Seamaster 300mc water damage

milhous

So I noticed this morning that my watch was a bit foggy, like there is condensation under the glass. I've been using it swimming this week. The crown was and still is tight, and we are not talking 300metres here, more like 1.5 tops.haha

Watch was bought October 2016. What to do next?

Eoin

Is it still under warranty? If so, I'd bring it back and let them deal with it.

milhous

Eoin wrote: »

Is it still under warranty? If so, I'd bring it back and let them deal with it.

I think there's a fair long warranty but I'll check when I'm back into the country. Will give keanes (bought it off them) a call too see what they say. Looks like the warranty is 48months on this one.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

If the crown is tight then the He release value might be a little open. I got condensation on a speedmaster, sent it to omega and they sorted it al out no charge under warranty, dealer didnt charge me either and I didnt even buy it off them.

Dont leave it....water under the glass means water in the mechanism, which can make mayonnaise in there.....dont bother trying to dry it out yourself....

milhous

Sincere Salty Topcoat wrote: »

If the crown is tight then the He release value might be a little open. I got condensation on a speedmaster, sent it to omega and they sorted it al out no charge under warranty, dealer didnt charge me either and I didnt even buy it off them.

Dont leave it....water under the glass means water in the mechanism, which can make mayonnaise in there.....dont bother trying to dry it out yourself....

I'm flying back from Spain in a few hours so can't do anything until tmo and even at that I'm working. I'll contact keanes and organise a courier maybe.

Oral Surgeon

milhous wrote: »

I'm flying back from Spain in a few hours so can't do anything until tmo and even at that I'm working. I'll contact keanes and organise a courier maybe.

You don't have to act that fast...!

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

You don't have to act that fast...!

Yeah just let the watch wind down so the movement is stopped and sort it later.

milhous

Sent it to keanes today. Will see what happens and report back. Thanks

milhous

It's on the way to Omega UK. Said i won't hear anything for 2-3 weeks.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

when mine went to Omega it came back within 2 week, so maybe it wont be too long.

milhous

OmegaGene wrote: »

At least it’s going to omega and will come back 100%

I'm just worried they'll say it's something that I'm at fault for and there'll be a hefty bill! They said I should hear back in about two weeks so I should know more mid next week.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

OmegaGene wrote: »

No that won’t happen
I’ve used omega, tag and Cartier warranties over the years and never a problem

agreed, especially on a seamaster, thats a water watch. Its nothing to them to fix it, and your good will is worth much more to them.

milhous

So I got a reply from omega, well keanes passed it onto me and it is below. On a quick note the cause was "thermal shock". Whilst i read about it after the incident i didnt think ot would be an issue with diver watch. As diving gernally is going from a boat into the sea?! Therefore a sudden change in temperature is to be expected?

Here's the reply, I'm happy to say the watch is being repaired under warranty:

"Upon receipt your customer’s watch was subjected to water resistance testing, which is passed. We can therefore confirm that the issues experienced are not the result of a manufacturing fault. We would therefore not consider replacement of the watch, however as it is still within its warranty period we have completed the necessary work free of charge as a goodwill gesture.



We believe the issues experienced have most likely been caused by ‘thermal shock’. This occurs when a watch is subjected to a sudden, large change in temperature. This can happen when moving from cold to hot, for example when skiing, moving between cold exterior temperatures and heated indoor spaces; or from hot to cold, such as moving from hot exterior temperatures to the sea or a pool. ‘Thermal shock’ causes condensation to form on the underside of the glass – it is not a sign of moisture having entered the watch, but is rather the trace amounts of moisture in the air sealed into the watch.



While ‘thermal shock’ does not usually result in damage to the watch, in this case the dial has been marked and the movement’s performance had been affected. The only other explanation for the moisture present would be if the crown was not secure, or the pushers were used while underwater – your customer’s comments indicate he is aware of this so I do not believe this to be the case.



We have replaced the dial and completed a full service of the movement to return the watch to full working order. This work has now been completed, so I will despatch the watch to store today."

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Result.....nice one. Omega are excellent to deal with.

wersal gummage

milhous wrote: »

As diving gernally is going from a boat into the sea?! Therefore a sudden change in temperature is to be expected?
."

