Forums Latest Members
  1. afaw34 Jun 12, 2020

    Posts
    31
    Likes
    13
    I took my new vintage omega to a reputable watchmaker in my city. He quoted me $265 for a full service. He said it hasn't been serviced since the 90s and he needs to polish some parts inside.

    It's a fairly basic movement with no date complication. Cal 591.

    [​IMG]

    He also told me that the movement is not really common so be extra careful to not drop it because it's gonna cost a lot to fix broken parts. Is this true?
     
  2. SkunkPrince Jun 12, 2020

    Posts
    5,636
    Likes
    5,737
    For where I am, that's about half of what I would expect to pay. You might want to ask him how closely he's going to adjust it. If his response is "30 seconds a day and you're lucky", take that into consideration.

    Many of the collectors on this site just want their watch to run and they don't care how accurate it is because they don't wear the watches, or they only wear it for a day or a fraction of a day.

    I, personally, pay extra for another round of adjustment because I wear one watch for days at a time, and perhaps weeks.

    You will now see multiple posts vilifying me but that's OK. It really depends on your goal.
     
    kkt likes this.
  3. SkunkPrince Jun 12, 2020

    Posts
    5,636
    Likes
    5,737
    This means that he likely does not have an Omega parts account so he has to find the parts on the secondary market. Factory service would take care of "woops, I dropped it" but that has its own issues for collectors, who go batshit insane when someone gets their watch serviced by Omega.

    It's just a good idea to never drop your watch. :D
     
  4. killer67 Jun 12, 2020

    Posts
    1,443
    Likes
    2,425
    That feels expensive for a basic time only watch - consider shopping around to other qualified watchmakers
     
  5. Shabbaz Jun 13, 2020

    Posts
    4,880
    Likes
    17,830
    The price really depends on location but also what a watchmaker has to do. This depends on the condition of the movement. But in general I would say $ 265 is reasonable. My watchmaker asks EUR 225 for servicing a cal 565 ex costs of replacing parts.
     
    connieseamaster and DaveK like this.
  6. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Jun 13, 2020

    Posts
    15,398
    Likes
    32,153
    Well we don't know what city the watchmaker is in or what sort of dollars are involved.

    In my city, $265 is a very reasonable price for a service.
     
    WurstEver, Syrte, DaveK and 1 other person like this.
  7. killer67 Jun 13, 2020

    Posts
    1,443
    Likes
    2,425
    that’s true - OP location might be a better indicator
     
  8. Eric304 Jun 13, 2020

    Posts
    137
    Likes
    159
    in LA range from $500 to $1500 for a vintage speedy
     
  9. ZIELSZIEK Jun 13, 2020

    Posts
    334
    Likes
    722
    Well, that's a manual wound chronograph.
    OP's watch is a no date, autowinder.
    It's a different story
     
  10. timecube Jun 13, 2020

    Posts
    614
    Likes
    798
    I'm wondering what a no date, autowinder would run in the LA market, actually.
     
  11. wilderbeast Jun 13, 2020

    Posts
    893
    Likes
    4,296
    It’s worth seeing what else is around, of course. But I would never underestimate the skill required to service a vintage watch and it’s important to build up a relationship of trust. I’m happy to pay £280 for an automatic (admittedly with date complication) in London, but I know that my pieces are in good hands and they always come back keeping excellent time.
     
  12. Eric304 Jun 13, 2020

    Posts
    137
    Likes
    159
    Exactly! So now he can be the judge if the $265 is reasonable or not ;)
     
  13. Biezmez Jun 13, 2020

    Posts
    298
    Likes
    303
    Yep, I pay about the same (€225/250) for a service plus parts on this type of watch movement.
     
  14. kkt Jun 13, 2020

    Posts
    1,665
    Likes
    1,581
    An Omega authorized watchmaker, who would have access to parts from Omega, would charge in the $700 range here. That's also what Omega would charge - except if you get an independent Omega authorized watchmaker they are more likely to listen when you tell them not to polish the case.