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Seamaster purchased from Mappin and Webb possible fake. What next?

I
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I did a quick look around, but couldn't find a similar thread.

About 4 years ago a purchased a Seamaster from Mappin and Webb in T3 Heathrow. This week I sent it along with 3 other Omegas (purchased from other authorised dealers) for servicing to an authorised Omega service center.

On collection they informed me that the Seamaster is a fake...a good one, but still a fake. I took all the boxing, certs and receipts in and the are now compiling a report with their findings including a fake mechanism and certs and docs.

To be fair the watch has been extremely reliable....but when you pay for original you expect an original.

So what is the best course of action....Contact Mappin and Webb direct or send the report to the Omega factory with the findings? Or something else? Opinions much appreciated.
 
chunkythebulldog
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I'd go through all channels possible to kick up as big a fuss as you can. M & W, Omega and Trading Standards.
 
chunkythebulldog
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In your title you state possible fake. If a service center has told you it's fake surely there's no possible about it?
 
Horlogerie
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That would mean that somehow a fake watch with all the required docs worked it's way into the system, which would probably indicate that others have as well.

Why did the seller not identify that it was a fake, maybe not the inners of the watch, but surely they deal with the paperwork daily and know what Omega provides them with regarding certification etc. Why the dealer missed this but the repair shop didn't...?

The question is how did a fake enter their buying and distribution chain? Sounds really odd to me.

Or, could it be that someone working for the company swapped the gen for the fake, in other words an inside job.
 
Maganator
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I can't imagine that Mappin & Webb are peddling fake goods.
 
happytapy
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Well, I would give the sellers the benefit in the first instance. Its a good fake by the sounds of it, and perhaps they were taken in as well as everyone else. I guess that happens. Save the big guns until they are really needed.

I would explain to them what has occurred and see what they suggest. If they are embarrassed about it and offer to do something (whatever that might be) then perhaps they are not only a good AD, but also prepared to make good on a bad situation. If they prevaricate, blink or throw their hands up, then I would go to Omega direct and get them onto it. I assume this particular outlet are an AD for Omega.

I have read cases where some makers Authorised Centres will confiscate your fake (good or bad) and not give it back. Glad that did not happen to you, if those stories are true (can't see it really). Would not happen here in Oz as we are covered by very good consumer laws, and you have rights. It sounds like its the same in the UK as far as that goes. Use the power of your consumer laws as another card in your deck if you get no where with those you appeal to.

Best of luck.
Edited:
 
I
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I'm still waiting for the report to be honest. Had three guys looking at the mechanism, seals, checking everything from documentation to scratches, etc. I live in Latvia (I'm an expat, but still have a uk address) so there is only one authorised re-seller and service center. I would love to get a second opinion, but my options are limited without sending it away.

To be honest, my thought were to send the report to both Mappin and Webb and Omega. In theory I would expect Mappin and Webb to want to clear this up quietly. I used the word possible fake as at the moment i have only what I've been told and nothing substantive in writing. If the claim is valid, then i still doubt that MW are knowingly peddling fake goods and it is likely to be a rotten apple employee or stock person switching products. But you never know....

The report should be in my hands tomorrow morning, then i'll get it translated, send it off and see what comes back my way.

It's all fun and games at the moment unless they piss me off with a pathetic palm off.

Attached is the redacted international warranty card though they were only questioning the lack of embossing on the card. Anyone else spot anything fishy?
 
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Archer
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Can I ask a few questions?

1 - Was this a new watch, or used?
2 - Is the service center you are using actually run by Omega, or it is just certified by them and run by a private company?
3 - Has anyone else opened the watch since you bought it?
4 - Does the serial number on the watch match the cards?
5 - If you can please PM me the serial number and reference number, I will look this up and let you know if the serial number is for that actual watch reference.

Cheers, Al
 
I
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Al, Please see inline below:

1 - Was this a new watch, or used?
It was new when purchased

2 - Is the service center you are using actually run by Omega, or it is just certified by them and run by a private company?
It is a private company certified by omega
http://www.omegawatches.com/customer-service/find-service-center/map/store-details/6141

3 - Has anyone else opened the watch since you bought it?
No. First time.

