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What is Omega's attitude towards grey market watches with serial numbers scratched off?

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baytwenty3

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Hi all,

I did a search but found nothing on the subject.

Basically I have a grey market Omega SMP 2220.80 with serials scratched off the lug + movement.

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Initially I thought it was a fake watch, and then with the help of WUS posters I came to the conclusion that it was a grey market watch with serials removed.

(my 'fake busters' thread here: https://www.watchuseek.com/f441/so-i-bought-fake-smp-2220-80-ebay-$2100-1081974.html )

So I'm pretty certain I'm going to send it back for a refund. Got it for US$2100 which I think is too much given the missing serials, came with no box or papers either.

The question now is, does anyone know if Omega will refuse to service the watch because of the removed serials? What is likely to happen if I took it to the Omega boutique tomorrow for servicing?

Thanks all.
 
#2 ·
Grey Market very possible. Stolen is also very possible. Most here won't touch a watch with serials removed. Omega certainly will not service it. If you can get your money back now.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
#5 ·
Agreed, there is no reason to spend that much money on an SMP that you can't get serviced by Omega. You may even be able to get a wave-dial coax with papers in that price range, much less serial numbers intact!
 
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#8 ·
Omega Customer Service policy states the following for watches where the serial numbers have been removed from both the case and movement:

a) Watch still in production - in such cases a replacement watch head at special conditions (20% reduction on the Recommended Public Price) should be proposed to the final customer. If the final customer agrees with the offer, the replaced watch must not be returned to the customer and must be destroyed. If the final customer does not agree with the offer, the watch is returned without any intervention, not repaired.

b) Watch not in production anymore - the repair must be declined and the watch returned not repaired.

For watches where the serial number has been removed from the case, the policies are slightly different:

a) Serialized movement - The watch is repaired against payment. If the movement has an unmodified serial number and the case is in both original and functional condition, the serial number of the movement is copied onto the case.
The serial number on case and movement are identical. Usual repair warranty.

b) Non-serialized movement - The watch is repaired against payment if it can be established that it is an original OMEGA product. No movement number can be given. Usual repair warranty.

Cheers, Al
 
#14 ·
Archer said:
Omega Customer Service policy states the following for watches where the serial numbers have been removed from both the case and movement:

a) Watch still in production - in such cases a replacement watch head at special conditions (20% reduction on the Recommended Public Price) should be proposed to the final customer. If the final customer agrees with the offer, the replaced watch must not be returned to the customer and must be destroyed. If the final customer does not agree with the offer, the watch is returned without any intervention, not repaired.

b) Watch not in production anymore - the repair must be declined and the watch returned not repaired.

For watches where the serial number has been removed from the case, the policies are slightly different:

a) Serialized movement - The watch is repaired against payment. If the movement has an unmodified serial number and the case is in both original and functional condition, the serial number of the movement is copied onto the case.
The serial number on case and movement are identical. Usual repair warranty.

b) Non-serialized movement - The watch is repaired against payment if it can be established that it is an original OMEGA product. No movement number can be given. Usual repair warranty.

Cheers, Al
Click to expand...
Hi Al

Very interesting statement. Do you know if this can be found on the Omega website? I was not able to find any offical information.

Cheers and thanks,

ElGreco
 
#16 ·
Just from another angle: in some states in the USA, possessing an item with a defaced serial number is illegal. So not worth it in more ways than one.
 
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#17 ·
I'm really surprised to see watches being sold w/o serial numbers anymore. It was more common 15 or so years ago but most of the reputable grey market sellers clearly state that all of their inventory is sold with the numbers intact. I would guess that it is likely the watch was stolen then pawned at some point.


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#18 ·
You can also use the search in the corner of the site and search for "Omega no serial number"

will notice countless examples on the forum of watches being sent for service with serial numbers and being rejected by Omega.

On a second thought, why would Omega risk themselves servicing a possible stolen watch (serial number removed) ? Thing is, they wouldn't, it makes common sense.

Bring your car to the dealer with removed VIN, see what happens :p
 
#19 ·
I would never entertain a watch that had been 'butchered' in such a way.
It just wouldn't feel like a 'real' watch anymore. :-(
 
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#20 · (Edited)
@ Al: Thanks for the clarification

Neither do I own a watch with removed serial nor do I want one of those. I just thought the part with the 20% off sounds interesting ;-)

As well as the information that they would put a serial number on your case, if you have none.

ElGreco
 
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