O ring part of service or an extra?

[SPEIRMOOR]

I gave my watch to a local jeweler who said it would be cleaned,lubricated scratches removed etc. We agreed on a price ($300) which is cheaper than his normal rate on the premise if I was satisfied with his work I would give him another watch to do the same. He calls yesterday and say the watch needs an Oring which is $75. He said its a genuine omega part. He also said there was an alternate for like $20. Is this the normal pricing for an Oring or is does something sound askew?

[MILGAUSS88]

The O-ring that I am picturing is one that holds the back of the case in place. This would not be part of a typical service. It is a missing part of a case.
I am missing one off of a 1940's Omega. I did not realize it was missing when I bought it.
The back of the case stayed in place, but it was not locked in place, and was not waterproof.
I would gladly pay $75 for one. But, have not seen any for sale.
To service my watch, will normally run $30 if no parts are needed. So, that price for the part seems to be a bargain, if we are talking about the same thing.

[SPEIRMOOR]

Ok thanks. I should have said it was for a '69-70 Seamaster.

[Shef]

The O ring/rubber gasket to seal the caseback should be part of the service cost. I've never heard of it as being an add on and $75 is outrageous. Omega caseback gaskets retail around 7 dollars.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by Shef

The O ring/rubber gasket to seal the caseback should be part of the service cost. I've never heard of it as being an add on and $75 is outrageous. Omega caseback gaskets retail around 7 dollars.

Yes, $75 would be ridiculous for a gasket.
My definition of an O-ring is a metal ring that screws into the case and holds the back on. Here is a photo of an O-ring on an accutron.

[Shef]

Except Omega rarely used those to close their case backs on vintage pieces and his is from the late 60s so it shouldn't be that obscure. We'll have to wait for the thread starter to chime in. You could be right.. Most commonly that ring is seen on the Dynamic to secure the strap to the case. Otherwise, I've only seen it on uncommon quartz models from the 80's or, in your case, vintage Omegas from the 40s-50s.

[SPEIRMOOR]

heres the watch from when I opened it up last

[MILGAUSS88]

First, nice watch.
You didn't include a photo of the back, so I looked up the reference #.
It does not have a metal O-ring. So, if the watch repairman is referring to the gasket that is nuts and would usually be included in a service were I am from.
Chronographs are a lot more expensive to service than time only.
Usually 2.5-3 times as much.
So, given the movement and your location. $300 service is probably reasonable.
But $75 gasket is still crazy.

[SPEIRMOOR]

First of all thanks everyone for your advice.

I stopped by the jeweler today and he explained that there are 5 Orings required in total. One for each crown,two pushers and back of the watch. I guess he really didnt explain that very well over the phone or that I misheard him either way I left it with him and hes going to install 5 of them for $75.

[Shef]

First off, nice watch! Your jeweler is being dishonest.. if you want to skimp on service price, I'll bet you're getting a poor watch service too. $7 dollars for a caseback gasket is retail price, which means he is paying less than that. If, he in fact, has an Omega parts account.
Omega doesn't sell gaskets for the pushers or crown either. Both pushers and crown are replaced with brand new parts with a normal Omega service including a plexiglass crystal.
Base service price(including replacing all the aforementioned case parts and any necessary movement parts) for that caliber is $710 with Omega. So, you are getting it done for far less. It's worth it to some. Is your jeweler offering a service warranty?

[SPEIRMOOR]

Originally Posted by Shef

Is your jeweler offering a service warranty?

One year he said

[bgolfo]

http://www.ofrei.com/page990.html

$8-$15