Don't send it to Omega..

jurisevac@

Especially if the parts is from watchmakers bin,end you copy decided men.We all now how is Legend and true maker of this movement,rest in peace.

Archer

Thanks - it seems this is a local thing specific to your country, or maybe even just that service center.

Cheers, Al

Foo2rama

What's your point?

Archer

I believe this is a split stem, so the crown should snap right back in if you line it up and push...

Cheers, Al

Archer

There is currently some legal action taking place between Swatch and Cousins in the UK. I'm not sure that Cousins will have much luck in this case, but who knows - I'm not a lawyer.

But even if they do win this case, it's only for them to get access to parts, so they can mark them up and sell them to watchmakers. It won't open the door to everyone getting parts, at least not how I understand the action being taken. The only way to get direct access, which certainly has it's benefits, is to get an account directly with Omega. There's no indication that Omega is closing down accounts - in fact they are working to get everyone in the US though the new training regime - I've heard from other watchmakers the backlog is now 2 years to attend.

From my perspective, I don't order from Cousins often, but occasionally I do. I ordered 2 of a specific part late last year, they billed my card for 2, and then the next day credited one back and only shipped me one part. They are rationing parts - a complaint I hear often from those buying from them. This goes down to simple things like case clamps and screws - you have to place 2 orders and pay shipping twice to get 2 case clamps worth $7 each. Communications with them is difficult, if not impossible. If you have an issue with the part, they are not much help and in some cases won't take returns. With other material suppliers like Otto Frei, I have had countless issues with them, even to the point where a promised refund never happened. The supplier I use in Canada has often shipped me incorrect parts (recently they did it twice on the same watch - very frustrating!).

I always advocate buying watches from brands that sell parts. For example I like Sinn watches, have owned some, and serviced quite a few so I have bought some parts from them. However it takes a boatload of patience to do so. For example, back in in 2015 I needed a new dial and hand set for a U1 dive watch. I sent my first email asking for a new dial and hands on Sept. 9, and got zero response from the distributor in the US (who I am forced to order through) so I emailed them on the 25th just to make sure they received my first request. They said they did, and were getting a price for me. Oct. the 8th I received the price - yes took a month just to get back to me with a price. I placed the order and it took another month (Nov. 10th) for the parts to actually be shipped to me, and I received them a few days later. 2 full months to get these parts...amazing.

Now I won't say that Omega doesn't have it's problems, but in comparison as I said I usually get parts within 2 days of placing my order with Omega, and if I have an issue with a defective part, there is someone I can deal with directly to resolve it. Sending back defective parts for credit is easily done, and they will expedite a replacement without issue. In some instances I have had the parts people just send me free parts, like extra spring bars - I order a lot of parts and without asking they just tell me they are sending some extras with my order. One movement holder I bought from them had an upgrade made to it, so they said to send in the old one and they would send a replacement that had the modification. However that one is for servicing Speedmaster Pro movements (321, 861, 1861) and I literally work on one of those every day, so I could not give up the movement holder. I emailed and asked if they would send me a new one, and I would send the old one back - they agreed no problem. I know many watchmakers see Swatch as some sort of evil empire, but they want the people who have accounts and are doing service work to be successful. Again they aren't perfect, but compared to the third party suppliers I've worked with, and other brands I've received parts from, it doesn't get much easier.

I'm not here to defend Omega, even though it might look like it. I'm just saying that in comparison to pretty much every other company or distributor I've worked with or tried to work with, they do a pretty good job. Try getting parts from LVMH or Richemont - not a chance - they won't sell you parts at all. Last week I had a request to service one of Eterna's new Cal. 39 based watches, so I went looking for tech guides and parts access. Not finding any I emailed to company, and after a week they replied to tell me that they require all these to be sent back to the factory. They are developing a training course on these movements, but were not able to give me a time frame, nor tell me if courses will be available in North America...

If you wonder why I service a lot of Omegas, this post should explain that I guess...😀

Cheers, Al

brunik

Rolex always gave me the changed parts... you just need to state in the cotation doc.

At least with me always worked.

Gstp

And what use have you of old parts? I for one never saw the point in that. When they have replaced them I guess they're not usable anymore so I can't sell them either.

mr_yossarian

okay, think that question over on a more holistic base 😀

Peemacgee

The answer to that would be yes -especially if it's a vintage car
Think of them more as 'historical artefacts' rather than old parts.
And old parts can have a (high) monetary value.
They belong to you not the watchmaker.
(And a good watchmaker - like a mechanic - will return replaced parts as a matter of standard procedure to show what has been replaced)

Foo2rama

Alas things don't work that way with watches. Omega and Rolex have different definitions of what works and what doesn't then collectors. Example a 69 watch with a perfect dial and hands where the lume has aged to a nice brown is perfect to collectors and what they are looking for. Omega and Rolex will replace the dial and hands with new luminova dial and hands since the old ones haven't glowed in decades. The watch with new dial and hands has little value to collectors.