Flightmaster Service

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JEAJ

·Apr 14, 2022

I would like to send my Flightmaster to Switzerland for service. I’ve been told by several sources that they will replace he dial, because it contains titanium. In a recent email with the service center in Switzerland, I was told they will sent me back any replaced parts. I’m not crazy about having the dial replaced, but if I get the original returned, I’m more or less ok with that. This watch was a wedding gift from my wife 51 years ago, and means a great deal to me for obvious reasons, aviation career etc. Additionally, this watch will go to my eldest daughter and I would like her have the watch in the best possible condition. I was wondering if anyone has sent their watch to this center for service and were they happy with the results? Thanks in advance for any feedback and advice.

 

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tyrantlizardrex

·Apr 14, 2022

Welcome @JEAJ,

Where in the world are you based?

There are independent Omega Authorised watchmakers and service centres that can service your flightmaster for you without sending it back to Biel and having the dial or hands replaced.

Here in the UK, Swiss Time Services are the folks that look after my flightmasters, and I have always been very very happy with their work. 👍

Here's one they've not touched yet, which sadly will need a new dial and hands because of the water damage and rust... it's not pretty in there:

 

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Davidt

·Apr 14, 2022

I was going to type exactly what @tyrantlizardrex has said (albeit I don’t have any flightmasters for a direct example).

Please seriously consider the advice given by @tyrantlizardrex. It’s the best option in my opinion.

 

J

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JEAJ

·Apr 14, 2022

Thank you for your kind advice. It certainly would be easier. I’m not actually trilled with sending my watch to Biel.

 

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SkunkPrince

·Apr 14, 2022

If you're in USA, Nesbit's in Seattle is our private go-to.

 

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Dan S

·Apr 14, 2022

J JEAJ

I’ve been told by several sources that they will replace he dial, because it contains titanium.

Titanium?

 

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josiahg52

·Apr 14, 2022

Dan S

Titanium?

Surely, tritium.

I'll echo what the others have said. Fortunately, there are completely competent service centers that are many times better for sending a watch like yours off to than Biel.

 

J

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JEAJ

·Apr 15, 2022

Thank you all for your wonderful advice.

 

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blubarb

·Jun 22, 2022

LewisWatchCo in Australia is also an excellent option

 

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fc2

·Jun 23, 2022

I would probably not send my flightmaster to Omega, but rather find a service center near by. As many has written, there are plenty of watchmakers that can service a flightmaster.

I've had one flightmaster with an original dial and one with a replacement dial and the new dial is definately not as nice.

 

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cvalue13

·Jun 23, 2022

J JEAJ

This watch was a wedding gift from my wife 51 years ago, and means a great deal to me for obvious reasons, aviation career etc.

Pictures or didn’t happen 😁

 

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masteroftime

·Jun 23, 2022

J JEAJ

I’ve been told by several sources that they will replace he dial....

.

Can anyone confirm if this is definitely the case? I was under the impression you could tell them not to and you could just accept that it could potentially void the post service warranty. I feel like I've seen a few post-Switzerland services that retained the original dials, but I can't seem to find any at the moment.

 

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Fatcat

·Jun 24, 2022

Hi Omega service dont change dial as this is not in the scope of service , after this depends of your connexion to Omega , my flightmaster was revived completely , i provided my own set of original hands and single drop pushers and not autorising a polish and they do as we want it, and give you 2 years of warranty, but this is tailored service , if you simply drop the watch in a OB in the white paper write down everything that you want or not , the only thing are the hands if they are too damaged to be remounted they will change it (as to get the old hands properly stored in a plastic protection), from now specify to get all your parts back (rolex syndrome) all writes down , normally after 8 weeks you will receive a pdf stating the watch state and your request before you give the Go or Nogo, but having someone close to Omega helps definitively.

Paul

 

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Archer

·Jun 24, 2022·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

masteroftime

.

Can anyone confirm if this is definitely the case? I was under the impression you could tell them not to and you could just accept that it could potentially void the post service warranty. I feel like I've seen a few post-Switzerland services that retained the original dials, but I can't seem to find any at the moment.

Dials are not replaced automatically, just because they have tritium for example. Dials are replaced for several reasons, for example if the dial feet are damaged significantly, or broken off.

Also, a test is performed at the edge of the dial to asses the chances of the dial finish flaking off. If it does, then keeping the dial as is is not an option, no matter what someone on a forum claims. In this instance it is mandatory that the dial is either replaced, or if a new dial is not available, that it is refinished. The only other option is for the watch to be returned unserviced.

The problem for the average collector, is that you will have no idea of the state of the dial feet, or if the finish is going to flake off, before sending your watch in. You can make all the requests you want, but if Omega feels that the dial can;t be left as is, it won't be.