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Help with vintage Speedmaster bezel damage

C
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Hi Guys
I just had my 1969 Omega Speedy serviced at a reputable watch repairer
It has a 220 bezel
It has come back scratched and not in the condition I gave it to the repairer.
When I rang him, he went on the defensive, and said they didn’t do it
I then sent him some comparison pics, and now he want to look at it.
What can I do
These bezels are rare, and almost irreplaceable
Any advise will do
Comparison pics attached
 
443BA8F6-111F-460E-9DA7-E54F8F9A81D7.jpeg 0D71C20B-FE2D-4981-A837-5F4558E086A8.jpeg
kov
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I am always amazed by this kind of threads. There certainly is something to discuss and it's a problem you have to solve with the "reputable watch repairer" - if they indeed are as you qualify them to be, you both are much more likely to find a solution.

Did you expect an online forum to solve the issue for you? We certainly won't bring your bezel to the former condition...

The best you can do is to address the problem with the professional while remaining calm and polite, show him evidences you have and ask how it could have happened / what kind of compensation he can suggest. The bad is done, now it's all about assuming the consequences...

I am also asking myself if your bezel wasn't already scratched before service but with a bit of dirt/maquillage the scratches were faded and not as visible as after maybe a ultrasound cleaning bath... Every font is looking darker, dirtier, faded on the "before" pic unlike the "after".
 
C
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kov kov
I am always amazed by this kind of threads. There certainly is something to discuss and it's a problem you have to solve with the "reputable watch repairer" - if they indeed are as you qualify them to be, you both are much more likely to find a solution.

Did you expect an online forum to solve the issue for you? We certainly won't bring your bezel to the former condition...

The best you can do is to address the problem with the professional while remaining calm and polite, show him evidences you have and ask how it could have happened / what kind of compensation he can suggest. The bad is done, now it's all about assuming the consequences...

I am also asking myself if your bezel wasn't already scratched before service but with a bit of dirt/maquillage the scratches were faded and not as visible as after maybe a ultrasound cleaning bath... Every font is looking darker, dirtier, faded on the "before" pic unlike the "after".
kov kov
I am always amazed by this kind of threads. There certainly is something to discuss and it's a problem you have to solve with the "reputable watch repairer" - if they indeed are as you qualify them to be, you both are much more likely to find a solution.

Did you expect an online forum to solve the issue for you? We certainly won't bring your bezel to the former condition...

The best you can do is to address the problem with the professional while remaining calm and polite, show him evidences you have and ask how it could have happened / what kind of compensation he can suggest. The bad is done, now it's all about assuming the consequences...

I am also asking myself if your bezel wasn't already scratched before service but with a bit of dirt/maquillage the scratches were faded and not as visible as after maybe a ultrasound cleaning bath... Every font is looking darker, dirtier, faded on the "before" pic unlike the "after".



Hi Kov
The watch has been in my family for 50 years
My father knows every scratch on that bezel
I was referring to the group as I wanted advice on how to handle the repairer
The watch has been served every 6-7 years without incident
Thanks

Con
 
kov
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C cstoitsis
The watch has been in my family for 50 years
My father knows every scratch on that bezel
I was referring to the group as I wanted advice on how to handle the repairer
The watch has been served every 6-7 years without incident

Thanks for some more background / context. I couldn't have guessed that. 😀

I'm getting back to my initial suggestion, stay calm and polite, share the background as you just did and show evidences. Ask for opinion on how it could have happened and what do they suggest to solve or compensate.
 
C
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kov kov
Thanks for some more background / context. I couldn't have guessed that. 😀

I'm getting back to my initial suggestion, stay calm and polite, share the background as you just did and show evidences. Ask for opinion on how it could have happened and what do they suggest to solve or compensate.
Thank you
 
wagudc
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I am sorry to hear about your watch. I am lucky enough to never have been in such a situation. He says he wants to look at the watch, I think he has the right to look at it more carefully before going forward. Hopefully he will take responsibility and set things right.
 
machamp6650
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hronists hronists
circular marks most likely are from bezel press.

This makes sense, but scary if true. I thought the press moulds were usually made of silicon? What could lead to damage in this specific instance - misuse of the bezel press, or something like very fragile bezel to begin with?

In any case I'll definitely think twice before tinkering with a bezel press at home 😒
 
Dan S
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IMO, the "before" photo shows some degradation of the paint on the bezel in the form of irregular fading, etc. For example, you can already see a line passing through the 85 and 90 printing. Obviously, if the bezel had not been touched, it could have taken many years to degrade further, but it was probably fairly delicate. Most collectors have experienced damage occurring during a service, e.g. lost lume in hands or dial, etc. It's unfortunate, but a risk that you take in owning old watches.

These bezels are not terribly common, but also not exorbitantly expensive compared to some other variants. If you want to upgrade it to a 220 bezel in better condition, it can be done. Buying a better one and selling yours would probably involve a net cost of roughly $500. Of course, it would also involve significant time and effort.
 
Sherbie
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I cant see a difference between the photos - what / where exactly are the areas you think have been damaged?
 
w154
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Sherbie Sherbie
I cant see a difference between the photos - what / where exactly are the areas you think have been damaged?
I’ve tried to mark up the areas that show the damage here... 😁

3A7247AF-66E1-4F13-9A38-26CB3073F7E3.jpeg
 
C
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Hi Dan
Thank you for your message
It should like the most logic explanation
Can a bezel be touched up or repainted?
Thanks

con
 
JimInOz
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C cstoitsis
Thanks what is a bezel press?

It's a thing incompetent "watchmakers" use to fυck up good bezels.
 
M
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The bezel press is a tool to install the bezel.
See the video on this product page.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32300355219.html

It is possible to replace the bezel.
If you request service from Omega, it may be a bezel replacement
You can buy the bezel yourself and take it to a skilled watchmaker.
In the meantime, here are the 220 bezels for sale in the "WATCH PARTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR SALE" section of the Omega Forum.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/ome...t-genuine-6-endlinks-1-pair-220-bezel.128444/

Whether it can be repainted and restored is not known to me. Sorry...
 
Archer
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hronists hronists
circular marks most likely are from bezel press.

I agree, however it would be very unusual for dies to cause this sort of damage. I've pressed a shit ton (technical term) of bezels on using a press, and honestly never seen anything like this before.

But the problem with vintage is, you don't know how fragile something is until it's too late - this is why I avoid removing the bezel unless it's absolutely necessary.

C cstoitsis
Thank you all

I would ask your watchmaker if he removed the bezel, and if so why. If he did, then ask what he used to install it again.

Unless the bezel was misaligned, there is often no need to remove it.
 
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