zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

I had a less pleasing experience with Bienne. I sent them my vintage (circa 1967) Speedmaster. They recommended replacing the case without adequate explanation for why, though at substantial cost. When I wrote (they did not provide an email) to inquire further, I got no response. Finally, apparently unable to communicate with them, I just had them send the watch back. Oh, yes, and their projected cost was HUGE. I'm having a rebuild done by RGM Watches at about 60% the cost, and I can communicate with them. I'm expecting the watch back in a couple weeks.

I suspect that Omega service is fine for current models, but when it comes to an older watch, they really sock it to you. That and the communication problems I had, and I just decided to hang it up.

: Having received some good advice and help from
: this forum over the last couple of years I
: thought I would share with you my experience
: of my recent service on my mid size SMP with
: blue face ref 2253.80.00

: The watch was purchased in March 2002 and has
: given good daily service until fairly
: recently, when I got into the habit of
: wearing an Omega Dynamic for a couple of
: months, just for a change. On going back to
: the SMP I noticed that it was losing 5 secs
: a day or so: it had obviously not
: appreciated being left in a box for 2
: months! I decided therefore that it was time
: for a service and having read posts on here
: and having experienced Swatch UK's variable
: service I decided on using Bienne. I sent
: the watch by insured Royal Mail (or so I
: thought - the small print excludes watch
: cover!) and thankfully it arrived safely.

: Bienne diagnosed foreign bodies in the mech and
: suggested a service at their std fee. Total
: turn-around time was 6 weeks. What has
: impressed me most, apart from the new-found
: accuracy of the watch is the thoroughness.
: The case and bracelet were quite heavily
: scuffed in places and now look new. Even the
: bezel insert, which I understood to be a
: replace only part is unblemished. The parts
: replaced included hands, crown, seals, bezel
: ratchet, push pins and a few other bits I
: can't name. They returned it in a kind of
: omega marked rigid fabric sunglasses case
: with paperwork confiming the 2 year warrenty
: on the service.

: Total cost inc postage was roughly £200 (say
: $360) All in all I am very impressed and
: recommend it to anyone with an Omega that
: has seen better days - even if it still runs
: right. I am tempted to send the Dynamic next
: but the service would cost 75% of the value
: of the watch so this is a less attractive
: option.