Omega Question
I recently discovered my father’s Onega Constellation at the bottom of a jewellery box. It is not running and the case is quite dirty. I ask those who have experience in such Omegite matters: should I take it to a local watchmaker? AD? Query Omega?
The watch was probably purchased new in the 1990s and worn continuously for a decade. I honestly don’t know its history beyond that.
I live in a major metropolitan area (LA CA).
Looking forward to the Cruncher Crew’s thoughts.
9 comments
Sort by
Karl
I’m interested in watches, especially with slightly unusual features, such as localised dials. I love accurate timekeeping.
Los Angeles, CA
Member since
Last active: 11 hrs ago
Definitely send it in. They'll give you an estimate. They fixed an old Constellation for us - $650 ish.
Take it to the AD! you may end up paying an extra couple hundred $’s more than the local watchmaker but you will get 2 years warranty and everything is done as per the level of reconditioning required to meet Omega’s strict standards.
I can’t tell if the case is just dirty or both dirty and a little bit dinged, sending the watch to Omega via an ad will certainly return a superior full service but the case and bracelet will be buffed and refreshed only with what Omega calls their best effort. In my personal experience a competent local watchmaker should be able to perform a good full service but might lack the skills with regards to the case, will save you a few hundred, depends on what is important to you.
Only thing to consider if you send it to Omega is that they do not care in any way about preserving the vintage look and feel of the watch. Their goal is to make it look as new as possible again and they will want to replace as many components as they can to achieve said goal.
There’s nothing wrong with that, just something to be aware of. If you want the watch to simply run again, i.e. only servicing the movement, then you’re probably better off looking for a reputable and reliable local watchmaker.
Lastly, sending it to Omega for reparation/restoration will likely cost far more than the alternative.
I can’t tell if the case is just dirty or both dirty and a little bit dinged, sending the watch to Omega via an ad will certainly return a superior full service but the case and bracelet will be buffed and refreshed only with what Omega calls their best effort. In my personal experience a competent local watchmaker should be able to perform a good full service but might lack the skills with regards to the case, will save you a few hundred, depends on what is important to you.
It shows signs of a harder life than I would have imagined my father dishing ou, but he did wearing it constantly. It replaced a LeCoultre that he wore for nearly half a century. Omega seems the route to take.
It shows signs of a harder life than I would have imagined my father dishing ou, but he did wearing it constantly. It replaced a LeCoultre that he wore for nearly half a century. Omega seems the route to take.
I can support that decision 100%, Omega will respect your father’s watch. I always choose authorized service centres with access to parts, best machinery, etcetera. Good luck.
My step father has the same watch (albeit with the gold dial and bezel insert), his is quartz. Assuming this is also a quartz, it may only need a new battery and a bit of oil. Hopefully won’t be too expensive, even if Omega do it. But make sure to put them on notice to contact you before replacing any parts. They tried to change the bracelet on my SF’s with a new one for an exorbitant fee because it is looking a bit scruffy. He politely declined.
Many thanks for the input!!
My step father has the same watch (albeit with the gold dial and bezel insert), his is quartz. Assuming this is also a quartz, it may only need a new battery and a bit of oil. Hopefully won’t be too expensive, even if Omega do it. But make sure to put them on notice to contact you before replacing any parts. They tried to change the bracelet on my SF’s with a new one for an exorbitant fee because it is looking a bit scruffy. He politely declined.
The minute hand doesn’t engage the stem when setting, so I’m guessing there’s more to it than that. It never occurred to me that it might be quartz, but some quick research shows that the automatics are labelled as such. Swatch has a service centre pretty close by- I’ll drop by there soon!