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Question about Omega De Ville (4500.31.00)

S
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I sent my 20-year old De Ville (steel on steel bracelet, 4500.31.00) into Omega for maintenance and it looks like the entire movement needs work. They’re quoting $1600 + tax to fully refurbish the watch. I see similar watches on eBay for around $1000. This suggests it’s probably not worth repairing. Does this sound right? I’ve loved this watch for over two decades and would hate to say goodbye; it was a real workhorse in all situations, but it doesn’t have such sentimental value that I want to pay premium just to keep it.

Any thoughts from those more knowledgeable about Omega?

Scott
 
502 to right
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S scottfranklin
I sent my 20-year old De Ville (steel on steel bracelet, 4500.31.00) into Omega for maintenance and it looks like the entire movement needs work. They’re quoting $1600 + tax to fully refurbish the watch. I see similar watches on eBay for around $1000. This suggests it’s probably not worth repairing. Does this sound right? I’ve loved this watch for over two decades and would hate to say goodbye; it was a real workhorse in all situations, but it doesn’t have such sentimental value that I want to pay premium just to keep it.

Any thoughts from those more knowledgeable about Omega?

Scott


What country are you in and what center has the watch? Did they give you itemized list of repairs with costs? They should have. If yes, please post them so we can understand what the $1,600 is for.
 
Dan S
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Another pre-owned watch might also need a service, so you should at least at the price of a routine service to the prices you are seeing on eBay. However, you do have a decision to make, because that $1600 would be a significant contribution to the cost of a new watch.
 
S
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@502 to right I'm in the US; my AD sent the watch back to Omega (not sure where). They did not itemize but said it needs a "complete movement service," which actually is odd because on the Omega repair webpage the prices quoted are significantly lower (but might not be applicable).

@Dan S : yup, that's my thinking as well. Certainly wouldn't assume a pre-owned watch doesn't need service, so this is a decision.
 
502 to right
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S scottfranklin
@502 to right I'm in the US; my AD sent the watch back to Omega (not sure where). They did not itemize but said it needs a "complete movement service," which actually is odd because on the Omega repair webpage the prices quoted are significantly lower (but might not be applicable).

@Dan S : yup, that's my thinking as well. Certainly wouldn't assume a pre-owned watch doesn't need service, so this is a decision.
Not having an itemized list is unacceptable. Your AD needs to provide it. I suspect they are recommending things like a new dial (that's $500+ right there). I would not under an circumstances approve that service.

Any parts within the movement that need to be replaced should be replaced as part of the service cost (which I think is currently $700). I don't think that's what is driving the cost up so high.
 
Dan S
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S scottfranklin
@502 to right I'm in the US; my AD sent the watch back to Omega (not sure where). They did not itemize but said it needs a "complete movement service," which actually is odd because on the Omega repair webpage the prices quoted are significantly lower (but might not be applicable).

@Dan S : yup, that's my thinking as well. Certainly wouldn't assume a pre-owned watch doesn't need service, so this is a decision.
To be $1600, they must be including significant parts and/or services beyond a standard service. I'd want to know what they are, and whether they are necessary or optional. For example, maybe they have decided you need a new bracelet.
 
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I'm sure you will be able to get this sorted out at a lower price, but if you are ok with having the movement replaced, you can purchase an ETA 2892-A2 movement for $200 to $300 and have the movement swapped out entirely. You just need to make sure you get a replacement movement with the date window in the right place and that the hand heights match. A Sellita 300-1 will also work.

I would only do that as a last resort. But to all outward appearances the watch would look the same.
 
V
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Is there a "cut-off" age of the watch when the standard $700 price for the service is no longer applicable?
 
Dan S
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V vbomega
Is there a "cut-off" age of the watch when the standard $700 price for the service is no longer applicable?
At some point, an old collectible vintage watch might go for restoration instead of service. But that really doesn't apply to your watch. They must be adding something on.
 
Archer
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V vbomega
Is there a "cut-off" age of the watch when the standard $700 price for the service is no longer applicable?
Not an age…it’s the movement caliber that determines this.
 
V
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Archer Archer
Not an age…it’s the movement caliber that determines this.
Thanks Al. How would this affect the 2500C movements? These are no longer produced (I think). Selfishly asking; these I would have to send in for service...
 
Archer
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Thanks Al. How would this affect the 2500C movements? These are no longer produced (I think). Selfishly asking; these I would have to send in for service...
Not at all…

Last I checked the 2500E was still being used in some ladies watches, but that was a while ago.
 
