Omega

co-axial chrono problems/Omega service [Jul 03, 2007,17:05 PM] By: wew (registered)

This is to inquire about others' experience with the co-axial chronographs

Unfortunately I can't speak from first hand experience with the Co-Axial Chronographs...

and Omega's service.

and only limited first hand experience with Omega's service and that experience was 8 years ago and only involved Omega/Swatch Group US's Lancaster repair facility. But it was not an especially positive experience.

I have two Omega watches: the Speedmaster GMT with a co-axial chronograph movement and the 1960 Rome Olympics co-axial chronograph.

Uh-Huh... I can already see where this post is going. [heavy sigh...] I only wish folks would ask around before they buy...

The Speedmaster GMT suddenly stopped working and was sent by my AD to Omega for repair.

Which Omega? Where? Omega US? Omega in your country? Omega in Bienne. We've been told that at least in the US supposedly all problematic Fredric Piguet based chronographs are supposedly sent directly to Bienne, bypassing the regional and national service centers... However, we also know of exceptions to that policy having occurred as well.

It has been going on 4 months and I have been getting one excuse after another why it is not finished.

[rolls eyes - but not at the poster... no at Omega] This doesn't surprise me much either.

Omega told me ultimately that it does not have enough qualified people to handle repairs.

Well, to be completely fair, there is a shortage of both watchmakers and qualified quality control people in the industry. However, certain brands seem to see a lot more complaints, or at least have seemed to suffer more complaints about quality control, than other firms. Omega has had a number of issues reported over the years, more so [in my opinion] than other firms it competes directly with like TAG-Heuer, Zenith, Breitling among others.

So that doesn't surprise me, other than it's not typical for Omega to admit that it's short on qualified staff.

After it gave me a date when the watch would be finished for sure it said there was a scratch on the minute hand and it had to be back ordered. After I complained they miraculously found a hand to use.

And I've heard of similar occurances in the past as well. There certainly seems there may be a priority scheme revolving around "the squeakest wheel will get attended to first" at times.

Who knows when it will be done?

Reminds me of the "The World Wonders" incident in World War II with Nimitz, Halsey and Task Force 34...

Typically, Omega has been reasonably prompt when repairing the Piguet based Chronographs, but multi-month waits are not uncommon with 2-3 months being fairly common. One would think the technicians in Bienne would be getting good at repairs of the Piguet through sheer repetition, as they have had ample opportunity to have to service these movements in the past.

The other watch cannot be hand wound. Turning the crown in the correct position to wind changes the date. Omega will not tell me what is wrong with either watch.

Omega has not traditionally been especially forthcomming about the problems with these movements. Not that any watch firm trumpets it's shortcomings, but Omega has been fairly closed lipped about the Piguet's. And I've discussed that numerous times at great length elsewhere.

I specifically asked if the co-axial movement is inherently defective and if that is why they developed the movement for the Vision. No Answer.

I'm not surprised at the non-answer from Omega, and I'll point out that you're probably not winning any friends with them by asking such questions. Not that they don't deserve having their feet put to the fire, if you get my meaning.

Personally, I do not believe there is necessary any major problems or issues with the co-axial escapement. Yes, Omega's on their third revision of the Co-Axial escapement, but it is a fairly radical and new development in the watch world. Omega is the first firm to mass produce watches with this escapement and a certain amount of "fine-tuning" for best performance is probably indicated. Many people forget that the small block Chevy V-8 had problems initially because the cylinder walls were too smooth and the quick "retro-fit" remedy was to pour "Bonami" cleanser down the carbarator to scuff up the cylender walls. [I'm not joking about that!]

The Fredric Piguet movement on the other hand... Well, let's keep this already long reply as short as possible by saying, I've watched a fairly steady parade of broken and otherwise problematic F. Piguet based Omega chronographs parade through the forums since Omega introduced them. Since I've spend most of my time in the TimeZone Omega forum during this time, most of the posts and discussions on this topic are located over there. In addition, you can visit my blog [link in the footer] for additional reports and links to problems reported.

Suffice it to say, you're not alone, not by a long-shot.

Also, if you do a search on TZOF for posts on the Hour Vision we've discussed at great length the reasons why's and wherefores involved with Omega's Hour Vision strategy. I do not know this forum's standing on links to other forums, but if you can't find the threads in question, email me and I'll try to point you in the right direction.

Overall I would have to say Omega's service and credibility in responding to inquiries is abysmal.

You would probably have company in that assessment as well.

Does anyone have any insight into whether the co-axial movement is flawed and destined for breakdowns?

As I said, I haven't seen enough problem reports on the Co-Axial Escapement to lay blame there. On the other hand, I've seen an arc or a fleet of problem reports on the F. Piguet chronographs, not only those used by Omega but also by other brands.

Also, what is other people's experience with Omega's service?

I've had mixed results with the two regional service centers (The Chicago one did fine on the two watches I entrusted to them, I've sent 6 watches to the Detroit facility and two or three of those six had to be sent back to be done right). With Omega Lancaster... Well, it took them three trips and close to four months to properly change and reset a chronograph on a Quartz Seamaster when a battery died while the chronograph was in operation. I'm serious: 3 trips and four months for a battery change!

The e-mails I get from Omega contradict each other. It is so obvious it is ridiculous and insulting to the intelligence.

I'd recommend documenting everything involved with your correspondence with them. It may well be useful in the days ahead.

I'm sorry I don't have any further hard and fast suggestions. I'd suggest doing a search on "c.33xx" and "Piguet" on the various Omega discussion forums and in my blog below. you are not alone.

Thanks

Genuinely sorry to hear of your experience, even though I am not surprised in the least.

Sincerely,

-- Chuck

Chuck Maddox

Chronographs, like most finer things in life, only improve with time...

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