Omega MK40 Schumacher serial question

Posts

7

Likes

0

Stefan23

·Mar 3, 2020

Wish I was starting my first post with a different topic, however it is what it is. This week I purchased my second wristwatch before my 30th birthday an Omega MK40 Schumacher. I was careful to choose a reputable dealer from Chrono 24 with over 700 reviews, however when I received the watch was shocked to see it has no serial number on the case back.

This seem to be the later issue model without tritium dial. The watch itself keeps very good time +2s/day and it was straightforward to set the time. The dealer said the serial is present on the movement, however looking at other examples online they all seem to have the serial engraved on the back.

I really love this watch, it's character and keeps the time great. Was there an issue of this model with no serial number on the caseback?

Many thanks,
Stefan

 

Posts

132

Likes

153

mgmarsh39

·Mar 3, 2020

My guess is it was polished off. The caseback on my MK40 has a kind of machined look around the center.

 

Posts

7

Likes

0

Stefan23

·Mar 3, 2020

PS: I paid 2000 GBP no papers and I'm within the 14 days return policy

 

Posts

7

Likes

0

Stefan23

·Mar 3, 2020

mgmarsh39

My guess is it was polished off. The caseback on my MK40 has a kind of machined look around the center.

Why would someone polish a serial number on an Omega?

 

Posts

1,502

Likes

5,697

KingCrouchy

·Mar 3, 2020

Stefan23

Why would someone polish a serial number on an Omega?

Stupidity or a stolen Watch. Both are hurting the value of the Watch badly if you ever need to sell it.

 

Posts

3,947

Likes

6,767

Vercingetorix

·Mar 3, 2020·Spam Risk

Serial number will most likely be inked on the inside of the case back. Nothing here to see.

 

Posts

2,675

Likes

7,487

gostang9

·Mar 3, 2020

Most important is what you think, and then realize potential future buyers will likely worry about the same things...

 

Posts

7

Likes

0

Stefan23

·Mar 3, 2020

It is really sad to hear all of this, thank you for your valuable feedback! I really wanted this time piece and by the looks it seems all of them have the serial stamped on the case back...

 

Posts

3,947

Likes

6,767

Vercingetorix

·Mar 3, 2020·Spam Risk

Stefan23

It is really sad to hear all of this, thank you for your valuable feedback! I really wanted this time piece and by the looks it seems all of them have the serial stamped on the case back...

WRONG!
https://omegaforums.net/threads/no-serial-number-on-the-speedmaster-reduced.23345/

 

Posts

7

Likes

0

Stefan23

·Mar 3, 2020

Vercingetorix

WRONG!
https://omegaforums.net/threads/no-serial-number-on-the-speedmaster-reduced.23345/

I really hope this to apply to this model as well. Really love this watch and I thibk this particular model is underrated for the complications it has.

This is what the seller had to reply '' Hello, the serial number is un the movement. And you have the Chrono24 trusted checkout. This is your security. If something will be wrong (what we exclude, cause our Omega Level 3 watchmaker checked this watch) you have an official dokument. Kind regards''

My request is to have some formal feedback from their level 3 approved watchmaker.

Any wisdom in this case wouls be much appreciated

 

Posts

132

Likes

153

mgmarsh39

·Mar 3, 2020

Just saying it looks polished because here is the back of my MK40. Regardless it should be on the inside like others have mentioned.

 

Posts

1,325

Likes

5,829

rbob99

·Mar 3, 2020

It so happens there is a nice example of the Mk40 for sale on OF right now:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/red...53-“schumacher”-with-boxes-and-papers.108724/

(And while I know the seller, I have no financial interest in the watch.)

 

Posts

7

Likes

0

Stefan23

·Mar 4, 2020

So far only one person mentioned to come across not having a serial, so far we have either was careless polished or stolen watch history.
I was trying to find documentation about this model, but it seems there is not much out there besides the two variations tritium vs non-tritium dial
Do we have a consensus that it should be returned?

 

Posts

29,669

Likes

76,828

Archer

·Mar 4, 2020·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Stefan23

The dealer said the serial is present on the movement, however looking at other examples online they all seem to have the serial engraved on the back.

No - in this time period only COSC versions of Omega's 7750 based calibers received serial number on the movements, so this one will not have a serial number for the movement.

Vercingetorix

WRONG!
https://omegaforums.net/threads/no-serial-number-on-the-speedmaster-reduced.23345/

I just went back through the photos of the last 20 or so of these 7750 based Speedmasters that I've serviced, and none of them have the serial number printed inside the case back. I don't service the reduced models (modular chronograph models) so I don't have a lot of experience with them, but I don't believe your theory applies with the various Speedmaster Date models.

Stefan23

Do we have a consensus that it should be returned?

It's up to you, but with the serial number removed, and none present on the movement, Omega may refuse to service this watch in the future. Personally, for that sort of money I would send it back.

 

Posts

7

Likes

0

Stefan23

·Mar 6, 2020

Archer

No - in this time period only COSC versions of Omega's 7750 based calibers received serial number on the movements, so this one will not have a serial number for the movement.



I just went back through the photos of the last 20 or so of these 7750 based Speedmasters that I've serviced, and none of them have the serial number printed inside the case back. I don't service the reduced models (modular chronograph models) so I don't have a lot of experience with them, but I don't believe your theory applies with the various Speedmaster Date models.



It's up to you, but with the serial number removed, and none present on the movement, Omega may refuse to service this watch in the future. Personally, for that sort of money I would send it back.

Many thanks Archer and thank you to all Omegaforum community!

 

Posts

758

Likes

10,213

jB1128

·Mar 6, 2020

My MK40 has the serial number engraved on the outside of the case back, and as mentioned previously, it appears that the serial number may have been polished off the OP's example. Below is a magnified image of my never polished and sparingly worn example:

My question, @Archer or one of the more knowledgeable folks, is there a service replacement case back for this model that would not have included the engraved serial? Good luck OP!

Edited: Mar 7, 2020

 

Posts

29,669

Likes

76,828

Archer

·Mar 6, 2020·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Yes, a case back can be ordered with or without the serial number on it. To get it with the serial number, the original case back would have to be sent to Omega, since they don't want two parts with the same number on it floating around.

 

Posts

758

Likes

10,213

jB1128

·Mar 6, 2020

Archer

Yes, a case back can be ordered with or without the serial number on it. To get it with the serial number, the original case back would have to be sent to Omega, since they don't want two parts with the same number on it floating around.

Thanks for the response and for the information, makes a lot of sense why Omega would want the original case back returned.

So, in theory, the OP's watch could have a service replacement case back without the serial engraved...?

 

Posts

29,669

Likes

76,828

Archer

·Mar 6, 2020·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

jB1128

Thanks for the response and for the information, makes a lot of sense why Omega would want the original case back returned.

So, in theory, the OP's watch could have a service replacement case back without the serial engraved...?

Yes, but it's more likely that it has been removed during refinishing. First, case backs are not often replaced, and if they are it would be pretty unusual for a watchmaker that was in any way a professional, to change this part in a way that would eliminate the serial number from the watch entirely.