An Omega watch is a prized possession, and it must be maintained as such. A big part of maintenance is Omega watch servicing. During the service, your watch will be disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, and adjusted, and some parts may be replaced before it is reassembled.
But how often should you service your Omega watch? The Omega brand recommends a service interval of 5-8 years. However, various circumstances can impact this interval.
Let’s take a closer look at what is involved in an Omega watch service.
What is Involved in Omega Watch Servicing?
A professional servicing typically involves the following steps:
- Disassembly: The watch is fully disassembled, allowing complete access to all components.
- Cleaning the Movement: The movement is taken apart, and each component is cleaned in an ultrasonic bath.
- Replacement of Worn Components: All worn components of the movement are replaced with authentic parts. Movements without a serial number will be replaced with the latest version.
- Reassembling and Lubricating: The movement is reassembled, and all components are lubricated for optimal performance.
- Movement Adjustment: The rate of movement is adjusted, and its parameters are checked against OMEGA’s strict quality standards.
- Cleaning and Polishing: The case and metal bracelet are cleaned and polished to restore the watch’s original luster and preserve the shape of each component.
- Reassembly: The case is reassembled, ensuring gaskets are updated to uphold optimal water resistance.
- Ensure Quality Control: The watch is checked against stringent standards, ensuring top quality.
How Often to Service Omega Watch?
Omega recommends you service its watches every 5-8 years. However, you may bring your watch in sooner if you experience any of these issues.
- Losing or Gaining Time: Noticeable inaccuracies or big time jumps indicate the need for a service.
- Power Reserve Problems: If your watch stops overnight after you wear it all day or runs for only a few hours after manual winding, you may have a power reserve issue.
- Unusual Noises: If grinding, scraping, or rattling occurs when you wind your watch, you may need to have it looked at. Your rotor may also sound excessively loud.
- Stiff Winding or Setting: Your watch may have issues if the crown is difficult to turn or if your pushers stick or require extra force to work.
- Physical Shocks: If you dropped your watch or it experienced another type of impact, you may want to have it looked at, even if it seems to be working fine.
- Condensation or Moisture: If you notice these signs under the crystal, it could indicate that the water resistance has been compromised.
- Magnetism Issues: Problems with the magnetism may be apparent if your watch gains or loses time when you are near devices and magnetic objects.
- Visible Damage, including a cracked or chipped crystal, loose or misaligned hands, or issues with the caseback or crown.
- Water Resistance Issues: Divers and swimmers may notice their crowns or pushers no longer feel tight. Additionally, if you are active in the water often, it may be worth taking your watch in for regular pressure tests.
- Problems with Complications: These may occur if the date is not advancing or changes randomly, the chronograph hand is not resetting to zero or jumping when started, or the watch is skipping days.
For Speedmaster owners, you can also review our detailed guide on How Often Should You Service an Omega Speedmaster.
Omega’s Exceptional Quality
A 5–8-year service interval is longer than the 3-5-year interval of most mechanical watches, because Omega stands out, offering the following qualities:
- Co-axial Movements: These movements reduce friction, improving lubrication.
- Anti-Magnetic Tech: Strong anti-magnetic resistance means Omega watches are less likely to experience magnetism issues.
- Robust Water Resistance Construction: While Omega watches feature robust construction that stands up well to water, even in deep-dive conditions, owners may still need more frequent check-ups if they experience heavy exposure to saltwater, chlorine, or heat.
Why Get Your Watch Serviced at an Authorized Dealer
When getting your watch serviced, it’s imperative to go to an authorized dealer for the following benefits:
- Authorized Parts: If any components need to be replaced, an authorized dealer will have authentic parts on hand, so as not to reduce the value of your watch or invalidate the warranty.
- Brand-Trained Watch Dealers: Authorized dealers are familiar with your watch’s unique functionality, ensuring it is updated to the latest aesthetics and functionality.
- Protection Against Hidden and Future Damage: An authorized dealer will take a deep dive into your watch’s inner workings and will have a trained eye to spot damage that could interfere with functionality and lead to bigger issues.
- Proper Equipment: Dealers use specially made equipment to repair and test your watch, ensuring it lives up to quality standards.
- Full Overhaul, Not a Quick Fix: If you take your watch to any watch repair service, they provide a temporary fix, but an authorized dealer will look at each component, ensuring long-term functionality.
Precision Watches is Your Omega Service Destination
Precision Watches stands out among authorized dealers for our high standard of service. Watchmakers, since 1946, we know luxury watches inside and out. We will provide the best possible care to keep your watch operating and looking its best.
Keeping your watch properly serviced not only protects its performance but also helps preserve its resale value. If you’re considering servicing your watch because you may eventually sell or upgrade it, our expert guide on how to sell your Omega watch explains how condition and maintenance history impact what your watch is worth.
We also offer a wide selection of new watches and pre-owned watches, helping you find the ideal timepiece at a reasonable price. Shop online or visit our Lower Gwynedd showroom to learn more about our products and services. And ff you’re considering upgrading, you can also sell your omega watch or trade your watch with Precision Watches.
FAQs
What is the warranty period following a service?
Most authorized dealers provide a 24-month warranty after each service, potentially extending your watch’s warranty overall.
When should the battery be replaced?
The battery replacement interval for Omega watches varies by watch type and functions. However, most Omega quartz watches are equipped with an end-of-life (EOL) indication system. When the battery is nearly exhausted, the second hand will move in jumps, indicating that you have a few days before the battery dies.
What can I do between services to extend the life of my Omega?
You can extend the life of your Omega by avoiding magnets and extreme temperatures, rinsing the watch after saltwater exposure, storing the watch in a cool, dry place, and wiping it down regularly to remove sweat and dirt.
