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Simon Freese
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Charlemagne1333
·Is it not the season of goodwill? Tough crowd…
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tikkathree
·Is it not the season of goodwill? Tough crowd…
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M'Bob
·You're entitled to your opinion of course but consider a situation where back in 2023 you engaged me to work on one of your watches, you paid me for my services and the new parts required, you sent me your watch and despite your best efforts to make contact with me and your best efforts not to panic, all you've had is one quick conversation during the summer of 2024 when I said I'd "deal with it this week". Your emails and phonecalls have otherwise gone unanswered.
Let’s be clear: no one is denying that this type of situation isn’t EXTREMELY frustrating and annoying. I have two Rolexes right now with a guy I’ve used for 37 years, and I’m certain if I didn’t check in every month I would never see them again.
The point is: the guy (and it’s been made public, to make matters worse), has gone through a crappy divorce and this has been offered up as an explanation for his unacceptable professional behavior.
But that was then, and this is now.
So, one has two choices: either don’t forgive him for his actions in the past, and pledge, because of that, never to engage his services again; or, show some empathy, realize that this could happen to any of us, and give him a chance at a fresh start.
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tikkathree
·You’re missing the point.
Let’s be clear: no one is denying that this type of situation isn’t EXTREMELY frustrating and annoying. I have two Rolexes right now with a guy I’ve used for 37 years, and I’m certain if I didn’t check in every month I would never see them again.
The point is: the guy (and it’s been made public, to make matters worse), has gone through a crappy divorce and this has been offered up as an explanation for his unacceptable professional behavior.
But that was then, and this is now.
So, one has two choices: either don’t forgive him for his actions in the past, and pledge, because of that, never to engage his services again; or, show some empathy, realize that this could happen to any of us, and give him a chance at a fresh start.
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pdxleaf
··So on and so on and scoobie doobie dooEveryone probably has enough information now to make their own informed decision going forward.
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watchyouwant
·I only wish governments and corporations were held to the same rigour as sole traders ;0 and I again note that some of us are now personally identifiable, not just an internet handle, which should hold more weight in this increasingly ephemeral interweb age. I agree it is important to share experiences, but also to consider what outcome is required, and what will be the best outcome for all parties. Is anybody rushing to send their CK2998 to Omega ……super quick turnaround and new lume……
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td69
·I saw Simon in person last month, picked up half a dozen watches that he serviced for me, and left four more watches with him for my next visit in spring. It took Simon about a week to provide me with his estimates for the new batch. I added a few extra requests and a couple weeks later he sent me his amended estimates. I'm sorry to hear that some fellow members have had issues with his service and communication, but I have never had any bad experience with Simon. There have been a few watches that need to be corrected post service, but nothing remains unresolved.
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edd9000
·I would really like to get a watch back from Simon but he is ignoring emails/whatsapp. Any advice on how to proceed or get in contact with him would be appreciated.
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bikeman
·I would really like to get a watch back from Simon but he is ignoring emails/whatsapp. Any advice on how to proceed or get in contact with him would be appreciated.
https://omegaforums.net/attachments/2025_02_18_17_24_44_greenshot-webp.3127007/
You dont want to be waiting 5 years like this guy
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JimInOz
··Melbourne AustraliaB bikemanPay him a visit in London on 8th March.
https://omegaforums.net/attachments/2025_02_18_17_24_44_greenshot-webp.3127007/
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edd9000
·I would just pay him a visit, but I am actually unsure of his address, I didn't make a note of it on the postage label he sent me.
I have not been waiting as long as some, but it is around a year, and frankly I am not that patient. I just want my watch back and I will take it somewhere else.
I have not been waiting as long as some, but it is around a year, and frankly I am not that patient. I just want my watch back and I will take it somewhere else.
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edd9000
·Well, we had a response today with an estimate of three weeks, fingers crossed.
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watchyouwant
·Well, we had a response today with an estimate of three weeks, fingers crossed.
