Same watch, but belonged to a helicopter pilot. I took it to the San Diego OB and let them not polish. They returned the watch and it was free of charge, as I was told these military watches are free to service irrespective of who owns it.
 
gostang9
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I’m curious how this outcome is even possible:

- you leave watch with retailer (still not named)
- they send to a service center
- service center performs service, replaces caseback and bezel - does not charge you for new caseback and bezel
- service center ships back watch to retailer
- retailer contacts you
- you go to retailer, check watch and refuse it
- how is it possible that the [EDIT: “caseback”] can later be found at the service center? The only logical reason why they replaced it is because it was no good. Are they in the habit of saving all ‘no good’ parts...? How does that make any sense at all...?
Edited:
 
tyrantlizardrex
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Having had two X-33s serviced by Omega, I'm thoroughly confused by this thread.

A standard X-33 service includes a replacement movement, pushers, crown, hands, seals, and screws - those are the bits (minus the movement which they keep) I've had back from the Omega/Swatch service centre here in the UK. Twice.

As @padders says, bezels and casebacks are very expensive.

They don't get swapped without customer authorisation. They don't "just" get swapped at service.

Something smells rotten.
 
base615
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gostang9 gostang9
I’m curious how this outcome is even possible:

- you leave watch with retailer (still not named)
- they send to a service center
- service center performs service, replaces caseback and bezel - does not charge you for new caseback and bezel
- service center ships back watch to retailer
- retailer contacts you
- you go to retailer, check watch and refuse it
- how is it possible that the bezel can later be found at the service center? The only logical reason why they replaced it is because it was no good. Are they in the habit of saving all ‘no good’ parts...? How does that make any sense at all...?

The bezel hasn’t been found, the case back has.
 
Archer
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Lurk41 Lurk41
The Swatch part of Swatch Group messed up - either the store or the service center it was sent to. But Omega has nothing to do with it

This seems to be a distinction without a difference.

There is no “Omega” service centre, they are all Swatch group service centres as far as I know. When you visit for example the one in NJ, there is a room full of watchmakers that is divided into two parts. One one side the watchmakers service every brand Swatch makes, up to the Omega level. So they could be working on a Hamilton one minute, a Tissot after that, then an Omega.

On the other side of the room the situation is the same, except there it’s all watches “above” Omega in the Swatch group hierarchy. So the watchmakers will work on a Blancpain, then maybe a GO, and after that maybe a Harry Winston.

No matter what, they represent the brands they are working on.

Cheers, Al
 
river rat
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I been collecting vintage watches for years and been on various watch forums for some time were I read stories never send a vintage watch to Omega. Due to they take all the wobi out and replace case parts dials and hands to make it look new again and reduce the value of the watch. And always use a local watchmaker if you can. Sorry this happened I collect vintage issued watches ever nick a piece of history on the watch.
 
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