Omega Dynamic Chronograph 3rd Gen

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Keyvan Behnam

·Nov 24, 2021

Hi,

I have an Omega Dynamic Chronograph which I bought around 2003. I have not worn the watch very much in recent years, but I had it serviced recently at a local Jewelry shop that works on Omegas. Despite the service, I continue to have issues with the power reserve. I start the morning rotating the crown CW about 40 turns. The watch is accurate as long as it is on my hand, but will generally lose power within 5 or 6 hours when removed. The service shop examined the watch and says that everything, including the main spring, is in perfect order; they think that the issue is with my activity. I don't believe this to be the case because my other automatic watch which has a 40 hour power reserve has no issues. The Omega, however, even died on a watch winder that I purchased for resolving the power reserve issue. I am not sure if a 40 degree angle watch winder, rotating clockwise and counterclockwise at 2280 tpd is suitable, but any ideas on what could be wrong or where I might be able to take the watch to resolve the issue. I am guessing that my watch winder added to the problem, but any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I love the watch and it is otherwise in perfect condition.

 

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sleepyastronaut

·Nov 24, 2021

Hey Keyvan,

Welcome to the forum!

Pics of your watch?

Give us your location and someone here will recommend a watchmaker who won't blame their own incompetence on you. 😁

 

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padders

·Nov 25, 2021·Oooo subtitles!

That model uses a modular movement with separate chrono and timekeeping units piggybacked. It is very similar in that respect to the Speedmaster Reduced. Independent watchmakers without parts account have no access at all to the parts for the chrono module. As a result most won’t touch that part of the mechanism which can lead to issues since the hand drive passes through this so even if the timekeeping movement is serviced and a new main spring fitted it can still run badly. Even those watchmakers with parts accounts can find these troublesome since there are no parts at all for the chrono module, it is entirely replaced at service time. Find a better watchmaker who will service the chrono module or pay up for an official Omega service. There is no other option with these, a part service is really no service at all.

 

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MtV

·Nov 25, 2021

What @padders said and no matter what you do, lose your watchmaker. Your activity is completely irrelevant for a power reserve of 5 (!) hours after 40 manual turns. It’s them being either lazy or incompetent.

 

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Keyvan Behnam

·Nov 25, 2021

Thank you so much for all of your replies. The watchmaker is a nice guy but you I can't shake my hand all day to keep up with these power requirements. I live in Ventura County, California and I work in Pasadena, California. I basically have access to the Greater Los Angeles area.

It may be my imagination, but I believe that the accuracy of the watch improves when I engage the Chrono. Either way, I will consider the significant cost of the recent service a lesson learned. Any recommendations for watchmakers would be greatly appreciated. I just want the watch to run like it was meant to run.

Thanks again.

 

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sleepyastronaut

·Nov 25, 2021

Cali:

calalum

Second Time Around on South Beverly Dr.

140dave

LA Watchworks is very good from my experience as is Nesbits in Seattle.

USA, outside Cali:

SkunkPrince

@GMOG in New Mexico is well trusted by me and a few others here who have taken advantage of his services.

ahsposo

There's a watchmaker I have used sorta, kinda near you. Here's a link to TM Watch

The website is all about case refinishing but they do service movements, too. If you don't want anything spiffed up, tell them or ask they consult first.

 

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Archer

·Nov 25, 2021·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

K Keyvan Behnam

Thank you so much for all of your replies. The watchmaker is a nice guy but you I can't shake my hand all day to keep up with these power requirements. I live in Ventura County, California and I work in Pasadena, California. I basically have access to the Greater Los Angeles area.

It may be my imagination, but I believe that the accuracy of the watch improves when I engage the Chrono. Either way, I will consider the significant cost of the recent service a lesson learned. Any recommendations for watchmakers would be greatly appreciated. I just want the watch to run like it was meant to run.

Thanks again.

Send it to Omega.

 

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Keyvan Behnam

·Nov 25, 2021

Wow! I never expected to get this many responses so quickly when I posted on this forum. LA Watchworks is right next to my work. Maybe I'll show them the Dynamic, but having spent over $400 without any results makes me a little apprehensive. If Archer is a watchmaker and recommends sending it to Omega, maybe that's what I should do? Their service center is in Culver City, but I was not originally certain if the Swatch Group would do a great job. I imagined that they are not solely dedicated to servicing Omegas.