Exactly what I thought after reading that. Omega talking about good will and warranty gives the impression they would not entertain the repair outside the warranty period? The dial and movement were affected but they are saying that's normal?!

Anyway, good outcome for you.

milhous

wersal gummage wrote: »

Exactly what I thought after reading that. Omega talking about good will and warranty gives the impression they would not entertain the repair outside the warranty period? The dial and movement were affected but they are saying that's normal?!

Anyway, good outcome for you.

Yeah I'd like to hear opinions here on that. Maybe divers aclimatize their watches first?
Not gonna wear my €5k diver thats should be gd up to 300m into the pool now.. That's some craic

milhous

OmegaGene wrote: »

I have numerous divers and never get them wet tbh never mind the pool

When you get the cover letter give omega a call

Whilst i did buy the watch because i like the aesthetics I was also fan of it being gd for water. Looks like my fitbit ionic will get more wear!

Oral Surgeon

milhous wrote: »

Whilst i did buy the watch because i like the aesthetics I was also fan of it being gd for water. Looks like my fitbit ionic will get more wear!

Don't let one problem put you off wearing it in the pool...

I've had a seamaster pro for 17 years, pool to sauna to jacuzzi to shower.... no issues, more recently a planet ocean treated the same for the past 6 years... no issues...

"Thermal Shock" yeah yeah....

milhous

Well I won't take it to the sauna but I will swim with it I think, there's two years left in the warranty so I suppose it's time to test your theorys. Will report back if it happens again.

As it mentioned from omega, and on that piston heads forum, maybe if it was completely dry inside this wouldn't be an issue? If so hopefully omega are wise to it and dried it out as much as possible.

milhous

That's the damage, obviously the really bad one has the flash on, it was also pretty bad in sunlight or trying to lool at it from an angle.

saccades

I'm surprised at the answer*

I'd have thought the "thermal shock" (actually differing rates of heating, giving a warm internal air that is relatively moist in contact with say a suddenly cold crystal would promote condensation), would be quite common with watches built during summer/wet periods if special precautions are not taken.

I.e. control the humidity in the assembly plant or given the cost of nitrogen, flood the case with nitrogen to displace the "wet" air just before casing the movement.

It might be a relatively common fault due to the design (accidentally hitting a pusher say), and omega blame something that gives them wriggle room in not blaming the customer or watch design

guitarhappy

I've heard too many of these stories. The only watch I would wear under water would be screw down crown, no pushers, 300 meter rated at minimum. Otherwise, you're asking for trouble.

milhous

OmegaGene wrote: »

That looks very wet in the photo, are you 100% sure the crown wasn’t open

It was tight as could be. It was almost like there was a shine off the condensation, like it was an oily film. The it looks terrible with the flash, when I looked at it first inside it just looked slightly hazy.

unkel

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

Don't let one problem put you off wearing it in the pool...

I've had a seamaster pro for 17 years, pool to sauna to jacuzzi to shower.... no issues, more recently a planet ocean treated the same for the past 6 years... no issues...

"Thermal Shock" yeah yeah....

+1

In and out of the sea, pool, shower, sauna, in the hot sun, in ice cold water during hikes. Any divers watch should be able to take that with no issue.

Thermal shock, I call BS

milhous

unkel wrote: »

+1

In and out of the sea, pool, shower, sauna, in the hot sun, in ice cold water during hikes. Any divers watch should be able to take that with no issue.

Thermal shock, I call BS

Yeah, I'm a bit disappointed now.

unkel

I wouldn't worry too much. The watch is under warranty, it should be perfect now. I would use it as you are supposed to use a divers watch. Dive and swim!

The only thing disappointing is the porky pies they told about the thermal shock

unkel

Exactly and Omega know full well that if the watch develops a similar issue again, even if a bit outside of the warranty, they are still liable to fix it. Or face the small claims court!

Zagato

Sell it and buy a Sinn

milhous

Zagato wrote: »

Sell it and buy a Sinn

Was thinking about going to rolex. But I'd be lucky to get 3k for a used one so doesn't look like an option at the min

milhous

And it's back, along with the omega "travel case" mentioned. In love with it again, hopefully that was a once off

milhous

On a side note, I took my old fashion watch out for the first time in two years and it's still ticking away with the right time..