Omega Vintage Watch Repair: $860 should I do it?

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may3545

may3545

Happy living
O.G.
Mar 15, 2006
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10,523
#1
I recently rediscovered my grandfather's vintage Omega watch that he had in the '70s. He passed away a few years ago, and finding the watch brings back great memories.

I sent it to Omega to get it cleaned/tuned, and their estimate is $780 plus $80 shipping/insurance for full maintenance service. I already paid $80 to have it shipped and insured to them.

Should I pay $860 for the watch for maintenance? I was planning on giving this to my dad as a gift, as it holds a lot of sentimental value.

But wow, I didn't expect such a price! And I don't know if my dad would even wear it:crybaby:

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
 
#2
May, where are you located? There are still a lot of reputible watchmakers out there that can probably do the work for substantially less... :yes:
 
#3
I live in Palo Alto, CA-- It's already at Omega so they are waiting for my decision. I can just have them send it back to me, I still have to pay another $80 for shipping/insurance, so it was $160 total to have them evaluate it.

Does anyone know any good watch repair shops in Northern California?
 
#4
may3545 said:
I live in Palo Alto, CA-- It's already at Omega so they are waiting for my decision. I can just have them send it back to me, I still have to pay another $80 for shipping/insurance, so it was $160 total to have them evaluate it.

Does anyone know any good watch repair shops in Northern California?
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I don't know anyone in Norcal, but I do know someone EXCELLENT here in Seattle you can probably send it to. This individual is a Rolex trained watchmaker and he has done several repairs to an antique Rolex that belonged to my grandfather. If you'd like more info, PM me :yes:
 
#5
if you can find a place to do the work for less then that would be great. but, if not, i'd say you should still get it repaired because of the sentimental value it holds.
 
#6
Brand new Omegas retail for $1700-$3200. To pay $800+ to get it serviced seems pretty steep, considering the value of the brand today.

This probably means that your grandfather did not take the time to get it serviced often (or at all) when we wore it.

If this is a reasonable budget for your a gift for your father, go for it. I'm not sure how much money can be saved if you send it to an independant watch repairman. Is it worth $100 or $200 in savings? You wouldn't know until you sent it elsewhere (and are out $160 plus the new shipping costs).
 
#7
Sometimes vintage watch repair is REALLY expensive, to the point that it's more expensive than buying the same vintage watch in better repair. I should know. I have my grandfather's super-cool late 60s/early 70s Rado, similar to one they've recently reissued. I really want to wear it, but basic repairs weren't working. It would essentially work for a day, and then start losing time.

I took it to several reputable watchmakers, and the last two suggested it go back to Rado. Like your watch, it was going to cost many hundreds of dollars, and I decided not to do it. (Sniff.) Just wasn't an expense I wanted to take on right now. The watch is still with my jewelry, but non-functional.
 
#8
Yeah I have heard of people taking their vintage watches in for repair and it still didn't work well afterwards. My grandpa did not take it in for any cleaning/repair-- he really just wore it everyday for about 2.5 decades. Hmmm. I still don't know what to do. It really wasn't in my budget to pay so much (I expected around $400), but I can pay for it... I just don't know if it's worth it or just have it back w/out the repair and have my dad keep it for sentimental value.
 
#9
What about having a completely different movement put into the watch case? It would be a brand new movement that would keep good time and make the watch work like new. It wouldn't really be an Omega on the inside, but it's for sentimental value, not authenticity.

Movements could be had from anyway from a few dollars to a few hundred and then some. I would research what kind of inexpensive movements could be put inside a vintage Omega to make it tick.
 
#10
It still ticks (or ticked as I don't know how well it works after Omega has broken into it for examination). I'll try to call some local watch repairs and ask them what their estimates are. Thanks!
 
#11
I've received a couple PMs so I will post my watchmaker's information here for you all. :yes:

His name is RICHARD (Dick) and he is the owner of WATCH REPAIR, ETC. which is located near Seattle in Redmond, WA, near Microsoft. I have taken several very precious vintage watches to him, including a Rolex from the 20's and my grandfather's railroad watch from the great depression. He is an old school watchmaker and is very sweet and does good work. He found an obscure part for the Rolex for me- it took several months but he did it. He's honest and knows what he's doing. He and his wife run the business and they accept watches by mail for repair. Hope this helps.

http://www.watchrepairetc.com/
 
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