No, because I experienced first-hand that repairs/service often do more wrong than right. It will return with dust under the crystal. And then there will be a stain on of the hands, and so on and so on (slightly dramatized, I know 😁) - this is not the type of thing you would want to deal with if you buy brand new.
This is exactly what scares me. That it will return with dust, a speck, fingerprints, god knows what. 🙁
True, some problems will slip through, everywhere anywhere and also in luxury items. I actually like to believe that I'm the "odd one out" in that regard when it comes to Omega, but they are still a mass producer of items as you've stated. Be that it as it may, I think that it's not far-fetched for me to expect better QC when a watch like that gets sold to me. Do I really have to take a loupe when I purchase a new factory fresh watch?
That would be the ideal outcome but I will settle for a change of crystal under warranty, as long as it's done quickly and perhaps receiving some compensation, not monetary, for the bother, the anguish and the time not spent enjoying the watch due to it being wherever it may be right now.
Yes, it's always a good idea to carefully inspect the watch before you put your money down, and before it is sized and has been worn. This way it's much easier to argue for a new watch than it is after it's been sized and worn.
But having said that the mark you show would appear to be visible without a loupe based on the photo.
You appear to be in Israel, is that correct? I have no idea what consumer laws are there, but unless you have something similar to what the UK and Australia do, the warranty typically covers the repair of any defect, and not a replacement watch for any small thing. And despite this being a visible defect, I would consider it a small thing. I'm not sure if it's a scratch as much as it's a smudge, so it may just need cleaning.
Compensation is unlikely, but if you get something it will be nice, and more than Omega has to do under their contract with you.
Just to be clear, this is certainly disappointing, and I don't think anyone is saying it isn't. But this does happen, and expecting "perfection" is only going to lead to disappointment and frustration in my view. It may seem like people here are defending Omega, but it's more of an understanding of reality. This stuff happens, and it will get repaired.
Omega is also a business, so they will take the way out of this that costs them less and in the end gets you the watch you bought, which is a repair rather than a replacement. I'm all for strong consumer laws but I also recognize that they can be a double edged sword in some respects. I don't think it's a coincidence that in countries with strong laws, the prices tend to be higher initially.
I understand and accept that there is no "perfection", and at the same time as I said earlier, when this applies to your newly acquired luxury piece - it's also easy to drift away from that understanding and see it in a different light. But I do expect Omega to make this right, and again I understand that this happens, and also with other brands we sometimes perceive as "perfect", like Rolex, Grand Seiko, etc.
Also, I see that you are a watchmaker. Can I ask how hard it is NOT to send me the watch back with new dust specks on the dial/glass, finger smudges, etc? If it has been worked on by a proficient watchmaker, is it relatively simple to receive the watch back in factory condition with all that comes to a clean crystal and dial? Really anxious about that right now, not gonna lie.
It appears we are in violent agreement then.
It's easy to make sure there isn't visible dust or debris inside, but it requires attention and a lot of patience. I tend to be rather anal about this, so will often spend 20 to 30 minutes cleaning every last visible spec of dust off the dial and the inside of the case. One thing you should be aware of is that some of this is acceptable under Omega specs (and those of other brands).
The final inspection is done under very specific lighting requirements for brightness and colour temperature, and at a very specific distance with no magnification. So if there is dust in there but it cannot be seen with the naked eye under these conditions, it passes.
How many 100k cars have recalls 😗
Didn’t Rolex put a 9 where a 3 should be….
https://timeandtidewatches.com/a-mo...-of-the-air-king-116900-doubled-up-to-the-9s/
I'm not a lawyer, either on OF or in real life, @Sambation but I would refer to the consumer law in your region/country in this instance.
For example, In the UK we would be protected by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 under your circumstances. i.e .if the watch has a latent defect, you would be entitled, within a reasonable time period, to the following recourse 1/ Replacement with a new watch, 2/ A Full refund or 3/ repair - at the expense of the retailer in question.
In the UK many retailers seem to want to "send it back to the manufacturer for assessment" i.e. repair. But for for a latent defect you would be entitled to options 1 or 2, which they often don't willingly volunteer.
Good luck with your watch - yes, defects often slip through the QC process, but it is important that they're dealt with in the right way at AD level. Their priority should be that they would want you to go away happy, with your big £/$/EURO purchase and willing to tell others what a great watch it is.
a 30 day period to obtain a full refund for faulty goods
Yes, millennials are well known to be in dismay when their new Omega comes with a defect.
