Hi all, I am in the UK and new to the forum and the brand having recently acquired a Geneva Dynamic (c1970) The watch needed some work having been neglected for years, the crown was loose and kept coming out and it needed some TLC. I took it into the Omega boutique (beaverbrooks) and they sent it to Switzerland for appraisal which apparently is common practice with vintage pieces. They knew very little about the watch and suggested I should expect a four figure estimate. I've just had the quote back at less than £400 which I was amazed at!

My question is, has anyone else used Omega for the service/restoration of an older watch and does this seem reasonable, too reasonable? What should I expect them to do?

Thank you.

 

We STRONGLY recommend AGAINST using Omega. They tend to do all sorts of things to the watch to make it look like new, often destroying the collector value.

 

Most UK members seem to swear by STS - http://www.swisstimeservices.co.uk/

 

You know you can just ask for the piece to not be refinished, right? [emoji849]

 

It can go two ways, but ultimately they will most likely attempt to return it to "as new" condition.

I'd be very surprised if it's in Switzerland, nearly everything in the UK still goes to SWATCH in Southampton, only the challenging vintage stuff gets sent back to Bienne.

First thing I would ask is, is exactly what work they plan to undertake, and go from there.

The general recommendation would be (I think), to have the case cleaned, crystal crown, and seals changed, and the movement fully serviced.

Other forum members have experienced Omega doing cosmetic work that devalued their watches, hence the alarm that your watch is with Omega.

An alternative option could be to send the watch to Swiss Time Services - lots of us here use them, the work is great, the people are lovely.

 

I think that most members in the UK have had good experience using STS in Essex. It will probably be cheaper, but even if it's not you can visit and discuss what needs to be done etc. and know that they have the parts and expertise to sort the watch out.

 

100% agree with the sentiment - if you are a COLLECTOR. Take it on board. However, if you are not a collector, and knowing nothing of the current condition of the watch, if your personal preference is to have it restored both mechanically and cosmetically, then nobody can stop you. After whatever route you go down, you should have a watch that you appreciate and wear with pleasure rather than one you don't really like the look of and leave in a box/sock drawer, because you were told not to get it put into a condition where YOU are happy with it.

 

Even if you are not a collector, knowing that the work Omega does will often negatively affect the value of the watch is a good thing. Being well informed is better than uninformed.

And no one has "told" the OP to do or not do anything to the watch in this thread...

 

The work that Omega do may well impact on the cash value of a restored piece to those who value originality. Others (sometimes referred to as the "Oooh - shiny" market) may prefer a restored piece and pay accordingly. I've not done massive market research on this and don't intend to. There is also the intangible "value" that an owner can derive from having a watch that appeals to their individual tastes. A restored watch may fit their particular criteria, and I wouldn't assume that the pleasure they derive is any less valid or genuine.

And you are right, nobody in this thread "told" the OP to do or not do anything to the watch in this thread., there was just a " STRONGLY recommend AGAINST using Omega".

 

No one said it was mate...

 

Hi, thanks for all the replies and information.

In truth, I don't know exactly where the watch is, the assistant advised it would go to Switzerland but I know many companies have U.K. Service centres.

I am a watch collector but I mainly collect modern dive/sports watches. I know Swiss watch servicing practices but only in relation to watches less than 15 years old and in excellent condition. Unfortunately I have not come across STS before.

This watch belonged to my father (he saw sense and handed it down to see it worn and looked after so that was good). I know one has to be careful with vintage watches not to replace or overfinish unnecessarily as this may affect the value. With this watch, given its background I am slightly less concerned about this because I'll sell the clothes I stand up in before I'd sell this watch.

As I said, the watch may have been serviced once, twice in its lifetime and had daily wear for the first 20 years of its life at least. It looked very tired and whilst I like the aged 'patina' of the older watches, this one had too much and was in a far worse state than I ever remember.

I will report back as and when I hear anything and post some feedback and pictures for informational purposes, it's clear I am the manufacturer service guinea pig here.

 

https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-speedy-feel-free-to-destroy-this-please.54318/

Example of an Omega serviced watch.

 

Mmmm, I see. That's not good. How old is this watch supposed to be, do you know?

 

The one I linked appears to have a movement that dates to 1967-68. Everything else is new.

 

UPDATE FROM OMEGA.

Today I received a phone call from Omega, during the dismantling process as they prepare the watch for service etc, some damage to the dial was noted which was missed during the initial inspection and quote. They would like to replace the dial but do not have any. They propose that one of their master watchmakers in Switzerland makes a new dial, this process takes around 12 weeks and the normal cost is £700, as this was missed by them and they have already provided a quotation which has been agreed there will be no charge for this.

I know what I'm thinking but it just seems very odd, in fact the more I think about it.........

Any thoughts, previous instances or heard of anything like this before please?

 

Get the watch back.

Don't let them do anything.

 

A new dial, created at their cost? Makes me wonder if they damaged it along the way. Leaving that concern aside - it is what it is - I'd say that may be the way to go, provided they will return the old dial to you.

Relative to, for example, a similar-vintage Speedmaster, the Dynamic isn't a high-value watch, and you're likely already spending near/more than the value to have it serviced.

As has been noted, it's your family heirloom, and if you intend to keep it, why not?

 

I am new to the forum and have a question about my Omega Geneva Dynamic manual watch, 1973 vintage. I am not sure where to post this so apologise if this is the wrong place. It has been working well but I notice it is losing time a little and hands are slightly misaligned. It has not been serviced for a number of years. What is involved with a service? What will an Omega specialist do? Do they take apart much of the internals? Is the mainspring inspected or replaced? The actual case is in fine condition. I am located in Australia. What costs might I expect to pay for such a service? Can anyone recommend reputable warchmakers or should I go directly to Omega - Swatch?

 

Not Omega /swatch. There are some great AU watchmakers and one of our members can point you in the right direction.