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Thread: Omega servicing query

  1. #1
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    Omega servicing query

    A question if I may, I’ve got an omega 2531 seamaster in for a full service at STS and I’ve just received the quote.

    Automatic Service Movement parts broken/damaged/worn
    £350.00
    Crown requires replacement to guarantee water resistance
    £34.87
    Helium valve seal - Included £0.00
    Barrel bridge worn/damaged - New barrel bridge £180.00

    My understanding, perhaps wrongly was that any worn/damaged parts would be replaced as part of the cost, however there is additional cost here.

    If I were to have taken direct to omega, would I also have the increased cost above the basic service cost of £450?

    I’ll perhaps make some direct enquiries with STS and Omega on Monday but wanted to be a little more informed before doing so. If I’m to expect these additional costs, then I’ll just ask them to complete the work.

    Thanks.

  2. #2
    Grand Master Foxy100's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by a13x View Post
    A question if I may, I’ve got an omega 2531 seamaster in for a full service at STS and I’ve just received the quote.

    Automatic Service Movement parts broken/damaged/worn
    £350.00
    Crown requires replacement to guarantee water resistance
    £34.87
    Helium valve seal - Included £0.00
    Barrel bridge worn/damaged - New barrel bridge £180.00

    My understanding, perhaps wrongly was that any worn/damaged parts would be replaced as part of the cost, however there is additional cost here.

    If I were to have taken direct to omega, would I also have the increased cost above the basic service cost of £450?

    I’ll perhaps make some direct enquiries with STS and Omega on Monday but wanted to be a little more informed before doing so. If I’m to expect these additional costs, then I’ll just ask them to complete the work.

    Thanks.
    Good question, I would imagine they would charge too. If you do opt to send the watch to Omega in sunny Southampton it's worth checking with them if they would simply forward it to STS or do it themselves.
    "A man of little significance"

  3. #3
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    Have just received my father's 1976 Seamaster back from Omega. Full service. Various bits replaced including crystal and crown. Case polished (at my request) and bracelet refinished. Total cost £468. I was pleased with that as I had pre-authorised up to £550.

    Sent from my SM-A202F using TZ-UK mobile app

  4. #4
    Master
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    I have used both STS and Southampton extensively. STS started charging extra for crowns and other parts a couple of years ago, perhaps not coincidentally when Omega steeply ramped up parts prices. which rather negated their notional discount over the OSC Southampton official service price. I would guess that all the parts listed in the OP post would be covered by the std (already eye watering) Omega service fee. STS are wonderful, but in this instance going direct to Southampton makes more sense.

    The notion that OSC Southampton would send a recent watch like a Bond SMP to STS for servicing makes no sense at all, the latter are an independent authorised repair outfit quite separate from Omega (Swatch Group).
    Last edited by Padders; 16th January 2021 at 17:49.

  5. #5
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    I’ve serviced plenty of these and I’ve yet to come across a barrel bridge that required replacement, I’m struggling to think why it needs changing. I suggest you phone STS and discuss this, Get them to explain exactly what is at fault with the barrel bridge. Frankly, I’m amazed they can diagnose this fault without stripping the movement down! Definitely needs discussing.

    Do you know the history of the watch?

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post
    I’ve serviced plenty of these and I’ve yet to come across a barrel bridge that required replacement, I’m struggling to think why it needs changing. I suggest you phone STS and discuss this, Get them to explain exactly what is at fault with the barrel bridge. Frankly, I’m amazed they can diagnose this fault without stripping the movement down! Definitely needs discussing.

    Do you know the history of the watch?
    Yes it’s had 2 full services with omega direct and now this being the third. The watch has stopped functioning and so there is a fault with the movement although it’s not been inspected by myself before sending off.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by a13x View Post
    Yes it’s had 2 full services with omega direct and now this being the third. The watch has stopped functioning and so there is a fault with the movement although it’s not been inspected by myself before sending off.
    Interesting! It’s easy for me to make the assumption that the watch has lead a hard life with no servicing, but that isn’t the case! I therefore find it hard to believe that the barrel bridge requires replacement. £180 for replacement of that part from an Omega accredited repairer is eye- watering.

    Strongly recommend you have a talk to them, ask them to justify the need for replacement.

    As for the new crown, provided the threads are OK I would replace the O ring at a cost of £1! As I said, I’ve serviced lots of these, I have the special tools to get the He valve and pendant tube out, but my supply of parts is now dwindling and ‘m not prepared to pay silly money for parts to stay in the game. If Omega parts were readily available as they were up to 2014 the situation would be healthier, but Swatch Group want owners of Omega watches ( regardless of age) to have limited options for servicing......it’s called protecting the brand!