4 - Does the serial number on the watch match the cards?

Yes. First thing i checked.

5 - If you can please PM me the serial number and reference number, I will look this up and let you know if the serial number is for that actual watch reference.

Will do later in a couple of hours
 
Archer
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Thanks for that. I think the claim of it not being genuine would hold more weight with the dealer if it came from Omega directly, rather than a 3rd party. I could see a fake watch getting in to distribution channels much easier if it were a used watch they took in as trade or something, rather than new stock.

If you have photos of the watch front on, and back side, those might be helpful in determining if anything seems off. And when you get a chance, send me the serial number...no rush.

Did the company claiming it is a fake give you any reasons why they believe it is fake? You say fake mechanism above, so is that the movement they are referring to, and if so what movement was it that they found inside? If this is a 1120 or 2500 based SMP, then it could be an ETA 2892 inside, and a photo of the movement would tell me immediately if there is any basis to the claims.

Cheers, Al
 
dennisthemenace
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I irishlatino
I'm still waiting for the report to be honest. Had three guys looking at the mechanism, seals, checking everything from documentation to scratches, etc. I live in Latvia (I'm an expat, but still have a uk address) so there is only one authorised re-seller and service center. I would love to get a second opinion, but my options are limited without sending it away.

To be honest, my thought were to send the report to both Mappin and Webb and Omega. In theory I would expect Mappin and Webb to want to clear this up quietly. I used the word possible fake as at the moment i have only what I've been told and nothing substantive in writing. If the claim is valid, then i still doubt that MW are knowingly peddling fake goods and it is likely to be a rotten apple employee or stock person switching products. But you never know....

The report should be in my hands tomorrow morning, then i'll get it translated, send it off and see what comes back my way.

It's all fun and games at the moment unless they piss me off with a pathetic palm off.

Attached is the redacted international warranty card though they were only questioning the lack of embossing on the card. Anyone else spot anything fishy?
This whole thread is fishy if you ask me.
 
Kringkily
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This is the first time it ever has been serviced? Wondering if at some time someone had swapped something inside which caused the service center to claim it was fake. Typically the fake serials and real cards do not match up and if sold by a legitimate dealer new this is very very very very very weird. Would love to see the report and also photos of the watch if available.
Edited:
 
repoman
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Chain of custody needs to be done since the time it was purchased... how very bizarre indeed. Pics!! Since you have the paperwork, and there are serial numbers, seems like it will be possible to back track and figure out at which point it got swapped, or, how it entered the Omega dealer network and got sold as authentic.
 
I
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@Kringkily and Archer - You're right! Had the battery changed 2 years or so back. At the same service center...sorry, slipped my mind as this is the only quartz that i have. Ironically they didn't say anything to me back then.

To be honest, i am quite out of my depth with regard to answering some questions and rely very much on what i am told at the service center. As it stands - i haven't had the report back so i have no real evidence to support any claim and to be honest i would have been none the wiser if the watch was just returned to me - ignorance is bliss so they say.

I will post the report (or at least the translated version) hopefully tomorrow.... It could be a lot of hoo rah rah about nothing or could be a well founded case.
 
Archer
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Okay I didn't realize this was a quartz watch...the serial number you sent me is for the watch that the card says it is, so those match and the watch should have a Cal. 1538 inside. Of course if there was a problem with the 1538, there is an ETA equivalent available that can be installed in place the of the Omega version.

If the only intervention that the watch has had was at this same place, it makes you wonder why they are pointing this out now.

I'll be honest I suspect the place doing the work on the watch more than the original AD...
 
I
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Al, I agree that it could be the place doing the work as well. I could easily have been had by the place....

Still let's see what they say, if the certs, bracelet/materials or docs turn out to be reported as knocked off then we will know as, whist not being able to check the internals, this watch had certain wear and tear characteristics which were clearly identifiable to me and the shop never had access to the box, documentation, certs, etc...
 
Geo!
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Archer Archer
I'll be honest I suspect the place doing the work on the watch more than the original AD...

My thoughts too!
 
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