Vintage Omega written off!!

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jimbo
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Vintage Omega written off!!

Post by jimbo »

Hi Folks, a while since I have been on this forum, but I need help.

My son was lucky enough to be left his grandfathers vintage Omega on his death. He is now old enough to wear it, so we thought we would send it to be serviced. The place we went it to (Watchfinder & Co.) said they could not repair it, and sent it to Omega to see if they could.

We have just heard back form them saying that Omega can't either as the case is corroded and some parts are obsolete.

Is there any chance anyone here may know someone who may have a look or is it a lost cause?

cheers Jimbo
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Re: Vintage Omega written off!!

Post by Magnus »

Get it back from Omega immediately. They will butcher it.

Swiss Time Services in Kent are the best at dealing with vintage Omegas. They will fix it without altering the identity of the watch.

Do you have any pictures? What are these companies saying is wrong with the watch?
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Re: Vintage Omega written off!!

Post by nbg »

This chap would also be worth a look. He is a member on TZ-UK and whilst I haven't yet used him myself, he gets favourable reviews.

An old school matchmaker, who I understand can also manufacture parts if required.

http://webwatchmaker.com/

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Re: Vintage Omega written off!!

Post by golfjunky »

Current collection = Omega Seamaster 2225.80.00, Omega Speedmaster 'Moonphase' 3576.50.00, Breitling Aerospace Evo, Vintage Azur, Vintage Seiko Sprtsman, Grand Seiko SBGX059, Omega SMP NTTD 210.92.42.20.01.001, Casioak Milkyway, Casioak Tiffany Sky.
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Re: Vintage Omega written off!!

Post by Magnus »

He used to be at Swiss Time Services and comes very highly recommended.
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Re: Vintage Omega written off!!

Post by Thegreyman »

nbg wrote:This chap would also be worth a look. He is a member on TZ-UK and whilst I haven't yet used him myself, he gets favourable reviews.

An old school matchmaker, who I understand can also manufacture parts if required.

http://webwatchmaker.com/

Neil
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Re: Vintage Omega written off!!

Post by nigelb001 »

You could try Christian at http://watchguy.co.uk/

He seems to specialise in vintage Omegas though does many other brands too. He has done great work for me on several occasions and each repair is documented photographically. You may have to wait a while as his booking system is to say the least idiosyncratic. His services are in great demand so be patient.
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Re: Vintage Omega written off!!

Post by robert75 »

Duncan Hewett (The watch bloke) woodland technical are just two that spring to mind.

I honestly despair of the utter idiots who work in these so called "Authorized dealers" and their so called service centers. For all the nonsense they produce about "Luxury watches last a lifetime" they seem to be so quick to write off a watch or file it under "Cant be bothered" I mean for goodness sake a quick look on ebay will show plenty of watch parts from vintage watches readily available not to mention the number of independent watch repairers who can build their own parts so why cant these multi million pound watch companies?

As others have said, get it straight back from these morons and send it to someone who knows what they are doing (and knows what they are talking about!)
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Re: Vintage Omega written off!!

Post by nbg »

Thegreyman wrote:
nbg wrote:This chap would also be worth a look. He is a member on TZ-UK and whilst I haven't yet used him myself, he gets favourable reviews.

An old school matchmaker, who I understand can also manufacture parts if required.

http://webwatchmaker.com/

Neil
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Good spot Patrick! Why can't stupid phones accept I typed watchmaker and leave it at that! :lol:

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Re: Vintage Omega written off!!

Post by sinner777 »

jimbo wrote:Hi Folks, a while since I have been on this forum, but I need help.

My son was lucky enough to be left his grandfathers vintage Omega on his death. He is now old enough to wear it, so we thought we would send it to be serviced. The place we went it to (Watchfinder & Co.) said they could not repair it, and sent it to Omega to see if they could.

We have just heard back form them saying that Omega can't either as the case is corroded and some parts are obsolete.

Is there any chance anyone here may know someone who may have a look or is it a lost cause?

cheers Jimbo
Most of the vintage Omegas are repairable without problem. Old ones prior to quartz crisis have very durable movements that were made in large quanitites and parts can still be found online, ones that are dated in 70ies either are based on common movements and/or shared with some other companies (Tissot / Lanco shared the whole family of movements with Omega), later movements were based on ETA...

Tricky ones are early Quartz movements.

Again untill you give us some pictures there is nothing more I can say.
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Re: Vintage Omega written off!!

Post by jimbo »

Hi Folks,

Sorry been busy, update is that I spoke to Simon Freese and his wife on the phone, so far the customer service is great, they sent me a box with bubble wrap to post back to them in a self addressed "special delivery" envelope, that arrived in 2 days, I wrapped it followed the "orders" and filled in a sheet of what I wanted doing and returned it.

I had an email the following day saying watch received, and in the queue for being looked at.

I expect this to take a while as he told me he was very busy, so expecting some kind of reply and diagnosis in the new year.

I really hope that it can be got going again before my sons birthday in early February, as I am sure the emotional tie to that watch being his much loved Grandfathers will be immense. Plus me being someone who hates "stuff" being binned cause it is old, will be really pleased to see it being used again.

Will advise when I know more.

Jimbo
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Re: Vintage Omega written off!!

Post by jimbo »

sorry watch put on from Photobucket...then later saw a "Command" not to so removed will try alternative way! :)
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Re: Vintage Omega written off!!

Post by EddieTheBeast »

jimbo wrote:Hi Folks,

Sorry been busy, update is that I spoke to Simon Freese and his wife on the phone, so far the customer service is great, they sent me a box with bubble wrap to post back to them in a self addressed "special delivery" envelope, that arrived in 2 days, I wrapped it followed the "orders" and filled in a sheet of what I wanted doing and returned it.

I had an email the following day saying watch received, and in the queue for being looked at.

I expect this to take a while as he told me he was very busy, so expecting some kind of reply and diagnosis in the new year.

I really hope that it can be got going again before my sons birthday in early February, as I am sure the emotional tie to that watch being his much loved Grandfathers will be immense. Plus me being someone who hates "stuff" being binned cause it is old, will be really pleased to see it being used again.

Will advise when I know more.

Jimbo
It looks amazing from that photo. Please keep us updated and lets see lots more photos when it's sorted.

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Re: Vintage Omega written off!!

Post by gaf1958 »

jimbo wrote:sorry watch put on from Photobucket...then later saw a "Command" not to so removed will try alternative way! :)
If you have an expensive fully paid PB account, where photos display in forums, then it’s fine. It’s the “ransom” photo that’s objectionable. Most here use free photo hosting, which means a big no to photobucket.
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Re: Vintage Omega written off!!

Post by jimbo »

We have the watch back now, it looks great with a scratch free crystal. Simon Freese did a great job, with an 18 month warranty as well. I will use him again. The customer service was great. Thank you so much for the recommendations.

I can't wait until my son opens it on his birthday in a couple of weeks, as he believes it is unrepairable.

One sad blot on this is that Omega couldn't/wouldn't repair it. Simon had to put a new stem in it, a clean, plus service and he has valued the watch at about £1200. Really poor from Omega, but work for a small indi :)

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