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Omega Moonwatch Service Options for WA Residents

L
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Hello chaps,
My Omega Moonwatch failed today. The crown had progressively got very hard to pull out and today in my frustration I subsequently over-wound the watch. Now it will not run and the stop-watch (chronograph?) function will not work.
I thought there might be a local service center. However, it seems I have to mail it to New Jersey. 馃槙
What would you advise? I saw online an estimate for official Omega service at more than $1000. Do I need to pay that or could I trust a local independent man to do the service? I am retired and am a bit daunted bu the Omega $1000 estimate.
Thanks for any help. 馃憤
 
mydeafcat
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I鈥檓 unsure where you are in WA but here鈥檚 a left field suggestion if you鈥檙e not far from the border: drive into Vancouver. The exchange rate may make it worthwhile.

There is an OB in downtown Vancouver. Exceptional customer service. They may send your Speedy off to either Toronto (Omega Canada), or two blocks east to a terrific AD called Time and Gold - over 50 years in Vancouver) who happen to be Omega鈥檚 certified Western Canadian repair centre. You can always go straight to Time and Gold. They鈥檙e a fine AD who sold Omega for decades until Omega opened the OB for the 2010 Olympics.
 
L
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Thanks very much, mydeafcat!
Well I am in Everett WA and don't own a car so going to Vancouver is not a trivial task. I shall certainly think some more about your suggestion.
I truly appreciate your help. 馃憤
 
Dan S
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First of all, I really don't think any of this is your fault. It sounds like the watch was overdue for service and various problems were occurring. You didn't "overwind" the watch, that's mostly a myth.

You haven't mentioned the age of the watch, but unless it is from the 70s or earlier, my inclination would be to send the watch to NJ. An independent watchmaker with a parts account would be able to repair it, but it's not easy to determine who actually has a parts account. And while the Swatch Service Center in NJ will replace parts for that inclusive price, most independent watchmakers will charge you a base price and add the cost of any parts needed. So even if the original estimate is less from an independent watchmaker, the final cost may not end up being less. And if I recall correctly, the service center will provide a two year warranty, which is hard to beat.

If you already had a trusted local independent watchmaker with an Omega parts account, then the story would be different.

Edit: I'd suggest that you indicate the age of the watch before deciding where to send it.
Edited:
 
AshUK
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There is a Seattle based Omega / Swatch service center in downtown. I dropped off and collected my watch from them last year when they serviced it for me. I've added their details on the link below.

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/store/storedetails/O1724613

There is also Nesbits, which is about a 5 min walk from the above. They are a family owned business, but fully Omega certified, in fact Toms son used to be the main watchmaker in the Omega center, but I'm not sure if he still is. They tend to be a little cheaper, and slightly quicker. They are also very friendly, so you can drop it off and have a chat with them about the issues, and they will talk you through the process.


Good luck!
 
JimInOz
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Dan S Dan S
Edit: I'd suggest that you indicate the age of the watch before deciding where to send it.
Yeah, it's probably just an old beater like this.

old 2998.webp
 
JimInOz
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L LastGreekLetter
My Omega Moonwatch failed today.
馃檨
You'rel getting some good guidance here, I hope you can get your watch sorted.

Any chance of a photograph or two?

Cheers
Jim
 
L
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AshUK AshUK
There is a Seattle based Omega / Swatch service center in downtown. I dropped off and collected my watch from them last year when they serviced it for me. I've added their details on the link below.

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/store/storedetails/O1724613

There is also Nesbits, which is about a 5 min walk from the above. They are a family owned business, but fully Omega certified, in fact Toms son used to be the main watchmaker in the Omega center, but I'm not sure if he still is. They tend to be a little cheaper, and slightly quicker. They are also very friendly, so you can drop it off and have a chat with them about the issues, and they will talk you through the process.


Good luck!
Hello AshUK,
Thanks for your message. 馃憤 I called the number shown in the link that you inserted and I got the "The number that you dialed is not in service". I shall try to find Nesbits on the web.
 
pdxleaf
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L LastGreekLetter
Hello AshUK,
Thanks for your message. 馃憤 I called the number shown in the link that you inserted and I got the "The number that you dialed is not in service". I shall try to find Nesbits on the web.

