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Speedmaster Repair/Maintenance

R
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Sorry if this has already been discussed, but I couldn't see it when I searched...

I've had my Speedy since around 2015 and love wearing it every day. Around 2 months ago, the mechanism broke during the daily morning wind.

Took into local shop (where it was purchased from) and they informed me that the only option was to send off for a Service/Repair at around £850.

This is probably complete naivety, but I'd never realised that having a luxury watch would also incur this cost on a fairly regular (if not frequent) basis!

I'd like advice now as to whether:
(a) I'm best reducing the amount of time I wear it ('special occasions' only) to lengthen the time between Services?

(b) letting the mechanism wind down (by not using/winding it) is actually as bad/worse for the mechanism?

(c) whether or not there is a cheaper option of having somewhere fix any issues without having to fork out for the Service every x years...?


Hope all of this makes sense! I've been really staunch in wearing it every day since getting it (inheritance money), but have been rather stung by the cost of maintaining it!

Thank you in advance, Rob
 
YY77
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8 years running daily wear is quite good, with mechanical watches comes cost of service every few years but will make sure in 50 years time they will still be used what they are intended for.
 
Canuck
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Likely a broken mainspring. This involves totally dismantling the movement to access the mainspring barrel. There is no alternative. Your watch is 7 or 8 years old, so a thorough service is the way to go. Going forward, it is not unreasonable to have a Speedmaster serviced every 8 years, especially if it is used every day. Whether the mainspring is broken or not, the mainspring should be replaced when the service is done. If you don’t need the chronograph feature regularly during daily wear, maybe buy a cheap watch that you can discard, for every day wear.
 
Davidt
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There are cheaper options for a service than Omega.

At one end of the spectrum there are independent twat hamlets without Omega certification probably starting around £300 for a full service. This rises to perhaps £650 for fully qualified independents with Omega certification.

As you quoted in pounds I’ll assume you’re in the UK. If so I’d recommend WatchGuy and Mitka at the cheaper end of the spectrum and Swiss Time Services and Simon Freese at the other. All are great and I’d use them rather than sending my watch to Omega via the boutique or jeweller.

Edit: “twat hamlet” was meant to be watchmaker. Not sure what that says about my auto-correct.
Edited:
 
Archer
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This works out to slightly more than 100 pounds per year for maintenance. Compared to many very complex mechanical items used daily, this seems pretty reasonable to me. I know some collectors set aside a few dollars/pounds per month to save up for watch maintenance, so it might be something to consider for next time.
 
Donn Chambers
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Unfortunately, sales people don’t emphasize the cost of service when selling luxury items.

Some will argue to just wear it until it breaks, then pay for a service. This is the situation you are in.

I would use either a watchmaker with a parts account or the service center. It will be about the same price either way in my experience (perhaps a $100 cheaper with the independent) but you can keep it local that way.

I would avoid anyone who doesn’t have a parts account who does it cheaper — too likely to use non-Omega parts and not replace worn parts but reuse them.
 
Jonathan40
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Davidt Davidt
There are cheaper options for a service than Omega.

At one end of the spectrum there are independent twat hamlets without Omega certification probably starting around £300 for a full service. This rises to perhaps £650 for fully qualified independents with Omega certification.

As you quoted in pounds I’ll assume you’re in the UK. If so I’d recommend WatchGuy and Mitka at the cheaper end of the spectrum and Swiss Time Services and Simon Freese at the other. All are great and I’d use them rather than sending my watch to Omega via the boutique or jeweller.

Edit: “twat hamlet” was meant to be watchmaker. Not sure what that says about my auto-correct.
2nd vote for Watchguy, probably around 1/2 price of Omega and never had any problems with them. But a short wait for your work to be undertaken once you send it in.
 
Aroxx
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I hate to derail a thread but "twat hamlet" has got to be the funniest thing I've read all year. I can't believe we didn't get any mileage out of that. Bless your autocorrect @Davidt and also you for leaving that in the post. I don't think low cost independent shops will appreciate this new name however. 😁
 
pdxleaf
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Aroxx Aroxx
I hate to derail a thread but "twat hamlet" has got to be the funniest thing I've read all year. I can't believe we didn't get any mileage out of that. Bless your autocorrect @Davidt and also you for leaving that in the post. I don't think low cost independent shops will appreciate this new name however. 😁

Can anyone recommend a good twat hamlet?
 
