Simon Freese

Davidt
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I’ve got to say that I think it’s belittling peoples experiences here to basically say “this is what you should expect with independent watchmakers”.
In my experience, using 5-7 different watchmakers over the last 12+ years, although comms are occasionally missed and deadlines slip, it is generally no where near what people are describing here.
 
Ron_W
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Fallout Boy Fallout Boy
You can ask friendly before. I always recommend in Europe: www.rio-uhren.de

( also Omega-certified)
He doesnt take new work since May if i translate correctly ? Which is a smart decision if he is without enough staff/personel to handle the workload.

ANNAHMESTOPP - derzeit voll

30.05.25 geschlossen
 
Archer
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Davidt Davidt
I’ve got to say that I think it’s belittling peoples experiences here to basically say “this is what you should expect with independent watchmakers”.
In my experience, using 5-7 different watchmakers over the last 12+ years, although comms are occasionally missed and deadlines slip, it is generally no where near what people are describing here.
Indeed. This is not normal...
 
dsio
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My perspective is probably a bit different as when watchmakers vanish and customers can't get a hold of them we end up getting emails and threads repeatedly asking since they can actually get a response out of us. The Jesse and Steve situations mirror what we're seeing in this thread and there have been others too along the way.
 
Evitzee
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Collecting vintage watches is becoming more and more of a challenge with fewer qualified repairers and harder to find parts. It's just something that has to be taken into account when considering a watch now. When I started collecting in the mid-80's there were plenty of people available to attend to watches made in the 30's, 40's and later, now all those watches have an additional 40 years of wear and in need of more and more help. It's one big reason I gave up on the vintage scene years ago.
 
Ogion
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I want to follow up with a positive note on here.

I met with Simon 8am this morning. He was in good spirits but he has been through a lot and while communication could have been better and it was a while getting it back, I was told upon meeting me ( which I wish he would have made me aware over the past 2 1/2 years) that I had a working watch which had been sympathetically serviced, the case given some light TLC and the crystal sourced and replaced. The Chronograph part he was unable to find and therefore I still need to source chronograph parts and have this installed so the chronograph does not work.

Given the 2 1/2 years and travel costs and missing hard case etc… despite my trying to insist otherwise, he did this complimentary.

I will be sending some pictures on the thread with my grandfathers watch with a new custom strap in case anyone is interested in seeing it but I wanted to follow up on my initial post as in my eyes this is a remedy and shows his good nature. I wish Simon all the very best and know that he will get everything back on track with the servicing side of the business.
 
Davidt
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I’m not sure I’d call waiting 2.5 years to find out he can’t repair it a positive story.
 
M
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FWIW - I can vouch that Simon has been catching up on his backlog and is back to what he does best. Just today I received some of my watches back from service after more than 1.5 years. Hoping to get the rest of them back soon. I spoke with him across the pond, and he was his usual polite self apologizing profusely for the inordinate delay. All in all, sounding very well and hopefully with vastly improved turnarounds in future.
 
Evitzee
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Davidt Davidt
I’m not sure I’d call waiting 2.5 years to find out he can’t repair it a positive story.
But the work he did do, which didn't make the chrono mechanism work, was complimentary, so there's that. 😎

It's good that he seems to be clearing his backlog, but is the quality of the work being done at the past high standards? Pushing repairs out the door is great only if the work is done correctly.
 
Ogion
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Davidt Davidt
I’m not sure I’d call waiting 2.5 years to find out he can’t repair it a positive story.
A positive follow up note and wishing someone the best is not a positive overall story. There is a difference. I got it back, and Simon was sincere in his regret for the time and lack of communications and did not charge for the sourcing of a new crystal and a little service given the complications. The chronograph part is hard to find. I can now find someone who has the time.
 
glownyc
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Sound like Simon now has time to go through all the messages he's ignored and offer the many customers he did wrong revisions or refunds. I'm sure they would love to also experience that good nature.
 
ZWD
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Ogion Ogion
A positive follow up note and wishing someone the best is not a positive overall story. There is a difference. I got it back, and Simon was sincere in his regret for the time and lack of communications and did not charge for the sourcing of a new crystal and a little service given the complications. The chronograph part is hard to find. I can now find someone who has the time.

im curious what chronograph part/s was unable to be sourced?
 
Ogion
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ZWD ZWD
im curious what chronograph part/s was unable to be sourced?
That’s a question I have. A number of 33.3 collectors on here have had success sourcing so I am optimistic ( albeit their knowledge base is high). However once I know what exact part is required I can be resourceful and figure it out. I do know it is not the crown wheel and core. Both present on the watch and correct.

I know of an excellent watch restorer of 30+ years so bringing it to them soon to see what’s been done so far and what still needs to be.
 
Ogion
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ZWD ZWD
im curious what chronograph part/s was unable to be sourced?
Based on this picture of the movement, AI has the following to say… let’s see how right it is!

