Stages of grief: Watchmaker lost my Speedmaster

As recounted in my earlier thread, "Speedmaster Came Back From Service With a Different Dial," my pre-moon Speedmaster came back from service with a different dial. There have been no developments to note since that report. The watchmaker has no memory of replacing the dial nor any idea where the original might have gone. He says he's on the hunt for a replacement dial, but since he couldn't distinguish between the original dial and hands and the ones he installed (before and after below), he's clearly not going to come through here.



So I'm at a loss for what to do about it. If picking the watchmaker up by his ankles and shaking the dial out of him would work, I wouldn't be posting this.

I value the watch at about $4500, what I paid for it, although I think it's worth significantly more (or was, at least). The 1171 bracelet I had it on is also gone, which was another $500. I don't know if the watchmaker has insurance or anything to cover this, but I'd certainly call it even if he were to buy the watch, which he still has, from me for that sum. I'm in Japan and I have zero experience with taking people to court here.

I suppose I could convince the watchmaker that what he really owes me is some kind of closure, like a watch of similar value, or ten $500 watches or whatever. Just thinking about it highlights the absurdity of the situation. Does he have a hundred $50 watches, and why am I thinking about this? I just want my watch back.

The watchmaker still has two of my watches as well as the money from the service for the now no-longer-extant Speedmaster. I'm fond of those other two watches as well; an obvious and belated next move would be to get them away from him, but I'm not sure when that might ever happen.

So, what does one do in a situation like this? Would I be doing him a favor to sue him out of business before he ends up doing this to an even more vengeful customer? I'd think once you're telling clients that you can't remember what you did with their property, that would be a great time to contemplate retirement.

If anyone has any insight I would be grateful to hear it.

Nightmare. Sorry to hear of these troubles. Step one would be to separate your sheep from the wolf; get those remaining watches out of his hands before his memory escapes him even further. Wishing you a proper redemption, good luck.

Yes, that’s what I would do.
In this case I‘d recommend to have a witness with you.

I‘m sorry to hear that. Wish you good luck.

That's bad! I would a) give him a short deadline to respond in writing! and b) ask him to immediately report the damage to his insurance or/and the police (as theft) and keep me transparently informed about it. Good luck!

I guess I understand that the only recourse is legal action, in every sense of that phrase. What I need is some perspective on losing a prized possession that is ultimately a bauble. What do I do? I really did prize this watch. It was my Last Watch, in that I'd searched for it for some time and it kind of released me from this pursuit.

I liked the hunt for a particular watch. I enjoyed the feeling that I had found something that others had overlooked, or that I was willing to pay more for to satisfy a desire to own something singular. I liked buying oddball pieces just to get my hands on them and learn more about them. I was happy that I could often profitably pass something along to someone who would enjoy it more than I did. I've derived joy from this community. This forum has a generally democratic spirit, and I have admired the way people's enthusiasm for watches is not intrinsic to their prices. I have made friends here.

So, do I want to replace this watch? A consolation watch would likely be more expensive, because why replace my watch with a worse example? I don’t feel great about buying a second expensive gewgaw. Would it be satisfying to own a watch that I ultimately paid for twice? Do I need something like that in my life? Is it likely that whatever I manage to replace it with will never really bring any happiness or satisfaction? Has anyone here ever found themselves in a similar situation?

These are very good ideas.

I asked the same questions and got nowhere. He first insisted he hadn’t changed the dial and then said he’d found my dial. He seems genuinely unable to account for what happened and has no apparent record-keeping system. I am hardly his biggest fan anymore but I have sympathy for him. I have been afflicted by CRS* myself and every time it happens it feels more ominous.

*(Can’t Remember Shit)

That is an incredibly, and typically, generous offer and I appreciate it. If I do decide make a project of replacing the dial, I will certainly take you up on it. I’m poor but proud as well as dimwitted so I will insist on paying you a fair price for it. I also have fairly spindly wrists.

As I wrote before: the claimant here is the watchmaker.

That's so unfortunately, sorry that this happened to you..wouldn't have expected this to happen in Japan out of all countries

If I were in your position, I would first consider speaking to a lawyer.

If you don't already have a lawyer you can consult, I think contacting Houterasu (Japan Legal Support Center) would be a good first step in Japan.

I would also collect and organize all the evidence, including the condition of the watch when you sent it for repair, the parts you handed over, repair documents, and all emails and messages with the watchmaker.

After discussing everything with a lawyer, I would decide exactly what to ask for, including compensation and the return of your other two watches. Then I would consider sending a formal demand by certified mail (Naiyo Shomei).

Once a formal letter arrives or a lawyer becomes involved, I think the watchmaker will understand that you are serious about resolving this matter.

Of course, this may damage your relationship with the watchmaker. They may also appoint their own lawyer. If that happens, future discussions will probably take place between the two lawyers.

For this reason, I think it is very important to have clear evidence to support your position and show where the watchmaker is responsible.

By the way, there is another thread on Omega Forums about complaints regarding Simon Freese's watch repair service:


This is a different case, of course, but other members have reported long delays in getting their watches back and problems with communication. It is disappointing to see these kinds of problems when people trust a watchmaker with their valuable watches.

Most importantly, I would try to get your other two watches back as soon as possible.

I think it may be time to move beyond personal discussions and seek professional legal help to resolve this matter properly.

I sincerely hope you can reach a fair resolution.