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Sending Moonwatch in for Warranty Service - Which Location?

W
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As the title says, I have a Moonwatch needing service under warranty. I'm right between NJ, FL and the CA locations. I've heard good things about the CA location, the NJ seems to be a mixed bag, and I haven't heard anything either way regarding the FL location.

Just looking for any real world experiences, and how did they treat your watch / any new marks to the timepiece once you received it. .
 
rainking
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I’ve had two watches serviced at the Culver City (L.A.) location and good experience both times.
 
W
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rainking rainking
I’ve had two watches serviced at the Culver City (L.A.) location and good experience both times.

This is good to hear. I just received the return box today and will be shipping to the CA location.
 
STANDY
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What’s the service needed under warranty ?
 
W
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STANDY STANDY
What’s the service needed under warranty ?

Noticeable dust on the dial - in several places. Watch is just over two months old. This is the second Speedy I’ve seen new with the issue.
 
Bimmerman77
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W watchfisher
As the title says, I have a Moonwatch needing service under warranty. I'm right between NJ, FL and the CA locations. I've heard good things about the CA location, the NJ seems to be a mixed bag, and I haven't heard anything either way regarding the FL location.

Just looking for any real world experiences, and how did they treat your watch / any new marks to the timepiece once you received it. .
I’ve never had issues with the NJ, CA or Seattle centers. The Miami one the wrong crown on my 2254, then a bad case tube when I sent it back for a new crown. Still waiting to get it back
 
Evitzee
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W watchfisher
Noticeable dust on the dial - in several places. Watch is just over two months old. This is the second Speedy I’ve seen new with the issue.
You must be unlucky, I've not had any dust issues with any of my Speedmasters, but I don't look for dust.
 
absoluteczech
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I live in SoCal and took my speedy pro for a warranty repair to a local boutique and the watch was shipped to Washington state iirc. Also was gone for about 8-9 weeks
 
rainking
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W watchfisher
Noticeable dust on the dial - in several places. Watch is just over two months old. This is the second Speedy I’ve seen new with the issue.
Is that all you need? No OB near you with a tech onsite who could do it? I only say that because sending it to the service center likely means you'll be without it for more than a month. If nothing else, call the San Diego OB. I believe they have a tech onsite who offers cleanings and things like that to Omega owners. Maybe he'd agree to have you send it to him there instead. He could probably take care of this in 20 minutes and send it back the same day or within days, anyway.
 
W
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rainking rainking
Is that all you need? No OB near you with a tech onsite who could do it? I only say that because sending it to the service center likely means you'll be without it for more than a month. If nothing else, call the San Diego OB. I believe they have a tech onsite who offers cleanings and things like that to Omega owners. Maybe he'd agree to have you send it to him there instead. He could probably take care of this in 20 minutes and send it back the same day or within days, anyway.

I can't speak to the technical aspect of disassembling, cleaning and reassembling the watch, though my local OB was persistently hesitant to undertake the operation. I'd bought an Omega from an AD in CA not long ago, who recommended the Culver City Omega center. I phoned them, spoke to his contact and am sending the watch to him as he's familiar with the situation. The shipping is on Omega's dime, as is the service.

I wish I were in the SoCal area (in MI right now), otherwise I would contact the OB you noted in San Diego.

I completely agree it may not take that long to get the dust off the dial, I simply want to get this done once and done right. This was / is one of my first two Omegas, so I'm only going by what was recommended to me by way of a highly regarded AD.
 
W
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Evitzee Evitzee
You must be unlucky, I've not had any dust issues with any of my Speedmasters, but I don't look for dust.

I agree. Though having 20/10 vision means I'm seeing things others might pass up. And after seeing the dust, it's hard not to see it again, especially on a watch that costs as much as a good used car. Odd I never had this issue with my Sinns.

Funny how Omega shows extreme macro closeups in their brochures, touting the technical precision, yet dismisses imperfections at 30cm. And the Moonwatch is supplied with a loupe as well.
Edited:
 
W
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As a follow-up, I received the serviced watch from Culver City two days ago. Upon first look, the dust was removed very, very well. I was trying not to look too closely, but even looking closer, I didn't notice anything.

However.

What I did notice were four new marks on the watch case, and one ding on the case ridge at 9:00. The other four were scrape marks on the inner lugs, adjacent to the serial number and Omega logo. Prior to sending this in, the inner lugs were mirror perfect and total time on wrist was less than 30 minutes. These new marks are certainly visible at 30 cm.

Trying not to let my OCD get away with me, but any recommendations are welcome. I'm hesitant to return the watch to Omega LA again, though this is essentially a new watch (Sep 2019 purchase date) and I was looking to enjoy a new watch from that date, not inherit a project.
 
mr_smith
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I'm sorry there were some new marks put on your watch. Should you decide to try other service centers in the future, and if interested in my experience, I had a great one with the Seattle location. My 42mm PO started gaining a lot of time during the warranty period (this is years ago now) so I took it in. Upon receiving it back (went there in person), it was brought out in the little red Omega travel case and all of the heavy-duty plastic was taken off of it (the kind applied so as to avoid scratches) right in front of me. The rep had me inspect it and it was flawless... he took it back one last time and gave the bracelet just the slightest of tugs to make sure it was secure and then I was off. Got to keep the little red case too. Oh and the watch kept time within spec after the service, of course. 😀 I just thought the customer facing part of it was nice as well and worth noting. I haven't needed to visit the Seattle location since then except to obtain some springbars but they were also quite helpful in that regard... I've read about others having trouble getting springbars. The only stipulation was I had to bring the watch in to get them. Still though, they were quite happy to help me.
 
W
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I just wanted to follow up with a first-person experience with Omega Service. The post two replies up was several months ago, after receiving my (then new) watch from service to remove dust from the dial. Once it was returned, it did have some very visible damage. I contacted Omega Boutique Service which is based in Seattle. Sending the watch into a different service center had me holding my breath, but after an excellent communication with the manager, agreeing on a course of action, I received the watch a few weeks ago in outstanding condition.

I know not all posts here are positive, though I wanted to chime in that sometimes you just have to find the right 'channel' or specialist to remedy the situation. Will post images when I'm able.
 
mr_smith
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Glad you also had a good experience with the Seattle location, and got the watch back in outstanding condition - looking forward to the photos!
 
T
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W watchfisher
I just wanted to follow up with a first-person experience with Omega Service. The post two replies up was several months ago, after receiving my (then new) watch from service to remove dust from the dial. Once it was returned, it did have some very visible damage. I contacted Omega Boutique Service which is based in Seattle. Sending the watch into a different service center had me holding my breath, but after an excellent communication with the manager, agreeing on a course of action, I received the watch a few weeks ago in outstanding condition.

I know not all posts here are positive, though I wanted to chime in that sometimes you just have to find the right 'channel' or specialist to remedy the situation. Will post images when I'm able.

I've had several experiences with the Seattle service center, both warranty and routine service, and have been very pleased with their work. The manager, Makenzie, comes from a family of watchmakers and is a great guy to talk to!
 
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