Post Service Marking And Parts - Titanium 2231.8

Rheide · Fri. 10:31am

Hello and thanks for the add! I searched for a while and couldn’t find an answer to the following question/experience. So here it goes. I have a 20+ year old Seamaster Titanium 2231.8, blue wave face with titanium bracelet, that I received new as a gift and used it as a back-up dive timer for about 20 years of law enforcement diving. I recently received it back from servicing, it’s the forth or fifth service, in a beautiful red Omega box with two small bags of old parts. My assumption is that the parts were from the repair, which I haven’t received before, and contained extra pieces. For example, two sets of hands and three crowns. Also, on the case-back, there is a new engraving (laser?) that wasn’t there before. The attached pic is the emblem, but not my watch. I tried to take a picture, but the emblem is too small. I’m assuming it’s the original case-back as there wasn’t an old one included in the parts bags. I’ve reached out to Omega with the same questions, but thought I’d join this forum for this question and future engagement.

Thanks for any feedback! Rob

502 to right · Fri. 4:20pm

I assume you weren't charged for a new caseback? Is the caseback is pristine shape? As in, it looks new?

I've heard of Omega replacing components for free that normally would carry an extra charge and not returning those components. Such as a bezel. Even the motor of a quartz watch. I would be surprised if they laser engraved your old caseback.

But, in case you didn't know, this is why they started adding those logos to the cases/casebacks:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costco_Wholesale_Corp._v._Omega,_S._A.

Rheide · Fri. 7:16pm

502 to right
I assume you weren't charged for a new caseback? Is the caseback is pristine shape? As in, it looks new?

I've heard of Omega replacing components for free that normally would carry an extra charge and not returning those components. Such as a bezel. Even the motor of a quartz watch. I would be surprised if they laser engraved your old caseback.

But, in case you didn't know, this is why they started adding those logos to the cases/casebacks:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costco_Wholesale_Corp._v._Omega,_S._A

Thanks for responding. I’m not sure what’s “normal” for the basic fee I was charged for a five year service. Have to say that this included much more than previous services. Dial (luminescence was dying), all hands, numerous gears, springs, crowns, gaskets and pins. Too many parts to list. Seems like a major service was done based on the old parts that were returned with my watch, yet the fee charged has been the same since the first one about 15 years ago. And it was delivered in the Omega service box. Which was new to me. When my wife picked it up, the Omega dealer told her that I would be pleased with the service. And I was. Practically looks like a brand new watch. To satisfy my geekiness, I wish they would provide a breakdown of work performed.

As in the OP, my curiosity is mostly about the new logo. Your take on the why makes sense. So many non-Omega services being performed, maybe they have created an “official” stamp to show provenance. I’ve looked at a lot of internet pictures of my watch and none show the emblem I mentioned on the back. I’m not sure they would have a new old-stock titanium case-back with the engraving, but who knows. I don’t see it showing up until well after my “electric blue” model was discontinued.

Bottom line, my “since new” ownership experience has been exemplary. Especially at the dealer level. They recently had an Omega night with open bar and finger food, attended by Swatch/Omega reps showcasing new models and explaining the production process, history and service. A large focus was placed on the ceramic models. Which was very interesting. If only I had more watch money…..

502 to right · Fri. 10:32pm

Rheide
Thanks for responding. I’m not sure what’s “normal” for the basic fee I was charged for a five year service. Have to say that this included much more than previous services. Dial (luminescence was dying), all hands, numerous gears, springs, crowns, gaskets and pins. Too many parts to list. Seems like a major service was done based on the old parts that were returned with my watch, yet the fee charged has been the same since the first one about 15 years ago. And it was delivered in the Omega service box. Which was new to me. When my wife picked it up, the Omega dealer told her that I would be pleased with the service. And I was. Practically looks like a brand new watch. To satisfy my geekiness, I wish they would provide a breakdown of work performed.

As in the OP, my curiosity is mostly about the new logo. Your take on the why makes sense. So many non-Omega services being performed, maybe they have created an “official” stamp to show provenance. I’ve looked at a lot of internet pictures of my watch and none show the emblem I mentioned on the back. I’m not sure they would have a new old-stock titanium case-back with the engraving, but who knows. I don’t see it showing up until well after my “electric blue” model was discontinued.

