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

Yo32Leigh · Mar 21, 2022

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.

Thanks for all your input.
As suggested, I very much doubt the AD has a watchmaker onsite, and from whats been said I suspect even that wouldn't remedy my issue.
Time to make some calls and see if Cousins or Otto can help.
Thanks again

Yo32Leigh · Mar 21, 2022

DON
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

Sorry, I'm in the UK

Davidt · Mar 21, 2022

JimInOz
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."

Unless it’s a Bienne only caliber.

Ultimately I think we’re arguing the same point though.

Yo32Leigh · Mar 21, 2022

No joy at Cousins or Otto.
I'm trying to source a replacement crown for a 1976 Seamaster Quartz (196.0080), Part number: 069ST43281
Any ideas for alternative sources in the UK?

precisionhrlgy · Mar 21, 2022

Davidt
Unless it’s a Bienne only caliber.

Ultimately I think we’re arguing the same point though.

Not sure if you read my reply, but this is not a correct statement.

tyrantlizardrex · Mar 21, 2022

Yo32Leigh
No joy at Cousins or Otto.
I'm trying to source a replacement crown for a 1976 Seamaster Quartz (196.0080), Part number: 069ST43281
Any ideas for alternative sources in the UK?

You have three options:

1 - Send it to Omega for a service and they'll change the crown when they service the watch

2 - Send it to an Omega authorised watchmaker (like @Archer) or an Omega Authorised service centre (like Swiss Time Services out in Essex) for a service and they'll change the crown when they service the watch.

3 - Find a new crown for sale somewhere (maybe eBay?) and then try and convince a watchmaker to do a part repair on your watch (many like @Archer will not do these for entirely sensible reasons).

Out of interest - why does it need a new crown? And if it needs a new crown, why aren't you willing to have it serviced?

vintage hab · Mar 21, 2022

I tried to buy endlinks directly from the Omega Boutique in early January, but couldn't. From the OB technician:
"I just discovered that bracelet sub components are no longer available through retail. I'm guessing it's their effort to preserve what stocks are left for the service center interventions."
I ended up finding what I needed at my local AD.

Yo32Leigh · Mar 21, 2022

tyrantlizardrex
You have three options:

1 - Send it to Omega for a service and they'll change the crown when they service the watch

2 - Send it to an Omega authorised watchmaker (like @Archer) or an Omega Authorised service centre (like Swiss Time Services out in Essex) for a service and they'll change the crown when they service the watch.

3 - Find a new crown for sale somewhere (maybe eBay?) and then try and convince a watchmaker to do a part repair on your watch (many like @Archer will not do these for entirely sensible reasons).

Out of interest - why does it need a new crown? And if it needs a new crown, why aren't you willing to have it serviced?

Thanks for your response.

The watch in question was received as part of an auction lot. Although the watch is working, the crown (which is a push button type) appears to have had a previous bad repair, preventing it from been depressed to set the time. I have no intention of keeping the watch, however I want to pass it on in fully working condition as it's a nice piece.
Replacing the stem and crown is a straight forward swap so employing the skills of a watchmaker seems excessive, not to mention a needless expense.

precisionhrlgy · Mar 21, 2022

Yo32Leigh
Thanks for your response.

The watch in question was received as part of an auction lot. Although the watch is working, the crown (which is a push button type) appears to have had a previous bad repair, preventing it from been depressed to set the time. I have no intention of keeping the watch, however I want to pass it on in fully working condition as it's a nice piece.
Replacing the stem and crown is a straight forward swap so employing the skills of a watchmaker seems excessive, not to mention a needless expense.

Did you google the part number and "for sale". Immediately I get a result on chrono24...

tyrantlizardrex · Mar 21, 2022

Yo32Leigh
Thanks for your response.

The watch in question was received as part of an auction lot. Although the watch is working, the crown (which is a push button type) appears to have had a previous bad repair, preventing it from been depressed to set the time. I have no intention of keeping the watch, however I want to pass it on in fully working condition as it's a nice piece.
Replacing the stem and crown is a straight forward swap so employing the skills of a watchmaker seems excessive, not to mention a needless expense.

So there's been a bad repair to the crown, you have no idea of what condition the movement is in, and you just want to swap in a new crown and stem for a quick flip?

Classy.

STANDY · Mar 21, 2022

Yo32Leigh
Thanks for your response.

The watch in question was received as part of an auction lot. Although the watch is working, the crown (which is a push button type) appears to have had a previous bad repair, preventing it from been depressed to set the time. I have no intention of keeping the watch, however I want to pass it on in fully working condition as it's a nice piece.
Replacing the stem and crown is a straight forward swap so employing the skills of a watchmaker seems excessive, not to mention a needless expense.

How do you know it is fully working if you just replace a broken crown.

If it’s a push button type…..Aren’t you looking for a Pusher and not a Crown 📖

STANDY · Mar 21, 2022

tyrantlizardrex
So there's been a bad repair to the crown, you have no idea of what condition the movement is in, and you just want to swap in a new crown and stem for a quick flip?

Classy.

Looks like he’s on the list Chris 😉

Yo32Leigh · Mar 21, 2022

tyrantlizardrex
So there's been a bad repair to the crown, you have no idea of what condition the movement is in, and you just want to swap in a new crown and stem for a quick flip?

