I live about an hour from the closest boutique. The closest authorized dealer is probably 3 hours away. I'm down to a final decision on purchasing my first Omega. I have prices from Topper and several gray dealers with warranties. The prices are within $250-300 of each other. My question is if I have a warranty from a an AD or european warranty from a gray dealer will a boutique make Minor Adjustments such as bracelet sizing or adjusting the watch for accuracy if I did not purchase from them? I understand boutiques do not discount the watches ofretail and I would also have to pay sales tax as well so buying from the local Boutique is a much more expensive proposition.
I don’t know that they would refuse you service, but they may be more apt to charge you for the little things if you don’t have a relationship with them. I bought one of my Omegas from my local AD to establish that relationship. When I went in to pick up my NATO strap, they gave me a changing tool free of charge. That saved me all of 7 bucks and a little bit of hassle ordering one. Only you can decide if that is worth it to you. The company I work for sells only piece of mind. And for some people, that’s priceless.
Depend how many watches you buy. I have purchased quite a few and have been sent on a few trips. They sent me and the wife to Park City, Utah during the World Cup Bob sledding championships we here there for the weekend. We got to go on a bob sled in the middle of the World Cup event. You get up to 9 g's on the banks! They also took us to several dinners and snowmobiling. I was sent to Las Vegas for a collectors event to see the new release after Basel Then Next year in was New York another collectors event. I got to try on JF Kennedy Omega and Nixon Omega gold Speedmaster that hen never kept. Another event was a watch building class. Where we put together a manual wind movement. This year a finally got to go to Huston Texas and go on a private tour of NASA. They also will give me a sparer strap when I buy a new watch.
Outside some anomalies bring a watch to an OB they will resize it for you. As for regulation... call ahead to see if they have staff to do it.
Build a relationship with an ob if you want to get access to newly released models at list price, some limited editions will sell at a premium through other resellers and the supply can be restricted, also the perks mentioned above, perhaps look at wether this is going to be a one off purchase and not the slippery slope of horological obsession!!!!
The OB perk I got was being able to buy the watch I brought money in for. Exactly what I wanted from them.
At the San Diego, CA boutique all I got was "we can't service your watch" (1960s Constellation, cal. 564!!!!!!) but they were happy to try and sell my a new Globemaster. No, thanks - I hope other OB aren't as worthless.
No, they don't service watches, in the sense that you can get a service center overhaul. However - My first Omega was bought used. I took it to the boutique, and the reps and technician were happy to help me authenticate it, size it, check the seals, and test the chronometer tolerances. That is where my relationship began. My second Omega was purchased "off-site" and they were happy to see that I was developing some brand loyalty via any avenue. Consider: once you've got one on your wrist, your basically a walking advertisement. They let me... strike that... they encouraged me to try on watches in the store, bring my "new to me" PO and SMP in for regular check ups, etc... Eventually, I bought a Speedmaster Professional from the boutique. Then a Seamaster 300MC, and a SMPc. The tech at my preferred boutique will: brush and or buff minor scratches, adjust and size bracelets and clasps, check seals and pressure test, regulate, and demagnetize, among other things. He'll also help with diagnosing problems and potential problems. After a coastal visit during a particularly silty high tide a couple of summers back, the tech removed the bezel of my PO and cleaned out the gunk. That is, I understand, a skill on top of other skills at that particular OB; he can do bezel swaps ( within the OEM specs, naturally ). At the OB, I'm able to try straps and bracelets on my watches before purchasing, and typically enjoy good conversation. In fact, most recently during a visit, there were two other fellows in the shop, at the tech booth thing, just hanging out and shooting the breeze, like it was the neighborhood bar. There has never been a time where I've gone in while the tech was on shift and he didn't have two or three watches he was working on to some degree. There are fairly regular thematic in-store events: Speedmaster event, AT event, Bond, etc... Many of the customers know one another, and they bring in there personal collections to show off. I may sound like a bit of a shill, but the Omega sales philosophy or model or whatever, is really nice. Really pleasant folks to be around. I had a similarly nice visit to the Las Vegas OB. They knew some of the folks from home base and were happy to pull out all their newest toys in my short visit. Is it all worth the cost over grey market? Thats up to you, what you want out of the experience. They really want to make you feel fancy, though, and personalize the experience. And I've struck up some pretty good friendships and associations in the deal. As for "perks", I'd play that close to the vest. That's not what I'm personally going in for, although I've enjoyed some...things. My next new watch purchase will be from the OB. Edit - { everything described above was free of charge }
I’ve purchased most of my watches 2nd hand, but I do have Omega service my watches that there able to service, I do purchase, deployments, clasps, natos from them on top of having them service my watch. I build my relationship that way. Buying 2nd hand has allowed me to have Omega service my watches.
The guys in the Houston OB are pretty nice and will do a lot of the watch services that Kiltie mentioned. They can't do a complete service since that will need to go to a SC but they do a lot of the minor services. I'm sure there are also special events but I've never been invited to any (maybe I don't purchase enough). There's also a Rolex boutique in the same mall and the friendliness between the 2 is night and day. OB atmosphere is hanging out with friends while Rolex's atmosphere is walking into a meeting with a Board of Directors or senior management. Both are professional but one feels a lot more welcoming while the other feels too formal.
The service at the OB is very good. I bought one watch there and then I went to them for checking my grey market Tintin (which was not available via OB anymore). They also resized the bracelet of the grey market watch for me. If this is a one-off sale the premium might not be worth it but if you intend to collect some more Omega's, I would go to OB. There is also something else to consider: I bought a limited Edition (Seamaster 57) there which was not that widely available around and, if at all, not much cheaper on the grey market. If you however go for the usual models (Speedy Pro, Constellation Globemaster, Seamaster 300) there can be a difference from EUR 1000-2000 between OB and Grey market. In this case, I would not pay such premium.
I've not purchased from an Omega Boutique but I have purchased from Rob at Topper's who was great to deal with, especially as it was an International transaction (USA to UK). I'd highly recommend them.
I found that the straps and deployant buckles were less expensive than anywhere else I could find them. Service was also very good in person and over the phone. Only problem is they closed their suburban Chicago boutique.
I passed on the chopper but got a great deal on a used boat! look close and you can jussst make me out.
Totally agree with this. I've gone in several times just to chat and hang out at the OB in Houston, and it feels like getting together with friends.
Houston Galleria boutique are indeed great guys. I have never visited an OB where you are not welcome. The Rio de Janeiro OB is super friendly, loads of events and swag, and I often stop by for a coffee and chat. They will do pressure testing on your Omega at the OB and I just got my Speedy XI-45 regulated free of charge, no longer in warranty. JLC boutiques have pretty nice sales staff. I agree that most Rolex boutique staff will essentially only engage in conversation if you want to buy a watch, just browsing does not get you very far. In Rio my Rolex AD has been quite friendly with VIP tickets to the the Rio Open ATP. Best Rolex AD/Boutique I visited was in Panama on my way to Galapagos...very friendly boutique manager great chat.