Thank you all. It's hard to argue with a watchmaker when he is adamant that there is nothing wrong with the watch. Of least I know I am not imagining things; Padders's comment resonates with what I am seeing with my own eyes, There is definitely some kind of interaction between the chrono and the rest of the movement. This morning when I tried to reset the time, the time movement would not engage until I started the Chrono. I'll do whatever is required to get this fixed, but I won't be purchasing more chronographs. 😀

Edited: Nov 26, 2021

 

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Archer

·Nov 25, 2021·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

K Keyvan Behnam

but having spent over $400 without any results makes me a little apprehensive.

I suspect for that sort of money, which is low for a chronograph, they didn't fully service everything. They likely serviced the base movement, and didn't touch the chronograph module.

 

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sleepyastronaut

·Nov 25, 2021

K Keyvan Behnam

If Archer is a watchmaker and recommends sending it to Omega, maybe that's what I should do?

Agreed

 

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ConElPueblo

·Nov 25, 2021

K Keyvan Behnam

I'll do whatever is required to get this fixed, but I won't be purchasing more chronometers 😀

Huh?

This has nothing to do with the type of watch, but the skills of the watchmaker.

 

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Keyvan Behnam

·Nov 25, 2021

ConElPueblo

Huh?

This has nothing to do with the type of watch, but the skills of the watchmaker.

Yes, I understand. If you know a skillful watchmaker, I am sure that you avoid many issues. The problem stems from the fact that many shops in Southern California advertise that they service Omega watches, without specifying the types of watches that they repair. In the old days that was not really the case.

Recently, there were a couple of places that I contacted which replied that they do not service chronographs. The particular shop that I used indicated that it would not be a problem. To Archer's point, however, the price they charge is $400 plus parts, irrespective of whether the watch is a chronographs. Pretty much, I did not know what I was doing or what questions to ask. I certainly can't evaluate the skill base of a watchmaker, but I am competent enough to know when my watch is not working. I believe that I have a good starting point now for getting it fixed. This forum is very active and a great source of information. I am fortunate to have posted here.

Edited: Nov 26, 2021

 

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ConElPueblo

·Nov 25, 2021

K Keyvan Behnam

Yes, I understand. If you know a skillful watchmaker, I am sure that you avoid many issues. The problem stems from the fact that many shops in Southern California advertise that they service Omega watches, without specifying the types of watches that they repair. In the old days that was not really the case.

The modular chronograph is really not very well liked by watchmakers. My own, who I hold in very high regard, won't service my Dynamic Chronograph, as he hasn't got access to a special movement holder that apparently is only for Omega-certified shops. He is Omega-trained, but this is the first I have experienced him refusing to service 🙁

 

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padders

·Nov 25, 2021·Oooo subtitles!

Our very own Al, who I note has posted above and who clearly has forgotten more than most watchmakers know won't touch these so read into that what you will. As the man says: send it to Omega.

ps I speak from bitter experience, my Dynamic Chrono went to 3 UK watchmakers before being truly sorted.

 

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Keyvan Behnam

·Nov 25, 2021

OK. Based on the specific issues with this watch, it seems clear that I need to send it to Omega. When I look on their site, the nearest service center to me is in Culver City, CA:

The Swatch Group US Inc.
600 Corporate Pointe
Suite #110
Culver City, CA 90230
90230 Culver City
United States

Is sending it to this particular facility adequate? Do I have a choice and does it make a difference?

 

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sirtaifun

·Nov 26, 2021

I would suggest to send your watch to Omega Biel Switzerland but I learned from other members here that there can be work made on parts like dial or case even if you said specific no to those.
On the other side they did an amazing job on my Constellation.

 

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Claven2

·Nov 26, 2021

Easiest for you is go to an omega dealer and have them send to the service center on your behalf.

K Keyvan Behnam

OK. Based on the specific issues with this watch, it seems clear that I need to send it to Omega. When I look on their site, the nearest service center to me is in Culver City, CA:

The Swatch Group US Inc.
600 Corporate Pointe
Suite #110
Culver City, CA 90230
90230 Culver City
United States

Is sending it to this particular facility adequate? Do I have a choice and does it make a difference?

 

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padders

·Nov 26, 2021·Oooo subtitles!

Send it to your local official Omega service centre or as noted above take it to a Boutique or AD and let them handle it. Your dial and hand lume is SL so even if they chose to change the hands, there will be no difference in look. Something this age doesn't need to go to Bienne IMO.

ps note that Troels version looks to have the older Tritium lume, more care is needed with parts changing there as a mismatch can look bad.

 

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sirtaifun

·Nov 26, 2021

In Biel we trust 😁

 

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Keyvan Behnam

·Nov 26, 2021

I am suffering from decision fatigue so I decided to drop it off at the nearest authorized Omega dealer for sending to the service center. I'll let you guys know how it goes. Thanks again for all of the advice.