Omega Speedmaster GSOTM chipped lug

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I'm not in the business but would expect Omega to have training/documentation/tools available for people to service the watches in a standardized, reliable way.

They do - Omega Work Instruction 72 deals with procedures for cases with ceramic components. Tells you how to open them without chipping a lug, how to replace pushers, how to install the case back, etc. It also tells you what specific tools are needed (that you have to buy from Omega) for each specific case you want to work on.

But having been to Omega for training on other things, there is usually detail left out of these documents that is passed on by the instructor. It's also a chance to see it done before you do it, ask questions, etc.

And also to help cover any damages that occur if one of the units fails while being serviced properly.

Sorry but that is very wishful thinking. There is no way Omega would cover any damage to a case that failed during service by someone outside of their own service centers. If something happened, my fault or not, I would be eating 100% of the cost.

Cheers, Al
 
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Omg, my stomach sank when I read the post title... This is really awful, and honestly my entire fear of owning this beautiful watch.

Can you make an insurance claim? I know most insurance will cover LOST or STOLEN, but damage?
 
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From what you've said they should replace it, otherwise they are using a material not fit for purpose. I'm optimistic they will do the right thing.
So by that logic if you drop your dinner plate and it breaks, it was made "using a material not fit for purpose"? Try getting your dinnerware replaced because you dropped and broke it. Good luck. Don't get me wrong I am happy Omega is replacing this case, but really they didn't have to.
 
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Don't know how it works over in the States, and don't wan to state the obvious, but isn't the watch insured?
 
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...Do any people even bother reading all the post in a subject before flying to the keyboard?

The issue has been dealt with, the OP has a narrow escape.
 
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So by that logic if you drop your dinner plate and it breaks, it was made "using a material not fit for purpose"? Try getting your dinnerware replaced because you dropped and broke it. Good luck. Don't get me wrong I am happy Omega is replacing this case, but really they didn't have to.

I somewhat agree with your point of view. The product has its limitations and as such, requires some care, in the same way that you don't get a non-waterproof watch wet. Still, since there are really no stress/impact tests and Omega does not reveal such data, I think people are not clearly informed about what should be acceptable or not. In this specific case for instance, was it the fall by itself or was there any structural damage to the watch before that and other normal DSOTMs would not have chipped? Who knows.
 
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I think people are not clearly informed about what should be acceptable or not.
I am, Dont drop expensive watches made out of any material on hard floors . Common sense taught me that.
 
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...Do any people even bother reading all the post in a subject before flying to the keyboard?

The issue has been dealt with, the OP has a narrow escape.

Dear Mr Grumpy
I thought I did, until coming back onto the thread I didn't realise it was more than a page long!

I do apologies for any inconvenience caused!!

Regards
Mr Stupidme
 
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Dear Mr Grumpy
I thought I did, until coming back onto the thread I didn't realise it was more than a page long!

I do apologies for any inconvenience caused!!

Regards
Mr Stupidme

👍 Your gunna fit in good here 😉
 
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I am, Dont drop expensive watches made out of any material on hard floors . Common sense taught me that.

Dropping your watch falls into the "not recommended" category for most people I think...
 
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Dear Mr Grumpy
I thought I did, until coming back onto the thread I didn't realise it was more than a page long!

I do apologies for any inconvenience caused!!

Regards
Mr Stupidme

I know, it's frustrating... I also tend to see that empty field first and want to join the debate with my comments, and then I completely miss the little square where I choose which page of the discussion to read.

I really must learn to hold back my impulses 🙁
 
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I know, it's frustrating... I also tend to see that empty field first and want to join the debate with my comments, and then I completely miss the little square where I choose which page of the discussion to read.

I really must learn to hold back my impulses 🙁


No worries, no offense taken my side!!
But I'd still like to call you Mr Grumpy if I may, I think it suits your avatar 😀


bad joke again....I'll get my coat
 
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I think people are not clearly informed about what should be acceptable or not.
Hmm I have to wonder if you are of the sort that is of the opinion that everything is someone else's fault. See my previous post. " No one told me my dinner ware was breakable, so it can't be any thing I did."
If you need to be told dropping a mechanical watch (especially an expensive one) is bad, maybe you should go back to using a stick in the ground. Ah, never mind you probably want some one else to replace the stick you broke.
 
