zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

I have a Planet Ocean, (model 2201.50.00) which I bought new from an authorized dealer (Gelber and Mundy)
in February, 2006. I wore the watch pretty much constantly for 2 years. On average, it gained 1
second a day when I was wearing it. Resting on its 9:00 side, it would lose a couple of seconds a
day, so I'd set it on that side overnight every couple of nights to keep the time correct. Resting
in every other position, it gained a couple of seconds a day. I was very happy- I could keep the
time set correctly without having to set the watch manually.
One day, I noticed that it lost 2 seconds. Not only that, it now would not gain in any resting
position, only lose. Wearing it, I found it lost an average of 2 1/2 seconds a day. It's behavior
had changed overnight. I held it up to a compass and the needle did not move so I'm thinking that
its being magnetized was not the problem. The watch has never experienced any sudden impact, and
its watertightness is sound. For a couple of months, I did hold it next to my cellphone every day
to check the time though. I finally sent it to Walter Gooden in Los Angeles, the authorized
service center in California for Omega. The 3 year warranty period is up in February of '09 so I
had to get it looked at before then. Yesterday I received an estimate, from The Swatch Group US,
in Secaucus NJ. I don't think the watch has been forwarded to there because the date on the
estimate is 11/19 and the watch was received in Los Angeles on 11/17.(?) Anyway, on the estimate,

the following appears:
REMARKS
> The bezel is scratched.
> The case is scratched.
> The bracelet is scratched.
> The movement has low amplitude.
> A complete maintenance service is required.
> There is damage to the anti-reflective coating on the crystal.

In my note enclosed in the box I sent the watch in, I stated that my problem is that the watch
suddenly started losing time and would no longer gain in any position. I don't know about damage
to the anti-reflective coating on the crystal. On very close inspection, I never saw any damage.
The estimate for the maintenance is $375 before sales tax and return shipping. The warranty period
expires in February. There is no mention of the warranty on the estimate. I googled 'watch has low
amplitude' and found this post:
---
So some of you may remember that the Aqua Terra I bought at the beginning of this year, would stop
running from time-to-time. Here's the latest for those of you playing at home.
After negotiating with the Swatch folks in NJ I sent it to their Service Manager (who has since
quit the job) directly to ensure the work (all done under warranty) was done by their best folks.
I just got back from them the list of things that needed to be done.

- The bezel is scratched
- The bracelet is scratched
- The case is scratched
- The case back is marked
- The hands are scratched
- The movement has low amplitude
- A complete maintenance service is required

I'm not sure how the hands got scratched but I have to assume it was by moving over each other.
I'm also assuming "The movement has low amplitude" would explain why it kept stopping.
I'm waiting to see what happens next but I'm a little disturbed by the departure of the Service
Manager with whom I've been talking about the service on my watch and who offered to shepherd it
through the process.
---

I can't help wondering:
1. Is my watch in Secaucus, even though I sent it to Walter Gooden in Los Angeles?

2. Is Swatch Group quick to tell anyone that sends in a watch that 'A complete maintenance service
is required'? My watch went from gaining a little over a second a day to losing 2 1/2 seconds a
day. The owner of the Aqua Terra says his watch stops running from time to time. On the face of
it, these sound like two pretty different problems. Could 'low amplitude' really account for both
these problems?

3. Is the $375 maintenance the only way to fix my watch? If it is, can I trust the Secaucus
service center? I've read posts here that would suggest I'm taking my chances with Secaucus.

4. Should my watch's problem be covered by the warranty?

5. What is low amplitude?

I got the estimate last night and today is Saturday. I'll get someone on the phone Monday but I
figured that in the meantime, I'd see if anyone here might have any thoughts.

Thanks in advance for any help folks!