Omega Extract from the Archives - Yes or No?
The answer to that question appears a wimpy yes....keep reading.
An annoying thing was for customers in the USA you have to order through email. They ask for a photo and serial number of your watch; then they email you a form that you have to fill out with your credit card number. Clients in other parts of the world can order directly online.
I received an email acknowledgment once all of the above was completed; four weeks later I received a shipping notice on email. It was shipped UPS Ground, Letter Pak from New Jersey, which takes 7 days to reach California. By the time it got to me a week later the envelope was pretty beat up; but fortunately the contents were not damaged. For what you pay on your order, an air service or even priority mail should have been specified.
The document is on a nice quality paper and appears to be physically signed. It did not tell me anything that I didn't already know about my watch; rather, it is a supporting piece of evidence. I think a document like this can add value if you ever wanted to sell. Maybe it would not add monetary value to the selling price, but it may make it easier to sell.
As I said at the beginning of this article, I think Omega owners should do this, but with limited expectation.
https://www.omegawatches.com/customer-service/extract-of-the-archives
Interesting that it was signed by a Voumard. That name goes back 150 years in Swiss watch making.
Probably only worth it for vintage pieces like yours in my opinion.
Wonder why the different strategy for different parts of the world?
Agreed. These are a useful addition to sit alongside vintage pieces and semi-vintage (last 15 years) with no papers.
As opposed to spending the money on this document, might having the watch serviced by Omega be of greater value in terms of confirmation authenticity? While this certificate is interesting, it specifically states that it doesn’t confer authenticity. Service at Omega would, at least for me if I was considering purchasing a watch, be much more compelling as a selling point.
Could be fun to get for my vintage Omega quartz 🤔 But probably not worth it beyond the fun factor.
As opposed to spending the money on this document, might having the watch serviced by Omega be of greater value in terms of confirmation authenticity? While this certificate is interesting, it specifically states that it doesn’t confer authenticity. Service at Omega would, at least for me if I was considering purchasing a watch, be much more compelling as a selling point.
Correct, and a good point. I just had my Speedy serviced at Omega for a princely sum. You would think they would throw in the certificate, but they don't.
Yes, it is just one piece along with all the other physical evidence.
Could you miss the right to a refund if the movement have been swapped during service and themovement number no longer matches the case-serialnumber?
Could you miss the right to a refund if the movement have been swapped during service and themovement number no longer matches the case-serialnumber?
I think their triage was helpful there. They asked for photos that would catch something like that before you paid.
I think their triage was helpful there. They asked for photos that would catch something like that before you paid.
So they check before you pay? That's not what the red disclaimer said. But seem more reasonable 😊
Gorgeous late pre-moon Speedy btw. Is it on an OG bracelet as there doesn't appear to be much stretch on it?
It seems that the document mostly tells you what it does not do for you.
You can also request an extract in-person at an Omega boutique. The extract is delivered to the boutique, from which you can pick it up. No need for photos, etc. as long as you have the movement serial number and possibly the reference number.
Correct, and a good point. I just had my Speedy serviced at Omega for a princely sum. You would think they would throw in the certificate, but they don't.
I feel that service at the brand is worth the added cost versus online or local service shops for my better watches. It adds a confirmation of authenticity that is meaningful in the event I decide to sell. You mentioned in the original post that you felt like this certificate might help in a sale. I can’t agree, mainly because the certificate specifically states that is not an authentication certificate. I think the certificate is interesting as an owner. But it would not be a factor if I were choosing between two watches on a purchase. Brand servicing would be a factor.
Gorgeous late pre-moon Speedy btw. Is it on an OG bracelet as there doesn't appear to be much stretch on it?
The bracelet on it now is a good replica. I have the original 1039 but it is way too short for my big fat wrist, and it needs some extra links and restoration work. I had an Omega service bracelet (period 1171) on it for many years, but I found this aftermarket one better.
The original owner sent the watch in for bracelet repair in the 1980's and Omega put the 1171 on it and sent it back without repairing the original bracelet.
Gotta love it, not.
It seems that the document mostly tells you what it does not do for you.
It gives you the production date and the delivery origin. Both of those I already know because I have the original box and papers. The original owner was a Marines pilot stationed in Japan. So you are correct it didn't do much for me, at all.
So they check before you pay? That's not what the red disclaimer said. But seem more reasonable 😊
They asked me for pictures of the watch front and back and they wanted a movement and inside the casebook photo. I did not have to open mine up because I have an aftermarket sapphire caseback installed. They got enough photos to know if it was legit or not in advance.
That's a decent looking replica.
