Merry Xmas everybody! Nonuffink Bloke here.
I've called Simon Freese's number a couple of times, over the last few days, but couldn't get an answer. I also called Swiss Time Services, to find out if they are still sorting out 321 movements.
A very nice young lady tried to get an answer from the STS workshop, but said it would need to be inspected to see if any parts would be required. She suggested that "parts" would be the deciding factor.
I've noticed that the power reserve, on my Dad's old Speedmaster, isn't quite what it was, of late. I took it into Simon Freese, a few years ago, and when I picked it up it was running very nicely.
I would prefer that it went back to Simon, for a service, but as a plan B, I would be fairly confident with another service by STS.
Anyone know what the score is, regarding UK Omega 321 servicing in 2026?
If I call Omega, it's "No, it has to go to the Swiss workshop". where as, with STS, it seems to be a maybe. Any ideas on what the state of play is chaps?
As some of you know, I only own one watch, so I have to get it right.
(Anyway... I'll attach a few blatantly shameless photo's, just to refresh your memories. Please excuse the dodgy blue strap. I'm wearing it a lot these days and It feels a bit safer on that, rather than the old 1970's 1171/633)
Kind regards, Jonathan.
True words in the middle US.!
Sending to Bienne is sacrilegious but it is a floor underneath us.
I am exhausted searching for local smith's and "makers" and starting to look at the old pieces as headstones, commemerating a bygone
era.
We don't need the time function, only the history, science and art functions!
Alexander Bell's telephones, Tesla's wireless or coil, Wozniak and Jobs Apple II, do we obsess with flawless current operation or accept the impact on our lives?
I am afraid that one day, my watch (es) will no longer work or be repairable, will not tell time but will only be beautiful examples of history and art and will be imited to passing on the feelings and the life of those days gone by,
They do carry their past in my heart, won't they continue for the future?
Good to see you, Jonathan!
I use Steven Hales who are based in Bushey . They have serviced at least 8 321 based speedmasters for myself over the last decade and tbh i would not use anyone else.
Simon Freese, i have never used but friends have and it seems he has a massive workload and other issues causing in some cases extreme delays in return of watches from service.
Hales service turnaround on vintage watches is quoted as 6 months but can be longer
Watchguy seems popular on here https://watchguy.co.uk
Looks like he's don't quite a few before
https://watchguy.co.uk/cgi-bin/library?action=show_brand&brand=Omega&calibre=321&offset=0
As others have mentioned I'd be cautious of going to Simon Freese. I know he has quite the backlog of watches.
I would highly recommend taking the watch to Wheelers in Worthing, West Sussex. Not quite the same reputation as some others - but I only mean that in the sense they're very much a local shop, and they're not particularly active on social media. That being said I lived in Worthing for 27 years and Wheelers have an outstanding reputation along the south coat - especially for Vintage Rolex and Omega in particular. I still work in Worthing and see them regularly. They're an old school shop, but have a modern approach. It's a family business and the two sons Ben and Chris are now doing the majority of the repairs. He's serviced a number of my Dads vintage clocks along with all of my 300 bumper series movements and 500 series movements. In addition to that he has serviced my friends pre moon 321 speedy.
He can sometimes run into parts issues due to restrictions from Omega much like all the other independents. That being said he does have a parts account. He's also been building a stock of vintage omega parts for the last 5 years since supply became more restricted. I need a new crystal, case clamp and a few other movement parts which replaced of which he had in stock just from spares.
I may be a bit biased here but I've been meaning to give Wheelers a shout out on the forum for some time as I know how hard it can be to find a good watchmaker.
I wholeheartedly recommend him. https://wheelersclocks.com/
This also tells you a bit about Chris and the family, and what accreditations they have: https://wheelersclocks.com/meet-the-team-wheelers-horologists/
Their google reviews say it all really.
He's serviced all of these for me (see below picture). Albeit yours is a more complex movement than what are in my Connie's.
Just for balance, only thing he's not great at by his own admission is polishing cases (of which most of us wouldn't have done anyway) He's just not setup for it.
Please do consider them. I'd be happy to put you in touch.
Cheers
Reggie
