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What dents and dings would be addressed as a regular part of an Omega service

DaveK
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I’m looking at a Railmaster, and saw one offered on another forum. I’m looking for one that has less signs of use, but then again, the warranty card is dated 2018 so the next service isn’t too far off, and if the price is right…

I am better versed in vintage watches where polishing and making them look new isn’t often pursued. But I want this to look very new. So my question here is, would Omega fully fix these dings and scratches as part of a regular service? Or, would making the watch look good as new cost extra? The damage on the front at 1:00, 2:00 and 9:30 have me particularly concerned. I’m assuming the bracelet scratches won’t be a problem, but I’m not sure. Thanks in advance for your guidance.

IMG_0945.webp IMG_0948.webp IMG_0949.webp IMG_0950.webp IMG_0951.webp IMG_0952.webp IMG_0947.webp IMG_0946.webp
 
DoctorEvil
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From my experience with Omega service superficial scratches will be polished out routinely, without extra charge. A couple of those dings, especially the one on the case at 9 o'clock and on the bezel at 2 o'clock may be a bit too deep to polish out, so would probably be left as is. If a new case or bezel is needed to restore the watch to "as new" condition, they will likely ask you if that's what you want and charge you accordingly. Good luck and let us know what happens.
 
bsowers34
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Those scrapes would come out pretty easily with 3000 or 5000 grit sanding disc, carefully and lightly run in the direction of the grain. I've done it in my seamaster clasp.
 
DaveK
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bsowers34 bsowers34
Those scrapes would come out pretty easily with 3000 or 5000 grit sanding disc, carefully and lightly run in the direction of the grain. I've done it in my seamaster clasp.
I appreciate that some folks would undertake that on their own, for me it feels like a “hold my beer” type of activity 😅
 
DaveK
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DoctorEvil DoctorEvil
From my experience with Omega service superficial scratches will be polished out routinely, without extra charge. A couple of those dings, especially the one on the case at 9 o'clock and on the bezel at 2 o'clock may be a bit too deep to polish out, so would probably be left as is. If a new case or bezel is needed to restore the watch to "as new" condition, they will likely ask you if that's what you want and charge you accordingly. Good luck and let us know what happens.
Thanks very much, that’s helpful.
 
bsowers34
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DaveK DaveK
I appreciate that some folks would undertake that on their own, for me it feels like a “hold my beer” type of activity 😅
Yeah, I try not to make a habit of it.
 
JwRosenthal
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This watch isn’t so old that better examples aren’t floating around- not that this is a bad one- I wouldn’t really notice the marks other than maybe the bezel dings, and as said by Pastor- it would only be a matter time before I added my own. But some of those dings are pretty deep and if those would bother you even after a refinish (I would rather see the full ding than the lawn-mowered pock mark) then maybe this isn’t the watch for you.

I assume the asking price is too good to pass up if you are considering buying it, then sending it to omega for a full service price- but as said above, if you want it “like new” you are going to pay for it up front for a better watch, or on the back end when omega offers to replace the case at full cost rather than grind it out.
 
DaveK
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
This watch isn’t so old that better examples aren’t floating around- not that this is a bad one- I wouldn’t really notice the marks other than maybe the bezel dings, and as said by Pastor- it would only be a matter time before I added my own. But some of those dings are pretty deep and if those would bother you even after a refinish (I would rather see the full ding than the lawn-mowered pock mark) then maybe this isn’t the watch for you.

I assume the asking price is too good to pass up if you are considering buying it, then sending it to omega for a full service price- but as said above, if you want it “like new” you are going to pay for it up front for a better watch, or on the back end when omega offers to replace the case at full cost rather than grind it out.
Absolutely correct, thanks JW. The asking price is above where it needs to be for me. Jomashop had these NEW for $3200 USD a few weeks ago. But with duties and our crappy exchange rate, I’m looking within Canada only
 
scapa
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DaveK DaveK
Absolutely correct, thanks JW. The asking price is above where it needs to be for me. Jomashop had these NEW for $3200 USD a few weeks ago. But with duties and our crappy exchange rate, I’m looking within Canada only

Absolutely understand your wish to keep your search within Canada -- perhaps send a few of those pix to SGSC (Swach Service Canada) and say you're wondering about cost of service for this watch, including polishing out deeper dents, etc. They''re generally prompt and friendly and you should then have some idea of costs.

The RM wasn't a big seller here (quoth AD) but you can occasionally find examples. New they're still advertised at today's MSRP or close, IME -- whether or not that's worth it s up to you. I have purchased older Omegas that needed work, and made calculations of offer prices accordingly. More information always helps in such circus, I guess.
 
502 to right
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The only mark that looks too deep to be taken out through a normal service polish is the bezel at 1 o'clock. There are two solutions to that if you wanted to go down that road:

1) The entire bezel can be replaced as part of a service. I don't know the exact price, but I'm guessing $150ish (USD). I know for certain a Rolex Explorer bezel replacement is $150 currently (from experience) and I can't believe Omega would be that far off for a similar type bezel.

2) A quality case refinishing operation such as Zimmerman Watch Repair, Rolliworks, or LA Watch Works. They can laser weld the deep scratches on the bezel and recut it. That said, this would undoubtedly cost more than simply replacing the entire bezel through Omega.
 
Pastorbottle
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Or just leave it and enjoy putting your own inevitable dings and scrapes in it.......not everything has to be perfect, it's called patina!
 
JwRosenthal
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Pastorbottle Pastorbottle
Or just leave it and enjoy putting your own inevitable dings and scrapes in it.......not everything has to be perfect, it's called patina!
That’s what I told my orthopedic surgeon before he put two sheet metal screws into my lower back- it’s called patina!
 
Dan S
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I did send a modern Omega for a factory service once and they refinished the case and bracelet. I suspect that most of those marks will be completely gone and if there is anything deep, the visual impact will be greatly diminished.
 
Gubbo
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Dan S Dan S
I did send a modern Omega for a factory service once and they refinished the case and bracelet. I suspect that most of those marks will be completely gone and if there is anything deep, the visual impact will be greatly diminished.
Silly question. Refinishing from Omega will get things as close as possible to when they left the factory?

Or will it be those soft polished edges we see on vintage pieces that people want to avoid?
 
Dan S
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Gubbo Gubbo
Silly question. Refinishing from Omega will get things as close as possible to when they left the factory?

Or will it be those soft polished edges we see on vintage pieces that people want to avoid?
I only have that one experience, but the refinishing was much more professional. Not perfect, but close.
 
Tag0935
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From my recent service experience in Biel, they do not touch the scratches. If you want/need polish, you have to specify it during the watch handover, and it comes at an extra cost.
 
502 to right
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Tag0935 Tag0935
From my recent service experience in Biel, they do not touch the scratches. If you want/need polish, you have to specify it during the watch handover, and it comes at an extra cost.

What watch did you have serviced? I'm curious if it was a vintage model.

This has never been the policy for OSC's in the USA.

Edit - I just checked the Omega website in the United States. Case and bracelet refurbishment is included in a "full service."

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/...s-and-prices/main-steps-of-a-complete-service
Edited:
 
Scarecrow Boat
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Gubbo Gubbo
Silly question. Refinishing from Omega will get things as close as possible to when they left the factory?

Or will it be those soft polished edges we see on vintage pieces that people want to avoid?
I don’t have a before pic, sorry Dave, but this was refinished during a factory service and it looks brand new with incredibly sharp lines.
IMG_5108.webp
 
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