Omega closing down archives extract service??

S

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steversaurus

·May 31, 2023

I've always wondered how much work actually goes into the EOAs. The records can't all be still in their original hand written state can they? I would think they would have at the very least had some intern throw the info into an excel file.

 

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Dan S

·May 31, 2023

It's funny that they went through a major overhaul of the process a couple of years ago, and now they are shutting it down. At the time, I had the impression that they were digitizing their records to make the process easier and faster, although maybe that was just a fiction.

 

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pkincy

·May 31, 2023

May be true, may not be. I got one just 2 weeks ago and have applications in for 2 more. They have changed their system for certificates of authenticity I have been told. The watch needs to go to NY apparently. Also on my last 2 abstract pplications only the Boutique Manager could make the Abstract application.

 

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JimInOz

·Jun 1, 2023·Melbourne Australia

S steversaurus

I've always wondered how much work actually goes into the EOAs. The records can't all be still in their original hand written state can they? I would think they would have at the very least had some intern throw the info into an excel file.

I was lucky enough to be shown the archive of a Swatch brand a few years ago.
All hand written (some with quill pen/ink) and going back a couple of hundred years+ and up until the end of the 20th century.
I imagine anyone assigned to transcribing that info would go mental very quickly.

Edited: Jun 1, 2023

 

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blubarb

·Jun 1, 2023·IG: #blubarb19

pdxleaf

Every human on the Earth alive today will be dead in 120 years.

We're all ephemera. Best not to think too much about it. 😁

As the Buddha says, attachment is the cause of all suffering, or something like that. I believe most Omega owners prefer attachment over suffering, so please bring some clarity or reinstall asap. 😀

 

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gemini4

·Jun 1, 2023·Hoarder Of Speed et alia

I reached out to Omega and was informed they have a "technical issue".🍿

 

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jaegodylan

·Jun 1, 2023

Worth reading this story.. https://omegaforums.net/threads/phillips-auction-speedmaster-a-3-000-000-fake.160146/

Seems a few insiders handed a seller a suitable serial from the archives and they had a new bridge made for the 3.5 million Speedy.

I would doubt the sudden shuttering of the department is unrelated.

 

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Evitzee

·Jun 1, 2023

There has been some hanky panky at some of the Houses, including the big Kahuna in Geneve, where insiders doctored what was in the archives to line up with the actual watch of today. When big money is involved in having the 'right' details for auction or another sales venue this is a natural temptation. Some of this has happened with vintage Omegas, too. People here will buy an extract for their own use, but Omega saw some fraud taking place around issued Extracts when the watches turned up at auction soon after with the experts noticing the flaws in the piece. Maybe Omega is tightening up the procedure, or maybe they will just shut this service down if it can't provide reliable, consistent results.

 

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MSNWatch

·Jun 1, 2023·Vintage Omega Aficionado

Omega should digitize their archives and make access available by subscription. As a watch company that likes to promote "cutting edge" developments in movement technology they should do the same to their vintage archives. After all their watch history underpins their modern success.

 

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gatorcpa

·Jun 1, 2023·ΩF InvestiGator

The Swiss tend to be very insular and proprietary. I just don’t see any Swiss watch company allowing the public into their computer system to obtain data.

It’s not a matter of technology. That’s been there for years. It’s just the way it is.
gatorcpa

 

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pdxleaf

·Jun 1, 2023·"I cut it TWICE and it's still short!"

If you’re reading this Omega, I volunteer to work on transcribing your records. I will pay my own way to the you. I just ask for a room and croissants. Pm me anytime.

 

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mac_omega

·Jun 1, 2023

pdxleaf

I volunteer to work on transcribing your records

Actually there is no need to do so - all watches/data which were kept on microfiche have already been digitised.
There is computer access to the archive for watches younger than about 1939
Older watches must be searched in the large leather-bound books/tomes by their case serial# and not by the movement#. But these are mostly PWs and other rare early watches.
I am not sure if it is necessary to also digitise the data for the old watches - this would be an immense effort...

 

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mac_omega

·Jun 1, 2023

MSNWatch

Omega should digitize their archives

Most of the "younger" data are already digitised - however what is still missing is the access by subscription for collectors

 

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WurstEver

·Jun 1, 2023

Evitzee

Maybe Omega is tightening up the procedure, or maybe they will just shut this service down if it can't provide reliable, consistent results.

On reliability, I was surprised a little while back to have an extract refused on grounds that I was able to demonstrate to the heritage team staff were incorrect, thanks to the help of someone with access to relevant information. Seemed like wilful ignorance, which was pretty disappointing. I just dropped it (along with 120 CHF 😁), but I can imagine enough cases of this kind might have led to some questions being asked internally.

Edited: Jun 1, 2023

 

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pdxleaf

·Jun 1, 2023·"I cut it TWICE and it's still short!"

mac_omega

Actually there is no need to do so - all watches/data which were kept on microfiche have already been digitised.
There is computer access to the archive for watches younger than about 1939
Older watches must be searched in the large leather-bound books/tomes by their case serial# and not by the movement#

Interesting. So the decision to cease issuing extracts would seem to arise not so much from the effort needed to research the data, but perhaps primarily from the legal risks to Omega from lending their credence to the authenticity of a vintage watch, (as has been suggested in the other thread about the 3 mill Speedy sold in auction.) If it is due to their adversion to the risk, then extracts may truly be a thing of the past.

 

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sathomasga

·Jun 1, 2023

mac_omega

There is computer access to the archive for watches younger than about 1939
Older watches must be searched in the large leather-bound books/tomes by their case serial# and not by the movement#. But these are mostly PWs and other rare early watches.

I have a pocket watch with a movement serial number dating to ~ 1935 and a case serial number to ~ 1936. I had been thinking about ordering an extract just out of curiousity. Looks like I missed my chance. Even if they ever do restart the service, I assume they'll be tempted to limit it to digitized data. Shame.

 

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mac_omega

·Jun 1, 2023

sathomasga

I assume they'll be tempted to limit it to digitized data

No, I don´t think so. If they relaunch the service you will be able to get your EoA but it will be much more work for the staff of course.

 

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Aroxx

·Jun 1, 2023

Is there a name for the law that one jerk will always ruin a good thing for everyone? Please don’t name it after me. Maybe we can call it Towboat’s Law. That or we attribute it to JDubs.

 

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SpeedyPhill

·Jun 2, 2023

temporarily or indefinite... lots of things going on, 2023 is already their 175th anniversary to be remembered ... what's next ? 🍿

 

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SpeedyPhill

·Jun 2, 2023

pdxleaf

If you’re reading this Omega, I volunteer to work on transcribing your records. I will pay my own way to the you. I just ask for a room and croissants. Pm me anytime.

👍
I know at least half-a-dozen volunteers who offered to correct the mistakes in the three language versions of 860 pages book 📖
Omega - A Journey Through Time
Omega - Voyage à travers le Temps
Omega - Reise durch die Zeit