Classy.

So saving this watch and going to the time and trouble of sourcing the correct stem and crown so someone else is able to enjoy it is considered 'classy' in your book? I fail to see your issue? I'm not looking to make money on this watch, but i'm also not looking to burn money.
The generic advice on OF appears to be that if you don't want to keep a watch, sell it as is, rather than go to the expense of service etc which will outweigh it's value. Is it this advice you take issue with or the fact I'm not willing to see a nice watch going to scrap?

Dan S · Mar 21, 2022

Yo32Leigh
So saving this watch and going to the time and trouble of sourcing the correct stem and crown so someone else is able to enjoy it is considered 'classy' in your book? I fail to see your issue? I'm not looking to make money on this watch, but i'm also not looking to burn money.
The generic advice on OF appears to be that if you don't want to keep a watch, sell it as is, rather than go to the expense of service etc which will outweigh it's value. Is it this advice you take issue with or the fact I'm not willing to see a nice watch going to scrap?

I think that the posts above are suggesting that the symptoms you described may not simply be fixed by replacing the crown. I tend to agree, you may be going down a rabbit hole trying to repair it in a piecemeal way. It's obviously your decision, but in your place I would sell it as-is to someone who is willing to invest in a service because they want to keep the watch.

tyrantlizardrex · Mar 21, 2022

Yo32Leigh
So saving this watch and going to the time and trouble of sourcing the correct stem and crown so someone else is able to enjoy it is considered 'classy' in your book? I fail to see your issue? I'm not looking to make money on this watch, but i'm also not looking to burn money.
The generic advice on OF appears to be that if you don't want to keep a watch, sell it as is, rather than go to the expense of service etc which will outweigh it's value. Is it this advice you take issue with or the fact I'm not willing to see a nice watch going to scrap?

I'm saying that if you don't know what the condition of the movement is or when it was last serviced, that putting a new crown and stem on and then selling as "working" is a bodge.

If you don't want to pay to do things properly, and you don't have any intention of keeping the watch - then sell it as is, in need of a service.

I am not suggesting you scrap it.

I am suggesting that bodging back together watches so that they become someone else's problem down the line isn't cool.

Archer · Mar 21, 2022

MtV
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?

Yes, but in your example it would depend entirely on the crystal. Acrylic? No problem. Mineral or sapphire? Serviced required.

Archer · Mar 21, 2022

vintage hab
I tried to buy endlinks directly from the Omega Boutique in early January, but couldn't. From the OB technician:
"I just discovered that bracelet sub components are no longer available through retail. I'm guessing it's their effort to preserve what stocks are left for the service center interventions."
I ended up finding what I needed at my local AD.

Yes - new policy came into effect Jan. 1 of this year.

However as usual there are twists and turns to this new rule, so some end links and other parts are still available, and some are not. So whatever end link you were after likely fell into the group that are no longer sold separately.

This is not just for end links - for example if your clasp cover was damaged, but the clasp underpiece (the working part) was fine, you could order a new clasp cover. But now only the complete clasp is available.

Yo32Leigh · Mar 21, 2022

tyrantlizardrex
I'm saying that if you don't know what the condition of the movement is or when it was last serviced, that putting a new crown and stem on and then selling as "working" is a bodge.

If you don't want to pay to do things properly, and you don't have any intention of keeping the watch - then sell it as is, in need of a service.

I am not suggesting you scrap it.

I am suggesting that bodging back together watches so that they become someone else's problem down the line isn't cool.

I take your point but I think we'll have to agree to disagree on your use of the word 'bodge'. Replacing the crown and stem with original items and then selling as 'in need of service' is surely preferable to selling as 'in need of service' and not working with an already bodged crown and stem that would need to be replaced in addition to the service?
Like I say, agree to disagree, life goes on 👍

Yo32Leigh · Mar 21, 2022

Dan S
I think that the posts above are suggesting that the symptoms you described may not simply be fixed by replacing the crown. I tend to agree, you may be going down a rabbit hole trying to repair it in a piecemeal way. It's obviously your decision, but in your place I would sell it as-is to someone who is willing to invest in a service because they want to keep the watch.

Thanks for your considered and diplomatic response Dan 👍
Admittedly I may be guilty of simplifying the issue and I take your point with regards to the proverbial rabbit hole. I'm an ex engineer and tight Yorkshireman to boot so I like to think I'll have a go at fixing most things before deferring to more experienced colleagues. That's not to take anything away from @Archer and his kin, and its not something i would normally consider with a more valuable or sought after piece.

MRC · Mar 21, 2022

If it's the same crown/pusher as the Seamaster 0191 196 (Cal 1342, TV dial) I've got a used but working one you can have.

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

Yo32Leigh

Yo32Leigh

Davidt

Yo32Leigh

precisionhrlgy

tyrantlizardrex

vintage hab

Yo32Leigh

precisionhrlgy

tyrantlizardrex

STANDY

STANDY

Yo32Leigh

Dan S

tyrantlizardrex

Archer

Archer

Yo32Leigh

Yo32Leigh

MRC

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