All,
A few months ago I made a major mistake and let a local watch company "who knew a fantastic Omega Repair person" repair my grandfather's watch Seamaster Cosmic.... A HUGE mistake I know....

The date portion of the watch still isn't fixed, and I believe they redialed the watch.

The photos with the brown background are originals and the last group with the black background are from the "fix".

Just so I am not crazy, does it look like they redialed it?

I will be sending it to a board recommended vintage repair person. I am furious at myself for letting this mistake happen.

Thanks all

 

I might be wrong but it looks like it has already been redialled in the original photos (before service)

EDIT: apologies, it does look original. I think it was just the photos not loading fully.


You’re right that they have redialled your watch though.

 

Any reason why they'd redial it? The date function had issues.

Any recommended vintage repair people on the forum I can send the watch to?

 

I’m not sure why they have decided to redial it. What instructions did you leave with them?

A watchmaker who understands vintage collecting wouldn’t redial a watch in a good condition. Tbh your original dial had light spotting but it is still in superb condition.

There is nothing much that can be done except for finding a replacement dial.

 

I told them to fix the problem with the date. After 2 tries, it still isn't fixed. Now I need to find someone highly regarded/trusted to fix it. I won't be making the same mistake again.

 

Where are you at?

Why couldn’t they fix the date?

 

I am in upstate NY. I have no idea why they couldn't fix the date. Frankly, they have no clue what they are doing and another reason why I question my sanity for letting them touch it.

 

Hm. I am based in U.K. and I use Richard Askham. Maybe some forum members can point you to some decent watchmaker nearer to you.

Well, it’s easy to question the watchmakers’ ability but it could mean that the date will not be an easy fix. It could possibly be that some part is broken and fixing it will not be cheap/economical.

I understand it is your grandpa watch. I suppose you’re restoring it for sentimental reasons? You’ll have to anticipate a repair cost that might be more than the watch is worth.

 

The watch has immense sentimental value. I've already paid $450 to have the watch repaired (close to or exceeding its monetary value).

The biggest problem I have with the watch maker isn't the fact that they couldn't fix it (if they told me they couldn't and just left it at that I could have respected that), it is that they redialed it.

 

I’m sorry for your unfortunate situation. Perhaps you could look for the same dial design and swap the dial out?

 

It's unfortunate about the redial and sorry to hear that happened. You might find a dial somewhere but, you'll needthe case reference. It's unlikely but you can hope.

It appears to be a 565 calibre. If so, parts availability for this calibre is excellent and it is extremely unlikely that the date issue can't be fixed - I'm assuming it doesn't change on it's own only by pulling the crown out?

Good luck.

Regards, Chris

 

Thanks for the help. The watch maker still has the watch, and I am waiting to see if they can return the original dial for me. They have to "check". Awful awful group. I tried to change the date, and nothing happens.

After I get the dial back, I am going to take the watch back and then take things from there with them. Hopefully I can find a good/trusted repair person on the board.

 

Right before you kick their arse, of course.

 

The one saving grace in this cautionary tale, is that it appears from your pics, that the wrong dial has been fitted to your watch rather than your existing dial having been refinished. If that's the case, then refitting the correct dial shouldn't be beyond them. Fingers crossed.

 

I wonder if they swapped the dial. No reason to even touch the original dial.

Ask them why your dial is clearly different. Does your receipt show a redial?

I wonder if they swapped it into a different watch that they are selling.

 

Am I wrong or the cross hair does not look to be aligned with the crown? If so, I would not let them touch the watch again.

 

Agree with you 100%

 

Does the date change when you turn the hands past 12 (after 24 hours?)

Never did like their old quick change date system. Always felt like something was going to break when doing that

DON

 

I left the watch with them. Frankly, it is very difficult to get any real information from this dealer. I am just holding out to see if they give me back the original dial, and then I am taking my watch and leaving. The receipt doesn't show a redial, only a repair (I took it back a few months ago the day after I got it because they didn't fix it right then)

I wonder what next... I have no interest in having them touch my watch again. Do I ask for a full refund and then just to someone on the board (preferred)? What if they won't return the dial....

Bah, what a mess.

Thanks everyone