New Member/Boutique Question

WYOMON · Mar 9, 2025

Hello All,

Brand new member here, looking at potentially (probably) getting my first Omega, an SMP, after my wife told me to "just do it already".

I do have a question for those of you with boutique experience. I'd like to try on the Seamaster before I buy, but my nearest Boutique is about a 4 hour round trip drive (AD is even further). I've got some time off at the end of the month and I'd like to go down in the middle of the week and take a look. The issue I have at the moment is that will probably be several more months before I'm in a position to actually buy, and if the current gen is too big, I may go a different route completely (old model etc.)

Should I contact the boutique before I go down to look to make sure they're cool with me just trying one on? I don't want to waste anyone's time including my own. I'd hate to drive four hours and not be given the time day.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Speed2Sea · Mar 9, 2025

I can only speak about my local Omega Boutique and can tell you they are more than happy to let me try on any watch that interests me. I usually drop by every two to three months and my representative is quick to offer me a beverage and have me check out new releases, etc. Again, that is my experience. Given the distance, perhaps you can call the OB and introduce yourself and explain your intent and interest in visiting them. I am fairly certain they will treat you right.

WYOMON · Mar 9, 2025

Speed2Sea
I can only speak about my local Omega Boutique and can tell you they are more than happy to let me try on any watch that interests me. I usually drop by every two to three months and my representative is quick to offer me a beverage and have me check out new releases, etc. Again, that is my experience. Given the distance, perhaps you can call the OB and introduce yourself and explain your intent and interest in visiting them. I am fairly certain they will treat you right.

I appreciate the insight. I was already thinking about calling ahead at the very least just to make sure they have what I'm looking for. Thanks!

Evitzee · Mar 9, 2025

No need to tell them about your purchase timeframe ahead of time, but I would confirm with them that they have the watch in stock for you to try on. If they don't they can obtain one for you, no obligation to buy. At that point you can discuss the purchase timing if you like the watch. You never know, some other Omega may be better suited for you.

sathomasga · Mar 10, 2025

I can also only speak for my local boutique, and folks down here in Atlanta are allegedly more friendly in general, but the sales associates would have no problem at all with anyone just trying on watches. I've never purchased a modern Omega and likely never will (unless the company remembers how to make small, thin watches that fit my scrawny wrist), so my only interactions have been to request/pick up archive extracts or drop off/retrieve watches for service. Despite having never made a purchase, they are invariably nice, friendly, helpful, etc.

As noted above, making sure they have the reference in stock is a good idea, as is your plan to go mid-week and avoid the weekend rush.

Good luck.

Foo2rama · Mar 10, 2025

Buy a 2500 42mm PO. You and your wallet will thank me later.

efauser · Mar 12, 2025

WYOMON
Hello All,

Brand new member here, looking at potentially (probably) getting my first Omega, an SMP, after my wife told me to "just do it already".

I do have a question for those of you with boutique experience. I'd like to try on the Seamaster before I buy, but my nearest Boutique is about a 4 hour round trip drive (AD is even further). I've got some time off at the end of the month and I'd like to go down in the middle of the week and take a look. The issue I have at the moment is that will probably be several more months before I'm in a position to actually buy, and if the current gen is too big, I may go a different route completely (old model etc.)

Should I contact the boutique before I go down to look to make sure they're cool with me just trying one on? I don't want to waste anyone's time including my own. I'd hate to drive four hours and not be given the time day.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

How ironic would it be if you couldn't get the time of day from a watch dealer?

Jones in LA · Mar 12, 2025

I think the boutique experience is worth the drive, especially if you haven't done that before. Who wouldn't like hanging out for a while in a candy store?

In your case I think it would be a good idea to make an appointment, just to be safe. You never know...maybe the staff will be tied up in a training session when you arrive and cannot attend to you.

Allow yourself a couple of hours to breathe it all in, maybe they'll serve you some champagne.

I understand your trepidation regarding the SMP. My first SMP was the last variant made with the cal.2500 movement.

Then I recently received the current SMP as a 25-year service award from my employer. I was genuinely surprised by its weight and comparative chunkiness, after having worn the other one for nearly ten years. But it's not necessarily all bad. I appreciate the advanced technology and never hesitate to wear it, even though I now have two to choose from. Honestly, if I had to get rid of one it would probably be the older one that goes.

The Signalman · Mar 13, 2025

My own experience: I was interested in a Railmaster, but as I hadn't seen one in real life I didn't know if I'd really like to wear and own any of them. So I contacted a corporate (i.e. Omega-owned as opposed to franchise) Omega boutique, and they told me that didn't have any of them in the boutique but would get them all in for me to look at and try on, with absolutely no obligation whatsoever.

Two days later they contacted me to let me know all were in stock. When I arrived there was absolutely no pressure whatsoever to buy any of them, and I could try each of them on, with different straps, for as long (or short!) a time period as I wanted to.

I wore one of them for about half an hour, to be certain I really was happy spending a not inconsiderable sum on it. I bought it.... and will never sell it.

WYOMON · Mar 17, 2025

Thanks everybody for the input. I called the boutique, guy was very friendly, said they had lots of SMPs in lots of colors. Told me to pop in whenever I wanted, no appointment needed and he would be happy to show me anything I wanted to look at.

New Member/Boutique Question

WYOMON

Speed2Sea

WYOMON

Evitzee

sathomasga

Foo2rama

efauser

Jones in LA

The Signalman

WYOMON

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