Well, it looks like I get to be the Guinea Pig....

[SCRIBBLEDEAN]

For grey mkt purchased watch warranty repair.

Here is the deal, some of you may remember that I purchased a Seamaster GMT ref 2538.20 (Great White) in April of 2009 through a grey mkt dealer (AuthenticWatches.com). This was (and still is) a discontinued model by Omega & (at the time) this dealer was the only place that I could find one.

Please note, that this is not a "should one" or "should one not" purchase through grey mkt (vs an AD) thread. That topic has been well discussed and documented here. The fact is, that I did and the above was the reason why. It was a good price and seemed like a good decision at the time.

Here is a picture of the watch:


Anyway, fast forward to today (a year and a half later) and the watch has developed a problem. It will not stay wound by the internal/kinectic motion 'rotor'. I can keep the watch wound by unscrewing the crown and manually winding each day (reserve power is normal with this method) and otherwise the watch movement performs normally. The watch is fully wound manually each time and has either been worn around the clock or kept on a winder. I 1st suspected that the issue was with my winder. But I have multiple winders and have 'tested' this with other winders. The 'automatic' function of the movement is not working correctly. I suspect that there is a problem with the mainspring.

In any event, the watch is still under warranty (not Omega's, of course) but the 3 year Authentic Watches warranty. I have contacted them and followed all return/repair instructions. The watch was mailed out to them today.

Along with the 'should one' or 'should one not' purchase through grey mkt discussions here - there has also been the related topic of warranty service through a grey mkt dealer. This is a big question mark with me. Who is going to work on the watch? Will they be competent? Will the watch be repaired to my satisfaction?

This is what this thread is about - I will check back in and give updates with some real life information along these lines. Lord knows, I'm about to find out.

Thanks,
Bart (or scared in Alabama )

[Dixan]

Couldn't you say, send it in to Nesbits and have them do any/all the work and then have it returned to you with their two year warranty? I suppose you might have to pay for a minor service, but for that amount, you would then have a warranty from a certified and reputable service center... The amount you originally saved from going gray market would likely pay for any servicing by Nesbits, right? You'd effectively be leaving the gray market status of the watch behind then, and for a not unreasonable amount. Make any sense?

[ach5]

Get it off that rubber and on an Omega-Mesh ASAP!

[MFB71]

Get it off that rubber and on an Omega-Mesh ASAP!

Take the Doctor's advice...that watch would be stunning on the mesh !

[SCRIBBLEDEAN]

Take the Doctor's advice...that watch would be stunning on the mesh !

I actually already have the Omega mesh and wear it often with my PO and also my Speedy. Both of your posts have just reminded me that it has never even occured to me to try the combo of the Great White on mesh

I cannot believe that this has never occurred to me but you are both absolutely right. I think this will look great too. If I ever get my watch back, I will try it!!!

[SCRIBBLEDEAN]

Couldn't you say, send it in to Nesbits and have them do any/all the work and then have it returned to you with their two year warranty? I suppose you might have to pay for a minor service, but for that amount, you would then have a warranty from a certified and reputable service center... The amount you originally saved from going gray market would likely pay for any servicing by Nesbits, right? You'd effectively be leaving the gray market status of the watch behind then, and for a not unreasonable amount. Make any sense?

All true & I understand your point...
But it is under warranty with them so I have opted to try that route 1st. If they screw it up, then I will go this route next (or to Womble in Atlanta more likely - just closer).
And also the purchase from them was never really about saving money (or, I should say far less about that) and more about the only place I could find one at that time.
Also, to be honest, they have already opened it up and 'serviced' it once anyway. I have no proof of this but I am sure that this is standard practice with them on pre-owned watches (which is what this was when they got it - had to be). The watch has performed flawlessly (still does as a matter of fact) in regards to timekeeping and accuracy so far - so I guess that I have no evidence (yet) that their work is "bad" or really too much worse than other service centers.

Okay that's it!!
As you can see I am nervously coming up with all sorts of 'justifications' but I am still admittedly nervous. It will be a long 4 weeks.

[ach5]

I actually already have the Omega mesh and wear it often with my PO and also my Speedy. Both of your posts have just reminded me that it has never even occured to me to try the combo of the Great White on mesh

I cannot believe that this has never occurred to me but you are both absolutely right. I think this will look great too. If I ever get my watch back, I will try it!!!

Well, don't keep us waiting too long - I LOVE mesh pics!

[Mize]

Just a quick note to let you know that I believe Womble is no longer an authorized service center for Omega.

