Hi to all.
I have a seamaster from the late 60’s early 70’s. It belonged to my late father before me.
I had it serviced by Omega about 8 years ago at considerable cost! It ran fine until about 2 years ago when it began losing time badly. Not wanting to spend a huge about of money I decided to use a “watch specialist” here in the north of the UK. I spoke with him on the phone and he seemed a nice enough fella so I posted the watch of to him.
I text him a cpl of days later to make sure he had received it. He text back saying he had and having looked at it gave me a price to repair. I was happy with the price so gave him the go ahead.
3 or 4 weeks later I got the watch back and all seemed well. Approximately 2 months later it developed a problem.
The second hand ticks round nice but neither the minute or hour hand worked.
I called the same guy again and explained the problem to him. He said to send it him back and he’d take another look. This was the beginning of October last year.
At this point I was thinking this was a totally different problem and was expecting to pay again to have it fixed.
After a cpl of weeks having heard nothing from him I tried to call him. No answer and answering machine “full”.
Sent him a text, no reply. Sent a second text requesting a response. A few days later he replied saying he was very busy but would have a look at it that week. Several weeks passed hearing nothing. Text him again, no reply. Another text sent asking for a reply and a price. Eventually got a reply saying he’d taken a look and that he’d have to get some parts, but he be wouldn’t charging me again.
Obviously pleased at not being charged again I let another few weeks pass before sending a text for a “progress report”. No reply.
At this point I went on his Facebook page to discover other people were having the same concerns and problems contacting him. Also he had now relocated premises but had no forwarding address.
By now it was the middle of December. 2 more text had to be sent before he replied this time saying he was awaiting parts from America. Into January, no communication. More texts sent before he eventually replied saying I’d have it back by the weekend. It was now the beginning of February! Weekend passes no watch turns up.
More texts, eventually he reply’s saying he’s away until the 26th February he’ll return it when he gets back.
Another cpl of text before he replied and finally today my watch was returned!
So after 5 months and a lot of hassle and anguish I have my watch back, and IT STILL HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! I doubt he has even had the back off to look at it.
Feeling well pi**ed off here having being lied to and fed a lot of bull*hit!

So 2 questions,
1 Would it be right to name and shame him on here? (I don’t want others to have this experience).

2 anyone had the same issue with the second hand working but not the hr and min? Know of a quick fix?

Sorry for the long winded waffle. Sam.

 

What a shame. I'd start by looking at the cannon pinion tightness where it fits to the centre wheel.

Say it's a 550 series automatic three hander with a central sweep second hand, then the train is running as the second hand works. That means the centre wheel on the rear of the movement is turning as it is part of the train. It protrudes through the plate of the watch to the dial side and the cannon pinion is a press fit on there. If it's loose, then it won't be turning and the minute hand is mounted on here plus it drives the hour wheel where the hour hand is mounted (via the minute wheel). You can usually tell as the crown movement feels very loose when setting the time.

Hope this helps a little, Chris

 

Thanks for your reply Chris.
I don’t have the expertise to fix it myself so I guess I should have asked if someone can recommend a good watch repairer. ( done properly and within 5 months!)

PS. The crown feels nice and tight when setting the time.