Living in what is a relatively small city, we have very few qualified watchmakers still in business. I have approached what is our best traditional watchmaker about a service and been advised that as they are going to be Omega certified service agents, they have a contract with Omega to only perform certain routines and not to do certain other repairs to Omega watches. Essentially I am after a full service and parts replacement for the 861 movement, but no work at all on the case, dial or hands and to fit a sapphire crystal. It would appear that while I can get the movement serviced, it WILL include new pushers, crown and pressure test and WILL NOT include fitting the sapphire crystal as it is not OEM. I have always treated the Speedmaster as a splash resistant watch at best so this additional mandatory work, while completely understandable for my watches that claim in water use, is quite an impost and in my experience will not last the two year guarantee that will be offered with regular wear. To pre-empt any comment on going the cheap route, this is my watch and my choice, is not being touted as some pristine unicorn and while I wish to have the power unit 100% perfect, other aspects are based on the use I intend. I have some exotic cars and I wouldn't spend $6-10,000 on specialist tyres just to sit in storage for example. I would be indebted to anyone who can recommend an Omega skilled watchmaker on the East Coast for the service of the movement alone.
OK, sorted to meet my needs, thanks to all. This must be a vexed question looking at the paucity of replies, which does make me wonder at who is pulling the strings with watch maintenance policies. Certainly not the watch owner. While I enjoy my Omegas, the factory has taken a one size fits all approach encapsulating all vintages. Factory service for my Seamaster, no problems at all. For my Speedmaster I'm not in the remanufacturing camp, I want to maintain the history but have it perform to best standard which essentially meant a complete movement service. Without the case they don't want to know the movement. 666 The good news is I have been able to arrange what I wanted from a skilled maintainer so there is a good outcome in the wings.