Bottom line, my “since new” ownership experience has been exemplary. Especially at the dealer level. They recently had an Omega night with open bar and finger food, attended by Swatch/Omega reps showcasing new models and explaining the production process, history and service. A large focus was placed on the ceramic models. Which was very interesting. If only I had more watch money…..

I have never heard of Omega adding the globe logo for service work. I've had many Omega's serviced and none came back with that logo and most were made before the logo was used on production models.

Did they return the old dial? That also is usually a charge in addition to the standard service.

I don't know what country you're in, but in the USA the current service charge is $700. This includes new crowns (assuming they are non-precious metal), new hands, new gaskets, and any internal movement parts that need to be replaced due to breakage or wear. Additional charges for apply for dials, bezels, and crystals, although I have heard of Omega providing these at no extra charge (but this is rare and not to be expected).

Rheide · Sat. 6:56am

502 to right
I have never heard of Omega adding the globe logo for service work. I've had many Omega's serviced and none came back with that logo and most were made before the logo was used on production models.

Did they return the old dial? That also is usually a charge in addition to the standard service.

I don't know what country you're in, but in the USA the current service charge is $700. This includes new crowns (assuming they are non-precious metal), new hands, new gaskets, and any internal movement parts that need to be replaced due to breakage or wear. Additional charges for apply for dials, bezels, and crystals, although I have heard of Omega providing these at no extra charge (but this is rare and not to be expected).

Interesting. Yes, the dial was included in the used parts bag. I’m in the US and paid the same. The logo continues to intrigue me. I can’t find a version of my watch anywhere online with the logo. Plenty of later models have it, but not my model/era. Strange. Waiting to see what Omega has to say. I might run by my dealer next week and see what their thoughts are.

I attached a pic of the back of my watch. Logo is at the two o’clock position.

Donn Chambers · Sat. 7:33am

I suspect that is not the original caseback, but a service one. That would explain the anti-counterfeit mark, because those are probably on all service parts now. Perhaps there was some issue with getting the old caseback to maintain a seal and they replaced it.

YY77 · Sat. 7:38am

Donn Chambers
I suspect that is not the original caseback, but a service one. That would explain the anti-counterfeit mark, because those are probably on all service parts now. Perhaps there was some issue with getting the old caseback to maintain a seal and they replaced it.

Seems OP got a bargain with a new dial and caseback not being charged.

Rheide · Sat. 7:55am

Thanks for everyone’s responses. I did think that maybe the case back and case bonded together as titanium can do. Maybe it was damaged/scratched during removal and they replaced it. Definitely overthinking it, but that’s half the fun of owning such a timepiece. Besides, after a couple of decades servicing dive regulators for my PD, some of which contained jewels in the first-stage assembly(believe it or not), I tend to geek out over such things. Even at 60, it’s hard to turn off at this point!

And yes. I do know I was treated very well by my dealer and Omega!

502 to right · Sat. 10:07am

Rheide
Thanks for everyone’s responses. I did think that maybe the case back and case bonded together as titanium can do. Maybe it was damaged/scratched during removal and they replaced it. Definitely overthinking it, but that’s half the fun of owning such a timepiece. Besides, after a couple of decades servicing dive regulators for my PD, some of which contained jewels in the first-stage assembly(believe it or not), I tend to geek out over such things. Even at 60, it’s hard to turn off at this point!

And yes. I do know I was treated very well by my dealer and Omega!

Dials are normally $460 or more. So you definitely got a bargain.

Rheide · Sun. 11:45am

The more I think about it, the more curious I get. Broke out the parts that were returned with my watch and I am really thinking I either got someone else’s and not mine, or in addition to mine. My watch face definitely was changed due to how brightly it glows now and I’ve always had a non-outlined date window. Yet, the one that was returned is outlined. That, along with two sets of hour and minute hands and three crowns, makes me really wonder what’s going on. Anyone had a similar experience? I’m completely trusting that a proper service was done and not a “quick and dirty” and returned some old parts that were laying around…..

Rheide · Sun. 12:59pm

Rheide
The more I think about it, the more curious I get. Broke out the parts that were returned with my watch and I am really thinking I either got someone else’s and not mine, or in addition to mine. My watch face definitely was changed due to how brightly it glows now and I’ve always had a non-outlined date window. Yet, the one that was returned is outlined. That, along with two sets of hour and minute hands and three crowns, makes me really wonder what’s going on. Anyone had a similar experience? I’m completely trusting that a proper service was done and not a “quick and dirty” and returned some old parts that were laying around…..

