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ikeo1
·Thanks for the compliments.. I'm content with my these. I would love to add one here and there in the future. Still have a couple on my mind that I'm eyeing.
Newbie Lesson Learned..
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Nesbit
·Just a follow up...
After 6 weeks I finally picked up the 3572.50 from the shop. The hesalite crystal already had micro scratches but poly watch took care of those. Thanks for the recommendation. It seems like they replaced a lot of basic inexpensive parts but it still cost north of $700.
I don't know if I would go back again, but it is nice to know the service history 100%. It's so light compared to my other watches it's really nice.
The swatch group in Los Angeles serviced my Omega Speedmaster 3572.50.
Family portrait.. The Swiss Army has to keep the peace...
Finally, the money shot...
The parts that they replaced are not inexpensive but the majority of the cost is the labor to service the movement (not to mention the case and bracelet refinish and the warranty) It takes real skill to service a chronograph and good watchmakers deserve to be paid a decent wage. My opinion from the other side of the counter 😀
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ikeo1
·I can appreciate the skill of the craftsmanship involved, which is the reason I paid the price to begin with. I'm just at odds when you can find similar results for half the price but I think the tools used are different to some capacity at the dealer compared to a watchmaker studio, some exceptions apply. I don't know. Then again, I would probably stick with omega/rolex service centers just because I know the standard. Although there are skilled watchmakers, I don't know the qualifications or reputations and I don't have the bank roll to make mistakes. As with any industry, there are varying levels of skill.
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Nesbit
·I completely understand wanting to get the most for your hard earned dollars!
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerI can appreciate the skill of the craftsmanship involved, which is the reason I paid the price to begin with. I'm just at odds when you can find similar results for half the price but I think the tools used are different to some capacity at the dealer compared to a watchmaker studio, some exceptions apply. I don't know. Then again, I would probably stick with omega/rolex service centers just because I know the standard. Although there are skilled watchmakers, I don't know the qualifications or reputations and I don't have the bank roll to make mistakes. As with any industry, there are varying levels of skill.
Just so you know, to get an account with Omega to buy parts, you have to meet requirements for education, experience, have the proper shop equipment they specify, have shop inspections, and attend their training.
While this is not a guarantee that the work will be done right, I can assure you there are many independent watchmakers who not only do as good a job as what brand service centers do, but do much better work in fact. I like to think I'm one of them.
The reputation of some brand service centers is quite frankly not very good (not just talking about Omega here).
Of course where you spend your money is completely up to you, but there are other options out there for service.
Cheers, Al
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ikeo1
·Archer, thanks for the reply. The difficulty is finding where those other options are and placing a bet whether or not the skill is good. You have quite a reputation around the forums, but it also seems like you have quite a queue of customers. 😉 Not a bad thing, but a reality. It's not like there's a directory (other than omega's website). I've looked around but found more independents for Rolex than I have Omega. btw, i would love to get my stuff serviced by you, but I'm impatient and the service center is down the street. Los Angeles swatch group service center is not bad, they seem very nice and if I had any issues I think they would take care of it. That being said, I do prefer the independent if I could find one, I like their ocd/perfectionist tendencies, but I will settle with a standard. I'm not knocking watchmakers by any means, but true skill is hard to come by.. I can google watch repair and find 15 different places in 3 sq km. 5 at the mall, independents all over. I took my Tag to a highly rated yelp company to switch out a quartz movement and they scratched the dial, very minor and only seen under a loupe but it was annoying.
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ikeo1
·Just so you know, to get an account with Omega to buy parts, you have to meet requirements for education, experience, have the proper shop equipment they specify, have shop inspections, and attend their training.
Cheers, Al
How often is the training held for recertification? and How often are inspections?
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerTraining is held several times per year in Switzerland, and I don't have the schedule for NJ right now, but they were holding the co-axial training almost continuously for a couple of years.
Cheers, Al
Cheers, Al
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qcdiep
·I don't mean to hijack this thread, however I am in the same boat as OP.
I'm looking to purchase a Speedmaster 3572.50 and because the watch was discontinued over a decade ago, I'm going to have it serviced as soon as I get one in my hands.
What is the best thing to do in terms of having it serviced seeing as many of you including the OP is regarding sending the watch to an Omega listed service center as a "newbie mistake". What are my other options in terms of service centers?
I'm looking to purchase a Speedmaster 3572.50 and because the watch was discontinued over a decade ago, I'm going to have it serviced as soon as I get one in my hands.
What is the best thing to do in terms of having it serviced seeing as many of you including the OP is regarding sending the watch to an Omega listed service center as a "newbie mistake". What are my other options in terms of service centers?
Edited:
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Mothra
·I think omega is a mistake when you are talking about vintage where they will polish and replace any and all parts with whatever they have left over. Although discontinued your target probably won't have the same issues, although you may have to specify 'no case polish'. omega will still be more expensive than an independent, but its easier than finding a watchmaker of your own....
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ikeo1
·Q qcdiepI don't mean to hijack this thread, however I am in the same boat as OP.
I'm looking to purchase a Speedmaster 3572.50 and because the watch was discontinued over a decade ago, I'm going to have it serviced as soon as I get one in my hands.
What is the best thing to do in terms of having it serviced seeing as many of you including the OP is regarding sending the watch to an Omega listed service center as a "newbie mistake". What are my other options in terms of service centers?
Just to clarify a little.. I don't think it's a mistake to get it serviced. A polish is not all that detrimental if done properly on rare occasions.
My mistake was searching for one that was in a pristine state and sending it to service, only to have service polish a pretty clean example to start with.
I think the pros and cons can be seen from both sides through this thread. If you know an Omega trained watchmaker you can probably get it done cheaper. The service centers you will get standard service but methodical. Watchmaker you might get one that's OCD and great, avg, or one that'll mess it up. You never know unless there are referrals or reputation... I wouldn't mind sending to archer or Nesbit. But I have the service center right next to me. I paid a little more for the warranty and proximity. Honestly at these price ranges a few hundred isn't going to break you. If you can't find a watchmaker, I'd go with the service center. If you can find a watch maker with a good rep and good facilities, training, prices , go there.
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qcdiep
·Thanks for the clarification ikeo1.
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KIMBER
·Nice collection for sure.
