Comments:
Official manufacturer service question
I visited my local Omega Boutique (as concrete jumping block for this thread); as my SM MC300 will be four years old circa March 2019, i.e. my original four year warranty will expire, I asked the assist manager if they had a timing machine so I could check how my watch was running prior to its warranty end. This boutique has neither on-site watchmaker nor timing machine. I was told they send watches to a site outside of Sacramento CA to see if it is up to specs, but that site does no actual watch service. If the watch needs service, it is sent to an Omega servicing center in Seattle WA. If I wanted the watch serviced, it would be sent directly to the Seattle location by the boutique.
I then asked if I could specify, when the watch is serviced, that the hands and dial not be changed and that the case not be polished. To this I was told that if, when disassembling the watch for cleaning and inspection, the hands could be damaged when being removed from the cannon pinion (since they are pressed on), so it is most likely that the hands would be replaced, and this is standard. The dial is usually retained, unless there is evidence of water damage/corrosion which could then lead to moisture damage of the mechanism (despite the watch being a 30 atm WR). Finally, the case is automatically polished as well, regardless of customer desire.
My question is thus:
Are these answers accurate and typical for any official manufacturer service? Are hands often damaged when being removed during disassembly?
The asst manager told me that these things were done because a full service comes with a two year warranty from time of service, so for [Omega] to extend the warranty, they do whatever they do to ensure that the watch will "warrant" a warranty extension.
I have never sent a watch back to a manufacturer for service, so I have no experience in what is typical or not during service, by Omega or any other manufacturer.
Thank you in advance for your responses based on your knowledge as a watchmaker and/or customer who has had official service... Marc
Sadly, it’s typical
When a manufacturer services a watch and gives the warranty, they want it like new in order to cover it.
You can work with an independent watchmaker who will give you more control over how you want your watch serviced, and probably less warranty after. And possibly have some parts availability issues. That depends on the manufacturer and the model of watch.
Cazalea
You can work with an independent watchmaker who will give you more control over how you want your watch serviced, and probably less warranty after. And possibly have some parts availability issues. That depends on the manufacturer and the model of watch.
Cazalea
By PP the polish is extra ,Rolex can do service
w/o replacing original parts ,Omega did the same recently ,In case of doubts you can instruct the SA prior giving the watch to them if they refuse you still can walk to an other SC w parts a/c.
The Omega rep was by and large accurate . . .
. . . in his reply. That's why seasoned vintage collectors rarely take the manufacturer's service center route.
Omega service in Switzerland will return all movement parts that were replaced, including screws. I'm not sure if that applies to dials, in instances when they have replacement dials in stock.
Best,
Art
A side-note. Omega-UK will not service vintage Omegas, but sends them to an independent.
That’s why some people say don’t send the watch for servicing unless there’s really something wrong with it.
Because something might go wrong each time a watch is opened.
My thoughts
I’ve sent in a few Speedmasters for service. Moonwatch, Broad Arrow, and a Triple calendar. These all went to a Swatch Group Culver City service center (I sent them through a former Omega AD, but still an AD for other Swatch brands like Hamilton and Tissot). I believe that location services many brands. If you do send through an Omega boutique, yes, they go to Omega in Seattle.
I believe standard policy is to replace the hands during service because they are easily marred/damaged when removed. These hands are very tight when installed onto the watch. Dial is not automatically replaced unless there’s moisture damage or flaking. Pushers and crown will probably be replaced to help with water resistance. Acrylic/hesalite crystals are automatically replaced. I believe you can opt out of the refinish, but you’ll want to be very clear on the repair notes that you’re requesting that. Mine were all refinished - it’s kinda hit/miss. Sometimes the brush finish bleeds on to the polish, or sometimes the polish doesn’t get brushed over correctly. Watches look better than before overall, but it’s not perfect and you can tell refinish is an afterthought (my opinion is that Rolex refinishes are the best free refinishes in the industry, Grand Seiko is not bad for an extra $400 haha). With my repairs, most original, replaced parts were sent back, which is nice. The estimate will have a customer service number you can call to double-check what they want to do.
Last note is that the service center timeframe is generally spot on. I averaged about 7-8 weeks turnaround.
It depends on how the hands are fixed to the pinion. If full sleeve than resetting is possbile, if not, than you have likely no alternative than to replace them. [nt]
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If it is running fine don't touch it. These should go 10 years without intervention [nt]
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