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Oméga 33.3 - advise on service cost

olivierw
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Hello enthusiasts,

I have a 33.3. It is running well and keeping good time but the operating spring lever is broken so the top pusher is not working anymore and the chronograph is then continuously running.
I decided to make a complete service together with the pusher fixing.

I received the cost of the service and I was not expecting this, although I understand that it is a complex movement with rare parts.

Cost of the service is 900 euros + 268 for the operating spring lever and a new mainstring.

do you think it looks fair ?
Edited:
 
watchyouwant
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Did you check on the net for availability of the lever for lemania 15 TL ? There used to be quite a few seller....
 
olivierw
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watchyouwant watchyouwant
Did you check on the net for availability of the lever for lemania 15 TL ? There used to be quite a few seller....
Yes I tried but I did not find. Also it is hard to identify the part number. I know it for the 33.3 (170.1730) but not for the Lemania one
 
SkunkPrince
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Hey, they didn't charge you the $1500 restoration fee they could have....
 
Dan S
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The OP might want to say who provided this estimate. Is it Omega, or an independent water repair company?
 
watchyouwant
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Dan S Dan S
The OP might want to say who provided this estimate. Is it Omega, or an independent water repair company?

Water repair Companies are well known for exorbitant prices...... Happy Easter !
 
olivierw
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Dan S Dan S
The OP might want to say who provided this estimate. Is it Omega, or an independent water repair company?
It is an independent watchmaker ! What are you thoughts ?
 
watchyouwant
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Look, now it is your turn. Do not expect us to deliver the missing part to you. Search for lemania 15 TL, get the parts list there and then you search for that part . And if you need that watchmaker, you bring the part and he charges you for replacing it. Fairly clear cut process..... If too complicated for you, pay what he asks and be happy. Good luck !
 
olivierw
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watchyouwant watchyouwant
Look, now it is your turn. Do not expect us to deliver the missing part to you. Search for lemania 15 TL, get the parts list there and then you search for that part . And if you need that watchmaker, you bring the part and he charges you for replacing it. Fairly clear cut process..... If too complicated for you, pay what he asks and be happy. Good luck !
Thank you. I was not expecting that you deliver the part 😉
 
Dan S
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olivierw olivierw
It is an independent watchmaker ! What are you thoughts ?

Since you are so surprised by the cost, I assume that you have never used this watchmaker before, and so perhaps you don't have many options or experience. The cost of watch repair can vary quite a bit depending on location, so I always recommend that collectors should join local watch collector clubs and groups to make contacts with other collectors in their area. That way you can get better advice and information that is relevant to your particular geographic location.

I don't know what is involved beyond replacing that part, but 900 Euro ($1055 USD) is substantially more than I generally pay for a basic service for a manually wound column wheel chronograph. Recently I have been paying in the neighborhood of $500 for a basic service, with additional costs as needed for parts and repairs. If significant repairs are needed beyond basic COA, then the cost could be justified.

The cost of the part is high, but possibly it's rare and hard to find. Since I haven't looked for it, I don't know.
 
olivierw
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Dan S Dan S
Since you are so surprised by the cost, I assume that you have never used this watchmaker before, and so perhaps you don't have many options or experience. The cost of watch repair can vary quite a bit depending on location, so I always recommend that collectors should join local watch collector clubs and groups to make contacts with other collectors in their area. That way you can get better advice and information that is relevant to your particular geographic location.

I don't know what is involved beyond replacing that part, but 900 Euro ($1055 USD) is substantially more than I generally pay for a basic service for a manually wound column wheel chronograph. Recently I have been paying in the neighborhood of $500 for a basic service, with additional costs as needed for parts and repairs. If significant repairs are needed beyond basic COA, then the cost could be justified.

The cost of the part is high, but possibly it's rare and hard to find. Since I haven't looked for it, I don't know.

Thanks for your inputs Dan. Indeed, that will be my first experience with that particular watchmaker. I used to have other experiences with other watchmakers with more complex vintage chronograph (ie 321) and the cost of the service was significantly below 900 euros -> 350 to 500 euros for the "basic" service part, excluding some parts. I am not challenging the parts costs as I understand that finding it is already a challenge and takes time to the guy. Fair enough. I was just blown away by the fact that servicing a watch that already work and keeps good time is that expensive at that watchmaker. Maybe you are right, I am underestimating the efforts of replacing a mainspring and an operating spring levers (part that makes the pusher coming back in position), or maybe they just quote the service as a fair proportion of the watch value... Anyway, ill have a discussion with them to understand that number!
 
BlackTalon
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"working and keeping good time" does nothing to reduce the time needed for a disassembly, cleaning, thorough parts inspection and reassembly. (i.e., a 'proper service')
 
watchyouwant
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Go to watchesUlike.....search for your part. Caliber 15 cht. Any pictures about your movement? Description for parts can vary between languages.... Post a pics. what you need.....
 
Archer
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BlackTalon BlackTalon
"working and keeping good time" does nothing to reduce the time needed for a disassembly, cleaning, thorough parts inspection and reassembly. (i.e., a 'proper service')

Indeed - I have had a lot of watches brought to me with that description that require substantial work/repairs, as well as part replacements.
 
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