Hi all. Some additional information... The crown & stem were not replaced during service. Since they were essentially less than a year old they felt they were fine. Maybe that was a mistake.
The tube is not scratched. That is a reflection of light in that picture. I just looked at it under a magnifying glass.
Today I visited three local watchmakers. Wow, what an ordeal. The guy I knew here in the city has moved so I saw the gent who took his place, my girlfriend translating. He took one look at the SM300 and told her it was a fake from Taiwan and literally tossed it across the table! I kid you not. Needless to say, it got ugly.
Watchmakers #2 and #3 both reacted similarly. They said it was a fake. The second was dismissive and wouldn't even listen.
The third listened to my girlfriend translate (this was a big issue) and only when I showed him pictures of the movement (same as in my first post) did he finally get what he had in his hands. He couldn't understand why I would do such a thing, but said he could fix it for 50 rmb (about $45), but that I would have to get the parts since he does not have an Omega parts account.
He said I should provide at least two stems, three being the preferred number, just in case of a problem. He even asked for two crowns, but that ain't happening.
I do not dare take it to Omega after this experience. Watchmaker #1's reaction was so bad I can imagine the Omega people smashing it with a hammer.
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