zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

Exactly 29 days after OMEGA CH in Bienne received my Black on Black "new style" SMP, the postman delivered it back to my door today. As much as I like my vintage Valjoux generic chronograph, I am absolutely thrilled to have my Seamaster back. I had forgotten how very comfortable the "Bond" style bracelet was, while wearing the other watch on a quality Hirsch "Professional" strap for the past month.

The watch was purchased April 2001 (as a replacement for a 2 year old mid size "Bond" auto which bracelet was lost by the Service Center in Lancaster, PA, and which also could not find the correct bracelet), and had dropped from +3 sec when new to -6 to -9 sec a day at the time it was shipped back to Switzerland from the U.S.A., to be "regulated." OMEGA CH packaged the watch securely in a foam shipping box, inside of a larger very heavy cardboard box, filled with foam peanuts. A signature was required for the delivery, and there was no duty by customs (I enclosed a U.S. Customs exemption when I sent the watch, to facillitate return). Packaged with the watch were two copies of the warranty service invoice with no specifics, and a small plastic bag full of parts. Those appear to include the mainspring, balance wheel, and a couple of small gears. I thought that all they would do would be turn a screw!

Very close examination of the watch under magnification disclosed no problems with the hands or dial, nor new scatches or dings to the case or bracelet, including the back which was removed. The bracelet clasp may have been lightly refinished, as it looks better than I remembered, but there are light scratches visible under good light. The time elapsed bezel performs as it did, which is better on these newer models. The screw crown exhibits a faint squeak, which I did not notice before, so they may have replaced the gasket. The winding, quick-set date, and crown functions as intended.

The only error I have noticed thus far is that the invoice recites the wrong serial/reference number by one digit, when compared to the one on the lug and referenced on the warranty card, box, my correspondence to OMEGA, etc. Either OMEGA's eyes are better than everyone else's under magnification, or someone made a typo or misread the number.

Bottom line, the service from Switzerland was excellent, including the turnaround time when considering that the watch shipped back 22 days after OMEGA received it, and was delivered in the U.S.A. 7 days later. This during the month of August, when I understand many Europeans shut down for vacation.

As for how well the actual repairs were accomplished, I cannot comment as the watch has only been running on my wrist now for about 45 minutes, and thank goodness it has not lost nor gained any time yet!

I will keep the forum posted on how it does, and whether I believe all of this was worth the effort. For now, it is back into the safe with the pretty vintage Chronograph, and hopefully back to normal with my beloved OMEGA Seamaster!