Rolex in the wrong hands...............

[Valenciawatchrepair]

Just want to see what else people have seen here.

I do repairs to the trade. Opened up a midsize with a 2135. Thought it would be just another normal service.

Someone used globs of glue to put some tiny washers/ring on the rim of the balance wheel. This watch was running horrible. Hairspring in bad shape too. Not to mention a whole mess of scratches on the bridges and main plate! Would love to know who was in this watch last!! Luckily the case and bracelet cleaned up very nicely.

Any stories of a service gone bad, or a watch you acquired and then later found out it had some serious problems?

[Andad]

Pix would be good.

We like pix....

[LuminousMaximus]

no pix...?

[Andad]

Yeah! right on...

[77T]

I once had a vintage Omega serviced before I joined here and became "enlightened". The jeweler was one I had used for typical purchases. Little did I know he outsourced repairs beyond a battery replacement for quartz watches.

Long story short - it routinely lost 30 sec. a day and a year later the stem came out of the movement in my fingers while setting the time.

After I took it to a certified watchmaker I learned it had been overhauled with aftermarket parts. IMHO, 98% of owners never know what goes on with servicing in the back office or off-site.

[m j b]

Originally Posted by 77T

I once had a vintage Omega serviced ...
After I took it to a certified watchmaker I learned it had been overhauled with aftermarket parts.

My last automatic Omega had issues, so I sent it to a friend of a friend who dabbled in watch repairs. He fixed it, and told me that it had become very difficult for independents to get Omega parts from Omega, things like gaskets, other common parts. Plus with (I think) a common ETA movement, it would be cheaper to just replace the entire movement rather than have it serviced.

That discouraged me on the brand.

[ErikSzper]

I bought a JLC from a known seller on the boards a couple years back, with a hand super glued into place....just lovely! Oh, and an PAM88 around the same time which was a 104 with an added bridge onto the movement by someone after the fact. Looked fantastic from the outside though! Dial was for a real 88

[77T]

Originally Posted by m j b

My last automatic Omega had issues, so I sent it to a friend of a friend who dabbled in watch repairs. He fixed it, and told me that it had become very difficult for independents to get Omega parts from Omega, things like gaskets, other common parts. Plus with (I think) a common ETA movement, it would be cheaper to just replace the entire movement rather than have it serviced.



That discouraged me on the brand.

It is true that Omega tightened up on indie watchmakers (sort of like Rolex did). But as long as they are Omega certified, watchmakers can get a parts account.

[stil]

Originally Posted by 77T

I once had a vintage Omega serviced before I joined here and became "enlightened". The jeweler was one I had used for typical purchases. Little did I know he outsourced repairs beyond a battery replacement for quartz watches.

Long story short - it routinely lost 30 sec. a day and a year later the stem came out of the movement in my fingers while setting the time.

After I took it to a certified watchmaker I learned it had been overhauled with aftermarket parts. IMHO, 98% of owners never know what goes on with servicing in the back office or off-site.

First question I ask is "do you do repairs in house or send them out." If they send them out I'm generally skeptical of the whole operation until proven otherwise.

[steviebeat]

Originally Posted by 77T

I once had a vintage Omega serviced before I joined here and became "enlightened". The jeweler was one I had used for typical purchases. Little did I know he outsourced repairs beyond a battery replacement for quartz watches.

Long story short - it routinely lost 30 sec. a day and a year later the stem came out of the movement in my fingers while setting the time.

After I took it to a certified watchmaker I learned it had been overhauled with aftermarket parts. IMHO, 98% of owners never know what goes on with servicing in the back office or off-site.

Vintage Omegas dont have aftermarket movement parts. The only watch calibres that do are modern Rolex and even then its only a small fraction available.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by steviebeat

Vintage Omegas dont have aftermarket movement parts. The only watch calibres that do are modern Rolex and even then its only a small fraction available.

Who are you again?

If Paul said his Omega had after market parts then it did.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by steviebeat

Vintage Omegas dont have aftermarket movement parts. The only watch calibres that do are modern Rolex and even then its only a small fraction available.

I've seen plenty of aftermarket parts on vintage Omega watches. Not sure what you're implying.

[77T]

The stem and crown had been replaced with aftermarket parts for sure.
The mainspring and crystal, too...