New Speedmaster 38—reset failed on day 5, cracked hand tube

bunnyfan · Wed. 7:13am

Five days after buying my new Speedmaster 38 (calibre 3330), the central chronograph seconds hand stopped returning to 12 when I reset it.

Omega’s service report identified a crack in the tube of the central chronograph seconds hand. Omega replaced the hand, and the chronograph now resets correctly. When I picked up the watch, the Omega store staff member mentioend that the repair had been substantial and involved reassembling many components.

This was my first Omega, and it was disappointing to have the case opened for substantial repair work so soon after buying it.

I also asked Omega what caused the tube to crack. They said their examination couldn’t determine the cause and that they wouldn’t disclose their examination methods. I’m glad the watch works again, but it’s frustrating to still have no explanation for such an early failure.

Has anyone here had a similar failure on a new Speedmaster 38? If so, what did your service report say?

Archer · Wed. 7:38am

bunnyfan
Omega’s service report identified a crack in the tube of the central chronograph seconds hand. Omega replaced the hand, and the chronograph now resets correctly. When I picked up the watch, the Omega store staff member mentioend that the repair had been substantial and involved reassembling many components.

If all they did was replace the hand, then it does not involve substantial work.

It's possible that whoever did the work didn't realize the hand was the issue, and did a full service, but if they did I would have expected them to say that.

bralofsky · Wed. 10:30am

That’s disappointing, especially for a brand-new Omega.

ErichKeane · Wed. 10:43am

Archer
If all they did was replace the hand, then it does not involve substantial work.

It's possible that whoever did the work didn't realize the hand was the issue, and did a full service, but if they did I would have expected them to say that.

I immediately wondered if the tube itself 'broke' enough that it left the other half on the pivot. At that point I could see needing to remove the chronograph wheel to take it apart, which presumably is under the automatic works/etc (I've not been in a 3330, so forgive me if I'm wrong!). Also, IF it was stuck, you probably will have a tough time getting it back through the minute-hand-wheel, so you might end up having to take those out too? Presumably you could do it through the movement, but at that point, I'd want to make sure I didn't tap it out of the cannon pinion...

Depending on your definition of 'substantial repair work'...

ErichKeane · Wed. 10:46am

I forgot OPs question 😁

Regarding "what caused it": At the scales of these tubes, a very mild manufacturing defect in the hand tube diameter or improperly annealed tube could cause this sort of thing.

Evitzee · Wed. 10:49am

The Omega store staff wouldn't know what intervention really took place, so I'd put little credibility into their statement as to the extensiveness of the work. If the watch is fixed, enjoy it.