Edit: My old dial did have a white outline around the date window. Found an old pic. Guess I wasn’t so definite after all!

YY77 · Sun. 1:06pm

Rheide
The more I think about it, the more curious I get. Broke out the parts that were returned with my watch and I am really thinking I either got someone else’s and not mine, or in addition to mine. My watch face definitely was changed due to how brightly it glows now and I’ve always had a non-outlined date window. Yet, the one that was returned is outlined. That, along with two sets of hour and minute hands and three crowns, makes me really wonder what’s going on. Anyone had a similar experience? I’m completely trusting that a proper service was done and not a “quick and dirty” and returned some old parts that were laying around…..

Could you share a pic of how your watch looks like now?

Rheide · Sun. 1:31pm

In all its glory!

502 to right · Sun. 3:13pm

Rheide
The more I think about it, the more curious I get. Broke out the parts that were returned with my watch and I am really thinking I either got someone else’s and not mine, or in addition to mine. My watch face definitely was changed due to how brightly it glows now and I’ve always had a non-outlined date window. Yet, the one that was returned is outlined. That, along with two sets of hour and minute hands and three crowns, makes me really wonder what’s going on. Anyone had a similar experience? I’m completely trusting that a proper service was done and not a “quick and dirty” and returned some old parts that were laying around…..

Based on the hands, they definitely returned parts to you that were not from your watch. I would attribute it to careless parts handling though.

Donn Chambers · Mon. 7:18am

Can you show the back of the old dial? I wonder if the tech accidentally broke off one or more of the dial feet, so had to replace with a service dial at their expense. But it does look there are a lot more parts there than would be from one service. I see two mainspring barrels and three pallet forks!

Rheide · Mon. 9:40am

Back of dial and the test card.

Donn Chambers · Tues. 7:01am

Rheide
Back of dial and the test card.

Well, there goes that theory. Dial feet look fine to me. This is a interesting mystery, but one that we will probably never solve!

Rheide · Tues. 8:00am

Donn Chambers
Well, there goes that theory. Dial feet look fine to me. This is a interesting mystery, but one that we will probably never solve!

Probably not. I think I’m going to go with “Thank you for being a customer of almost 30 years and keeping your watch serviced with us. By the way, you needed a new dial and case back. Enjoy your practically new watch! Regards, Omega” theory! 😉

Rheide · 2025-02-06T08:11:50-0600

UPDATE: Went by my AD this week and asked these same questions.

#1 Omega globe marking on case back: Omega is starting to authenticate modern watches as they come through service. Guessing this is a way to fight against counterfeit production, as stated previously by Donn Chambers. Thought they would have done that on the backside of the case, as they are doing with new watches, but there you go. They said that if the case back was replaced, it would have been returned with the watch, as is Omega’s practice.

#2 Dial face change: For reasons unknown to the AD, the dial was replaced, probably due to poor luminescence, which it had. White outline vs no outline date box change is immaterial as ref 2231.8 came with either. Same day pics below

#3 Extra parts: This surprised the AD the most. They said Omega is typically very careful with having too many old parts on the table so as not to confuse “what goes with what”. Since I obviously have too many, something slipped through the cracks. One thing I didn’t notice before was that they returned two sets of different used hands. One set is sword, my old, and the other set was skeleton. Maybe they pulled the skeleton in error and returned them with the other parts.

Anyway, they appreciated me caring enough about the brand to stop by and talk this through. They genuinely seemed to care about Omega’s reputation. Especially since it’s their biggest line. In fact, they made me aware of a rehab they are doing to put an Omega boutique within their retail footprint, with an open house in June. Good people there.

YY77 · 2025-02-06T08:35:09-0600

Rheide
. They said that if the case back was replaced, it would have been returned with the watch, as is Omega’s practice.

Default is still applicable then of parts being returned to owner instead of whispers it would be lined up similar to Rolex' practices.

Post Service Marking And Parts - Titanium 2231.8

Rheide

502 to right

Rheide

502 to right

Rheide

Donn Chambers

YY77

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YY77

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502 to right

Donn Chambers

Rheide

Donn Chambers

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YY77

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