ErichKeane
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I went through something similar about 8 months ago. When you ship it in to Omega, they will give you the option of replacing things that aren't necessary. In my case, they offered to replace the rotating sub-dial and dial and hands as they are imperfect. The OB presented the itemized options with prices, which I rejected all but movement service.

I suspect what is happening is that the AD isn't being completely transparent with what they got back from Swatch/Omega, and are giving you the price for replacing 'everything'. Omega's vintage shop isn't like Rolex, Omega will do a 'sympathetic' restoration if you request.
 
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This is why I don't use an AD as a middle man for service work. For a full restoration I send my Omega directly to the OSC of my preference and they communicate directly with me via their internet portal. Done this way, you will get a full itemization of all work proposed before it is done.

I also work with a local independent Omega certified watchmaker for some jobs and he will talk through the proposed work and the cost of each item. Nothing is done without my approval.
 
ErichKeane
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502 to right 502 to right
This is why I don't use an AD as a middle man for service work. For a full restoration I send my Omega directly to the OSC of my preference and they communicate directly with me via their internet portal. Done this way, you will get a full itemization of all work proposed before it is done.

I also work with a local independent Omega certified watchmaker for some jobs and he will talk through the proposed work and the cost of each item. Nothing is done without my approval.
It just sounds like a crap AD to me if that is what is happening. My OB service experience has been fabulous, I got the itemizations, when I had a question they were able to get a watch maker on the phone from Switzerland to explain it to me, AND threw in apology gifts when my warranty work was delayed/needed reworks/etc.

IMO, it was worth saving the money and making the OB pay shipping 😀
 
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
It just sounds like a crap AD to me if that is what is happening. My OB service experience has been fabulous, I got the itemizations, when I had a question they were able to get a watch maker on the phone from Switzerland to explain it to me, AND threw in apology gifts when my warranty work was delayed/needed reworks/etc.

IMO, it was worth saving the money and making the OB pay shipping 😀

It's great that you've had a good experience. But I've seen multiple threads here and on WUS from people who were kept in the dark by an AD or OB regarding an itemized list of work to be performed and the progress. Personally, I would never, ever use an AD or OB as a middle man. Paying postage to have it sent is well worth it. Plus, you don't know how long they hold the watch before sending it in.
 
ErichKeane
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502 to right 502 to right
It's great that you've had a good experience. But I've seen multiple threads here and on WUS from people who were kept in the dark by an AD or OB regarding an itemized list of work to be performed and the progress. Personally, I would never, ever use an AD or OB as a middle man. Paying postage to have it sent is well worth it. Plus, you don't know how long they hold the watch before sending it in.
I guess I perhaps have a unique experience/a good sales guy, though it SHOULDN'T be unique, it should just be the way....

He updates me ahead of time (I've sent in a few things now), and he texts me as soon as anything of relevance happens without me having to see ALL the updates. So far the "how long they hold the watch before sending it in", the longest I've gone from "handed-to-initial-eval-report" was less than a week.
 
S
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Thanks, this is exactly the feedback I was hoping for. I'm going to talk in person w/the store today and try to get a direct line to the OSC they're dealing with. I'd like to believe it's more ignorance than malice, but we'll see. I definitely don't need a new dial/bracelet/crystal/etc. so I'm hopeful that going directly to Omega will resolve the issue. Will followup here when I know more, but thank you!
 
502 to right
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Thanks, this is exactly the feedback I was hoping for. I'm going to talk in person w/the store today and try to get a direct line to the OSC they're dealing with. I'd like to believe it's more ignorance than malice, but we'll see. I definitely don't need a new dial/bracelet/crystal/etc. so I'm hopeful that going directly to Omega will resolve the issue. Will followup here when I know more, but thank you!
Your AD has the information. They just aren't giving it to you. They should give it to you when you press the issue though. I will be shocked if an Omega with a 1120 movement really needs a service that costs $1,600.
 
salami4
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502 to right 502 to right
Your AD has the information. They just aren't giving it to you. They should give it to you when you press the issue though. I will be shocked if an Omega with a 1120 movement really needs a service that costs $1,600.
502 to right 502 to right
It's great that you've had a good experience. But I've seen multiple threads here and on WUS from people who were kept in the dark by an AD or OB regarding an itemized list of work to be performed and the progress. Personally, I would never, ever use an AD or OB as a middle man. Paying postage to have it sent is well worth it. Plus, you don't know how long they hold the watch before sending it in.

This. I'm inclined to think that either the AD is tacking on their "fee" for liaising the service through them or Omega is planning to do a little more than fully servicing the movement, perhaps some case repair or dial restoration? In any case, I think you should pry for more info on the quoted work and maybe ask them to do just the movement service and leave the rest as is.
 
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