Sloppy QC on a New Seamaster Diver 300M

Just to add to this....interesting thread, I’ll share my experience with a very similar issue. My Seamaster was purchased over the phone from an out of state AD.

When I removed the caseback sticker (after sizing the bracelet and wearing it unfortunately), I found that on the balance bridge, there was a dirty spot, almost like a greasy fingerprint. Right by the serial number. Also, there were some specks of dust or debris on the inside of the caseback crystal. It looked really shoddy. It was unacceptable to me. As a hobbyist, I do lots of watch modding and repairing old watches, replacing movements and whatnot, and even me, as an amateur, would never put a watch together looking like that. Long story, I complained here, I complained to the AD, and I took the watch to my local OB. The tech there was also appalled, and says that the AD must’ve tampered with the watch, Omegas don’t come like that, etc. I was taken aback, I trust this AD, but I went to them and reported to them what the OB had said.

They were rightly offended by the OB techs comment, but said they would contact their Omega rep about a replacement. They did, and I shipped the watch back and a new one was at my door within a week. The salesman said he inspected it before shipping and it was good. This one was fully stickered, brand spanking new. I made a conscious decision not to inspect it too closely, so I sized it up and started wearing it. The first time outside in direct sunlight though, it broke my heart, because there were specks of dust on the dial. At least two decent ones visible outdoors at regular arms length, and some smaller ones only visible up really close. Oh, and one on the date wheel, only visible on the 27th. Also, after wearing it a while I found that the hour hand was 2.5-3 minutes off, exactly like the OPs watch in this thread. Brutal.

Well, I decided to just live with it. Even though if this was a Seiko that I had put together on a table in my game room, I would have never done such a shoddy job, I tried to live with it. But the fact that I, a tinkerer with cheap Chinese eBay tools, can put a watch together better than FKING OMEGA really grated on me to the point that after a few months, I couldn’t do it. Every time I was out in the sunlight, every time it was 3 o’clock and the stupid hour hand wasn’t lined up with the marker, I just couldn’t do it. So I went back to the OB.

I didn’t mention the first interaction with them, I don’t know if they remembered the first watch or not, but I just told them my concerns, namely the debris on the dial, and they agreed, and wrote up a ticket to send off for warranty work. They were friendly and helpful. I received a couple of updates along the way from the service center, The debris was confirmed, also the watch was not running within spec, and a “partial mechanical service” was going to be completed, all covered under warranty.

So, I received the watch back after only 2-3 weeks. It is now PERFECT like it should have always been. And it runs great now, within a second or two a day, way better than it did out of the box, which was always barely within the +5 seconds it was supposed to. I’m very happy with the service, and with the OB. Now I love the watch, and am not grumbling “piece of junk” under my breath every time I go out in the sunlight, or at the top of the hour, like I was before.

OP, I recommend just trying to get your watch serviced through an OB if you can. If they send it off, more than likely the service center will get it sorted to your liking. I was very pleased with the result when I finally did so. And no, you should not be accepting of an OMEGA that is assembled sloppier than what a knucklehead in his house with cheapo eBay tools can do.

And just to touch on the original point, I don’t know what’s going on with Omega, but it sure seems like they are having issues with QC, at least on the SMP line. To get two watches in a row with issues, as well as others I’ve seen posted here is concerning. No doubt all brands have QC failings, I found a few of the exact same debris/alignment issues posted on The Rolex Forum on Explorer and Milgauss watches, but it seems Omega lately is struggling a bit more.

They are probably running flat out trying to meet demand would be my guess, but I will reiterate what has been posted before, Omega will take care of you. I am more than pleased with their after sales experience. I have since purchased a 3861 Speedmaster from the same OB, and am a happy customer of the brand.....

I never understand why people kick off when they get a fault with their new watch, I know that it hurts when you notice, and frustrating that you have to get it fixed, but no one involved in putting the watch together wants a fault to occur, there hasn’t been a conspiracy to screw someone over with a dud product, any watch can have a glitch irrespective of its price point or status within the industry.

I just wish people would remember this before they load their metaphorical guns and fire that broadside at the brand.

Only in Margaritaville👍

Yes, but emotions can run high at times👍

Minor stuff like strap changes and bracelet adjustments and routine pressure testing up to inspections prior to sending off to Omega if deemed necessary where it's outside of their remit.

Meanwhile, I cant wait for my dividends this year for the free Omega stock that I got.