Omega is a beautiful swiss watch, but getting one fixed is expensive. While most watch repair shops would be happy to work on your Omega timepiece, they may not be an authorized service center. While a local repair shop is much more convenient it isn’t always the best option. In the article we will address repair options, warranty info, common issues, and sending your watch to a authorized service center. I’ll also share my experience with the Omega watch repair near me.
Omega Watch Repair Near Me
For “Omega Watch Repair Near Me”, use the map below to find the most convenient shop in your area.
Aside from an Omega store or boutique, you can find places that are authorized to service an Omega watch. The Omega watch repair near me, is actually not a repair shop although they are an authorized dealer. What they do is take the timepiece and send it to an authorized service center on my behalf.
Unauthorized Omega Watch Repair Shops
While a watch repair or jewelry shop will be happy to fix your Omega watch, they may not be an authorized service center. This becomes an important distinction if you need to make a claim on your warranty. A local watch repair or jeweler can’t honor your warranty. In fact if they perform any owrk on your Omega timepiece they may in fact void the warranty if it is still valid.
So why does anyone use these places to do repairs? Well the answer is quite simple. Local repair shops are easy, convenient, and you can deal with a person face to face. They also tend to turnaround routine repairs and standard watch service much quicker.
When you deal with an authorized service center the work can take up to 5 weeks, most communication is done online or talking to customer service, and you need to mail away your timepiece.
We will talk more about authorized service centers in a moment, but first…
How Long is My Omega Watch Warranty?
Omega timepieces can feature a few different warranties on internal mechanisms:
- A standard Omega timepiece features a limited warranty of two years.
- Co-Axial Escapement timepieces feature a three year limited warranty.
- Co-Axial Escapement with a SI14 Balance Spring has a four year warranty.
- Any Caliber 8500 or 8501 timepiece features a four year warranty.
If you need to make a claim on your Omega warranty, you will need the following:
- proof of purchase that shows the date purchased
- model number
- The price you paid
Only authorized service centers can process your warranty. You can find Omega international warranty info here
Generally all their warranties are limited warranties. This covers manufacturer defects and craftsmanship only. That means wear and tear is excluded from protection. Basically if you cause damage to the watch like cracking the crystal it is not covered. Also it means your battery and strap which deteriorate over time are not covered. That of course is unless those parts can be proven to be defective.
Another note on the warranty for Omega is that it is very specific to what constitutes and authorized repair. It specifies that only an authorized Omega technician may work on the watch, any unauthorized work will void the warranty. So this is what makes your local watch repair an unauthorized service. Even having them change the battery technically constitutes an unauthorized repair.
Omega Watch Battery Replacement
On any watch with a battery eventually you will need a replacement. This task can easily be completed by a jeweler, watch repair shop, or even yourself. While doing this on many Omega models is pretty easy, you do run the risk of causing damage and voiding the warranty. My best advise it to even let an authorized shop change your battery.
If your warranty is already expired and perhaps you are not concerned you can do it yourself. At a minimum I recommend a watch holder, a case knife, and tweezers on hand for the repair. You can follow this 5 step process for battery replacement.
For most timepieces the battery should be swapped every one to three years. For battery brand conversions check this chart.
If you have a water resistant watch, you should certainly get a pro to swap out the battery. This is to ensure after the case is opened it gets sealed correctly and can keep water out. They will run a water resistance test after they reseal the case.
Omega Watch Crystal Replacement
The crystal is the piece of the watch the sits between you and the dial. Some will refer to it as the watch glass. Depending on how expensive your Omega timepiece is and what model you have will change the type of crystal. Most luxury Omega’s feature a sapphire crystal. These are less prone to scratching, but more prone to shatter. A typical crystal repair on a sapphire crystal could run upwards of £110.
Replacing the Band
Swapping out the band is also pretty straight forward on these watches. The cost will vary depending on how luxurious you would like to go. An Omega band made of fabric or leather will often run more than £50 and a metal band much more. The good news is that you can find many 3rd party brands of bands and straps that you can use for a replacement.
