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elephantcage
·Fascinating.
What would you consider a fair response?
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Canuck
·Fascinating.
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Gruesome
·I think most here can absolutely sympathize with your feelings about the situation. (I had a used but absolutely pristine watch scratched up at the Costa Mesa IWC boutique, because I foolishly assumed they would be more skilled at changing the watch band than I would be. I'm still furious about that, but I also still love the watch; the scratches are on the back of the lugs.)
Unfortunately, I think in your case the decision point is already in the past; it was right when the watch was scratched by the boutique. I don't know whether it would have been possible to get the boutique to exchange the watch at that point, but after accepting the polishing I don't think there is a way back. Getting some kind of trinket or discount or whatever from the boutique is not going to change your attitude towards the watch. I think you either have to make your peace with your invisibly flawed watch, or get rid of it.
I'm doubtful whether an Omega boutique could be helpful with selling a watch with that history (or any watch), but it might not hurt asking. At the least it should make your feelings about the watch and about your interaction with them crystal clear to them. Still, they might just shrug.
Unfortunately, I think in your case the decision point is already in the past; it was right when the watch was scratched by the boutique. I don't know whether it would have been possible to get the boutique to exchange the watch at that point, but after accepting the polishing I don't think there is a way back. Getting some kind of trinket or discount or whatever from the boutique is not going to change your attitude towards the watch. I think you either have to make your peace with your invisibly flawed watch, or get rid of it.
I'm doubtful whether an Omega boutique could be helpful with selling a watch with that history (or any watch), but it might not hurt asking. At the least it should make your feelings about the watch and about your interaction with them crystal clear to them. Still, they might just shrug.
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CMG23
·Why do people think they need to be "compensated" all the time for things like this. They fixed it, move on and enjoy your watch. Either that or sell it and make a profit off of it. Dont drive yourself crazy over things like this in your life. Just enjoy that watch.
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STANDY
·One question
Did they scratched the back of the watch changing the bracelet ?!
ie) where you couldn’t see it wearing it.
Did they scratched the back of the watch changing the bracelet ?!
ie) where you couldn’t see it wearing it.
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elephantcage
·How did the lug get scratched during an adjustment? This reminds me of the time in about 1970 when I was playing with my suction cup, spring loaded dart pistol in the living room and broke the tail off a ceramic cat. I kid glued it on and hoped it would not be noticed. A few months later, my brother was doing something near the lamp and the tail came off. I should feel bad for not admitting my crime, but....nah.
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Annapolis
·I agree: they caused a problem; the “compensation” is resolving it at no charge, which they’ve now done. Loop closed. But if this experience has caused emotional distress, then I suppose it’s not out of line with Omega’s status as a “luxury” brand offering a “luxury” experience to request something extra—that’s what luxury means. It could be perceived as bit fussy, but we’re talking about a $10,000 wrist watch, so where to even begin.
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elephantcage
·Clearly, I have too much time today. I would like to know why adjusting the bracelet had any possible chance of scratching a lug. If the bracelet was attached at the lug, any adjustments would have been made far from the lugs.
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Speed2Sea
·Clearly, I have too much time today. I would like to know why adjusting the bracelet had any possible chance of scratching a lug. If the bracelet was attached at the lug, any adjustments would have been made far from the lugs.
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Evitzee
·That's a good point. Unless I'm wrong, if they removed a link and/or adjusted the buckle they wouldn't have removed the bracelet from the lug.
Never assume sales people have any qualifications to do things like changing straps on your newly purchased watch. Do it yourself, you'll take more care and if you prepare things properly you can do the job successfully.
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Speed2Sea
·Snoopy comes on a blue fabric strap, so OP had the boutique put on a steel bracelet, which a lot of owner's do. It appears the numptys at the boutique possibly tried to install the bracelet from the top side instead of doing it from the back, buggering up the lug in the process.
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elephantcage
·That's what I get for continuing to follow this. Thanks for clarifying. The boutique folks should have at least covered the lugs with masking tape if they are in training.
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Evitzee
·That's what I get for continuing to follow this. Thanks for clarifying. The boutique folks should have at least covered the lugs with masking tape if they are in training.
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502 to right
·Clearly, I have too much time today. I would like to know why adjusting the bracelet had any possible chance of scratching a lug. If the bracelet was attached at the lug, any adjustments would have been made far from the lugs.
I've probably done several hundred strap changes in my lifetime (maybe thousands). The way you can scratch the front side of the lugs is pushing down too hard on the springbar from the backside, trying to get a good grip on the springbar flange, and having it come out from the lug hole and the downward pressure pushing the springbar down and out the front side of the lugs. When the springbar first clears the lug gap it can spring open to full extention and scratch the front side of the lugs. Many years ago I realized I needed to put my finger under the front side of the strap/bracelet to keep it from being pushed out the front. But I could see an inexperienced boutique or AD worker not realizing that and accidently pushing it out the front.
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elephantcage
·I don't think there is any real training for boutique workers on how to change/adjust straps and bracelets, turnover is high in these jobs. Hopefully there will one worker who knows how to do properly, hopefully.
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Drewbo
·My local boutique has a watchmaker on site, so I guess there's a better than even chance that the simple things get done properly.
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Evitzee
·My local boutique has a watchmaker on site, so I guess there's a better than even chance that the simple things get done properly.
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Tekashi_145.022
·Omega obviously corrected the problem, and I have no criticism regarding the quality of the work that was carried out.
I have actually just left the watch with Omega again for a complete inspection, after discussing the situation with an Omega manager who has personally taken over my case.
I genuinely believe someone with your temperament is going to be happier without wearing nice watches. Get an Apple Watch and call it a day.
There is a romantic mystique crafted by the industry that these are obsessively, meticulously-made pieces and are of the highest quality craftsmanship. They are nice watches, but all have issues if you look closely enough. It’s just a watch, wear if and enjoy it. It was always going to get refinished one day. Sounds like they did a a very light amount of refinishing and won’t affect your ability to get it refinished again.
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Canuck
·The very best way to check over your new Omega would have been with this equipment.
