Need advice to locate watchmaker/service center near me.

Good morning all --

First post from new member. I have been happy with my Aqua Terra 8500 since purchasing it from Continental Jewelers in D.C. about 8 years ago. It has run perfectly since, until recently when it stopped twice before restarting after a gentle shake. Says to me that it now needs its first service. Unfortunately, Continental Jewelers seems to have closed since my purchase of the watch so I cannot work with them for service.

I'm hoping to arrange service directly with an official Omega Service Center directly (i.e. not through an Omega dealer) but cannot find a contact telephone number to arrange service with the Omega Service Center (I think the closest one to me is in Greensboro, N.C.). If I cannot arrange service directly, it would force me to go through an Omega Dealer -- has Omega made the decision that we have to go through dealers to arrange service? Can I get this service directly?

Alternatively, I'd be happy to locate an excellent independent watchmaker that I could rely on.

I am located in Virginia approximately halfway between Richmond and Washington D.C. Any suggestions for either of those questions?

Thanks in advance. Good to be here.

Omega service is likely your best choice as not everyone is trained on servicing a coaxial movement.

You can use this site to find authorized service:

https://www.omegawatches.com/customer-service/finding-a-service-centre/country/united-states

Thanks for the replies. After a quick internet search, I see that there are quite a few extremely negative reviews about the Swatch Service Center in Seacaucus, N.J., though most are at least 3 years old. Are those reviews not reflective of the forum members' experience with Swatch?

My experience with the Miami service center over the years was not good, either.

I eventually decided to go with Nesbit's in Seattle. Family shop fully authorized and trained to service Omega.

https://www.nesbitswatchservice.com

Yes, if you end up having to ship it, Nesbit's does a good job.

You might try Arlington Watch Works. Honest and experienced service.

https://www.arlingtonwatchworks.com/omega-watch-repair

Thank you all for the excellent feedback. I'll make some calls to the recommended watchmakers and see where it leads.

Not to hijack my own thread, but it's hard for me to avoid wondering why it is so difficult to identify where to get routine service on a watch that is sold in relatively large numbers. It seems deliberately arranged to force Omega owners back to the retailers.

I've had good experiences with Omega's Miami service center via an AD. I also recommend both Tom & Mackenzie Nesbit (Nesbit's) and Haris Durakovic (USA Watch Service).

Unfortunately, it looks like the Omega website has removed the instructions for sending a watch directly to a service center, instead directing you to an AD or OB to handle the shipping for you. That's disappointing, but I've been using Haris anyway.

https://www.nesbitswatchservice.com/

https://usawatchservice.com/