First Omega Service Experience

I recently sent my moon watch (3590.50) into NJ. I called NJ, they sent me a FedEx box with prepaid label to send it back to them. After evaluation, I was told watch had to go to Europe for repair (broken winder and general service). Replacing crystal is standard. Should be 6-8 weeks. Total price tag is $836, more than I actually paid for the watch back in the early 2000s. Sent in a 2296.80 a decade ago and it never kept accurate time (off a little) since its return. Living with it, because I rotate 6 watches throughout the year. Wasn't thrilled, so I'm hoping for better results this time around...

Initially, I took the same 2296.80 to Jared's for them to send to Omega. I found out they sent it to their own contracted repair facility. Damage was done to the titanium clasp and a few stray marks on the case. Fortunately, I could repair the case damage with a titanium pen. The clasp still shows some faint traces of the abuse. When I confronted Jared's they admitted they did not send it to Omega. I asked for a refund and they refused. I then sat down with the store manager and asked him how he would feel if he was in my shoes and he agreed to the refund. I then sent it directly to Omega.

Inflation is a bitch. 😁

No doubt. The good news is, between my moon watch and my 2296.80 rose gold and titanium, I'm very happy with the escalation in values for both of these watches versus what I paid for them. I'm in for the long haul.

I'm not sure why they are replacing the dial, but assumed that was a good bit of the cost. I did ask that they return the original dial to me.

In my experience you get a great service regarding watches from the Swatch group.

The Omega Boutique in Zürich as an example is great, they will take a look at your watch if it has some issues. Help with questions. Check it on a yearly basis regarding water resistance, magnetism etc for free. Walking into the Boutique you really have the feeling that they appreciate that you are enjoying an Omega watch.
As well I had to service a Blancpain Villeret 6260 which I bought second hand, where the Blancpain Boutique gave me a new leather strap for free on top of it.

whereas I had some bad experience with Watches of the Richemont group. Two examples which come into my mind.
1) A colleague bought an expensive used VC and wanted to check in the Boutique if everything is right with the watch. I went with him to the Boutique. They pretty much wanted to sell as much as possible (service, certificates etc.) and I had the feeling that they would not do anything for free as a gesture. Immediately after the beginning they wanted to do a full service (he went afterwards to his AD, where he was told the watch does not need a service yet).
2) I had to polish an old IWC Ingenieur from Genta (IW3003). As they did not have any spare parts for the watch it was a long discussion if they even will polish it. They did it at the end, but the reference number was wrong on the bill, and they were not willing/able to change that. This annoyed me quite a lot because I want to keep all papers / service papers etc of my watches.

I’m not a big collector whatsoever and this are just experiences I had personally.
But due to these experiences I have to say that I appreciate Speedmasters even more and avoid brands from the Richemont group.