    If thus watch had had two Omega services in its life it should not require a new barrel bridge....I rest my case!

  8. #8
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    Regardless of the ins and outs, get it back from STS and send it to OSC and get a full service for £450, that is clearly the cheapest* option,

    * but still not remotely cheap of course!

  9. #9
    Grand Master Foxy100's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Padders View Post
    The notion that OSC Southampton would send a recent watch like a Bond SMP to STS for servicing makes no sense at all, the latter are an independent authorised repair outfit quite separate from Omega (Swatch Group).
    That's interesting, I'm sure it used to be that Omega would send watches over a certain age on to STS.
    "A man of little significance"

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Foxy100 View Post
    That's interesting, I'm sure it used to be that Omega would send watches over a certain age on to STS.
    I haven’t come across Omega sending them personally, but I have had them refer me to STS for a vintage watch, and an Ex’s uncle (now sadly passed away) used to work at STS.
    It's just a matter of time...

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Foxy100 View Post
    That's interesting, I'm sure it used to be that Omega would send watches over a certain age on to STS.
    That may well have been the case once, but is no longer and hasn't been for a good while, Southampton would now send something awkward or old onto Bienne but for a Bond watch like the OP has there is no way they would farm it out, it is meat and drink to them.

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by a13x View Post
    A question if I may, I’ve got an omega 2531 seamaster in for a full service at STS and I’ve just received the quote.

    Automatic Service Movement parts broken/damaged/worn
    £350.00
    Crown requires replacement to guarantee water resistance
    £34.87
    Helium valve seal - Included £0.00
    Barrel bridge worn/damaged - New barrel bridge £180.00

    My understanding, perhaps wrongly was that any worn/damaged parts would be replaced as part of the cost, however there is additional cost here.

    If I were to have taken direct to omega, would I also have the increased cost above the basic service cost of £450?

    I’ll perhaps make some direct enquiries with STS and Omega on Monday but wanted to be a little more informed before doing so. If I’m to expect these additional costs, then I’ll just ask them to complete the work.

    Thanks.




    Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

  13. #13
    Omega do not charge additionally for the parts mentioned here and either should STS or any accredited service workshop. They are part of an accredited network, they appear on the omega website where they clearly state what is and isn’t included. As an Omega watchmaker myself they are not following the correct service procedure which is frustrating given my investment. Omega haven’t sent work to STS for several years when they were removed from being an outworker/subcontractor.

    I do feel that this is a selling point by STS, “even omega themselves send us watches” that just isn’t the case as others have pointed out.

    I service this model and all gaskets, crown, bracelet repin, movement parts, full bracelet and case polish is the service price.

    Optional items would be a new bezel, glass, bracelet or clasp.


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  14. #14
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    As already mentioned, Omega definitely change the crown (& HE) & tube along with all relevant gaskets/seals as part of the service with no additional cost. They also definitely do not sub these things out to STS etc.

    I recently received my Seamaster pro back from them and also received all of the old parts they had replaced.

    It is more expensive to send it to them, but it is worth every penny IMO. You also get a 2 year warranty.

  15. #15
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    Not often I end up eating my words, but having just experienced a 2 year old ETA 2824 with a badly worn barrel bridge I’m less surprised than I initially was when I read this thread for the first time........every day’s a school day.

    It’s unusual for a barrel bridge to wear but clearly it can happen, the ETA 2892 (Omega 1120) is a slightly different design but I’m now more inclined to accept the need for replacement on this one.

    With service and repairs its a a case if horses for courses, if a watch ends up needing several parts that don’t normally need replacing then the likes of STS or Omega Service Centre become the better options because they can access parts at better prices. Generally, parts such as the mainplate and bridges won’t be included in service costs and will be charged additionally, in such a scenario I don’t know whether the manufacturers service centre is a cheaper option than an accredited repairer with a parts account.

    What folks don’t realise is that wear and tear on parts is sometimes only obvious on stripping the watch down, the ETA I took apart this week had me fooled although the amount of black dust and grime was telling me something was amiss!

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by MarkJS View Post
    As already mentioned, Omega definitely change the crown (& HE) & tube along with all relevant gaskets/seals as part of the service with no additional cost. They also definitely do not sub these things out to STS etc.

    I recently received my Seamaster pro back from them and also received all of the old parts they had replaced.

    It is more expensive to send it to them, but it is worth every penny IMO. You also get a 2 year warranty.
    I find it surprising that Omega change some of these parts as a matter of course, even when they are perfectly fine. The He valve is a case in point, the O ring seals are the only part that deteriorates in the majority of cases yet they replace the whole valve body! Same with the hands, if they’re removed carefully there’s no reason to fit new ones; very occasionally the pipe will separate from the seconds hand but that’s the only reason I can see for fitting replacements.

