zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

After a LOT of research and plenty of hand wringing I purchased a new omega SMP from Bernard Watch Co. in Austin Tx. and have been really really happy with the whole transaction. I paid about $6-700 less than retail and everything was as described (serial number, chronometer certificate, box, etc.). The watch showed up the very next morning via fedex, so I'm sure they could ship fast to down under. The only downside that I can see is the one year warranty from bernard as opposed to two from an authorized dealer (which I think is redeemable at any dealer location); but with a watch that will only need service once every 5 years this is a non-issue. Bernard does have used watches as well as new, so you can probably find a good deal that comes with a warranty. Sure, you can find a good deal on e-bay, but a far as I'm concerned it's just not worth the hassle, stress, and uncertainty.

The only other peice of advice I can give you is that you should only be conidering an automatic with a chonomometer grade movement. There's really no difference between an omega quartz movement and one from seiko or casio, so why spend the money to buy an omega if the insides aren't unique. Note also that all the high end watch companys (rolex, patek, zenith, etc.) don't even make quartz movements because to do so would render their watches indistinguishable from all the japanese quartz' out there (at the advent of quartz, the luxury brands mostly dug in their heels and decided to stay with mechanical movements so that they would be different, unique, and expensive). It's also important to know that there is a big difference between a non-chronometer grade automatic movement and one that is chronometer grade. The chronometer grade movement will last longer, be more accurate, retain value better, and will be servicable much longer than a non-chronometer watch. FYI: Tag doens't make watches with chronometer grade movements.

G'Day
: I'm a long time Omega fan but have so far been
: fiscally restricted to Citizens and Seikos.
: I'd really like to get a Planet Ocean Crono
: but that will have to wait for a while yet.
: In the mean time I'm investigating 2nd hand
: Seamaster Pros. I'd like something where the
: second hand is easily visible at night so
: I'm thinking the standard SMP Divers or the
: SMP GMT. Can anyone provide advice on a
: reliable source of 2nd hand Omegas? My
: preference would be for an Australian based
: source but if there is a good/reliable
: dealer else where I'd be interested.

: Thanks

: regards

: Manix