Canuck
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I can. Read the story about London and Paris by Charles Dickens called the “Tail of Two Cities”. Hardly hamlet sized cities, I know!
 
Dan S
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Mechanical watches do require regular maintenance, so it's wise to plan for a full service on a regular basis. You can read what Omega has to say about it here:
https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/customer-service/interventions-and-prices

Amortized over 8 years, 850 GBP does not seem like an outrageous expense, and if you enjoy the watch, I would urge you to keep wearing it and find a way to budget for the service. You will probably save some money by using an independent watchmaker, but if replacement parts are needed, the savings may end up being less than expected, because Omega gives you a fixed price that includes replacement of many parts, and most independent watchmakers will charge for the parts as needed.
 
krogerfoot
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Davidt Davidt
There are cheaper options for a service than Omega.

At one end of the spectrum there are independent twat hamlets without Omega certification probably starting around £300 for a full service. This rises to perhaps £650 for fully qualified independents with Omega certification.

As you quoted in pounds I’ll assume you’re in the UK. If so I’d recommend WatchGuy and Mitka at the cheaper end of the spectrum and Swiss Time Services and Simon Freese at the other. All are great and I’d use them rather than sending my watch to Omega via the boutique or jeweller.

Edit: “twat hamlet” was meant to be watchmaker. Not sure what that says about my auto-correct.
In fairness to Hamlet, he was as independent as he was a twat.
 
Aidanm
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Yes it can be quite the shock indeed when presented with your first service bill!

If possible, I’d wear the coat of a full service now, chalk it up to experience and moving forward just wear the hell out of it. You obviously enjoy the piece so the cost shouldn’t take that away from you.

just put some money aside every week/month in anticipation of a future service.
 
BLOW UP
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
Can anyone recommend a good twat hamlet?
Yeah ...I think Kenneth Branagh made a pretty good Twat Hamlet ... and lest we not forget Mel Gibson ..what a complete Twat Hamlet👍
Edited:
 
Aroxx
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p4ul p4ul
@Davidt @Aroxx Couldn’t help myself…..

IMG_2987.png


….thank you, off to open a watch repair shop.
Brave man. Your google ads are about to get interesting lol. Soon the top hit will be this thread.
 
BLOW UP
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UEFA euro 2028 is
R RobGard
Sorry if this has already been discussed, but I couldn't see it when I searched...

I've had my Speedy since around 2015 and love wearing it every day. Around 2 months ago, the mechanism broke during the daily morning wind.

Took into local shop (where it was purchased from) and they informed me that the only option was to send off for a Service/Repair at around £850.

This is probably complete naivety, but I'd never realised that having a luxury watch would also incur this cost on a fairly regular (if not frequent) basis!

I'd like advice now as to whether:
(a) I'm best reducing the amount of time I wear it ('special occasions' only) to lengthen the time between Services?

(b) letting the mechanism wind down (by not using/winding it) is actually as bad/worse for the mechanism?

(c) whether or not there is a cheaper option of having somewhere fix any issues without having to fork out for the Service every x years...?


Hope all of this makes sense! I've been really staunch in wearing it every day since getting it (inheritance money), but have been rather stung by the cost of maintaining it!

Thank you in advance, Rob

This was a few years ago, but Russell Tillerman on Maddox Street was quite reasonable, was circa £250 pounds for three register Lemania if that helps
 
ErichPryde
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
Can anyone recommend a good twat hamlet?

Start at 12th and Belmont and work your way towards downtown, should find plenty?
 
O
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Jonathan40 Jonathan40
2nd vote for Watchguy, probably around 1/2 price of Omega and never had any problems with them. But a short wait for your work to be undertaken once you send it in.

3rd vote Watchguy, serviced my UG Polerouter in 2020 and they did a good job. Takes sometime for them to get to your watch, but they are very professional and its nice to see your watch pics online once they work on it.
 
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