Oh the amount of watches that have been compromised by the likes of Omega and Rolex making them 'as good as new'.
I clearly need to look into replica bracelets!
That's a decent looking replica.
Oh the amount of watches that have been compromised by the likes of Omega and Rolex making them 'as good as new'.
I clearly need to look into replica bracelets!
Here is a primer for you if you didn't already know about it....
https://unclestraps.com/#
I bought mine off a seller on eBay called "Squinky" way before Uncle Straps had them. I think I paid a lot too but it was worth it.
Here is a primer for you if you didn't already know about it....
https://unclestraps.com/#
I bought mine off a seller on eBay called "Squinky" way before Uncle Straps had them. I think I paid a lot too but it was worth it.
Thanks for the heads up, much appreciated.
Correct, and a good point. I just had my Speedy serviced at Omega for a princely sum. You would think they would throw in the certificate, but they don't.
Do they provide something pre/post service that would confirm authenticity? A card similar to Rolex for the service guarantee, or invoice/quote with the watch serial numbers noted?
Anyway, I'd have done the same as you regardless on an older piece such as this.
Do they provide something pre/post service that would confirm authenticity? A card similar to Rolex for the service guarantee, or invoice/quote with the watch serial numbers noted?
Anyway, I'd have done the same as you regardless on an older piece such as this.
No idea if they will do it but it can't hurt to ask. I would email to customer service through the Omega webpage. They were responsive when I contacted them which is nice.
No idea if they will do it but it can't hurt to ask. I would email to customer service through the Omega webpage. They were responsive when I contacted them which is nice.
So when you got yours serviced, nothing like that was provided as a matter of course? Is there a service guarantee for the work performed? How is that documented?
Sorry for the barrage of questions, I'm just pretty surprised.
So when you got yours serviced, nothing like that was provided as a matter of course? Is there a service guarantee for the work performed? How is that documented?
Sorry for the barrage of questions, I'm just pretty surprised.
I got a receipt with a description of the service provided and the parts used. And you do get a 24 month warranty, I think it is safe to assume they would not have serviced a fake.
So that's 120 francs, or almost 200 Aussie dollars... to have info I already know.
I think I will live without it :)
But kudos to Omega, it sure knows how to turn mundane information into $$$.
That’s a gorgeous 321 Speedy!
It seems like there are a lot of questions/uncertainty about this, though Omega explains it pretty clearly on their web site. To summarize
An "Extract from the Archives" is different from a "Certificate of Authenticity." Omega offers both. For the former, Omega really just needs the movement serial number, though they'll often ask for additional info such as reference number and photographs. It's available on-line in every country except the USA, where it can only be requested through an authorized dealer or boutique. Cost is around $150 depending on currency.
The Certificate of Authenticity is more more significant, as you'll need to send your watch to Switzerland for a minimum of 2 months. They no longer advertise the price, but I believe it was around $500 recently. If you have a vintage watch restored by Omega, the Certificate of Authenticity is included as part of the service. (To be clear, a "restoration" is more thorough and more expensive than a standard service; it is only available for vintage pieces.)
The Extract from the Archives is not intended to vouch for the authenticity of the watch. It is simply what the name suggests: all the information Omega can gleam from its archives related to the movement whose serial number you provide. Supposedly, much of the data is still on microfiche, so it is a rather manual process. I think they're mostly interesting to the owner of a watch, though perhaps it can reassure a potential buyer.
Side Note: Sister brand Longines also offers archival extracts, but in its case there is no charge.
Speaking personally I have two Omega watches for which I have extracts. I requested the extracts mainly out of curiousity and an obsessive quest for details on the watches.
A pilot's watch procured in 1943 by the British Ministry of War for the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. The extract does confirm that the watch was delivered to the UK and the watch incorporates a special dial and hands as requested by the British government.
A 1963 Seamaster whose dial has no "Seamaster" signature. The reference engraved on the caseback is clearly a Seamaster 30 reference, but I did not know that Seamasters delivered as late as 1963 might lack the "Seamaster" dial signature. (It was not uncommon for earlier Seamasters from the 1950s.) The extract confirms the model of the watch was a "Seamaster 30."
In both cases the extracts didn't really tell me anything that I did not already suspect, but it was reassuring to get some additional confirmation on the history of the pilot's watch and it was nice to solve a small mystery with the Seamaster.
They asked me for pictures of the watch front and back and they wanted a movement and inside the casebook photo. I did not have to open mine up because I have an aftermarket sapphire caseback installed. They got enough photos to know if it was legit or not in advance.
Mine is legit, but I don't know the service history. The movement might have beem swapped with a new one at some point 🕵♀️