closed

tyrantlizardrex · Oct 26, 2020

river rat
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.

100% agree with you in principal @river rat - with the X-33 however you're a little bit stuck.

Omega replace the movement at service, and even the independents here in the UK send the watch on to the Swatch Group for the work to be completed.

SadKen · Oct 26, 2020

Simple solution, contact the service centre & ask them to confirm the work carried out.
You have serious doubts regarding the whole process & need to determine WHERE the case back and bezel were changed and subsequently went awol.
This will obviously determine WHO is responsible for the switcheroo.

The part i dont understand is how 8 days after you post on here the shop magically FINDS your caseback but are unable to provide you with any paperwork or proof that shows the service centre as the responsible party for the switcheroo.

As others have already said - sounds like someone saw an opportunity to pull a fast one.

Lurk41 · Oct 26, 2020

Archer
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.

Bienne does not count? 😀

My point was more to show that no direct representative of Omega was involved in the process. So trying to put all the blame on Omega is a bit unfair...
If it had been an OB instead of a Swatch store, for sure Omega, as a brand, would have messed up. Because even if the issue occurred at the service center, the OB should have reacted as soon as the watch came back. But it was not an OB, nor Bienne that handled this watch...

Anyway, thanks for the info about how it works in service centers 😉
As a side-topic, I know that the 2 OB near me host a watchmaker ("shared" between the 2 OB), but I know also that he is not handling the services (my watches were sent to a Swatch service center too). So, any idea why an OB would have a watchmaker? To handle issues under warranty faster?

Archer · Oct 26, 2020

Lurk41
Bienne does not count? 😀

I have no knowledge of what is serviced there, so I don't know if they are exclusive to Omega or not. If they service something made by the company before it was called "Omega" then are they no longer "Omega" under these twisted rules you have?

Lurk41
My point was more to show that no direct representative of Omega was involved in the process. So trying to put all the blame on Omega is a bit unfair...

Please define a "direct representative of Omega" because if it's not an AD, or a service center, then I have no idea what this term means.

Lurk41
If it had been an OB instead of a Swatch store, for sure Omega, as a brand, would have messed up. Because even if the issue occurred at the service center, the OB should have reacted as soon as the watch came back. But it was not an OB, nor Bienne that handled this watch...

Many OB's are not owned by Omega, but by AD's, so this makes your distinction even more muddy.

I understand you believe Omega is under attack here, but this sort of rationalizing that "Omega wasn't involved" is more than bit strange. I have no idea who is responsible, but there's absolutely no doubt that Omega was involved, unless there is evidence that the watch was never sent to an Omega service center.

Lurk41
Anyway, thanks for the info about how it works in service centers 😉
As a side-topic, I know that the 2 OB near me host a watchmaker ("shared" between the 2 OB), but I know also that he is not handling the services (my watches were sent to a Swatch service center too). So, any idea why an OB would have a watchmaker? To handle issues under warranty faster?

If this is an actual Boutique Watchmaker, rather than a Boutique Technician, then they are authorized to do full services provided that the boutique is adequately equipped. If they aren't, then you would have to ask them why they have hired someone and aren't using them.

Nitram986 · Nov 24, 2020

***********************************************************************************************************************************
UPDATE 23.11.2020

Final resolve:
A few days ago OMEGA also returned the Bezel and offered to put it back onto the watch "free of charge". Unfortunately, that would have required me to send the watch back again for the third time and I was not in the mood for that. I will have that done another time, but I am glad that I have that part back.

The Dealer in Amsterdam which is Tourbillion Boutique (owned by Omega) does all its repairs at Omega. They were very understanding and did their best to help and I am grateful for that. Also, they expressed that they were sorry things went that way.

There was no official excuse from the omega service center or an explanation of what has happened or why nor was there a discount. I paid the full 500 Euro that was originally quoted.

My final thought is that this was a real nightmare and I hope that this was a unique experience.

Waltesefalcon · Nov 28, 2020

After reading through this entire thread I'm happy to hear that you finally got something halfway satisfactory from Omega.

d3adrock · Nov 28, 2020

This has made me decide to send my watch in to an independent when the time comes.

closed

tyrantlizardrex

SadKen

Lurk41

Archer

Nitram986

Waltesefalcon

d3adrock

Similar threads

Spring Bars for Mixed Drilled & Closed Lugs Guide

Closed

A huge leap from a modern to a vintage 321: my 105.012-66 HF up close

Omega Cal. 321 Platinum Speedmaster: Onyx & Meteorite

The closest thing OF has to Mecca

Seeking help with a 1562/850 bracelet clasp, it doesn’t close