Hi new to the forum and could do with some advice. I own a Omega 6b/159 which was my great uncles. He was a navigator on the flying boats in Kent during WW2. The model is the later 1956 with a denison case but he did say he had the watch during his service so I guess it was recased then issued back to him. Its the one with the black face. I have been quoted £300 to service and replace balance shaft. Is it worth repairing it? Thanks for any replies.

Thanks John

 

Hi John,
Welcome to the forum. In general, you get the most reactions if you are able to post some high-res pics of the watch. That really gets the majority going.....

 

And by pics I mean: from outside front and back, inside (movement), inside back-cover and some overall pics. That might work....... Cheers, W

 

The watch is currently at the shop so cant take a pic but it is the same as this one.

 

We will wait for the high resolution pics then

 

Will be too late by then. Will get it fixed and take it from there. Thanks for your replies.

 

meanwhile...here's a better resolution of the one above...

 

Thanks for that.

 

300 quid to replace balance staff and perhaps do a coa strikes me as very excessive. Ive no doubt you can find far cheaper. Where are you located?

The watch is desirable and trades $800-1000.

 

Scarborough UK. Is at local omega agent.

 

Told me he had to make the balance shaft.

 

Nonsense.
Get in touch with John Senior.
http://www.obsoletewatchandclockparts.com

He's in West Yorkshire, perhaps a 100ish km away?

 

This is good advice. John Senior does quality work, and may have a part, as he specializes in military pieces. £300 is crazy.

The value of a 6b/159 '56, once working is highly variable based on overall condition. An nice one would generally fetch a bit under US$1000. I sold one recently for about that.

 

Will cancel work. Just hope he hasnt started. Thanks for the advice.

 

I would also consult John Senior, he was able to source a balance staff for me and the whole transaction went very well.

 

Thanks for your help. Cancelled the work but said he would charge admin fee. Will try and get it sorted after Christmas.

 

Admin fee? Custom made staff?
Threaten to report local agent to Basel; this guys's taking the piss, in your speak.

 

Just been to pick up the watch. Sizer jewellers in Scarborough have charged me a £25.00 admin fee. I paid the fee and told her I was not happy and paying under duress. I told the female assistant in the shop that the part was available through an independent, and that I have been on the forum and asked questions. She was very rude and would not let me pay until she had her say. Told me that she did not want me bad mouthing the shop on the forum, and that if it was not available through Omega then that is all they check. Very, very poor customer service. I have never had an argument with someone in a shop before.

Thanks for all your advice.

John

 

Here in the US, I would simply pay by credit card to get the watch back, and then immediately dispute the charge. Unless you agreed in writing to pay a fee for the price quote, there is no way under US law that the shop would prevail. I think this situation will become increasingly common now that Omega and other major Swiss brands are cutting off the supply of replacement parts.