You've got me curious. I'll drive by the Omega address next week to try to find out if they are open and get contact info.
 
L
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JimInOz JimInOz
馃檨
You'rel getting some good guidance here, I hope you can get your watch sorted.

Any chance of a photograph or two?

Cheers
Jim
Hello Jim,
I made progress based on the help I got in this foru
Omega Moonwatch.webp
m. I have now confirmed two options in Seattle, Nesbits and Omega Swatch Group.
As requested I am attaching a photo I just took of my watch. I guess it looks like every other Omega Speedmaster but I am a complete novice when it comes to watches. I just feel the watch is worth spending some money on.
Cheerio!
 
duc
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I wholeheartedly concur with giving Nesbits a try. They have done 2 Omegas and a Rolly for me. Service was 8 -12 weeks and outstanding. When my next Omega shows up (1st Gen PO), it will immediately be sent to Nesbits for spa treatment before use. I just have to wait until fights from the UAE resume suitably...
 
Evitzee
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I used Nesbit's a few years ago on my Mark II from 1973. They did a great job on it, were able to use the original dial, hands and crystal. I'd use them again.
 
pdxleaf
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@LastGreekLetter, I visited the Seattle location today. They are still in service and receiving work. Here is their local phone number:
20260403_122028.webp


They're on the 14th floor and allow walk-ins for either warranty work or any service. I asked them to check my Speedy and they said it didn't need service after the timegrapher showed high amplitude and only losing 2 secs per day. They did this as I waited without a prior appointment. Omega is serviced there, in house. Other Swatch brands are accepted but sent out.

They don't sell parts but you can order bracelets or even clasps. For example, depending on the reference, they could get a new clasp and swap it into an older style bracelet for you.

It's a nice option for anyone in the PNW. Nesbitt quoted me prices higher than Omega's, and of course Omega replaces a lot of parts as part of the service without additional fees.

Good luck, and hope this is helpful.
20260403_121304.webp 20260403_123542.webp 20260403_123540.webp
 
L
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Hello again pdxleaf,
Thank you sincerely for remembering my request. It's very kind of you and the information is very much appreciated.
I am still very much undecided about which watch repair service to use. I have read a lot online since we last exchanged messages and it seems that many people think that Swiss watch repair centers IN GENERAL are, to put it bluntly, a rip-off. The Swatch group will not supply replacement parts to "unauthorised" independent watch repair people, thereby tying you into their repair service. I don't know who to believe and so keep changing my mind. There is a local watch repair service here in Everett called Country Clock. They claim to have an onsite repair man and that he does "overhaul complicated chronographs". They are likely to be much less expensive than Omega but I do not have great confidence in them as yet. Anyway, here is a link to them: http://www.countryclock.com/.
Right now I am inclined perhaps to "bite the bullet" and use the Omega service in Seattle.
Thanks again. I really appreciate your help.
 
Taddyangle
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I would avoid the clock shop, and most likely they are not able to purchase Omega parts anyway.

I use Omega for my modern watch service and an independent watch maker for vintage. The main issue with Omega service center is that they will change the hands, and polish the case. Which you don't want.

You can check out TM Watch Co, he does great work. He serviced two of my Omega watches.
 
L
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Taddyangle Taddyangle
I would avoid the clock shop, and most likely they are not able to purchase Omega parts anyway.

I use Omega for my modern watch service and an independent watch maker for vintage. The main issue with Omega service center is that they will change the hands, and polish the case. Which you don't want.

You can check out TM Watch Co, he does great work. He serviced two of my Omega watches.
Thank you for your reply. I visited the clock shop yesterday and the proprietor candidly advised me to use the official Omega service. I respected her candour.
I had also earlier called the Omega service centre in Seattle and the lady confirmed what you said, that all the hands and the crystal MUST be changed.
FYI I also got a repair estimate from the MailInRepair company. https://mailinwatchrepair.com/. They were cheaper than Omega.
Having mused on this issue, (i.e. repair as "functional" or repair as "original"), I have come to the conclusion that I am in the "functional" camp. However, I shall do some research on the TM Watch Co, too.
Thanks again! 馃憤
 
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