UK Service Recommendation for Cal. 601?

Hi all,

Recently purchased a 1969 9ct Geneve with a Cal 601 from Chrono24, ref 131.25016 - beautiful little thing.

Unfortunately, after a couple of months, I ran into an issue. When winding the crown, I heard and felt a loud click. Now it won't wind - as in, in the winding position, it's completely stuck. It feels like the crown could still potentially wind backwards, just not forwards. You can still pull the crown and set the time, and it still ran until the barrel was depleted, just won't wind.

I had thought it might be a broken click lever or jam in the ratchet wheel maybe. Took it to my local small town watchmaker, but he wouldn't touch it. Said he couldn't get the parts or stand over the work, and that it would have to go back to omega if I ever wanted it fixed (also wouldn't advise me what was wrong with the mechanics). Looking at Omega's site, the quoted costs for service are more than the watch itself. They give pretty generic guidelines for a quote about whether it has complications or is a precious metal.

I sent off for a quote from a place that specialises in Omega services and restoration - really upmarket website, but the cost of an examination is £200 plus vat for vintage pieces and will take up to 20 weeks. This before even finding out what's wrong with it, or how much the work would cost.

Is this what I should be expecting across the industry? Or else, does anyone have any recommendations for a place that would service a 601 Geneve at a pretty reasonable price? All suggestions welcome and appreciated!

Below is not my watch, but an example of the same sold by padders a few years ago.

Many thanks all

For sure, that was my understanding, that's why I was so surprised! I even asked my watchmaker if I could source a replacement movement for him but he wouldn't take the work. Thanks so much for the recommendation!

I think you would be looking around the £180-200 mark for a service these days. Parts obviously extra. I do use a man in the Cotswolds who is signing cheaper but he doesn't do mail you have to drop the watch at his premises.

@Mitka has done some work for me and I, along with others here can recommend him.

That's excellent. I'll get in touch with him. Thank you so much for the help