Omega watch service/repair

Flanging_Fred · March 2023

My 1970’s Omega Genieve wind up watch recently stopped working. I know nothing about watches and Ive had estimates from £400 - £1500 for a service with repair times up to eighteen months! Does this seem about right in the current climate? If not, any recommendations for places to send it that would be more reasonable?

I’m kinda tempted to just say bollocks to it all and get a ten quid Casio from Argos.

BluesLover · March 2023

I had my 1960's Omega serviced and repaired at Littlecogs in Midhurst. That was about 10 years ago, and cost about £450. Watch has worked perfectly since then, gets used regularly.

Jalapeno · March 2023

Omega are arseholes these days - can't get my late Dad's gold Omega Seafarer repaired (runs perfectly, just needs a new rim & glass). It's no longer a supported model, and no Omega dealer will touch it or they'll lose they dealership.

TimmyO · March 2023

I had a Rolex serviced twice by a place that wasn’t a dealership but where the chap had being doing similar for decades and had a network of contacts for parts.

I’d try to track similar down - there are probably watch-nerd-forum equivalents of this place where you can get a steer?

beed84 · March 2023

I had a 70s Omega Geneve a few years ago. They’re lovely watches. However, while you may get lower quotes from smaller independent repairers, it’s still a lot of money to be able to tell the time again. I guess it depends on how precious you are about cogs and jewels doing the job, or if you’d be satisfied with a much more affordable battery operated LCD display. FWIW I got a cheap Casio to replace my Omega, albeit for different reasons.

EDIT: Also, some of those quotes you’ve received are perhaps more than the watch is worth.

Jalapeno · March 2023

TimmyO said:

I had a Rolex serviced twice by a place that wasn’t a dealership but where the chap had being doing similar for decades and had a network of contacts for parts.

I’d try to track similar down - there are probably watch-nerd-forum equivalents of this place where you can get a steer?

I have tried, including seedy little 3rd floor places in Hatton Garden. I'll give the one above a go ....

danishbacon · March 2023

https://watchguy.co.uk/ Is the one to go to

TimmyO · March 2023

Jalapeno said:

TimmyO said:

I had a Rolex serviced twice by a place that wasn’t a dealership but where the chap had being doing similar for decades and had a network of contacts for parts.

I’d try to track similar down - there are probably watch-nerd-forum equivalents of this place where you can get a steer?

I have tried, including seedy little 3rd floor places in Hatton Garden. I'll give the one above a go ....

Do you want me to ask if the chap here can do your model Mick?

KDS · March 2023

Breitling service is £800+, not used them, when my watch will need a service, I'll go to suitable independent switz approved watch maker. There is a chap in exeter I'm planning to use, if he nearby to you pm me and I'll pass on his details

Jalapeno · March 2023

TimmyO said:

Jalapeno said:

TimmyO said:

I had a Rolex serviced twice by a place that wasn’t a dealership but where the chap had being doing similar for decades and had a network of contacts for parts.

I’d try to track similar down - there are probably watch-nerd-forum equivalents of this place where you can get a steer?

I have tried, including seedy little 3rd floor places in Hatton Garden. I'll give the one above a go ....

Do you want me to ask if the chap here can do your model Mick?

That'd be great - it's a 1980s Omega Seafarer DeVille - needs a clean, runs well. Though cosmetics - needs a new bezel & glass (and strap/clasp).

It's my late Dad's so not fazed by bill !

Jalapeno · March 2023

KDS said:

Breitling service is £800+, not used them, when my watch will need a service, I'll go to suitable independent switz approved watch maker. There is a chap in exeter I'm planning to use, if he nearby to you pm me and I'll pass on his details

Thanks - but north of London, more than a bit of a schlep ....

Flanging_Fred · March 2023

Thanks for the replies chaps. It’s a very nice watch but that’s a shit load of cash to get it working. It didn’t cost much in the first place as I found it in a charity shop!

I’m pretty bad at these kind of “fix or replace” decisions. I always feel like I’m making the wrong choice. To top it all I HATE owning broken stuff especially if it’s good quality.

