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Omega parts order..... is this normal??

Yo32Leigh
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I've recently tried to order a replacement crown for my 1976 Seamaster Quartz via my local Omega store.

Below is the response I received:

"After trying to get one of the crowns ordered for you, I encountered a problem. Omega is only willing to sell the crown if they fit it alongside a service, with it being a vintage watch. This is the only solution I can offer, as I cannot simply order the crown for you unfortunately"

Does this sound like normal Omega policy or just the store just trying to upsell?
 
Davidt
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No it’s policy.

Omega no longer sell parts to resellers. The only way to access them is via Omega service centre or Omega authorised watch makers.
 
Yo32Leigh
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Davidt Davidt
No it’s policy.

Omega no longer sell parts to resellers. The only way to access them is via Omega service centre or Omega authorised watch makers.
🙁
 
Davidt
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It’s a pain as up to a few years ago you could buy crowns, hands, crystals, movement parts etc from Cousins in the UK. Now it’s very slim pickings based on what they have left.
 
JwRosenthal
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Yo32Leigh Yo32Leigh
🙁
Yeah- it’s been policy for a few years. Since it’s not a very popular model, you can try to hit Cousins or Otto Frei and see if they have any remaining in their stock- you might get lucky
 
Davidt
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Yeah- it’s been policy for a few years. Since it’s not a very popular model, you can try to hit Cousins or Otto Frei and see if they have any remaining in their stock- you might get lucky

That’s a good point, Cousins do have some parts in stock still so certainly worth checking.
 
Dan S
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Davidt Davidt
No it’s policy.

Omega no longer sell parts to resellers. The only way to access them is via Omega service centre or Omega authorised watch makers.

I think the OP is saying that Omega would not sell the part to the AD. It is my understanding that not all parts are available to people with parts accounts. This is also true of other brands.
 
Davidt
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Dan S Dan S
I think the OP is saying that Omega would not sell the part to the AD. It is my understanding that not all parts are available to people with parts accounts. This is also true of other brands.

Ah I missed that he tried to buy it from the local AD.

I think the same applies though. Even though the AD are clearly authorised, they won’t just sell loose parts to people to fit themselves, it needs to be done as part of a service.

There’s is the valid point though about some calibers being Bienne only.
 
Dan S
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Davidt Davidt
Even though the AD are clearly authorised, they won’t just sell loose parts to people to fit themselves, it needs to be done as part of a service.

We would have to ask @Archer, but I don't know that Omega makes independents with parts accounts justify how they will use the parts. I suspect that if Al wanted to replace a part without performing a full service, he could do it.
 
C
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Dan S Dan S
We would have to ask @Archer, but I don't know that Omega makes independents with parts accounts justify how they will use the parts. I suspect that if Al wanted to replace a part without performing a full service, he could do it.
I suspect that authorized parts account holders are prevented by contract from selling parts outside of a service, under threat of losing the account. Selling directly is a significant threat to their livelihood.
 
Archer
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Davidt Davidt
Ah I missed that he tried to buy it from the local AD.

I think the same applies though. Even though the AD are clearly authorised, they won’t just sell loose parts to people to fit themselves, it needs to be done as part of a service.

There’s is the valid point though about some calibers being Bienne only.

AD’s aren’t watchmakers, so Omega won’t necessarily sell parts to an AD. There are exceptions for things like straps and bracelets.

If the AD has a certified watchmaker on staff, with a fully approved shop, then they could buy parts and do the work on site.

Dan S Dan S
We would have to ask @Archer, but I don't know that Omega makes independents with parts accounts justify how they will use the parts. I suspect that if Al wanted to replace a part without performing a full service, he could do it.

Indeed. Being an independent watchmaker means I can service watches as I see fit. Mind you, I don’t personally accept watches that aren’t getting a full service, but that’s my rule, not Omega’s.

C ChiefMark
I suspect that authorized parts account holders are prevented by contract from selling parts outside of a service, under threat of losing the account. Selling directly is a significant threat to their livelihood.

Correct. Again this is only for certain parts, so I can sell bracelets or straps, but not movement or case parts.
 
Dan S
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Yes, I was assuming that this AD had a watchmaker with a parts account, and that they were planning to install the crown. Lots of assumptions.
 
Davidt
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Archer Archer
AD’s aren’t watchmakers, so Omega won’t necessarily sell parts to an AD. There are exceptions for things like straps and bracelets.

If the AD has a certified watchmaker on staff, with a fully approved shop, then they could buy parts and do the work on site.


Correct. Again this is only for certain parts, so I can sell bracelets or straps, but not movement or case parts.

In the UK, where I believe the OP is from, very few ADs have watchmakers on staff so this is the most likely scenario I would think. AD simply cannot buy the part and the only option they could present to the OP is to send in for official service. Obviously OP can confirm.
 
MRC
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Davidt Davidt
In the UK, where I believe the OP is from, very few ADs have watchmakers on staff so this is the most likely scenario I would think. AD simply cannot buy the part and the only option they could present to the OP is to send in for official service. Obviously OP can confirm.
In the UK where a local AD used to change batteries on my late '70s Seamaster Quartz in an hour now they want to send it to Omega for six weeks and charge 5x what it used to be. Six weeks out of a modern battery life of less than 50 weeks is a chunk of change to loose. A local shop with mid-range Seikos as their high point change the battery at reasonable cost in a couple of hours. Yeah they don't check the water resistance but my view is that it's the last watch I would ever want to take to sea.
 
DON
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If you know the case reference number and movement caliber. Try different parts suppliers

Not listing your location makes it difficult to recommend parts suppliers

DON
 
Foo2rama
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Davidt Davidt
Ah I missed that he tried to buy it from the local AD.

I think the same applies though. Even though the AD are clearly authorised, they won’t just sell loose parts to people to fit themselves, it needs to be done as part of a service.

There’s is the valid point though about some calibers being Bienne only.
AD’s are not authorized for parts.


Too me this is simple. They are not Omega authorized for service and as such do not have a parts account.

There is no mystery. I’m sure one or two of the authorized watchmakers on this forum can confirm he part.
 
Davidt
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Foo2rama Foo2rama
AD’s are not authorized for parts.


Too me this is simple. They are not Omega authorized for service and as such do not have a parts account.

There is no mystery. I’m sure one or two of the authorized watchmakers on this forum can confirm he part.

Unless they have a watchmaker in house.
 
JimInOz
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Davidt Davidt
Unless they have a watchmaker in house.

As Al noted

"If the AD has a certified watchmaker on staff, with a fully approved shop, then they could buy parts and do the work on site."
 
precisionhrlgy
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Davidt Davidt
Ah I missed that he tried to buy it from the local AD.

I think the same applies though. Even though the AD are clearly authorised, they won’t just sell loose parts to people to fit themselves, it needs to be done as part of a service.

There’s is the valid point though about some calibers being Bienne only.
Just another point - calibers that are Bienne Only applies to the Omega Service centre. Watchmaker’s with Omega parts accounts can still order parts for some Bienne Only calibers.
 
MtV
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Archer Archer
Mind you, I don’t personally accept watches that aren’t getting a full service, but that’s my rule, not Omega’s.

Out of curiosity, if I may: Would you accept a watch you’ve serviced yourself previously for a “minor” repair without a service? Let’s say you performed your magic a year ago and the owner cracked the crystal, for example?
 
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