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Servicing a modified 2264.50

geza
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Hi all,

I have an Omega 2264.50 with the Plan Pro modification (PO crystal/bezel/seconds hand). The modification was done over a year ago, and it ran wonderfully the last 12+ months. Just a few weeks ago it lost ~2 minutes and it then proceeded to run fine again without the battery end of life indicator. About a week ago it again lost 1-2 minutes and then proceeded to run fine.

Where can I send this watch for service? I worry that Omega will not work on a modified watch (I completely understand), and the watchmaker that did the mod will not touch an Omega quartz movement. I am located in the US.

Thanks in advance.
 
hen
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geza geza
Hi all,

I have an Omega 2264.50 with the Plan Pro modification (PO crystal/bezel/seconds hand). The modification was done over a year ago, and it ran wonderfully the last 12+ months. Just a few weeks ago it lost ~2 minutes and it then proceeded to run fine again without the battery end of life indicator. About a week ago it again lost 1-2 minutes and then proceeded to run fine.

Where can I send this watch for service? I worry that Omega will not work on a modified watch (I completely understand), and the watchmaker that did the mod will not touch an Omega quartz movement. I am located in the US.

Thanks in advance.
I am no expert (on anything) but, maybe its cheaper and easter to get the equivalent ETA movement?
 
Donn Chambers
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Do you have the original parts? If so, then have them reinstalled and send to Omega for service. If not, then you are going to have to find another watchmaker willing to and able with a parts account) to order the quartz movement to replace. Or go with an ETA equivalent.
 
geza
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Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
Do you have the original parts? If so, then have them reinstalled and send to Omega for service. If not, then you are going to have to find another watchmaker willing to and able with a parts account) to order the quartz movement to replace. Or go with an ETA equivalent.
My concern is that a slight imperfection in the modification may be the root cause. If so, the watch will come back from service, get remodified, and the exact same issue will pop up.

Davidt Davidt
Just find an independent Omega watchmaker in the US.
Can you list three highly rated ones? I was hoping Nesbit would work on it, but they are not responding to my emails.
 
alam
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geza geza
Can you list three highly rated ones? I was hoping Nesbit would work on it, but they are not responding to my emails.
That's odd - I have used them in more than one occasion and they were always very responsive.
 
geza
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alam alam
That's odd - I have used them in more than one occasion and they were always very responsive.
I guess I should try calling them, because the internet is full of praise for them.
 
Davidt
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geza geza
Can you list three highly rated ones? I was hoping Nesbit would work on it, but they are not responding to my emails.

I can’t as I don’t live in the US.

You should try searching the forum. This question is asked frequently
 
502 to right
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geza geza
I worry that Omega will not work on a modified watch (I completely understand), and the watchmaker that did the mod will not touch an Omega quartz movement.

Why won't the watchmaker touch an Omega quartz movement if they already installed a crystal and seconds hand on the watch? There's nothing unique about it.

You could also drop in an ETA 255.462 movement and not have to deal with Omega at all.
 
geza
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502 to right 502 to right
Why won't the watchmaker touch an Omega quartz movement if they already installed a crystal and seconds hand on the watch? There's nothing unique about it.

You could also drop in an ETA 255.462 movement and not have to deal with Omega at all.
Yeah, I have the same question but I didn't want to press the shop on this point.
 
Davidt
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It’s fairly common that independent watchmakers only work on mechanical watches and refuse quartz altogether.

Several I use in the UK don’t work on quartz.
 
502 to right
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Davidt Davidt
It’s fairly common that independent watchmakers only work on mechanical watches and refuse quartz altogether.

Several I use in the UK don’t work on quartz.
I would assume they don't have Omega parts accounts. I'm pretty certain in order to get an Omega parts account you need to have quartz testing equipment and training.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/quartz-watches-some-information-some-may-find-interesting.5475/ Cover Image
Thread 'Quartz Watches - Some Information Some May Find Interesting' ·
I wanted to make a post about quartz watches, and although I realize not everyone here is a fan, but hopefully after reading this you will at least understand how sophisticated they are, and at...
Archer ·
 
geza
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I ended up finding someone who requested to not be named as working on a modified Omega might get them into trouble. The battery limiting spring appeared to have been the culprit, and the watch came back working fine for 6 months.

This weekend the same symptoms reappeared - occasional lost time, battery end of life indicator not active.

... sigh ...

If you know the "final boss level" US-based Omega repair person who will not shy away from a modified Omega, I would appreciate a private message. Bonus points if they have previously worked on a PlanPro modded 2254/2264.
 
ErichPryde
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You can try reaching out to Kelly Hunter, https://artofthewatch.com/ a PDX based watchmaker. He's done work for forum members before and with positive results.

I don't know if he works on quartz watches, so you'd have to check.
Edited:
 
502 to right
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geza geza
I ended up finding someone who requested to not be named as working on a modified Omega might get them into trouble. The battery limiting spring appeared to have been the culprit, and the watch came back working fine for 6 months.

This weekend the same symptoms reappeared - occasional lost time, battery end of life indicator not active.

... sigh ...

If you know the "final boss level" US-based Omega repair person who will not shy away from a modified Omega, I would appreciate a private message. Bonus points if they have previously worked on a PlanPro modded 2254/2264.

Was the movement serviced or did they just address the battery limiting spring?
 
geza
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502 to right 502 to right
Was the movement serviced or did they just address the battery limiting spring?
They also installed a fresh battery and then kept the watch for a week to make sure it was running fine.
 
geza
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
You can try reaching out to Kelly Hunter, https://artofthewatch.com/ a PDX based watchmaker. He's done work for forum members before and with positive results.

I don't know if he works on quartz watches, so you'd have to check.
Thanks!
 
Donerix
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Would they replace the bezel insert on this one? I like it much better than the black one

OSMRD-lume-flatlink.webp
 
geza
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Quick update: No response yet from anyone willing to take a look, but trying to look for a pattern I noticed that if the watch loses time, it happens on Sundays. Sundays I go swimming in cold ocean water followed by a warm shower. The internet is divided over dive watches in hot showers with shampoo, but I don't have a better hypothesis, so for the moment I'll keep the watch on for activities where I want/need it (scuba/swimming), while avoiding steaming water and shampoo.
 
ErichPryde
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geza geza
Quick update: No response yet from anyone willing to take a look, but trying to look for a pattern I noticed that if the watch loses time, it happens on Sundays. Sundays I go swimming in cold ocean water followed by a warm shower. The internet is divided over dive watches in hot showers with shampoo, but I don't have a better hypothesis, so for the moment I'll keep the watch on for activities where I want/need it (scuba/swimming), while avoiding steaming water and shampoo.

Opinions are divided on this, facts are not. Does your watch pass a pressure test?

Secondarily, How cold are we talking? Cold can impact a quartz watch function. I wouldn't expect this to be the case here, but if your watch is properly sealed I would expect lower temperature to be a potential culprit. But if it is, you're back to replacing the movement.
 
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