Omega Switzerland repair

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Deanha

·Jul 27, 2023

I submitted a watch to omega boutique 165.024 big arrow to be repaired and specifically requested not to replace parts. After 8 months the watch was returned and they replaced crystal, time/seconds hands and misc gears. All the parts were returned in a bag (not protected). The face and bezel were cleaned and gaskets replaced. I also have the original bracelet which was not touched. Did Omega destroy value since not longer original or is having parts saving grace.

Thank you for your input!

 

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gbesq

·Jul 27, 2023

Well, they certainly didn't help maintain the collectible value of the watch. This is why most of us on OF will not send vintage watches to Omega for service. Omega's service protocol is to return a watch to the owner in as close to "new" condition as possible. NOTE: "new" does not mean "original" and Omega will routinely disregard instructions not to change out original parts for modern replacements, not to polish the case, etc. You can have a qualified independent watchmaker reinstall the hands and the crystal which, hopefully, were not damaged when Omega removed them. You don't say whether the dial and bezel were damaged when they were cleaned, but if so, that is likely irreversible.

 

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Dan S

·Jul 27, 2023

Since when does Omega clean the dial? I'd like to see the before and after.

 

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gbesq

·Jul 27, 2023

I had the same thought, Dan, and was wondering if the dial could be a service replacement?

 

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gatorcpa

·Jul 27, 2023·ΩF InvestiGator

D Deanha

I submitted a watch to omega boutique 165.024 big arrow to be repaired and specifically requested not to replace parts.

What is it that you expected Omega to do? They are not a watch repair shop. Omega provides a full warranty with their refurbishment service. In order to do that without replacing some parts is impossible.
gatorcpa

 

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Deanha

·Jul 27, 2023

gbesq

I had the same thought, Dan, and was wondering if the dial could be a service replacement?

Thank you for response. The hands and face had minor moisture damage (didn’t know until watch returned) and face was able to be repaired. The bezel was not modified. I am attaching photo of watch.

 

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Davidt

·Jul 27, 2023

I was about to say, if the watch is something of a beater perhaps it’s not the worst thing in the world if they replaced the hands. However, the dial and bezel have aged nicely and they match. Against them, the hands are quite glaring.

The obvious issue now is that you’ve paid a premium for an Omega service and to replace the hands you’ll need to get another independent watchmaker to replace them, voiding your Omega warranty

 

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Fatcat

·Jul 27, 2023

Hi simply find a set of hands as secondhand in tritium and you are good., even Omega can do miracle on hands when they are stacked sometimes no real choice in order to service the movement , but despite the hands the watch is pretty nice.

 

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DON

·Jul 27, 2023

If they returned the original hands. Just have a watchmaker put them back on and sell the replacements

 

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Archer

·Jul 27, 2023·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

D Deanha

Did Omega destroy value since not longer original or is having parts saving grace.

Did the refinish the case? If so, that is irreversible...

They likely also replaced the crown, but they should have returned the old one to you.

 

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Deanha

·Jul 27, 2023

Archer

Did the refinish the case? If so, that is irreversible...

They likely also replaced the crown, but they should have returned the old one to you.

You are spot on, they replaced and returned the crown. They did not refinish the case.

 

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Mark020

·Jul 28, 2023·not the sharpest pencil in the ΩF drawer

It is really beyond me why people pay a premium for these kind of services

 

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Evitzee

·Jul 28, 2023

Mark020

It is really beyond me why people pay a premium for these kind of services

Because the average Omega owner does not spend time on sites like this, they just want their Omega repaired and back in operating condition, and that includes it looking in better shape with dings, dents and scratches addressed. They aren't worried about margins, edges and other esoterica that we fret and obsess over here on OF. Those in that boat should not use Omega service and seek out an independent, hopefully one with an Omega parts account.

 

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Dan S

·Jul 28, 2023

If the old hands weren't damaged, there's not much harm done.

 

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Mark020

·Jul 28, 2023·not the sharpest pencil in the ΩF drawer

Ageed but the OP here specifically asked for no parts to be replaced. So: not ignorant

 

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spacemission

·Jul 29, 2023

Omega returns what is yours. Rolex likes to keep it.

Bravo omega.

 

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southtexas

·Sep 2, 2023

spacemission

Omega returns what is yours. Rolex likes to keep it.

Bravo omega.

this is true, they attempt to pass it off as a trade-in arrangement.

And that’s a great bezel.

 

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spacemission

·Sep 3, 2023

southtexas

this is true, they attempt to pass it off as a trade-in arrangement.

And that’s a great bezel.

Affirmative. The inserts for the 16610lv for example.

The worst cases were the red letters dials for the 1680/1665 and the submariner/sea dweller and gmt master inserts.

Of course, dials and hands of tritium, bracelets well worn, etc, etc.