Hello

I've never been particularly interested in watches until some months ago when a friend showed me his watch collection. I started doing research and from the start i've really appreciated vintage Omega watches.

This week i bought my first Omega from an online auction site: a Speedmaster 125. There's an interesting article on the 125 by Chuck Maddox here which is really worth reading.

The watch i bought seemed to be in very good condition, but when using the chronograph i immediately noticed malfunctions with the Chronograph Minute Indicator (number 7 on the drawing):
- When resetting the chronograph, it only returns partially. I have to press the reset pusher multiple times, causing the Minute Indicator to return in increments with various lengths.
- Ultimately, the Minute Indicator can only be reset until the 4 minute mark.

After letting the chronograph run for 1 hour, i also noticed that the Chronograph Hour Indicator (number 8 on the drawing) was stuck at the 1 hour mark. I let the Chronograph run for another 15 minutes and noticed the Hour Indicator moving, but when pressing the reset pusher it doesn't move back at all. Conclusion: the Hour Indicator is working but cannot be reset at all.

I've uploaded a video which clearly demonstrates the malfunction:

As you can imagine, i feel ripped off at this moment, since the seller told me that he is a hobby collector, and that the watch was completely functioning. I paid €1.500 for the watch (that's $1.834) and now i would like to know from you guys:
- Whether it is possible and worth it to have it fixed at an official Omega dealer. If so, what price should i expect?
- Taking the malfunctions into account, have i paid too much? If so, what would the watch be worth in this condition? I will ask the seller for a (partial) refund, so this is important.

I would really appreciate your input. Thanks in advance.

 

Hi. Did the seller state anything regarding recent service? I guess that is the only thing needed.
I never use Omega as they tend to lack respect for vintage qualities. Where are you located?
IMO EUR1500 is not a bad price. Independent service will anyway be s good idea and should cost EUR3-400.
If the seller did not state anything about service history I would not go to hard out for a refund. Servicing is needed on old watches just like old cars.
Good luck and congrats on a fine watch!

 

Hi
Unusual watch to buy at first maybe? Its an auto? As you can see i'm not an expert by any chalk but i can tell its not working properly!!
I would ask for a full refund and look for something else.
If you get it fixed the watch will have cost even more, and the price already was high
Regards,
Ian

 

Thanks for your reply Northernman. I'm living in Belgium (any reason you're asking?)

The seller did not mention anything about servicing, except that he got it from his father who worked at a watchmaker (not a manufacturer, to be clear), and that his father was always very careful with his watches and serviced them when required. Nothing concrete about the Speedmaster.

On the auction pictures i noticed the Hour Indicator was stuck at the 1 hour mark, so i asked the seller about this and he confirmed me that the chronograph functionalities were working, and sent me a video in which the Hour Indicator could be seen at the 0 hour mark. I don't know how he managed to get it at that position though. So yes, that could be a point of dispute.

 

Hi. Reason for asking is that someone in here might have a watchmaker in your area to recommend.
I disagree with the previous mailer. It is not too expensive for a 125 anniversary Omega chronograph. I believe this one, and it can be fixed do not worry, is a good investment in s very low number desirable Omega.
Cheers!

 

Gatorcpa seems the voice of reason!! LOL.
I would follow that advise
Ian

 

Personally i'd love to keep the watch but having to spend another €400 on it is not worth it. With shipping included this would balance around the €2.000 mark, and for that price you can find a functioning Speedmaster 125 on ebay and have some spare money left (€200-€400).

So the question really is how much servicing would cost. Anyone agrees with the €300-€400 range indicated by Northernman?

 

I do not fully follow the maths as you would most likely need to service the ones on eBay as well!
Even if it was resetting fine it does not mean it should not be serviced.
Just like if you buy a vintage car. Even if it is running fine it should have a service before taking it on the road.
All mechanical stuff needs it. watches no exception. Running an old watch on old lubricants is just as bad as running your vintage car on old oil. The long term outlook is not good in any case.

 

As for servicing the prices indicated is within the range I would expect to pay myself. I have had quite a few chronographs serviced over the years, also with 1040/1 movements.

 

yes, the quote above is correct for the EU

 

Hi droptable,

I'm pretty new here as well, and I can tell you that the advice to have a 'new' (to you) vintage watch serviced upon arrival is sound. Most everyone on this forum will recommend factoring the cost of service into the purchase price of a watch, especially from the bay. The 125 is quite a nice piece and not very common. Once the watch is serviced, it should run like a champ and with regular servicing (about every 4-5 years), it will last a very long time.

Welcome, congrats, stick around. You're almost sure to pick up another!

J

 

Did you pay with Paypal ?
If yes, get an estimate of the cost of servicing/repairing your watch. As you said you asked questions about the watch functiuning correctly and that the seller has answered specifically yes. You have a case.
Post pictures of the watch here, so experts will tell you if you should keep it or not.
Then you can negotiate with the seller to either send it back or keep it with a partial refund.
Also check if the quickset date works (not between 22 and 02 hours).
Good luck

 

Unless the sellers specifically stated that the watch ran correctly and all the chronograph functions worked properly, I'm not sure that you'll have a winning case to get the seller to address the problems or accept return. A common buying mistake is not to ask these specific questions (to assume) when the seller doesn't disclose them upfront.

You're purchase may still be a decent one though. Speedmaster 125's are uncommon. If the physical condition is excellent and the bracelet is full length, it might be worth simply having the watch serviced. An independent watchmaker should have no problems servicing this movement and I would expect the purchase price plus the cost of service to in total be a reasonable price for a freshly serviced excellent condition 125.

 

Hi. I am new here but I own an omega speedmaster 125. I know how much it cost for a full service in Switzerland/Bienne, because I have sent my watch to be serviced there and a month ago I receved the watch back. It cost me about £650. It is a long story anyway. But the watch came backlike new. I would not go to a independent watchmaker unless it has excelent reputation. It is not cheap but is worth every penny if you love your watch and if you want the job done properly. If you need more details, I am more then happy to tell them.

 

Firstly, @droptable Welcome to the Omega Vintage club!

I hate to be blunt, but if you don't think this sort of price range is acceptable, then vintage watches are probably the wrong thing for you! They are always going to need more love and attention than cheaper or newer ones - you should probably get used to service bills like this every 3-5 years!

... Money that should be spent on a good service As @Northernman pointed out, you should generally get a newly purchased vintage watch serviced before wearing it!

 

I agree the service is expensive but me personally, I would send to be serviced any vintage watch I buy no matter what the seller has done previously to the watch. Same if I buy a second hand car. I would take the car right away to service it no matter what the service history say. I might be wrong but I would like to play on the safe side.

 

Sorry to say but I strongly disagree.
Omega does not restore watches with respect to their vintage qualites. By making your watch "new again" they have most likely ruined it's value for collectors. Had my Speedmaster 105.003 seen a vintage specialist instead of Omega some years ago it would be worth some GBP1500 more today.
Having this said it is good if you are happy with it, and plan to keep it for years to come, just do not expect an Omega service to add value for future flipping. It does not.

 

I understand and I see your point of view. I bought this watch because it is special, I liked it and it has about same age as I have. I don't wanna flip it. I apreciate you coment anyway! Merry Christmas!