Community Stories

X-33 Service Swindle

T
Posts
3
Likes
0
I have an X-33 that was serviced 2.5 years ago. Replace a bunch of parts and crystal.

Service cost was $500 plus crystal.

Watch had to go back under 2yr warranty as the light shorted out the movement.

Fast forward to present time

About a month ago, I was wearing it and pressed the light pusher. The dial flashed and immediately went into battery failure warning mode.

I went back to boutique and dropped watch off. They were going to try to get it looked at under warranty..

Went to pick up watch yesterday as it had come in

They didn't cover it under warranty and performed another maintenance service. This time it was $700! Also no parts whatsoever were included. That's $100 more than the website lists a quartz service.

How do I know they just didn't change the battery? I have no evidence of full-service other than the receipt I paid for it and the watch works...

I paid for it and left as it was a full boutique and didn't want to cause a scene, but the more I think about it, something isn't right.
 
T
Posts
3
Likes
0
I should add the watch was out if warranty by a few months and the boutique was looking to get a concession from Omega
 
Archer
Posts
29,671
Likes
76,830
T The Toecutter
I should add the watch was out if warranty by a few months and the boutique was looking to get a concession from Omega
If it was a paid service, you should get the returned parts - I would ask them for the parts.
 
padders
Posts
10,440
Likes
16,324
You are lucky on one of these multifunction Omega watches if you get 3 year use before the battery gives out. They have been using this family of movements since about 1988 and they don't seem to get much better. I've owned several. Never again. They are a ballache.
 
T
Posts
3
Likes
0
Something isn't quite right with this ..

I really think they just changed the battery and charged me for a service.
 
502 to right
Posts
1,078
Likes
1,098
T The Toecutter
Something isn't quite right with this ..

I really think they just changed the battery and charged me for a service.

Did you authorize a service? If not, I wouldn't have paid for it.
 
FurryWristAbroad
Posts
54
Likes
609
Hello,

First, I am absolutely gutted by your experience. I rely on my X33 for work and life every day, and reading what you have gone through hits hard.

First, as padders mentioned above, if worn daily and the functions are used frequently, there is a good chance that you will need to replace the battery in your X33 every 18-36 months.
IMG_2530.webp

From my personal experience, I have never handed my X33 over to the authorized dealer I got it from, or to my trusted independent watchmakers. I always go directly to SWATCH Group, and they have been absolute angels. Depending on where you reside, this may be prohibitive or nearly impossible, but if you can, deal with SWATCH Group.

The X33 is not a normal watch, and its tiny titanium parts, such as the pushers, can easily be broken if not set properly. These wonderful little tools are often thought of as being easy to service due to being quartz and because of a YouTube video where an astronaut replaces the battery in his while in orbit. From my experience and that of other X33 owners, this specialized tool requires experts and someone you can trust.

I genuinely hope that this experience does not put you off from owning and enjoying your X33 for many years to come.

Note: I reside in Canada and have been treated amazingly by SWATCH Group Canada and SWATCH Group over in Switzerland.
 
502 to right
Posts
1,078
Likes
1,098
FurryWristAbroad FurryWristAbroad
From my personal experience, I have never handed my X33 over to the authorized dealer I got it from, or to my trusted independent watchmakers. I always go directly to SWATCH Group, and they have been absolute angels. Depending on where you reside, this may be prohibitive or nearly impossible, but if you can, deal with SWATCH Group.
Boutiques usually send their watches for service to a Swatch Group service center. They might have a technician on site, but they don't service watches. So I'm betting this watch was sent to a Swatch Group service center (which we typically call an Omega Service Center because we are Omega-centric).
 
Paedipod
Posts
2,296
Likes
18,241
Also in Canada, the Vancouver Boutique is excellent and anything that is not straightforward goes to SWATCH. I usually ask before sending them something and they will suggest bypassing the boutique if too complicated for them…saves time and shipping costs on each end.
 
drhex
Posts
545
Likes
903
Firstly, the battery being empty after two years is normal in my experience. Also, using the light is a surefire way to push it into battery savings mode if the battery is marginal. Omega normally changes the movement on service (don’t know why) which makes it expensive. Never got the original movement after service, you can ask and let us know. I just change the battery myself - if water ingress kills it or the movement dies I can still put it into official service. I have a Gen2, 3 and Marstimer and that has worked well for me over the last five years.
Edited:
 
A
Posts
6
Likes
1
Well I'm in same boat perhaps?? Had mine 2nd gen X33 serviced in 2021. The second hand stopped moving. Cost me $500. Now in 2025 had new battery from AD and the backlight no more works and watch goes into power saver mode when pushed. Also on that visit I had just dropped $10k on another new omega. The the dealer tried to get my X33 covered however omega came back with estimate of $1000...Ouch! I bought the X33 new for 3k. So now im into it for service for 1/2 of what I paid. Its a bit ridiculous. Almost tempted to sell it and give up when I get it back. Good luck to all of us on the X33 platform...seems a bit wonky.
 