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I am, Dont drop expensive watches made out of any material on hard floors . Common sense taught me that.

Obviously, agree.

By "I think people are not clearly informed about what should be acceptable or not" I meant that users are not fully aware of how scratch resistant the material is, how much force it takes to crack it and so on.
Hmm I have to wonder if you are of the sort that is of the opinion that everything is someone else's fault. See my previous post. " No one told me my dinner ware was breakable, so it can't be any thing I did."
If you need to be told dropping a mechanical watch (especially an expensive one) is bad, maybe you should go back to using a stick in the ground. Ah, never mind you probably want some one else to replace the stick you broke.

No, of course there is reasonable use and it is somewhat obvious that dropping a ceramic watch (or other ceramic object) on a hard surface from a considerable height (even knee-height) is a bad idea.

However, there are standards. Same as with a device that is sold as being "water resistant". The definition of it might vary, and that's why ISO standards and others are used as a reference so you know if the device was used within spec (and warranty covered if damaged) or used outside the acceptable range/abused.
Same as COSC, etc.

What I meant was that with these watches, there isn't any published data about their resistance, type of impacts that damage them, etc. We know how COSC and metas watches are tested (at least the main points) but we don't really know what a DSOTM is supposed to resist or not, so people just speculate. Some say a car door can't break one, others say a little impact shatters them.

Someone who - lets imagine - get one what came out of factory with a hairline fracture and then cracks it with a small impact on a door might not even know that the watch is supposed to sustain that.

What I meant was, how do you know when damage is due to abuse or manufacturing flaws, in cases when such is not totally obvious? you don't, at least if manufacturers don't release the data and no one wants do buy a few to test/damage in a lab. 😀
 
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I doubt the type of data your talking about would be very useful. Too many factors and variables. Plus you have to factor in Murphy's Law. I've dropped my iPhone from head height and it landed screen down on a marble floor and it didn't break. My girlfriend dropped hers from waist height on the same floor and the screen shattered. I think the easiest explanation is shit happens. I also agree with the statement made by @STANDY, don't drop expensive watches made out of ANY material on hard surfaces.
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I get a hunch the OP got lucky b/c Omega is just launching another one of those and probably wasnt too hot to have a thread or 3 floating around with the title "GSOTM chipped" ...

so O. might have opted to shut that mouth with a freeby instead of running the risk of things getting out of control ...
 
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Sorry but that is very wishful thinking. There is no way Omega would cover any damage to a case that failed during service by someone outside of their own service centers. If something happened, my fault or not, I would be eating 100% of the cost.

Cheers, Al


I agree, the operative word here is "responsable" and not "at fault" ...

btw ... (if you don't mind me asking) ... do you watchmakers have some "professional liability (or whatever)" insurances or does that come out of your own pocket?

cheers, al
 
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So by that logic if you drop your dinner plate and it breaks, it was made "using a material not fit for purpose"? Try getting your dinnerware replaced because you dropped and broke it. Good luck. Don't get me wrong I am happy Omega is replacing this case, but really they didn't have to.

I'm not 100% sure (after all, what legislation are we talking about? GB/US/Angola?) ... if cases like that get more frequent AND Omega did not put any special "read this" instructions in there that says that the case could chip even dropped from low heights or receiving a stronger bump (well you get the drift) ... then they MIGHT be on the hook ...

mind you a pure disclaimer (case is more sensitive to g-loads, drops, blablabla) ... and they should be OFF the hook.

it boils down to "what can be reasonable be expected from a hi-tech-case of a tool watch" and how far does its breaking-behaviour differ from "normal" ... the further away from normal the more recommended/necessary is a special warning.



you burn yourself with hot coffee its your problem ... if McD sells you hot coffee in flimsy cups that fold over when hot then they MIGHT be on the hook ... again REASONALBE EXPECTATIONS .... as its normal for a coffee cup to hold hot coffee ...

its normal for a dinner plate to break,
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do you have the answer from omega? thanks