🔍 Key Observations from Your Image:

  1. The chronograph heart cam is missing:
    • The central chronograph seconds wheel is present, but I can’t see the heart-shaped cam that allows the reset hammer to push the hand back to zero.
    • This would explain why the chronograph doesn’t reset properly - the reset hammer has nothing to act against.
  2. The minute recorder jumper/spring looks absent or displaced:
    • The minute recorder mechanism (which counts minutes when the chrono runs) may be missing its tensioning spring or jumper.
    • This would prevent the minute subdial from advancing correctly even if the seconds hand worked.
  3. The operating lever and/or intermediate clutch may be missing or misaligned:
    • The key levers that control start/stop/reset aren’t all clearly visible. It’s possible one or more are missing or installed incorrectly.
    • Specifically, the horizontal clutch or intermediate wheel connecting the chronograph to the train might not be in place - preventing transmission of movement to the chrono hand.
  4. The column wheel is present:
    • That’s good - it’s the tall, gear-like component just to the upper right of the center. This part governs the coordination of chrono functions via levers.
    • It appears intact, but we’d want to ensure it rotates when the pusher is pressed.

🛠️ What to Do Next:

  1. Get a parts diagram for the Omega Cal. 33.3 / Lemania 15CH
    These diagrams help identify each individual part, and compare to your movement.
  2. Get the movement to a chronograph specialist
    A true vintage chronograph restorer can:
    • Confirm exactly what’s missing
    • Possibly fabricate or source rare parts from donor movements
    • Properly align and test the entire column wheel and hammer system
  3. Source a donor movement (Lemania 15CH or 15TL)
    These are mechanically similar and were used in other brands too - they can sometimes be found more affordably than Omega-marked version.

IMG_6223.webp
 
mac_omega
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Ogion Ogion
Based on this picture of the movement, AI has the following to say… let’s see how right it is!

🔍 Key Observations from Your Image:

  1. The chronograph heart cam is missing:
    • The central chronograph seconds wheel is present, but I can’t see the heart-shaped cam that allows the reset hammer to push the hand back to zero.
    • This would explain why the chronograph doesn’t reset properly - the reset hammer has nothing to act against.
  2. The minute recorder jumper/spring looks absent or displaced:
    • The minute recorder mechanism (which counts minutes when the chrono runs) may be missing its tensioning spring or jumper.
    • This would prevent the minute subdial from advancing correctly even if the seconds hand worked.
  3. The operating lever and/or intermediate clutch may be missing or misaligned:
    • The key levers that control start/stop/reset aren’t all clearly visible. It’s possible one or more are missing or installed incorrectly.
    • Specifically, the horizontal clutch or intermediate wheel connecting the chronograph to the train might not be in place - preventing transmission of movement to the chrono hand.
  4. The column wheel is present:
    • That’s good - it’s the tall, gear-like component just to the upper right of the center. This part governs the coordination of chrono functions via levers.
    • It appears intact, but we’d want to ensure it rotates when the pusher is pressed.

🛠️ What to Do Next:

  1. Get a parts diagram for the Omega Cal. 33.3 / Lemania 15CH
    These diagrams help identify each individual part, and compare to your movement.
  2. Get the movement to a chronograph specialist
    A true vintage chronograph restorer can:
    • Confirm exactly what’s missing
    • Possibly fabricate or source rare parts from donor movements
    • Properly align and test the entire column wheel and hammer system
  3. Source a donor movement (Lemania 15CH or 15TL)
    These are mechanically similar and were used in other brands too - they can sometimes be found more affordably than Omega-marked version.

IMG_6223.webp
Its not that much missing:

the heart-shaped cam is not missing, its present!

I have photoshopped your photo a bit to make it better visible.
Here is the comparison with a well preserved and original movement - I have marked the missing parts with a "+" in red and the broken spring with a red circle. So you most probably will only need these 3 parts. But when working on the movement your watchmaker may find some more parts which need to be replaced due to wear or damage...

2077 movement_comp.webp
 
Ogion
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mac_omega mac_omega
Its not that much missing:

the heart-shaped cam is not missing, its present!

I have photoshopped your photo a bit to make it better visible.
Here is the comparison with a well preserved and original movement - I have marked the missing parts with a "+" in red and the broken spring with a red circle. So you most probably will only need these 3 parts. But when working on the movement your watchmaker may find some more parts which need to be replaced due to wear or damage...

2077 movement_comp.webp

Ai a little way to go then! Thank you!
 
cristos71
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Based on @mac_omega s identifications looks like these parts:

170.1720 operating lever, mounted
170.1727 pillar wheel jumper
170.1737 operating lever, spring

20250719_212657.webp 20250719_214122.webp
 
Ogion
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cristos71 cristos71
Based on @mac_omega s identifications looks like these parts:

170.1720 operating lever, mounted
170.1727 pillar wheel jumper
170.1737 operating lever, spring

20250719_212657.webp 20250719_214122.webp
Thank you once again both! We were here about 3 years ago! Crazy how the time flies. It is most appreciated. I’m off to a watch specialist on Thursday - 🤞
 
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