I will take a look at some of the suggestions though.

beed84 · March 2023

Weird. I found mine in a charity shop too!

ennspek · March 2023

That feels very steep to me but it's been a while.

rocktron · March 2023

Check here to see what is involved in restoring an Omega Seamaster 120 watch:-

victorludorum · March 2023

My old Omega wouldn't go the other day after winding it up. I hadn't used it for some time and assumed it had died, but I gave it a few whacks with the palm of my hand and I could see that it was trying to move, so I gave it a few more, and hey presto, the bugger started working again! This technique is not supported by Omega, apparently.

KKJale · March 2023

@Flanging_Fred - my £10 Casio gets worn more than any other watch, but funnily enough I do have a 1960 Omega manual jobbie that needs a service. The fabled Swiss Time Services got back to me with a quote of £450... ah, yes, erm, not happening. I've been recommended Alsals in London and am also looking very keenly at https://mitka.co.uk/ . You can see all the Omega work he's done online and he also has prices. Good luck!

ThePrettyDamned · March 2023

rocktron said:

Check here to see what is involved in restoring an Omega Seamaster 120 watch:-

Love this guy.

Something that really sticks out to me is how similarly he approaches the different watches. He does say that some of the high end ones do sorta "click" together a little easier, sort of a "by watch repairers for watch repairers" thing, and that not much has really changed in watch making in a long, long time.

Super cool, good bedtime watching!

Zoolooter · March 2023

Someone a while back mentioned Perpetual in Stockport are good. https://perpetualwatchservices.co.uk/

I’ll be giving them a try in the near future to service a Speedmaster.

SteveRobinson · March 2023

Zoolooter said:

Someone a while back mentioned Perpetual in Stockport are good. https://perpetualwatchservices.co.uk/

I’ll be giving them a try in the near future to service a Speedmaster.

They serviced my daughter's Omega for me recently, couldn't be happier with the service or the price which was very reasonable.

Zoolooter · March 2023

SteveRobinson said:

Zoolooter said:

Someone a while back mentioned Perpetual in Stockport are good. https://perpetualwatchservices.co.uk/

I’ll be giving them a try in the near future to service a Speedmaster.

They serviced my daughter's Omega for me recently, couldn't be happier with the service or the price which was very reasonable.

Good to know, cheers.

Stratavarious · March 2023

I’m in same boat, my favourite vintage Seamaster is not something Omega are even interested in repairing. They are just a bling fashion sales company now.

It still keeps amazingly good time but needs a new crystal. Omega looks a dead end, many months wait, unknown costs. If there are some good independents, I have a couple that need looking at.

rsvmark · March 2023

https://swisstimeservices.co.uk/

Really good service from these on my Omega

Neil · March 2023

Top quality work - reasonable prices.

http://onatelier.co.uk/

FastEddie · March 2023

danishbacon said:

https://watchguy.co.uk/ Is the one to go to

I will second this.

He did a full restoration of 2 Omega Chronostops I had.
I got a full photo file showing each stage. It was amazing.

When I sold them I got crazy money BECAUSE of I used him and the attention to detail.

He looks after my Omega Electronics now.

Jalapeno · March 2023

rsvmark said:

https://swisstimeservices.co.uk/

Really good service from these on my Omega

Certified Omega centre - will probably be useless - I've tried some of these and they all say they won't touch it or Omega would withdraw their approval.

scalino65 · March 2023

Simon freese ex SWS is a good shout:
Simon Freese - Home (simonfreesewatchmakers.com)

Jalapeno · March 2023

All I've tried so far have said - missing bezel = return to Omega - It's already been

Pinged Simon Freese

Jalapeno · September 2023

Jalapeno said:

All I've tried so far have said - missing bezel = return to Omega - It's already been

Pinged Simon Freese

By way of an update as there's other watch threads, Simon Freese eventually got back to me - he's had my watch since May, waiting for somebody to fabricate a new Bezel. "Very soon" is the prognosis apparently ......

mo6020 · September 2023

If you’re in or can get to London I highly recommend Perri’s in Hatton Garden. He’s certified by Omega and listed on their website and he does all my watches (including vintage) for very reasonable prices. He’s a top lad and a massive watch nerd, too.

https://perriwatchrepairs.com/

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