Strap or Band Resizing
Getting the band resized is one of the most frequently requested repair services. Some people will have this done because they have gained or lost weight. Others may have it done because the inherited the timepiece from someone else. Resizing the band or strap is important because it secures the watch to your wrist and helps prevent it from falling off or banging into anything.
Fabrics, rubber, and leather straps are more challenging to resize. You can punch more holes in the material, but depending on how much you need to adjust eventually the band is either too short or too long. Metal bands, also called bracelets, on the other hand are much easier. For these you can add or remove links to resize the fit.
Crown and Repair
Crown repair can be tricky. If you have a bent crown it’s possible that the underlying stem is bent. Typically these parts get damaged together, which complicates the repair and adds more cost. Any issue you have with the crown on your Omega should be looked at by a pro technician. Replacing these parts is possible on your own, but in some circumstances if the stem gets pushed too far in it can also damage the watches movement.
Movement Repairs and Overhauls
The Swiss movement in an Omega is what makes the watch special. Any repairs or service you need done to the movement of your watch should only be done by a pro. The movement contains thousands of tiny parts and gears. An overhaul or a servicing on the movement involves taking all of the movement apart, cleaning the pieces, repairing any parts, lubricating them, and then putting them back together. The best way to reduce overhauls and repairs to your movement you should seek to service your watch regularly.
Mailing in Your Omega to an Authorized Service Center
For a high end Omega, my best advise is to lean towards mailing it into an authorized service center. If you have one nearby or your local Omega store does repairs on site, that is best. For the rest of us, mailing in is the next best option. Here is what you should know before you mail your timepiece in.
An authorized service center can perform anything you need done to your watch. It doesn’t matter if your warranty is no longer valid either, the only difference is whether or not you will pay for the work. These service centers can do repairs, routine service, maintenance, etc. Any work they perform will also come with a guarantee for a limited time period.
If you send them an issue that is covered by your warranty, then the repair will be of no charge. Anything else, they will make an estimate before they do the work. If you approve the cost the work is performed. If you you don;t approve the work they will mail the watch back to you.
If you plan on making a claim on your warranty you will need to provide proof of purchase along with the date of purchase, the model number, and the price you paid.
You can find an Omega authorized service center here.
Before Sending In Your Watch…
If you need to send in your watch for repair, here is some general guidance…
- Write the problem out on an index card. Be specific. For example if the watch looses time, speculate by how much. If you dropped it tell them from how high it fell from.
- Put a value on it and if you don’t know take a guess. Include the value on the index card.
- If making a warranty claims include your warranty information from your card.
- Insure the package for the value you estimated.
- Include all your contact information: name, phone, email, address, etc.
- Pack the watch securely using adequate packing and bubble wrap.
- Follow all the instructions on the Omega servicing website
Can you Fix an Omega Yourself?
Sure you can do a repair on your Omega on your own, but it is honestly not what we recommend. While changing out the battery may feel mundane, you could cause damage and introduce debris inside the case. You may even scratch the back of the case if you don’t have the proper tools to open it. The Omega watch repair near me, particularly stresses the risks of working on watches that are water resistant.
Other Resources
For additional assistance with your Omega timepiece here are some great resources.
- Reddit: Omega
- OmegaForums.Net
- Watch U Seek: Omega Forum Thread
- Watch Talk Forum: Omega Thread
- TimeZone Forum: Omega Thread
- Official Omega Watch Homepage
Omega Watch Repair Near Me Conclusion
While Omega watches are great timepieces and built well, they still need proper care and maintenance. Overtime they need to be serviced and may need extensive work like a movement overhaul to keep it functioning properly. The big question to answer is do you want an authorized repair or an unauthorized repair, which you need to consider where you are in your warranty coverage. Even if you have an old vintage Omega with no warranty I would highly advise going to an authroized Omega service center. This is what I have learned from the Omega watch repair near me.