Seamaster repair

BusyBuilder · Dec 21, 2023

I bought a Seamaster 300m, reasonably cheap with a view to getting it serviced at some point. The watch didn't have a very good reserve and barely lasted overnight before stopping.
I sent it off to Luxury Watch Repairs in London, they told me it had to go to Omega as it needed a new bridge, and these have the watch number engraved on the bridge so only Omega can do this. I'm wondering if I've bought a lemon.

They said the bridge was damaged and had to be replaced, so I'm wondering what could have caused such damage to need a new bridge ?

Annapolis · Dec 21, 2023

Doubt anyone here can tell you, least of all without seeing detailed pictures of the movement/ bridge. But if I had to guess, a previous owner sent it to a less-than-reputable watchmaker for some kind of service and the watch was damaged at that time. (Probably explains why it wasn’t functioning well for you.)

No doubt Omega will get it taken care of, so I don’t think you can call it a lemon. But whether it was a smart financial decision depends on what 300m it is, specifically, as well as what you paid, and any other condition issues it might have.

BusyBuilder · Dec 21, 2023

So if it goes to Omega, will they replace any parts that need it ? the reason I sent it to the LWR in London was because they give 3 year warranties.

the watch is the 300m Mid size blue.

Annapolis · Dec 21, 2023

BusyBuilder
So if it goes to Omega, will they replace any parts that need it ? the reason I sent it to the LWR in London was because they give 3 year warranties.

the watch is the 300m Mid size blue.

Yes, Omega will do a compete overhaul and replace any worn or damaged parts. (They may even return the replaced parts in a little baggie—no joke.) The watch will also be cleaned and refinished to like new condition, and will arrive to you with a 2-year warranty. Just expect that it will be out of your hands for upwards of two months—that’s the big downside.

It will be an expensive service—think about $800 USD. But assuming you paid less than a grand for the watch, you probably came out ok.

Scarecrow Boat · Dec 21, 2023

BusyBuilder
I sent it off to Luxury Watch Repairs in London, they told me it had to go to Omega as it needed a new bridge, and these have the watch number engraved on the bridge so only Omega can do this.

Did they deny the service and inform you that you needed to send the watch to Omega? Or were they informing you know that this part needed to be sent to Omega? If they have an Omega parts account, they would just send that part to Omega because yes, Omega would be the only ones to replace & re-engrave a new (matching) serial number.

BusyBuilder · Dec 21, 2023

Thank you Annapolis, I paid £1050 in UK. I expect the Omega bill to be about £600 from what I've been told, although I was originally quoted £360.
The way I see it, is I'll have a quality watch at the end of the day, I could have bought a more expensive one and not known it's service history.

BusyBuilder · Dec 21, 2023

Scarecrow Boat
Did they deny the service and inform you that you needed to send the watch to Omega? Or were they informing you know that this part needed to be sent to Omega? If they have an Omega parts account, they would just send that part to Omega because yes, Omega would be the only ones to replace & re-engrave a new (matching) serial number.

I understood it the watch was going to Omega UK and if they needed to, it would then go to the Swiss service centre.

Davidt · Dec 21, 2023

I’d just send it direct to Swiss Time Sevices who are Omega approved

Annapolis · Dec 21, 2023

BusyBuilder
Thank you Annapolis, I paid £1050 in UK. I expect the Omega bill to be about £600 from what I've been told, although I was originally quoted £360.
The way I see it, is I'll have a quality watch at the end of the day, I could have bought a more expensive one and not known it's service history.

This can be a very clever approach as long as you have the patience.

Seamaster repair

BusyBuilder

Annapolis

BusyBuilder

Annapolis

Scarecrow Boat

BusyBuilder

BusyBuilder

Davidt

Annapolis

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