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To Restore, Or Not To Restore — That Is The Question

Morlock
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If i would be in the position to choose the route on my own watch (which I did several times), I would look for a very trusty local watchmaker to perform a full service to the movement and keep the rest untouched, maybe a light polish of the Hesalite. Because the Omega Service route would imply an full service which include the replacement of hands, crown, dial, bezel, etc. And that will be the end of a true original piece.
 
Jkuback
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I think original and authentic is what's really important for a watch collector (for me it is) and it's most exciting to find a piece which is fully "from factory".

I have the great luck that a very good friend of mine (and also watch buddy) is watchmaker and this is where most of the watches are properly restored without changing or polishing anything.

But I want to post also other experiences with Omega Biel Service. If I have something missing (eg a bridge of a 2652) I also sent a vintage watch to Biel. I did this already three times and I got exactly what I wanted (or not wanted). Once it happened that I got hands made by Omega (handmade because they were not available anymore). I had instructed not changing anything - the original hands have been re installed immediately and I kept the handmade ones.

Maybe it depends on the handing in (I have a very good, helpful and valuable contact in the OB) but it definitely is possible to tell end get what one wants. IWC for example is completely different here.

So one very strong Pro vote for the Biel guys (without being RJ).
 
Archer
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Jkuback Jkuback
I did this already three times and I got exactly what I wanted (or not wanted).

Omega won't put parts back on if they believe that it will cause the watch to come back under warranty. So if they left parts on that you asked them to, they were parts that wouldn't have required replacing anyway.
 
Jkuback
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Archer Archer
Omega won't put parts back on if they believe that it will cause the watch to come back under warranty. So if they left parts on that you asked them to, they were parts that wouldn't have required replacing anyway.

They do if you ask them - warranty is true but you can waive the warranty. I did this once with a dial with lacquer on it. I left the dial and got no warranty.
 
Archer
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Jkuback Jkuback
They do if you ask them - warranty is true but you can waive the warranty. I did this once with a dial with lacquer on it. I left the dial and got no warranty.

Well, I can't say your experience didn't happen, however to suggest this will happen if anyone asks, is going to end badly for someone who reads your comments and sends their watch in expecting the same.

All I can say is, your experience doesn't reflect the norm, or Omega's policies, so if anyone reads this they should proceed with caution.
 
Jkuback
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Of course I can not guarantee for what is Omega doing in the future with other clients and other handing in places - all I can say is that it worked already three times for me (not one) and that I - compared to other luxury brands - find their heritage service good. I think a forum like this is made for collecting different experiences of various people.

In the end everyone needs to decide for himself and check with the people when handing in. As in my case, sometimes it's necessary to use factory service. And what I wanted to point out is that it is not necessarily bad.

Edit: plus, not everyone has the luck to be able to send his watch to you or a watchmaker he knows.
 
Z
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Think of it, I sent a pocket watch to longines for a service only -1950 pocket watch, family owned.
I received an estimate of a full restoration. Upon discussion with the swatchgroup representative it appeared the company policy was this or nothing.
I went another route but brands within the swatch group may not offer the same flexibility.
 
7enderbender
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janice&fred janice&fred
Reminds me of a few years ago when I had the car shop. A customer who was a physician along with his physician wife….

They were hell-bent. For highly educated people they sure were dense.

Well low and behold, months later they got the watch back with a service dial, hands, bezel, case, bracelet and God knows what little was left of the original movement. They were obviously conflicted whether they did the right thing. For sure as time went on they realized the mistake they made.

Ha! I’ve spent my career in healthcare both clinically and in administration. I could tell you stories. Physicians often are among the dumbest people you’ll ever meet. Yet, they often hold the strong opinion that they are experts in pretty much everything because they’ve been told all their lives that they are very smart and their work makes them somehow extra special. Most are good at remembering factoids (often lacking context actually ). The same stubbornness and arrogance you encountered contributes to the fact that hospitals are statistically more dangerous than Baghdad during the height of the war…
I would add that that’s also how we ended up with a lot of the Covid mess. Lack of critical thinking and the inability to listen to others.
 
Mr. O
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If your looking for a place to send that Omega for a full restoration and not quite sure about sending it to an Omega AD, then the following place, Nesbits located in Seattle, WA. come's highly recommended for restoration, repairs, etc. specifically for Omega timepieces.

https://www.nesbitswatchservice.com/

Good Luck on your decision.


Robert-Jan Robert-Jan
OMEGA_vintage_02_jpg.jpg
Occasionally, we get an email from someone with a vintage watch who is wondering whether to restore it or not. Recently, someone found a Speedmaster CK2998 in his drawer and wondered if he should send it off to the spa in Switzerland. As it may be important in judging whether to restore this Speedmaster or […]

Visit To Restore, Or Not To Restore — That Is The Question to read the full article.
 
T
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Find a Competent Omega watchmaker and get only service done…. Would be my suggestion.

That’s what I did to a second design Seiko. Scratches, dinged and barely any Lume. Cleaned up nice with toothpaste and Cleaner wax.

Old watches are supposed to look……….. Ya, Old.
 
B1B8677B-A2AD-4BE8-8618-EB81FB3FA603.jpeg
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