[mikee.805]

I have never purchased from them but I see them selling all over the internet and on the bay. If there was a problem with them I am sure it would have shown up in watch forums etc. I am sure all will be right when you get it back. These watches are not rocket science. Should be an easy fix.
By the way great looking watch.

[mikee.805]

duplicate post

[tmw57]

SD,
I am guinea pig #2. I bought a NOS Omega DeVille Power Reserve from a gray dealer just last month for the exact reasons you did. The black dial version was impossible to find at any AD. And like you, I would certainly have been willing to pay a premium for an Omega warranty-I just couldn't find one.

So I purchased the above watch and brought it to Omega in NYC who regulated it for me ( as delivered the watch was 20-30 sec slow) and told me it "had never been opened" and looked good. It had been running 2 sec/day fast until Monday when it stopped dead. I took it off my wrist and heard stuff rattling. Shipped it back to the non-AD (Interwatch) and am waiting to see what happens. So far they have been very good-concerned and responsive. It just worries the s--t out of me that a less than 4 week old watch exploded and I don't know who is working on it.

I don't mean to hijack your thread, so when my story ends I'll post a new thread.

Please keep us all posted on your progress..

[John_in_SC]

I have puurchased from a grey dealer in the past and wasn't impressed with warranty service. You say they "serviced" it already once. Was this before you bought it? If so, that service was them opening it up and looking at it to see if the movement looked ok. More then likely they tested beat and gave it a regulation. Happened on mine. When I sent it in for warranty work they serviced it but didn't do a full tear down. Just fixed the problem area which was also auto wind. I ended up getting it serviced again on my own a year later at a real service center and that savings I got buying grey market was eaten in the reAl service.

Good luck

[SCRIBBLEDEAN]

Thanks for all the replies, guys! I will keep you informed. I plan on contacting them early next week just to confirm that the watch has arrived (that, I guess, being my 1st concern - mailing it across country - it's insured but still).

Bart

[SCRIBBLEDEAN]

Well, things are not going very well with this I'm afraid...

I cannot even "find" or "locate" my package. I have called twice to AW's and they have yet to be in receipt of my watch/mailed package.

I tried to track or get a tracking update from the USPS last night and the only thing that it says is that they show my package received at the Post Office on Aug 4th (yes, Aug 4th - almost 2 weeks ago). Nothing since.

AW's mandates that all returns/repairs be sent back to them by USPS-Registered/1st Class Mail. I have followed all of their specifications to the letter (did not have any choice when it came to "how" I mailed the watch to them.

I now have to wait a minimum of 21 days since mail date before I can file a claim (it is well insured). So, I guess I will just wait around until Aug 24th or 25th now.
I am beginning to think that I will never see my watch again. bummer.

[jwalther]

Registered Mail is slower than molasses in January. . .my bet is that it shows up soon. Don't give up hope!

[jmsrolls]

Hmmm. . .

I too would worry.

I shipped my GMT IIc to the Rolex Service Center in Dallas recently. I sent it USPS Registered on a Thursday and delivery was confirmed the following Monday.

Hopefully it will turn up soon. Registered is the safest, but slowest, way to ship.

Fr. John†

[SCRIBBLEDEAN]

Registered Mail is slower than molasses in January. . .my bet is that it shows up soon. Don't give up hope!

Well, thank you both (Jwalther & Fr John) for your posts...
Good news!!!
I just this afternoon have rec'd the automated email from USPS that the package has now arrived in Moorpark, CA (destination). I guess I spoke too soon, but man!!! 14 days is a long time.

Anyway, I will wait a day or so and call AW and confirm that the watch was rec'd in good condition and is now in their 'system' to be repaired.

So, looks like Step #1 is now overwith....

[ces]

i think it is the luck of the draw and depends on who the individual is that is servicing your watch. believe me from experience that sending a watch to a omega service centre is no garrentee that you will get the best watchmaker working on your watch.good luck hope i for you a speedy return

[SCRIBBLEDEAN]

Anyway, I will wait a day or so and call AW and confirm that the watch was rec'd in good condition and is now in their 'system' to be repaired.

So, looks like Step #1 is now overwith....

Well, this morning I have received an email from Authentic Watches that has let me know that my timepiece has arrived and they have it.

That is a preliminary good mark for them (as I did not even have to call and confirm that they had received it in good condition).

So, Step 2 is complete. Now for the repair time (up to 4 weeks) and the real crux of the matter. But so far, so good!!

[semmern]

.good luck hope i for you a speedy return

Heh heh, he said "speedy return" in the Omega forum