Messhed Up my PO - Long post!

[NMGE17]

Following my thread about a month ago I ordered the mesh bracelet through the Omega Boutique in Bond Street, London to go on my 42mm PO. It was probably cheaper than any internet source and, as I have no tools and have never changed a strap/bracelet in my life, they would also fit it for me for free.

So I got the call last week and went in on Saturday with my wife. Overcame the Tube upgrade closures, strolled down Regent Street, with a stop in Mappin & Webb so she could try on a Roadster for size (another recent thread), wandered past the second-hand shops in Burlington Arcade, gazed in the window of the JLC Boutique (too busy for us to go in) and in to the Omega Boutique.

Welcomed inside, mesh bracelet and extension piece I had ordered brought out - looks stunning. Tried it with bracelet only first, but just too small so had the extension fitted too. Paid, walked around the block, went back and had the extension moved to its closest position, looks great and feels good if a little looser than ideal. (Also whilst there I tried on the new PloProf and AT - lovely pieces, but did not bite me there and then.) Yesterday took these pictures with close-ups and wrist shots...



















And then when I took the rear shots I noticed...



...gouges on all four lugs

I could not believe it !! I could have done that myself!! It has taken the edge off an enjoyable day out with my wife and the whole mesh experience. I know no-one else can see them, and I am sure they can be dealt with when I have to get the watch serviced, but I know they are there, I know it was done by an Omega employee I trusted my precious watch with rather than mess it up myself!! I have emailed both the boutique and Bienne after sales with the pictures, etc, but what can they do? The gouges are there, until it is serviced, and I am left to be philosophical about it. The mesh looks fantastic and I am really happy I have made the change, but....

Please enjoy the pictures of the mesh on my PO, I think it looks great, but if they help persuade you to get one be very careful who fits it :thanks

Nigel

[GavH]

Nigel, Great pics - it's got me convinced enough to get one now!

Bad luck with the scratches though.

[teeritz]

Sorry to hear, Nigel. Still, the bracelet looks great on the PO. As for the scratches, well, yes, they should have masked off the lugs with some tape beforehand, but at least they are on the underside, they can be polished out easily by a competent watchmaker, they don't appear to look too deep.
I know it's no consolation, but you shouldn't let it spoil the way the watch looks when viewed as it should.
Here's a tip- you could get yourself a Cape Cod polishing cloth, mask off the other sections of the watch and polish the scuffs out by hand.
Just a thought.
Enjoy the 'new' PO.


P.S.- I'm finishing off the Bond story, should be ready in a day or three. Might take your mind off the scuffs...for a few minutes.

[bayerische]

Look great, I have to get one of those for my Speedy. How much was it from the AD?

[NMGE17]

Nigel, Great pics - it's got me convinced enough to get one now!

Gavin, I think you were virtually there anyway. Let me know if they will post - if not see if I can collect and forward.

Teeritz, thanks for the helpful suggestion - yes I am very pleased with how it looks and will come to terms with the hidden damage. I especially like how the mesh reflects in the case and how the scale of the links is similar to the indices and the coin edge on the bezel.

Bayerische, they ordered it in from Switzerland, took about 4 weeks (as they said it would) and it was £140 plus £15 for the extension piece.

Nigel

[bayerische]

Thanks for the info Nigel, going to check if a store can order it for me. The price seems fair to say the least.

[CDNWatchNut]

If I'm seeing the marks you're referring to, I believe they are normal marks left by the end pieces of the bracelet, not tool marks from the change to the mesh. Have a look at the endpieces, and you'll see what I mean.
Otherwise, the mesh looks fantastic !
I've got the 22mm on my 45.5 black/white PO and I'm hooked on it. I may not ever use the bracelet again.

[Hippocampus]

If I'm seeing the marks you're referring to, I believe they are normal marks left by the end pieces of the bracelet, not tool marks from the change to the mesh. Have a look at the endpieces, and you'll see what I mean.
Otherwise, the mesh looks fantastic !
I've got the 22mm on my 45.5 black/white PO and I'm hooked on it. I may not ever use the bracelet again.

+1

My watch has the exact same marks, they're from the little "tabs" on the sides of the endlinks, so it's perfectly normal. I wouldn't worry about it, but if it does bother you I'd take a Cape Cod cloth to it and they'll probably come right out

[23fengshui]

I can't see the pics right now (firewall) but I would think of it this way. The scratches were almost inevitable in order to make the swap. Any amount of changing in the future will likely result in some scratching, esp. on the inside of the lug which cannot be easily masked off.

So enjoy the mesh knowing that lug scratches come with the territory of changing straps. Having the mesh is certainly worth it to me, and I would be proud to wear either of your gorgeous watches that I've seen from time to time.

[Beau8]

Looks terrific~cheers!