Servicing options for Omega

topfox59 · Jun 3, 2021

Ladies/Gents
A question around servicing of watches, Omega in particular and UK located.
I will be buying,hopefully, a Constellation in the near future. It will come serviced so nothing to worry about for the foreseeable future. However, when the time comes clearly I want it serviced by a knowledgable person but without Omega prices.
Three years ago I took my PO back to the shop I bought it from for its service. I questioned will it be serviced by Omega and they said yes. 10 weeks later the watch was back, with a little bag of parts consisting of old crystal (yes I was welding with my PO on :whipped:

), bezel and lots of gears and thingymajigs. all good for a week then the second hand started jumping so back to goldsmiths who sent it away and returned in 10 weeks. 2 months later same thing.
Now what I failed to inform is Goldsmiths only provided THEIR receipt NOT an Omega one. I questioned why not and what was done to the watch that required a spare bag of thingymajigs. “All serviced iaw Goldsmiths ‘approved servicing who don’t issue watch repair summaries”
Once I had extracted my fingernails from the glass countertop containing the chavvy jewellery. I ‘requested’ the watch to be sent to Omega for the proper and correct service -and at no expense to me.
This was duly done and the watch came back (with another bag of TmJGs) with an Omega receipt for £455 which had been paid by Goldsmiths.
I have also omitted to mention the original service bill from Goldsmiths which included said crystal 😟), bezel and service was just shy of a grand😡
Watch has been running fine ever since and keeps good time.
So in summary - I shouldn’t be allowed near watches, let alone wear them🙁
However, I’m a rebel 😎 and will, with the support of knowledgable people like yourselves.
Which brings me back to the question around suitability, recommendations and cost.
I have just spoken to Richard Askham who says he can no longer service Omega’s due to their EU busting monopoly on parts/servicing(??).
So what are the options??
I also have a few other mechanical watches that will need servicing in the future a 1948 Longines, the wifes 1950 Longines, a Seiko 7a28-7120 and the 2 Omegas one of which is a CO-Axial
TIA
Russ

Archer · Jun 3, 2021

Your choices are to take it to Omega, or use an Omega authorized watchmaker, who will have access to parts for co-axial watches, the specific tools required for servicing co-axial watches, and will have had the training to enable them to properly service co-axial watches. I wouldn't expect the price to be much different between the two.

Or, you can take it to someone who doesn't have all that, and hope for the best.

Cheers, Al

topfox59 · Jun 3, 2021

Archer
Your choices are to take it to Omega, or use an Omega authorized watchmaker, who will have access to parts for co-axial watches, the specific tools required for servicing co-axial watches, and will have had the training to enable them to properly service co-axial watches. I wouldn't expect the price to be much different between the two.

Or, you can take it to someone who doesn't have all that, and hope for the best.

Cheers, Al

Thanks Al
I was resigned to taking the coaxial to omega but the older constellation I’m assuming doesn’t require the specialist process the CA requires?
However, my understanding it isn’t as simple as that as whilst the constellation could be serviced competently by most watch specialists, access to the parts is the concern. Which leaves only the authorised omega servicing or Omega. Is the cost difference for authorised watchmakerssignificantly different to warrant not going to Omega itself?
If so who would be the preferred option in the Uk?
I was also interested to understand how Omega can monopolise the servicing market. For example if your Porsche requires a service your preference would always be to have a genuine Porsche (v expensive) service but the EU states that any car to maintain warranty can be serviced by an independent as long as they maintain manufactures servicing schedules/procedures and uses OEM parts. I certainly don’t know any car manufactures that will not supply OEM parts to the general public.
Pity this doesn’t apply to Omegas

Franco · Jun 3, 2021

Send it to Simon Freese. Up to five years ago boss at STS, has access to all relevant parts.

JohnWoo · Jun 3, 2021

From my experience with Omega.
In the last 4 years I sent 2 watches to Omega UK for service/repair [message me if you need contact info].
First was a basic service £300 + tax.
Second they quoted £1000. Had it repaired elsewhere in the end.
Good info from Franco, I have one serviced by SF this year [1960's Constellation] £250 all in.

topfox59 · Jun 3, 2021

Thanks Franco, much obliged.

Franco
Send it to Simon Freese. Up to five years ago boss at STS, has access to all relevant parts.

thanks Franco much obliged.

topfox59 · Jun 3, 2021

JohnWoo
From my experience with Omega.
In the last 4 years I sent 2 watches to Omega UK for service/repair [message me if you need contact info].
First was a basic service £300 + tax.
Second they quoted £1000. Had it repaired elsewhere in the end.
Good info from Franco, I have one serviced by SF this year [1960's Constellation] £250 all in.

John
Many thanks that’s great info.
£250 sounds very reasonable when you amortise that over 4 years
Russ

Archer · Jun 3, 2021

T topfox59
However, my understanding it isn’t as simple as that as whilst the constellation could be serviced competently by most watch specialists, access to the parts is the concern. Which leaves only the authorised omega servicing or Omega. Is the cost difference for authorised watchmakerssignificantly different to warrant not going to Omega itself?

Omega will sell parts to completely independent watchmakers (like me) who can charge whatever they want to for their services, because we are independent as the name suggests. If any watchmaker out there has a well equipped modern shop, training and experience, they can apply to Omega to get a parts account. They will have to do some training with Omega, and then they can get the parts they want.

So while it's not exactly as open as car parts are, it's far from a monopoly as someone has suggested to you.

Since again we are independent, I can't say what the price differences might be - we all make out own decisions on pricing. What you will get typically is much more control over the cosmetic aspects of the service. Omega often forces changes on the cosmetic side of things that collectors of these watches don't want changed. You will also typically be able to communicate directly with the person who is servicing your watch, so not just handing it over to a large company where you have no idea who will work on it.

Seeing this only through the lens of prices misses a lot of the aspects that make independent servicing different from brand service centers.

Cheers, Al

topfox59 · Jun 3, 2021

Archer
Omega will sell parts to completely independent watchmakers (like me) who can charge whatever they want to for their services, because we are independent as the name suggests. If any watchmaker out there has a well equipped modern shop, training and experience, they can apply to Omega to get a parts account. They will have to do some training with Omega, and then they can get the parts they want.

So while it's not exactly as open as car parts are, it's far from a monopoly as someone has suggested to you.

Since again we are independent, I can't say what the price differences might be - we all make out own decisions on pricing. What you will get typically is much more control over the cosmetic aspects of the service. Omega often forces changes on the cosmetic side of things that collectors of these watches don't want changed. You will also typically be able to communicate directly with the person who is servicing your watch, so not just handing it over to a large company where you have no idea who will work on it.

Seeing this only through the lens of prices misses a lot of the aspects that make independent servicing different from brand service centers.

Cheers, Al

Thanks Al, very informative and helpful
Russ

Servicing options for Omega

topfox59

Archer

topfox59

Franco

JohnWoo

topfox59

topfox59

Archer

topfox59

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