First time Poster: Trying to buy first Omega: Questions

What a bummer! (+1 on making sure you wind it well and wear it for a day to make sure it gets decent movement going). I really hope you didn't end up with a lemon but in that case, I hope the seller comes through for you. Keep us posted.

I know my coming comments are a day late, a dollar short for you, but I'll chime in for the sake of helping other new prospective buyers.

As a fellow new member here that just jumped into Omega ownership, I feel your pain and uncertainty. I was in the same boat of having found my first Omega that I really wanted through an online gray market dealer. I started doing my research and reading online reviews which initially horrified me but eventually I saw the other side of the coin. Research before purchase is critical.

I found the same watch and thus I bought my first Omega from Jomashop (the one in my avatar). I have bought other merchandise from them before so I didn't have any qualms about shadiness and I knew it would not be a fake. However, this was my first luxury watch purchase through them - what I thought would be my personal forever watch. Due to my ignorance of Omega models, I ended up purchasing a slightly different model than what I really wanted (I bought the AT 220.10.41.21.03.001 which has some blue accents, when what I wanted was the 220.10.41.21.03.004 which has all accents in silver - minor difference but a little bit of a let-down). What I didn't know at the time of purchase was that Jomashop removes the warranty card, even on new watches. Normally not a big deal, since it is a newer watch and there's a good chance that Omega would service it under warranty if any issues arise (according to others' experiences). However, I've been thinking of selling it and getting the one I initially wanted just to quell my OCD. I have found it surprising how many prospective buyers ask about the warranty card. As such if I do sell it, I'm sure I'll have to take an even bigger loss than if the warranty card was included.

I purchased my second watch from a Chrono24 US dealer (not an Omega AD). I was a little more skeptical so I invested plenty of time into researching the seller and contacting him prior to purchase, including assurance that the warranty card was included. Transaction was silky smooth with lightning-fast delivery and watch came with the warranty card. My surprise here was that I was charged an additional $150 USD as international transaction fee because of payment through Chrono24. Not a huge deal but it was an unexpected surprise.

Moral of the story is that there's pros and cons, and always a risk in buying through gray market. Ample research will certainly help minimize the risk and I share my experience simply to give others a little more ammo and an insight of what to expect when looking to purchase.

Again, I look forward to reading a happy ending to your situation.

Just to provide an update, I dropped the watch off with my buddy who is a jeweler, I’ve known him for many years, he has an associate who is authorized for omega repairs. He will have it inspected by end of week. My buddy looked at my watch and said it looks authentic, he shook it a little and you can hear allot of noise from the back. He said something is loose. It’ shouldn’t make that much noise, he said maybe a small screw is loose and jamming the movement. I will report the finding and if all is authentic, I will have it repaired by my friend and get my watch back. I also want the watch inspected to make sure it has all the correct parts in it as well. Again, not even close to a watch guy, but I just want a clean product. It’s mine forever, and paying a little to resolve this and learn a solid lesson is fine by me. I’ll also dispute the repair charges with watchmaxx and see how thag plays out.

regards to all, and their comments.

Yeah, not getting that part at all either.

I think what the previous posters are trying to tell you is that if you expect Watchmaxx to cover the repair costs, you are contractually obligated to send it to them for in-house repair.

However everything I've read about gray market dealer warranties is that they are generally next to worthless. So your options are to let them repair it under warranty, or have it repaired elsewhere on your dime.

I don’t really care to do business with them at all anymore. I’m aware of a contract where they are completely protected. I have no sleep lost over this. Sucks that the watch was busted on arrival. I did call them and got a an email to submit a claim. Just rather have someone I trust take care of the watch.

I don’t expect them to cover anything, and I don’t care if I lose my claim, which I will most surely do, and I might not ever file one. Just done with them. Want a working watch. And I’m all set.

Probably the smartest move, even if you spend a little more.

its the internet, and this is a forum, it’s open to say your opinion. I don’t like them. If you don’t like that opinion, that’s fine also. Feel free to buy from them. I won’t. Not sure I necessarily bad mouthed them, I said I don’t like them for selling me an out of the box busted watch. Technically they did nothing wrong as long as the watch is authentic and brand new as advertised. Doesn’t change my opinion. I can spend my money wherever I want, and I’m skipping this place forever. People get triggered easily in this world nowadays.

Please provide an update when you have more information from the repair shop! Did you have to send it back to Omega?

Actually got an update today. Three of the screws that held the movement were all loose and fell out. The movement is back working, but the repair person was determining if one of the screws was damaged. If so, it will have to be sent to Omega. From what I was told this movement is newer and there are not parts readily available. Omega would have to be the ones to repair.

I’ll let you know when I have more information.

So I have a working watch finally. Finally closed this case and can enjoy my new omega.

My guy had a full service done by certified omega repairman. $750. New movement screws. Everything tip top.
My buddies jewelry store gave me a warranty through his shop if I ever have any issues in future.

Great to hear, congratulations and wear it in good health, hopefully for years to come

I think this is a great reason to buy an Omega.

Watch was $3K off retail, @philG you spent $750 in repairs. I think you fared well...