Paedipod
Posts
2,296
Likes
18,241
Just got my x-33 back from the boutique…..had a bad experience with an Indy in the wayback times and boutique went to bat for me with Bienne. Movement has been replaced with service once (and upgraded) about 10 years ago This battery change took longer because first battery installed was no good…EOL indicator still going and light and alarm not working. Waited for a fresh shipment from Switzerland and now all good. Went into the boutique to pick it up and resisted temptation to pick up something new! All told about a three week process and $60 CAD.
 
drhex
Posts
545
Likes
903
60 CAD is right for a battery and seal. @abush, sounds like they put in an old battery, should last two years if you don’t use the backlight constantly. Get it back without service, buy a fitting screwdriver and change the battery yourself (don’t forget to put in change mode, 2nd gen pull out crown). Have tested for water tightness afterwards if you care.
 
A
Posts
6
Likes
1
drhex drhex
60 CAD is right for a battery and seal. @abush, sounds like they put in an old battery, should last two years if you don’t use the backlight constantly. Get it back without service, buy a fitting screwdriver and change the battery yourself (don’t forget to put in change mode, 2nd gen pull out crown). Have tested for water tightness afterwards if you care.
Called them they said ..They placed in a 2nd battery and it works. Except when they push at 8 o'clock pusher the backlight no light up however doesn't go in to 5sec low power mode. I said just send it in and see what omega says. The AD said it might be 14 weeks! My god.
 
A
Posts
6
Likes
1
A abush
Well I'm in same boat perhaps?? Had mine 2nd gen X33 serviced in 2021. The second hand stopped moving. Cost me $500. Now in 2025 had new battery from AD and the backlight no more works and watch goes into power saver mode when pushed. Also on that visit I had just dropped $10k on another new omega. The the dealer tried to get my X33 covered however omega came back with estimate of $1000...Ouch! I bought the X33 new for 3k. So now im into it for service for 1/2 of what I paid. Its a bit ridiculous. Almost tempted to sell it and give up when I get it back. Good luck to all of us on the X33 platform...seems a bit wonky.

A abush
Called them they said ..They placed in a 2nd battery and it works. Except when they push at 8 o'clock pusher the backlight no light up however doesn't go in to 5sec low power mode. I said just send it in and see what omega says. The AD said it might be 14 weeks! My god.
Well got watch back from Omega Service $135. So after me changing 2 batteries.. and the AD changing 2 batteries the Service Center said "just needed a new battery" So the lesson is I guess all of these so called 'New Batteries' are not new. (they had a exp date of 2028) The watch is working great?
 
Raskolnikov
Posts
139
Likes
137
Changed a battery myself. Watch still was in energy saving mode. Waited a few minutes; pulled the crown out. Pushed it in a little later. And backlight was working and watch didn’t went into energy saving mode anymore.
 
A
Posts
6
Likes
1
Raskolnikov Space22
Changed a battery myself. Watch still was in energy saving mode. Waited a few minutes; pulled the crown out. Pushed it in a little later. And backlight was working and watch didn’t went into energy saving mode anymore.
Mystery for sure crappy batteries . For the $135 battery I got a nice travel box and had a chance to try on a new Rolex GMT and experience my wife try on 7 different watches from omega to rolex to grand seiko and tudor...that didn't meet her specific requirements. ....Gold jubilee and steel bracelet...black face.. Arabic numerals ... appx 36mm... No diamonds. Maybe diamonds?...No gold..Maybe gold...? Maybe roman numerals Under 4k but not more than 8k... I was about to just collapse on floor.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Speedy Guppy

Omega Speedmaster X-33 Skywalker (gen 3) Caseback w/"FLIGHTMASTER"?

Speedy Guppy Modern Omega Watches
Rocketeer61
Rocketeer61
Posts
6
Views
968
T

My X-33 Speedmaster and Rolex GMT go to sea.

TLIGuy Open Discussion
SpeedyPhill
SpeedyPhill
Posts
15
Views
663
elara2105

Omega X-33 1st Gen

elara2105 Private Watch Sales
elara2105
elara2105
Posts
0
Views
244
WatchTimes

? regarding Omega X-33 Skywalker

WatchTimes Modern Omega Watches
10mmauto
10mmauto
Posts
1
Views
684
mbp

Omega Speedmaster X-33

mbp Private Watch Sales
mbp
mbp
Posts
20
Views
2K
C

Omega X-33 Dust Cover

Cruxxxes Modern Omega Watches
duc
duc
Posts
5
Views
880