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Omega service selective polishing?

L
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I just send in my seamaster 300m for an omega service and read that polishing is complimentary. Is it possible to ask Omega to only polish certain parts of the watch (in my case bracelet and bezel insert) while leaving the other parts alone? Or is polishing an all-or-nothing deal?
 
padders
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L Lunaen
I just send in my seamaster 300m for an omega service and read that polishing is complimentary. Is it possible to ask Omega to only polish certain parts of the watch (in my case bracelet and bezel insert) while leaving the other parts alone? Or is polishing an all-or-nothing deal?
It is all or nothing and in fact they can occasionally ignore requests to not polish. When you say polish the bezel insert, do you have one of the shiny steel inserts seen on the 2255 etc or a coloured aluminium one as seen on the 2254 and 2531?

They do a good job, it will look like it came from the factory.
 
SkunkPrince
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This is a case where "polish" used incorrectly confuses people. What Omega and authorized service centers do is "refinish as new". The shiny parts are made shiny again, and the not-shiny parts are made not-shiny again, removing small dings and scratches in the process. Sometimes the damage is too deep for refinishing, and that's when they'll recommend you spend the big bucks on a new case or bracelet.
 
padders
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Tom we have had this out before but it is widely accepted that the word polish means refinish in watch circles. No one is confused.
 
L
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It is all or nothing and in fact they can occasionally ignore requests to not polish. When you say polish the bezel insert, do you have one of the shiny steel inserts seen on the 2255 etc or a coloured aluminium one as seen on the 2254 and 2531?

They do a good job, it will look like it came from the factory.
I've got a polished steel insert
IMG_3949.jpg


The reason why I ask is because the insert and bracelet have alot of scratches but the case itself is in pretty good shape and I'd rather not loose any metal that I didn't need to.
 
padders
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Fair enough, was just checking that you didn't think the coloured inserts can be improved, they can't be, only replaced as a whole bezel. I am not sure whether they will polish your insert or not but even if they don't those are easy to improve yourself. I have a 2255 (similar polished steel insert) and any bezel scratches can be removed easily with a Cape Cod or similar. Yours doesn't actually look too bad at all. Don't worry about losing material, if the case is in good shape they will just rebrush/polish it, you wont notice any missing metal.
 
L
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Fair enough, was just checking that you didn't think the coloured inserts can be improved, they can't be, only replaced as a whole bezel. I am not sure whether they will polish your insert or not but even if they don't those are easy to improve yourself. I have a 2255 (similar polished steel insert) and any bezel scratches can be removed easily with a Cape Cod or similar. Yours doesn't actually look too bad at all. Don't worry about losing material, if the case is in good shape they will just rebrush/polish it, you wont notice any missing metal.
That's good to hear, I really like the shape of the case and lugs and would prefer them to remain nice and defined.
Here's a picture of the watch in different lighting where the scratches can be seen better.
IMG_3946.jpg
 
padders
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They will probably change the second hand too and you will get back the red tip assuming there was one originally, they do fade badly on SMPs. Yours has SL lume so there wont be a mismatch with new hands.
 
L
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They will probably change the second hand too and you will get back the red tip assuming there was one originally, they do fade badly. Yours has SL lume so there wont be a mismatch with new hands.
I didn't even know that the tip was originally red. I noticed that the lume pip on the bezel insert has some discoloration. I'll probably have to shell out for a new bezel if they can't just replace the pip.
 
padders
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L Lunaen
I didn't even know that the tip was originally red. I noticed that the lume pip on the bezel insert has some discoloration. I'll probably have to shell out for a new bezel if they can't just replace the pip.
They can't but they probably wont insist you change the bezel. They are quite expensive parts now, over £220 last time I did one.
 
L
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They can't but they probably wont insist you change the bezel. They are quite expensive parts now, over £220 last time I did one.
I might do it anyway, just because Omega gives the parts back and I can probably sell the bezel to recoup at least some of the cost.
 
SkunkPrince
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Tom we have had this out before but it is widely accepted that the word polish means refinish in watch circles. No one is confused.
I dunno, he sounded like he might have been. Sorry it annoys you so much.
 
7enderbender
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Not sure about any of this. My wife’s Constellation has been to Omega’s service centers twice now - second time because it stopped working not even a year in. Came back unpolished both times. In fact, the bracelet and clasp were dirty the second time around.
I still have to follow up with a complaint but I’m also tired of the back and forth. Didn’t receive a warranty card either, no meaningful paperwork, no return of old parts, no explanation.
Next time I need service for any of our Omega watches again it’ll go to Switzerland or Munich. Had good experiences there in the past even though it’s involved to get stuff there and back (via family members).
Watch service centers in the US seem to be so understaffed and clueless at this point that I’m also very much on the fence if I can trust the Rolex SC in Dallas (which has a better reputation than the one in New York, which seems to be also a hot mess) to send in my Sea Dweller that is due.
 
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