zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

: The only thing I'd add to this is pricing, and
: of that I'm not rock-solid. In two separate
: conversations w/ salesmen w/ my AD, I've
: heard $100 and $160 as "costs to
: replace the battery and re-seal watch to
: Omega standard."

The "old" number I was given for an Omega factory service center battery replacement was $60, but costs have gone up since then so the $100 figure doesn't sound unrealistic. $160 sounds outrageously high, though, since the battery is dirt cheap. What you are really paying for is the pressure test to ensure water tightness.

: I'd be more comfortable w/ Authorized Service
: Center numbers, and if I come up w/ them at
: some point, I'll share them.

: But, going w/ the AD numbers, and figuring a
: battery replacement every 2 years (again,
: I'm told that the 2541.80 tends to be a bit
: hard on batteries -- which I have not
: confirmed beyond my AD), then a quartz would
: have 2.5 "servicings" for every 1
: 2531.80 servicing.

I have never owned a quartz Omega, but I've been told that batteries should last 3-4 years. If anyone owns an SMP quartz, I'd love to know what the "real life" number is.

: Calculate: $100 x 2.5 = $250 low-end
: Calculate: $160 x 2.5 = $400 high-end

: Versus, as John said, $290 to $300 for the
: chronometer (I have confirmed these numbers
: w/ two Authorized Service Centers).

: Even if it's the high-end number, you're
: probably still ahead based on lower
: acquisition costs.

: Otherwise, I've been told you have to be more
: careful about getting the quartz wet, but
: more careful jarring the chronometer. The
: quartz is great if you don't wear it every
: day, and want it ready to go at a moment's
: notice when you do; the chronometer is less
: likely to let you down if you are on a
: longer trip and forgot to check the battery
: life, as it runs on your motion.

The quartz model does have a "low battery warning", as the second hand moves in 4-second increments when the battery is low and needs to be replaced.

I think the point I was trying to make earlier is that a lot of people don't worry about making sure the watch has been properly tested and sealed after each battery change. They figure "a quartz watch is a quartz watch" and just pay their local jeweler to pop a new battery in. While this is NOT what I would do, it does give someone the option of getting away dirt cheap on servicing if they are willing to compromise the watch's water resistance.