So, he does follow this Forum ....
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glownyc
·Add me to the list. Found a good deal on a Seamaster but the seller wouldn't ship to the US. Had my friend who was living in London buy it for me. I asked him to send it to Simon Freese based on his reputation. Simon gave an estimate of 2-3 months. After 8 months my friend emailed Simon for an update. Simon sent an invoice soon after. The watch came back with a finger print inside the crystal and wouldn't run for more than 3hrs.
4 months of emails, calls, and messages to Simon didn't receive a single response.
The watch went to another watchmaker at that point. From the pictures the second watchmaker took it didn't seem like Simon had done much of anything. Several parts needed to be replaced.
I see people advocating for understanding because Simon was going through a divorce. What I don't see it Simon Freese acknowledging the wrongs he did or making any attempt to correct them. IMO that would need to come first before anything. Otherwise how are people supposed to trust that Simon won't pocket more thousands of pounds and not deliver if he goes through another bad life experience.
4 months of emails, calls, and messages to Simon didn't receive a single response.
The watch went to another watchmaker at that point. From the pictures the second watchmaker took it didn't seem like Simon had done much of anything. Several parts needed to be replaced.
I see people advocating for understanding because Simon was going through a divorce. What I don't see it Simon Freese acknowledging the wrongs he did or making any attempt to correct them. IMO that would need to come first before anything. Otherwise how are people supposed to trust that Simon won't pocket more thousands of pounds and not deliver if he goes through another bad life experience.
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Ogion
·I have to say this thread has left me a little worried. My Grandfathers Ck2077 left with him in October 2022 with huge significance. Over this time I have chased and he has said that it will be “only a few weeks more” and in another “ it will be done by the end of the year (2023)”. I have been very understanding as I do know he is busy and the parts needed aren’t easy to come by, however there is very little communication. My last chase he said he was in London sourcing the parts ( around the same time as his new watch debut). I am very worried of the Frankenstein and dodgy dial post on here!… He has offered me to get my watch while he sources the parts and has assured me he has nothing but the best of intentions for me and the watch, however I think that will just be me accepting it will never get done. It will be frustrating after waiting all this time along with driving 3 hours there to pick it up without any work done.
I have also seen that he has had a trying few years for which I am full of sympathy. I was of mind to give him the benefit of the doubt and continue to wait but I don’t want to be like that guy waiting 5 years as it has already been 2 1/2.
I have also seen that he has had a trying few years for which I am full of sympathy. I was of mind to give him the benefit of the doubt and continue to wait but I don’t want to be like that guy waiting 5 years as it has already been 2 1/2.
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watchyouwant
·I have to say this thread has left me a little worried. My Grandfathers Ck2077 left with him in October 2022 with huge significance. Over this time I have chased and he has said that it will be “only a few weeks more” and in another “ it will be done by the end of the year (2023)”. I have been very understanding as I do know he is busy and the parts needed aren’t easy to come by, however there is very little communication. My last chase he said he was in London sourcing the parts ( around the same time as his new watch debut). I am very worried of the Frankenstein and dodgy dial post on here!… He has offered me to get my watch while he sources the parts and has assured me he has nothing but the best of intentions for me and the watch, however I think that will just be me accepting it will never get done. It will be frustrating after waiting all this time along with driving 3 hours there to pick it up without any work done.
I have also seen that he has had a trying few years for which I am full of sympathy. I was of mind to give him the benefit of the doubt and continue to wait but I don’t want to be like that guy waiting 5 years as it has already been 2 1/2.
That's it for me. All this is completely unacceptable in any shape or form. Bad life experience ? Divorces are part of life. I had to auction off very quickly and therefore with big losses 50 extremely rare watches for the settlement. It's part of life. Do it and start again. Don't screw your customers to make up for your own shortcomings ... Anybody who asks me about a great Watchmaker in the UK , will get an appropriate answer in the future.
