Sloppy QC on a New Seamaster Diver 300M

Omega Fan1 · Dec 13, 2021

I realized there was a piece of debris on the movement visible through the exhibition caseback on a new Seamaster Diver 300M. Obviously this wasn’t visible at the boutique, because of the caseback sticker.

Omega took care of the issue promptly and effectively (by removing the debris). This thread is merely a discussion on acceptable QC mishaps with such watches.

Archer · Dec 13, 2021

If you are expecting perfection, you need to move up the horological ladder a long ways from where you are to get it. These, like Rolex and other similar bands, are massed produced mid-tier watches.

No one wants to see these problems, but they will happen, no matter how much people argue that a (insert number here) price they shouldn't.

You are not the first person to come to this or other forums asking these questions, and you won't be the last. Some may see this post as "push back" on you or some other such nonsense, but it isn't. But these aren't some massive revelations that we are all seeing for the first time.

Expectations can be a bitch, I know.

Cheers, Al

YY77 · Dec 13, 2021

It happens, Rolex QC is sloppy too;

Screen-Shot-2019-05-13-at-6.05.50-PM.png

Omega Fan1 · Dec 13, 2021

Archer
If you are expecting perfection, you need to move up the horological ladder a long ways from where you are to get it. These, like Rolex and other similar bands, are massed produced mid-tier watches.

No one wants to see these problems, but they will happen, no matter how much people argue that a (insert number here) price they shouldn't.

You are not the first person to come to this or other forums asking these questions, and you won't be the last. Some may see this post as "push back" on you or some other such nonsense, but it isn't. But these aren't some massive revelations that we are all seeing for the first time.

Expectations can be a bitch, I know.

Cheers, Al

Thanks, AI.

For starters, I’m not being paid to post these, nor do I gain any benefit doing so — other than knowing someone out there may pay attention to them when purchasing a modern Omega (as inspection points prior to purchasing).

Anything mass-produced will have a certain margin of error. I know that. It’s our role as consumers of these products to create awareness when products go wrong. Where’s the harm in doing so?

I certainly would have loved seeing such a thread prior to my purchase, but I didn’t. No one touched on these issues with this particular model before.

AntonisCy · Dec 13, 2021

O Omega Fan1
Thanks, AI.

For starters, I’m not being paid to post these, nor do I gain any benefit doing so — other than knowing someone out there may pay attention to them when purchasing a modern Omega (as inspection points prior to purchasing).

Anything mass-produced will have a certain margin of error. I know that. It’s our role as consumers of these products to create awareness when products go wrong. Where’s the harm in doing so?

I certainly would have loved seeing such a thread prior to my purchase, but I didn’t. No one touched on these issues with this particular model before.

I made a lot of posts on this forum about the quality control and other issues of the specific model. Before giving in and getting the Planet Ocean, i had the SMP 300 replaced 2 times by Omega. I just realized that it wasn't going to live up to my expectations. But as Archer said you cant expect these mass produced watches to be 100% without any sort of defects. I have been told by a lot of ADs that these watches are selling like crazy Omega cant keep up with the demand.

Archer · Dec 13, 2021

O Omega Fan1
TAnything mass-produced will have a certain margin of error. I know that. It’s our role as consumers of these products to create awareness when products go wrong. Where’s the harm in doing so?

I didn't say there was. However if you wonder why people might not be very excited about hearing this, it's because it's all been said before.

Omega Fan1 · Dec 13, 2021

YY77
It happens, Rolex QC is sloppy too;

Not sure of how this is relevant here. No one mentioned Rolex.

Plus I would gladly take that Air King (with the 9 - 9 indices) over a normal one. One crazy conversation piece.

Omega Fan1 · Dec 13, 2021

AntonisCy
I made a lot of posts on this forum about the quality control and other issues of the specific model. Before giving in and getting the Planet Ocean, i had the SMP 300 replaced 2 times by Omega. I just realized that it wasn't going to live up to my expectations. But as Archer said you cant expect these mass produced watches to be 100% without any sort of defects. I have been told by a lot of ADs that these watches are selling like crazy Omega cant keep up with the demand.

Do you mind sharing those issues, or sharing the links to those posts? Thanks.

YY77 · Dec 13, 2021

O Omega Fan1
Not sure of how this is relevant here. No one mentioned Rolex.

Plus I would gladly take that Air King (with the 9 - 9 indices) over a normal one. One crazy conversation piece.

If something big can slip through QC, certainly something small can slip through as well. There are a lot of Omega watches made, only a small percentage won't be perfect, your thread makes it bigger than it should be IMHO.

AntonisCy · Dec 13, 2021

O Omega Fan1
Do you mind sharing those issues, or sharing the links to those posts? Thanks.

Wrong pip lume color on the bezel, misaligned date, debris under the crystal, shaky bezels etc..

Don't expect sympathy from fellow users on this forum on these kind of issues.. I remember when i made my first post on this forum complaining about QC issues very few people agreed. I remember being under attack from the majority of the posters for being picky and expecting perfection etc..

OmegaBHR · Dec 13, 2021

O Omega Fan1
Not sure of how this is relevant here. No one mentioned Rolex.

Plus I would gladly take that Air King (with the 9 - 9 indices) over a normal one. One crazy conversation piece.

While the 9-9 error does coincidentally make it a nice conversation piece and probably added value to the watch, it is nevertheless a major QC issue, not a minor one. Not to turn this into a Rolex vs Omega thing, but the benefit of having a solid caseback on the Rolex is it automatically omits the tiny QC issues we see on movements like in your case, which in turn halves the number of QC issues you see online etc about Rolex Vs. other brands with open casebacks. Anyways, any company that pumps 100s of thousands of watches will have these issue pop up, its a given. The good thing is how AD/OB handled it.

