OMEGA making me replace hands or no warranty on service! See my last post!!

I have an older Speedmaster Reduced, which I bought used in the mid-90's. It's been sitting in a drawer for over 10 years so I thought it was high time to have it fully serviced. It got dropped on a tiled floor -it still ran but clearly was damaged. At the time, I did not want to spend the money and instead got a great deal on a brand new Seamaster 300 auto for about the same price as the repair.

Last week, I took the Speedmaster to an authorized Omega service center here in Seattle, who shall remain nameless at their request. They were very kind to explain to me that for my watch, the service actually entailed a replacement of the movement, which would be done by sending it back to Omega directly. They recommended that I take it to the Omega retail store to arrange to have it sent back to the Omega Service Center. I appreciated the information and honesty.

I took the watch into the retail store and it was sent back to the service center with the understanding that the cost of service was estimated at $750 with the understanding that the service center may request additional repairs once they have evaluated the watch. I have no issues with the $750.

Here's the issue, Omega wants to replace the bezel for another $177 plus tax. I had a bad crash on my bicycle while wearing the watch. As you can imagine it took a serious shock, including what I thought was cosmetic damage to the bezel and the hexalite crystal. After the crash, I had said watch repaired by a very reputable watchmaker who has since passed on. The watchmaker repaired the movement, replaced the crystal, pressure tested the case to spec, and said nothing about the bezel. It ran fine until I dropped it on the tile floor.

Back to the present. Omega evaluated the watch and I was told the bezel "took a shock" (I know that - I sustained a concussion and three broken ribs!). However, I did not understand why the bezel needed replacement. I asked the retail person if this affected the mechanical operation. She went back to Omega and their explanation was the bezel needed to be replaced because "it might fall off." Nothing was said about the damage affecting the operation and integrity of the case.

I have no issues with the outward appearance of the watch. Yes, it has battle scars. From what I read you don't necessarily want to replace everything on a vintage watch to make it look new again. At the same time, this is not what I consider a highly collectible watch (right?).

Should I spend the money to replace the bezel? Am I being upsold? The service already includes replacing the hands since they are no longer luminous, which would be nice.

Please advise.

Apologies for the long-winded post, but I wanted to include as much information and history as possible.

Thank you!

Pictures are appreciated around here and may help to garner thoughts and opinions...

Good point. Unfortunately, the watch presently is with Omega awaiting further instructions.

I'm lucky, I got most of my bicycle crashing over before owning a decent watch. But if I had a watch that survived "concussion and three broken ribs" I'd want it to reflect that. No glow from the old hands? That's what the flashlight/torch on your cell/mobile phone is for.

Here, you can borrow my Reduced until Omega return your survivor.

Do you truly think anyone values these watches other than their current owners?

Seriously, I would let Omega do whatever they want to it and you will get back a new watch.

Thank you! that put a smile on my face!

Excellent observation! I'm never going to sell it. Probably going to give the watch to my second son at some point.
E.

So you say to your son "I had a very bad bicycle crash wearing this!" And it looks like new now, yeah, right. @SkunkPrince is correct in that the value is not to anyone else, it's to you and whoever you pass it on to. It's your history.

Yes, I agree. You choose what you want to do for the reasons you have. I would get it restored to new...but that's me.

There is no shame in from anyone here if you choose otherwise.

My father mostly took care of his toys...

By the way, my mother treasured the restorations I did of some of her antique furniture. Peeling off a dozen coats of white lead to reveal the vintage oak beneath is some satisfaction.

Here is what I decided to do. After all of your advice and speaking to a collector friend I split the baby.

Replace bezel.
Keep the hands.
Okay to buff case.
Instructed the service center not to repair or modify the face.

It will look like new without losing the look of the original hands and face.

I'll post a photo when I get it back.

Cheers everyone!

E.

Well, the saga continues! Omega will NOT give me the two-year warranty if I don't let them replace the hands. What the HECK!
SIGH! Part of paying for the factory service is to get the two-year warranty!

They will send the old hands back. Given that I do not intend to sell the watch and it is not a huge collectible, should I just go ahead and replace the hands? Find another independent authorized service watchmaker? (I already took it to one here in Seattle and they recommended the factory service and the upgrade on the movement).

Any advice from the wise minds here?

If Omega wants to replace something, you really don't have a choice other than getting the watch back and taking it somewhere else. At this point, you have a decision to make. Do you want it to look new or do you want your vintage watch just running well and wearable. With some watches, restoring to new has a huge hit on the value, with a Speedmaster reduced, I don't think it will matter. If this was a 60's/70's Speedmaster, then we'd be having a very different conversation. Personally, I would get it restored to new by Omega. When they do so, I believe they should send you ALL the replaced parts (somebody please correct me if I'm wrong). In that case, you'll get the hands and bezel back. If it really bothers you after two years, you can always get the old bezel and hands put back on. The lesson/rule here is: don't send an older watch to the manufacturer if you simply want to get it running/serviced...instead find a skilled local.

In my opinion, there are two options:

1. Take the watch back and get it serviced at an independent Omega watchmaker.

2. Let Omega replace the hands and put the originals back on later.

Get new hands and a new dial to match for the lume and suck it up, buttercup. It's not collectible, really. Why not have it as new, then?