    The owner might get a warm feeling when receiving a bag of parts with the watch but it doesn’t necessarily mean the watch has been serviced to a better standard.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post
    I find it surprising that Omega change some of these parts as a matter of course, even when they are perfectly fine. The He valve is a case in point, the O ring seals are the only part that deteriorates in the majority of cases yet they replace the whole valve body! Same with the hands, if they’re removed carefully there’s no reason to fit new ones; very occasionally the pipe will separate from the seconds hand but that’s the only reason I can see for fitting replacements.

    The owner might get a warm feeling when receiving a bag of parts with the watch but it doesn’t necessarily mean the watch has been serviced to a better standard.
    They don't always replace the hands, to my surprise when I recently had my 2538.20 serviced by them they weren't replaced in the full service.

    One good thing is very often you can pop those replaced parts on eBay auction and they can fetch surprising amounts at times.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tetlee View Post

    One good thing is very often you can pop those replaced parts on eBay auction and they can fetch surprising amounts at times.
    Not sure I see this as a ‘good thing’! Why not offer them on here for a donation to the fundraiser?

    I’m very reluctant to pay strong money for second- hand parts from ebay which may or may not be fit for future use, especially when the seller got them returned from Omega with a recently serviced watch.

  19. #19
    Master Tetlee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post
    Not sure I see this as a ‘good thing’! Why not offer them on here for a donation to the fundraiser?

    I’m very reluctant to pay strong money for second- hand parts from ebay which may or may not be fit for future use, especially when the seller got them returned from Omega with a recently serviced watch.
    No need to be so defensive, I'm not telling people what they should do, just what they could and can help recoup some funds from an expensive service. Hardly immoral.

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tetlee View Post
    No need to be so defensive, I'm not telling people what they should do, just what they could and can help recoup some funds from an expensive service. Hardly immoral.
    If you find the cost of the manufacturers service centre expensive maybe you should look at cheaper alternatives.

    If you sell second-hand parts on ebay how can you vouch for the quality of the parts you're selling?

    Buying from other repairers is usually (but not always) safer, buying second-hand parts from ebay is a minefield at the best of times but folks asking considerable amounts of money for second hand-bits returned from the service centres doesn`t help.

  21. #21
    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post
    folks asking considerable amounts of money for second hand-bits returned from the service centres doesn`t help.
    Im not sure what it doesn’t help. You own the parts, and it helps a) recoup your cost of a service; and b) gives an opportunity for whoever may want to buy those used parts to replace even worse condition parts in their own watches an opportunity to do so, c) it may provide an opportunity for non-accredited watchmakers to acquire some parts which they couldn’t without a parts account with the brands, or very good connections. In the absence of manufacturers backtracking and deciding to provide parts freely again, it’s pretty much all positive from my perspective If they were sold on here, I would expect them to be selling at a similar price any way, as it’s eBay and specialist forums are about one of the only places to look to get an idea on the price they sell for.
    It's just a matter of time...

  22. #22
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    Agreed, there can be advantages in second- hand ‘ replaced’ parts being made available, that’s fine if they’re in good condition, but I’m fed up with seeing rubbish offered for sale on eBay, I’ve been on the receiving end and it pisses me off. These parts are being described as NOS, the folks selling are behaving like chancers and trying to make a few quid to mitigate the cost of getting their watch serviced by the brands service centre. On the one hand I see the advantages, but I’m very wary of folks selling parts when they’re not in a position to judge the quality if what they’re selling.

    If Swatch Group hadn’t decided to restrict parts supply this would be a non- issue, I would be happily servicing pre- co- axial SMPs ( including refinishing) for under £200 and doing just as good a job as anyone out there, I’ve done loads of them over the years. I worked on a parts plus labour basis, if the watch needed parts the cost went up, that’s the only fair way to do it in my opinion but its at odds with the way the trade works thesedays.

    I wince when I read comments about how satisfied people are when they’ve paid £400 for their watch servicing, that little bag of parts and the red service case reinforce the warm feeling but they’ve still been ripped off unless their watch was in poor condition. Typically, on an 1120 SMP I would fit a new mainspring and barrel, new crown seal, new caseback seal and new seals in the He valve. That’s around £30 for parts.

    Sadly those days are gone, I have a limited stock of the case- specific parts ( crowns, pendant tubes etc) for these watches but once they’re gone they’re gone and I keep the parts I may need for my own watches.

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