Considering Speedmaster reduced. Some questions.

Archer

Did you have to replace and DD module parts? I ask because even within the Swatch parts account world they can be unavailable for watchmakers.

Archer

There is a misconception that these are terribly difficult if not impossible to service - they aren't, but they are tedious and even when everything is "right" they can still have little things that customers won't be happy with, that are more or less inherent in the movement.

Archer

A more pertinent question is, will any professional watchmaker worth their salt want to work on it, when they have plenty of other work that's not a potential pain in the ass? Would I rather service a movement that I know when I'm done is going to work right, or spend time chasing my tail with a movement that has design issues I'm trying to solve in service? The answer is pretty obvious for a professional - doing this for a living means you need to get the work done and back to the customer to get paid.

One thing is for certain - your options outside of Omega will be more limited, because many watchmakers won't service them. It's not a reflection of competence, but more a reflection of good business sense in my view.

Archer

Did you have to replace and DD module parts? I ask because even within the Swatch parts account world they can be unavailable for watchmakers.

There is a misconception that these are terribly difficult if not impossible to service - they aren't, but they are tedious and even when everything is "right" they can still have little things that customers won't be happy with, that are more or less inherent in the movement.



A more pertinent question is, will any professional watchmaker worth their salt want to work on it, when they have plenty of other work that's not a potential pain in the ass? Would I rather service a movement that I know when I'm done is going to work right, or spend time chasing my tail with a movement that has design issues I'm trying to solve in service? The answer is pretty obvious for a professional - doing this for a living means you need to get the work done and back to the customer to get paid.

One thing is for certain - your options outside of Omega will be more limited, because many watchmakers won't service them. It's not a reflection of competence, but more a reflection of good business sense in my view.



They don't. The price for a chronograph is the same, no matter if it's a reduced or a pro...however the price of service is a much larger percentage of the value of the watch with the reduced, so people see it as being more painful.

Cheers, Al

Katana

Thanks for all this input. Seems the reduced may be more trouble than it’s worth in the long run. Perhaps I’ll go a different direction.

Lotus_Eater8815

Really, these concerns should be balanced by what you want. If you accept that maintenance is a necessary consequence of ownership, and if you’re willing to pay to send the watch to Omega, it shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re not willing, then yes, looking another way might be the way to go.

Yours is a common gripe for those of us with smaller wrists. Have you considered the Speedy First Omega In Space?

mzinski

Thankful I didn't need any replacement parts.



That's for sure. Even after all the work the minute hand engages about 40 seconds after hacking the movement. Annoying but decided I could live with it.

Hduck

Here she is. About 20 years old

Hduck

My first nice watch was a Reduced. One of the originals from the 90s. Since then I’ve gotten a couple of Pros.

I’ve had the Reduced serviced once (yes a bit pricey) but now use it as a daily “beater”. It is surprising accurate.

It’s been a good watch

Hduck

My Reduced also is slow to engage the minute hands. I just set it appropriately before unhacking with the delay in mind

Hduck

My Reduced also is slow to engage the minute hands. I just set it appropriately before unhacking with the delay in mind

Katana

Can I ask how much you paid for servicing? And did Omega service it, or was it a non Omega watch maker?

Katana

Can I ask how much you paid for servicing? And did Omega service it, or was it a non Omega watch maker?

cheers.

MRC

3 years ago I paid GBP379 including a new mainspring and insured postage. The service was non-Omega by Mark Lovik who seems to be concentrating on his watchmaking training courses now. 50 hour power reserve and gains ~4 seconds per day.

Hduck

Its been about 6 years since the service which was done by Omega. At the time I believe it was about 700 USD. I think the service for the Reduced is the same as for a Pro

Hduck

BTW in the 20 or so years I have had the watch I've only had it serviced once. As I said it became a daily "beater" and didn't put much money into servicing it. It runs as accurately as durri70 says.

There was one snag on the servicing as when it was returned, there was a skipping motion in the small seconds hand. I sent it back and Omega corrected it