Servicong 2018 seamaster is too expensive.

shawnito86 · Sat. 11:04am

Hello.
I left my 2018 Omega Seamaster 300M at the Omega Service Center in Secaucus, NJ, three weeks ago. I just received the estimate and I am baffled by the total cost of the repair. The overhaul itself is $700, and replacing the dial costs $580; with tax, the total comes to $1,400 USD.
Although the watch was almost due for a service, I wanted to wait because it was running perfectly. However, I recently washed my face while wearing it and moisture must have gotten inside, as the crystal fogged up. I was told that service is required immediately to avoid damaging the movement, so I dropped it off for repair.
Since the current value of my watch is around $2500 or less, the idea of spending half its value on a repair makes me want to consider other options. Does $1,400 seem reasonable, or should I look for an independent watchmaker? I am willing to ship it to a reliable specialist elsewhere."

Larry S · Sat. 11:11am

Yes … you are having a major overhaul done. An independent might be slightly less. Best to let them make it new. Your other option is to toss it in a drawer, then it will be worth nothing. You will still be close to a grand or more with an independent. If the leak is so bad that it happened while washing, it’s been bad for a while.

bsowers34 · Sat. 11:14am

I second Larry S, let Omega make it new again, with warranty.

Dan S · Sat. 11:17am

What's the question exactly? A factory overhaul is $700, and I'm pretty sure that is the standard price for this type of watch as listed on the website. You damaged the dial, so that is an extra cost.

If you can live with the condition of the current dial, you could save $600. If the service center is requiring replacement, you could probably find an independent watchmaker who would service the watch without replacing the dial.

ErichKeane · Sat. 1:28pm

$700 for a 3 hander + date is on the higher side, as you can usually get a GOOD independent for ~$4-$500, BUT Omega prices in a ton of replacements that they don't charge extra for. IF you were doing a normal service, I'd say it would be worth paying the independent instead.

However, Omega's $700 includes a TON of replacement parts (that independents charge extra for). Depending on the water damage, the $300 savings of going with an independent would disappear in an instant as soon as parts need replacing.

Regarding the dial: The others have said it: If you don't care about the damage to it, see if they'll let you skip that. I'm a little surprised that a ceramic dial shows much water damage though, so it might be easy to just have it sponged off 😀

ErichPryde · Sat. 4:28pm

Well....

A great reminder that everyone should check their seals on a 7, 8 year old watch.
It sucks this happened, but we can't make the decision on how to proceed for you from here.

Annapolis · Sat. 5:41pm

Not to be condescending, but the way I look at it, luxury watches are sort of like homes or cars: there’s the cost of buying it, and then there’s the cost of owning it—maintenance. Omegas are expensive to buy, and if you keep the watches for a long enough time (whether you go factory or independent service) the cost of owning them may prove even higher, altogether.

I’ve occasionally toyed with the idea of purchasing a Patek or a Lange—the cost of buying one would be a stretch, but maybe an exciting one. But then I’ve looked into the ownership/maintenance costs and have decided against doing so.

All to say, I think it comes down to how much you care about the experience of owning that watch. How much are you willing to pay to continue having that experience? At a certain point there’s no doubt you will have paid more in the buying and owning of it than you would possibly be able to recoup in a sale—from the sound of it, that point may be fast approaching. That will happen with most luxury watches at some point. (It’s one of the reasons why watches are poor “investments.”) So now it’s a sentimental question that only you can answer.

If it were my watch (that I cared about and intended to keep forever) and my call, I’d always err on the side of a proper factory service that will come with a warranty. Pricey, and it’ll be out of your hands for months, but it’ll come back looking brand new and should run flawlessly for years and be waterproof.

ErichKeane · Sat. 5:48pm

Annapolis
Not to be condescending, but the way I look at it, luxury watches are sort of like homes or cars: there’s the cost of buying it, and then there’s the cost of owning it—maintenance. Omegas are expensive to buy, and if you keep the watches for a long enough time (whether you go factory or independent service) the cost of owning them may prove even higher, altogether.

I’ve occasionally toyed with the idea of purchasing a Patek or a Lange—the cost of buying one would be a stretch, but maybe an exciting one. But then I’ve looked into the ownership/maintenance costs and have decided against doing so.

All to say, I think it comes down to how much you care about the experience of owning that watch. How much are you willing to pay to continue having that experience? At a certain point there’s no doubt you will have paid more in the buying and owning of it than you would possibly be able to recoup in a sale—from the sound of it, that point may be fast approaching. That will happen with most luxury watches at some point. (It’s one of the reasons why watches are poor “investments.”) So now it’s a sentimental question that only you can answer.

If it were my watch (that I cared about and intended to keep forever) and my call, I’d always err on the side of a proper factory service that will come with a warranty. Pricey, and it’ll be out of your hands for months, but it’ll come back looking brand new and should run flawlessly for years and be waterproof.

The only thing more expensive than a new Ferrari is a used Ferrari 😀 Same things happen with mechanical watches, just at a smaller scale.

ErichPryde · Sat. 6:03pm

Annapolis
...if you keep the watches for a long enough time (whether you go factory or independent service) the cost of owning them may prove even higher, altogether

Which is ultimately what drives the secondary Market in the first place- many of the watches that become listed for sale need a service or are at the end of or past warranty. I think lots of people want the ownership experience of a luxury piece, but are content taking a slightly larger hit as a trade-in to have something new and exciting.

Different strokes, as it's said. The philosophy though is quite interesting and if it hasn't been considered when issues arise, we often find ourselves with costs that we didn't expect.

Serge_tm · Mon. 1:12am

Difference between chronograph service and three hander is becoming narrow it seems.

Danimals · 2026-01-21T08:57:15-0600

Serge_tm
Difference between chronograph service and three hander is becoming narrow it seems.

Think this holds true for independents too, or just Omega factory?

asteroidwave · 2026-01-21T12:09:16-0600

I got my 2011 Seamaster serviced last year by Omega and it wasn't cheap (around £600) but it did come back looking pretty much brand new and the way I see it, it works out around £42 per year I've had it. Your's has obviously suffered much worse damage but the cost doesn't seem unreasonable for the amount of work required but I would be prepaid that the watch will be out of your hands for a considerable amount of time.

bsowers34 · 2026-01-21T14:32:26-0600

Every time I send one in for service, I end up buying a new one to wear while it's away.......

Servicong 2018 seamaster is too expensive.

shawnito86

Larry S

bsowers34

Dan S

ErichKeane

ErichPryde

Annapolis

ErichKeane

ErichPryde

Serge_tm

Danimals

asteroidwave

bsowers34

Similar threads

2018 Seamaster Diver 300M Ceramic Wave Dial Rubber Strap w/ Buckle or Deployant

Reference number for 2018 Seamaster Bracelet

2018 Seamaster Bracelet on 2021 Seamaster (Info Request)

Are Omega getting too expensive

Seamaster 300 Dial, are they too expensive ?

2018 seamaster Pro 300 power reserve