Omega Fan1 · Dec 13, 2021

YY77
If something big can slip through QC, certainly something small can slip through as well. There are a lot of Omega watches made, only a small percentage won't be perfect, your thread makes it bigger than it should be IMHO.

You’re telling me you would have happily accepted these faults (debris and misaligned hour hand), with a watch this price level? And that your justification is “Rolex has QC issues too”?

YY77 · Dec 13, 2021

O Omega Fan1
You’re telling me you would have happily accepted these faults (debris and misaligned hour hand), with a watch this price level? And that your justification is “Rolex has QC issues too”?

I have had issues with Panerai and TH QC, it happens.

AntonisCy · Dec 13, 2021

O Omega Fan1
I’m convinced the Swatch Group is secretly giving some of these guys free shares to blatantly defend inexcusable QC faults and sloppy watchmaking. There’s no other justification for it.

We all love Omega. That’s why we’re all here. Constructive criticism is not a bad thing, it’s the only way to improve!!

I have to give it to Omega though they never disappointed me when it came to customer support. They must have the best CS of any major brand. Although some local ADs or Boutiques might play it hard, one single email to headquarters and everything gets fixed. I got a watch replaced two times and after that i also got a hand written note apologizing for my issues and they even mailed me some Omega branded gifts. All from HQ in Switzerland. I have also had a few conversations with the CEO through messages on Instagram. They listen to their customers.

jaguar11 · Dec 13, 2021

Sounds like a happy ending to me. All fixed and sorted. Enjoy!!

Omega Fan1 · Dec 13, 2021

AntonisCy
I have to give it to Omega though they never disappointed me when it came to customer support. They must have the best CS of any major brand. Although some local ADs or Boutiques might play it hard, one single email to headquarters and everything gets fixed. I got a watch replaced two times and after that i also got a hand written note apologizing for my issues and they even mailed me some Omega branded gifts. All from HQ in Switzerland. I have also had a few conversations with the CEO through messages on Instagram. They listen to their customers.

That is nice to hear. While this issue is fixed, I’m still stuck with a misaligned hour hand (that’s out by around 3 minutes), and the Omega service center won’t fix it because it’s “within tolerance”. I also don’t want a replacement, because who knows what kind of Pandora’s box that would open.

I’ll probably send HQ a message.

Evitzee · Dec 13, 2021

O Omega Fan1
I’m convinced the Swatch Group is secretly giving some of these guys free shares to blatantly defend inexcusable QC faults and sloppy watchmaking. There’s no other justification for it.

Damn, those of us given Swatch Group shares (and other perks) for defend the crappy QC of the group's watches have been busted. But you can change your tune and get on the gravy train, too. It's very lucrative.

dsio · Dec 13, 2021

AntonisCy
Wrong pip lume color on the bezel, misaligned date, debris under the crystal, shaky bezels etc..

Don't expect sympathy from fellow users on this forum on these kind of issues.. I remember when i made my first post on this forum complaining about QC issues very few people agreed. I remember being under attack from the majority of the posters for being picky and expecting perfection etc..

Typically people will just tell you to take it back under warranty if it doesn’t live up to expectations quality wise, I and others say that often when people post QC issues here and it’s always the best thing to do, you can follow up with a complaint to the company as well for sure. Occasionally we get people going “what should I do?”, take it back under warranty is the obvious answer.

Archer · Dec 13, 2021

O Omega Fan1
I’m convinced the Swatch Group is secretly giving some of these guys free shares to blatantly defend inexcusable QC faults and sloppy watchmaking. There’s no other justification for it.

You completely misunderstand. No one is "happy" about these things. No one "wants" them to happen. No one is really "defending" Omega, we are just realistic about what can be expected, because it's the nature of the business.

O Omega Fan1
We all love Omega. That’s why we’re all here. Constructive criticism is not a bad thing, it’s the only way to improve!!

This forum is not Omega. If you think by posting here anonymously, that it will do more to facilitate improvement than you taking your concerns to Omega directly, you are mistaken. Posting here will not cause Omega to improve anything.

stevec14 · Dec 13, 2021

O Omega Fan1
That is nice to hear. While this issue is fixed, I’m still stuck with a misaligned hour hand (that’s out by around 3 minutes), and the Omega service center won’t fix it because it’s “within tolerance”. I also don’t want a replacement, because who knows what kind of Pandora’s box that would open.

I’ll probably send HQ a message.

Why wouldn’t you want a replacement if you are unhappy and they won’t fix it to your satisfaction?

I don’t get it. Not every watch has an issue and I’m sorry yours has.

Sloppy QC on a New Seamaster Diver 300M

Omega Fan1

Archer

YY77

Omega Fan1

AntonisCy

Archer

Omega Fan1

Omega Fan1

YY77

AntonisCy

OmegaBHR

Omega Fan1

YY77

AntonisCy

jaguar11

Omega Fan1

Evitzee

dsio

Archer

stevec14

Similar threads

New Seamaster Diver 300m with dial imperfection?

Old bracelet on the new Seamaster Diver 300m

New Seamaster Diver 300M GREEN DIAL - boutique video

Misaligned Hour Hand on a New Omega SMP Diver 300M?

Question on new Seamaster Diver 300 and Magnet

My New SEAMASTER DIVER 300M