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Watchmaker error?

J
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I posted before about picking up my vintage Seamaster from my local watchmaker and losing the crystal and bezel the same day. The watchmaker claims that it is my fault for losing the bezel and crystal because I mowed my lawn that day. The watch never fell - it stayed on my wrist all day. I noticed the crystal was gone when I took the watch off for bed.
I am not sure what to think. I have been wearing my two vintage Omegas since they were passed down to me over 30 years ago and I have never had an issue with them until using this watchmaker. I assume that he did not reassemble (press) the bezel correctly.

I would appreciate some input - should I resign myself to paying for the replacement parts or push him to cover the cost? Thank you!
 
PXL_20230815_195917759~2.jpg
Bruce235
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His reply was a poor deflection. He either compensates you for the lost bezel or loses all future business.
 
Dan S
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The watchmaker is the least of your problems. I would go back out and search the backyard for the bezel.
 
X350 XJR
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Crystals and bezels don't just fall off when properly installed...
 
ErichKeane
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Important piece of info: Did the watchmaker take the bezel/crystal off? It isn't necessary for a 'normal' servicing/movement work, so unless the watch works different from most, it might just be a coincidence that it fell off when you got it back? Particularly since you said it has been in storage for a while.

That said, if he DID remove them at one point, he clearly didn't assemble them sufficiently well. Unless 'mowing the lawn' means 'using a case removal tool on my watch's bezel/crystal' or 'travelling into a complete vacuum', they should not have fallen off.

That said, what is the value? I definitely would never go to the watchmaker who says that again, but you'd likely be stuck going to small-claims court if he doesn't pay-up unfortunately, at which point it becomes a question of whether you do that, or just tell your story to anyone in the area who will listen 😀
 
X350 XJR
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
It isn't necessary for a 'normal' servicing/movement work

In this case it is since this is a front load reference.
 
Davidt
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So your watchmaker is implying it’s coincidence they fell off the day he returned the watch to you?

Rubbish.

The issues going to be the fact that bezel is unobtainium. You’re going to have to search through your clippings and lawn to try and find it. Then find a new watchmaker
 
rendo
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I would search for the bezel as suggested above. It will be easier to find a new crystal, and let us know if you need help with figuring out which one to look for.

If you can't find the bezel, and assuming that your watch is a reference 14770 (please check that before buying it), there is a NOS bezel on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/266373330088

I would also look for a new watchmaker.
 
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Annapolis
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Nobody here will rat you out if you buy a metal detector, use it just once for this purpose, then box it back up and return it. That’s probably what I’d do in this scenario.
 
Aroxx
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Annapolis Annapolis
Nobody here will rat you out if you buy a metal detector, use it just once for this purpose, then box it back up and return it. That’s probably what I’d do in this scenario.
My mother-in-law recently lost a special bracelet in our backyard. She posted in a local Facebook group looking to borrow a metal detector and had a couple volunteers to come help pretty quickly. She found the bracelet before it came to that. I bet there is a metal detector forum with people dying to come hunt for a missing bezel.
 
Archer
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Couple of questions...

1 - did the watch have a genuine Omega crystal on it?

2 - was the crystal replaced at service, or was it suggested that it should be replaced?
 
J
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Archer Archer
Couple of questions...

1 - did the watch have a genuine Omega crystal on it?

2 - was the crystal replaced at service, or was it suggested that it should be replaced?
 
J
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The crystal had been replaced in the past and was reinstalled during this service. I am uncertain if it was a genuine Omega crystal.
 
J
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rendo rendo
I would search for the bezel as suggested above. It will be easier to find a new crystal, and let us know if you need help with figuring out which one to look for.

If you can't find the bezel, and assuming that your watch is a reference 14770 (please check that before buying it), there is a NOS bezel on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/266373330088

I would also look for a new watchmaker.

Thanks, I ended up buying an entire case from eBay 166.020 for nearly $600 - after paying $500 for the service. The watch is priceless to me and at this point, I just want it back and functional.

I searched long and hard for that bezel. I had a small yard and have moved since then. This has been going on since May. I also ran some errands that day, so I am not certain I lost it in the yard.

I will give him a chance to pay me for the new bezel and install it. He he doesn't work with me, I will file a BBB complaint and give appropriate reviews.
 
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Syrte
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J John D.
Thanks, I ended up buying an entire case from eBay 166.020 for nearly $600 - after paying $500 for the service. The watch is priceless to me and at this point, I just want it back and functional.

I searched long and hard for that bezel. I had a small yard and have moved since then. This has been going on since May. I also ran some errands that day, so I am not certain I lost it in the yard.

I will give him a chance to pay me for the new bezel and install it. He he doesn't work with me, I will file a BBB complaint and give appropriate reviews.
He should have professional insurance and you should press him to file a claim for reimbursement. If he has invoiced you for the work there must be a warranty attached to the service.

Or at the very least he should give you a refund for the service and the labor’s on him.


Also: is it possible that he lost the bezel during service and replaced it with something else that didn’t fit quite right? I’m reading the thread you posted previously, it looks like something really strange is going on.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-tension-ring-hard-to-find.161990/
Edited:
 
Archer
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J John D.
The crystal had been replaced in the past and was reinstalled during this service. I am uncertain if it was a genuine Omega crystal.

Well, without using a genuine Omega crystal, all bets are off. That other thread indicates that there were already issues with this watch, so difficult to say what exactly happened. Why was the tension ring being replaced?
 
J
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Archer Archer
Well, without using a genuine Omega crystal, all bets are off. That other thread indicates that there were already issues with this watch, so difficult to say what exactly happened. Why was the tension ring being replaced?
The only issue was that it needed to be serviced. It was working, just not keeping time. He never mentioned any issues with the crystal. The
Archer Archer
Well, without using a genuine Omega crystal, all bets are off. That other thread indicates that there were already issues with this watch, so difficult to say what exactly happened. Why was the tension ring being replaced?

The tension ring didn't need to be replaced. All o needed was a service. The watch was working just losing time.
 
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