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What happened to Watchco?
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Archer
路路Omega Qualified WatchmakerWatchco certainly helped me with a project but you have to wonder what's happening to them when they are selling a $5000 fully built SM with this line "Please note. The movement has had a basic service and is running well. The buyer should factor in a service at some stage in the near future." Ah, the old basic service...
These are the same watches that they claim are actually real SM300's but with everything but the movement replaced, right? They say they checked with Omega and were told these were originally all in SM300's:
"The movement in this watch is ONE of FOUR movements we have had in our own collection since the early 1990s. The movements came from complete original Watches we felt were not worth restoring at the tinme. ( How times change ) We have checked with OMEGA and the movement serial number is CORRECT for 165.024"
So why would you need to confirm movements that were in complete and original watches? They don;t say when they confirmed the movement with Omega, but if they confirmed this back in the 1990's say by getting an extract (if Omega even offered extracts back then - not sure), then we all know they could have put the case reference on the request and Omega would simply just repeat that back on the extract. Unless they provided a very recent extract to prove it these were really from a 165-024, I would take the claims with a big grain of salt. Even then these would have little collector value since they have replaced everything external on the watch. Odd that absolutely nothing of the original watches survived well enough to be used again, so how are the movements in such good condition?
I have serviced some Watchco's that had their "basic service" and they required many parts replaced due to wear...I would say buyer beware on these.
Cheers, Al
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VetPsychWars
路I sure hope they weren't fibbing when they said that mine has a NOS movement in it....
Tom
Tom
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incabloc
路Must be the Asian made versions for that money, because I don't know of anyone who is selling even the case for $1300, let alone the dial, hands, and bracelet. Having said that the prices they are asking are pretty high...
I don't know where Omega manufacturing the cases....馃檮
for example, a new case Ref.145.012 is arround CHF950.- and the Seamaster case is CHF800.- , believe it or not....馃槈
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dsio
路路Ash @ 惟FThe pricing on Watchco SM300s makes the new Cal 8400 SM300 a very good deal really, I bought mine when they were less than half what the sell for now, given the choice I'd take the new one with warranty any day of the week and scope out an all vintage one (movement and case, bezel, dial etc) eventually.
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xantiagib
路So why would you need to confirm movements that were in complete and original watches?
Only reason being these would then be deemed worthy of having replacement service parts in Omega's eyes and you could then send it to them to be serviced... so would be considered a restoration and not a franken/replica/zombie whatever...
Only reason being these would then be deemed worthy of having replacement service parts in Omega's eyes and you could then send it to them to be serviced... so would be considered a restoration and not a franken/replica/zombie whatever...
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Archer
路路Omega Qualified WatchmakerSo why would you need to confirm movements that were in complete and original watches?
Only reason being these would then be deemed worthy of having replacement service parts in Omega's eyes and you could then send it to them to be serviced... so would be considered a restoration and not a franken/replica/zombie whatever...
That doesn't make a lot of sense - Omega will service the Watchco watches, and most people would not send them to Omega anyway...
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WatchVaultNYC
路The asking prices for Watchco SM300s now seem to be in the stratosphere. I got a really good deal on my vintage SM300, so I can't bring myself to actually paying more for something that isn't the real deal. So should I assemble my own SM300 then?
If so, what would I need? Just a case, 552 movement, crown, stem, dial and hands.. and a watchmaker?
If so, what would I need? Just a case, 552 movement, crown, stem, dial and hands.. and a watchmaker?
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VetPsychWars
路Case complete: $1989
Dial:$340 (date dial only)
Date wheel: $49.50
Hour, minute hands: $58.00
Sweep seconds: $27.80
Case clamps and screws: $30.00
Movement: anyone's guess
Labor: ask your watchmaker
Those part prices are from Otto Frei. It can definitely be done.
Tom
Dial:$340 (date dial only)
Date wheel: $49.50
Hour, minute hands: $58.00
Sweep seconds: $27.80
Case clamps and screws: $30.00
Movement: anyone's guess
Labor: ask your watchmaker
Those part prices are from Otto Frei. It can definitely be done.
Tom
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Andy
路Had the same thing happen at OFrei. Ordered something and after 8 weeks was told Omega wasn't going to ship, as OFrei had gotten everything they were suppose to for the year, but then suddenly showed up
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VetPsychWars
路Interesting. I just ordered the 20mm mesh bracelet and extension and no mention of anything.
Looks like they're selling their remaining stock until it's gone, and they don't stock 1171 links?
Tom
Looks like they're selling their remaining stock until it's gone, and they don't stock 1171 links?
Tom
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Impondering
路"...Frei said swatch group is taking it from the cradle to the grave"
What does that mean?
What does that mean?
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VetPsychWars
路"...Frei said swatch group is taking it from the cradle to the grave"
What does that mean?
That they're going to own everything in the process from beginning to end.
Tom
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Impondering
路Thanks Tom, that makes sense.
I had misread that Frei was taking it from cradle to grave.....time for a second cup of coffee!
I had misread that Frei was taking it from cradle to grave.....time for a second cup of coffee!
Edited:
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ahartfie
路路The black sheep in the Spee-ee-eee-eedmaster flockCripes, I've been deliberating ordering a new 1040 bracelet with 518 endlinks from Frei... I wonder if I need to pull the trigger sooner rather than later on that.
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mikekilo725
路Cripes, I've been deliberating ordering a new 1040 bracelet with 518 endlinks from Frei... I wonder if I need to pull the trigger sooner rather than later on that.
If you do, don't be surprised if they can't complete the order. From what I hear and confirmed by O Frei, Omega is limiting the number of non-boutique shops by limiting who the send parts to and rationing even that
Edited:
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Archer
路路Omega Qualified WatchmakerCripes, I've been deliberating ordering a new 1040 bracelet with 518 endlinks from Frei... I wonder if I need to pull the trigger sooner rather than later on that.
1040/518 bracelet is discontinued - replacement is a 020ST3011518.
If you do, don't be surprised if they can't complete the order. From what I hear and confirmed by O Frei, Omega is limiting the number of non-boutique shops by limiting who the send parts to and rationing even that
All 3rd party parts resellers have been cut off. Places like Otto Frei won't be able to order any more parts from Omega.
With the prices that they are asking for their remaining stock (lots of these places are gouging people with the stock they have left asking very high prices), for something like a bracelet you will likely get a better price from your local AD or boutique.
Cheers, Al
