WATCH POP

Recently, we received my wife's 3510.50 speedy back from Omega service in New Jersey, and as so many people have experienced, something was wrong - the counters did not reset to zero properly and it took 4 months to come back to us. It was a terrible experience, and we also sent it to New Jersey through our local Bailey Banks and Biddle, which also sucked. So today, we decided to take the watch back to have the counters fixed.

I also have a 2531.80 seamaster which needs service, so my wife and I decided to have a race - she would send her speedy to NJ through BB&B to have the warranty work performed, and I would send the seamaster to Omega service through someone else (Ben Bridge) and we would see whose watch came back first. Obviously, I will make known the winner of the race when all is said and done, but first, some initial observations:

I went to Ben Bridge. I was in the store for a whole of 5 minutes speaking to their watchmaker, who was competent and polite and explained that he would be sending my watch to Nesbit's in Seattle (an Omega approved service center). The sales lady there kept my infant daughter entertained through the whole process and I was out in a flash.

In a sort of parallel opposite universe, my wife went to BB&B. She was prepared with all of her receipts and service papers from NJ to expedite the process, and all the same, was there for an hour. She got a woman attending to her who barely spoke english and had to have the whole concept of "warranty" and "New Jersey" explained to her. She wrote in the service request (I kid you not) "our cowntr not rest. Crowno does not rest O" She argued back and forth with the sales person for an hour until the manager came (visibly upset) and he set things as straight as they could be at that point. Needless to say, we aren't going back to BB&B ever again once this watch comes back.

Anyway, I will keep everyone informed as the race progresses...Right now, my wife says I have already won. "I learned a long time ago that worrying is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere." I also have found the local Ben Bridge store in my area to have knowledgable, helpful and courteous sales people and technicians. This is true even though the store is in one of the largest malls in Phoenix. Half my time shoppping there for a 2254.50 was spent in a delightful conversation with the watch technician talking about how great Time Zone is and that he is on here every night! I bought my 2254 there because I felt comfortable that the afterservice would be as efficient as the sales/information process. I may have paid a few dollars more but the peace of mind is worth it. Omega SMP 2254.50 Omega Speedmaster 3523.80 Marathon SAR I agree with your wife, it sounds like you have already won. But we will see I guess. Cheers!

~JB ~PANTON VEL NUSQUAM~ ***The following link to AWCI will help you find a Certified Watchmaker/Repair Facility in your area:http://www.watch-clock-makers.org/ *** - 2001: A Space Odyssey Much to my chagrin, my wife's watch returned from New Jersey two days ago. Everything looked good and I was a bit irritated that my watch had not yet returned from Nesbit's, but I figured that maybe they fast-tracked hers since it was a warranty return. Strangely, the watch was returned with lots of extra new parts (two extra crystals with seals and an extra crown and stem) which I KNOW were replaced previously - so I'm really not sure what the story was with the free parts, but anyway, she was happy to have the watch back and I thought I had lost the race.

HOWEVER - victory is still mine - today, all of a sudden, my wife looked down at her watch and noticed that the main chrono second hand had fallen off and was floating around inside the space between the dial and crystal. Those New Jersey boys are some real craftsmen. She is out of her mind angry about this, but fortunately, a watchmaker friend told me that she can send it to any of the other authorized service centers to correct the New Jersey work. I don't know if this is true, but I suppose in the next few days I will find out.

My wife is also writing a strongly worded letter to Omega about this experience - we own 4 Omegas in total and would like more, but if the service is like this across the board, really, what's the point? I've never had a problem like this when servicing my Submariner.

Anyway, people have said good things about Nesbits, so we'll see what happens. I am tempted to send future Omega service work to RGM. We shall also see if my Seamaster returns soon in good shape...ah the excitement. "I learned a long time ago that worrying is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere."