Lesson learnt regarding repairs to quality watch.

[Manks]

Hi All

I thought I'd share something with you in order that it might help someone in the future.

My Cartier Tank Francaise stopped working after I wore it in a sauna. Assuming that I'd messed it up and that Cartier would charge me a huge sum to repair it I sought out an independent repairer.

The repairer said that the movement was ruined and I'd need a new one, but luckily he knew that it was a part he could buy from the manufacturer, not Cartier. He quoted about £350 for the work.

To cut a long story short, the repairer messed me about for weeks so I asked for my watch back and returned it to Cartier.

I got it back today after about two weeks. Not only has it been fully overhauled mechanically, they have completely refinished it and it looks like new. The cost, £315.00.

I came very close to ending up with a Frakenwatch that still looked like I'd worn it for seven years, and paying over the odds for the privilege. I should always have sent it back to Cartier, who clearly take pride in keeping their product in top condition. Now I would never dream of allowing an independent near a quality watch.

Thanks to those of you who suggested I should return it to Cartier and I urge any of you in a similar position to just send quality watches back to their manufacturer - unless you know exactly what you are doing.

Manks

Edited by Manks on Tuesday 9th March 11:04

[BermyAndy]

My bit of advice that I learnt today is also to argue with the manufacturer when they invariably tell you it is your own fault for the watch breaking and therefore not covered under warranty

My IWC Aquatimer had the chrono push button fall off, literally into my hand, as my girlfriend was trying it on and was passing the watch back to me. At most, it got caught on her jumper

IWC came back last week saying I had snapped the button off causing damage to the chrono mechanism, and that as I had done it, the warranty would not cover and therefore please send £450 to get it serviced and fixed.

I spoke to the dealer (I hadnt bought the watch through them, although I had just purchased a portugeuse from them), who then contacted IWC on my behalf, with the story of how it happened and how dismayed I was that this 'diving' watch could break so easily etc etc. IWC just got back to them today to say the watch will be repaired under warranty, but no explanation given as to why they backtracked

[Soovy]

BermyAndy said:

.......as my girlfriend was trying it on and was passing the watch back to me.......

[Manks]

BermyAndy said:

My bit of advice that I learnt today is also to argue with the manufacturer when they invariably tell you it is your own fault for the watch breaking and therefore not covered under warranty

My IWC Aquatimer had the chrono push button fall off, literally into my hand, as my girlfriend was trying it on and was passing the watch back to me. At most, it got caught on her jumper

IWC came back last week saying I had snapped the button off causing damage to the chrono mechanism, and that as I had done it, the warranty would not cover and therefore please send £450 to get it serviced and fixed.

I spoke to the dealer (I hadnt bought the watch through them, although I had just purchased a portugeuse from them), who then contacted IWC on my behalf, with the story of how it happened and how dismayed I was that this 'diving' watch could break so easily etc etc. IWC just got back to them today to say the watch will be repaired under warranty, but no explanation given as to why they backtracked

That's a bit rubbish isn't it. But it so often happens that presige brands treat customers badly. Presumably they believe people will buy anyway because of the prestige value.

Land Rover has been a bit like that and they have now successfully alienated many of their customers.

Manks

[BermyAndy]

Soovy said:

BermyAndy said:

.......as my girlfriend was trying it on and was passing the watch back to me.......

As implausible as it sounds, that is exactly how it happened! I was livid!

[Manks]

BermyAndy said:

Soovy said:

BermyAndy said:

.......as my girlfriend was trying it on and was passing the watch back to me.......

As implausible as it sounds, that is exactly how it happened! I was livid!

So you were engaging in some hot wrist action with your girlfriend and your knob fell off. That's the brass tacks of it isn't it.

Manks

[BermyAndy]

Manks said:

BermyAndy said:

Soovy said:

BermyAndy said:

.......as my girlfriend was trying it on and was passing the watch back to me.......

As implausible as it sounds, that is exactly how it happened! I was livid!

So you were engaging in some hot wrist action with your girlfriend and your knob fell off. That's the brass tacks of it isn't it.

Manks

Well.. the battery needed charging!

[hilly10]

Sent my Speedy off to Omega (Eastleigh Hants) for service £180 it was with them for a month. I got it back then after a week one of the Chronometer hands fell off. I telephoned them and they could not have been more helpful sent it direct to the technician i spoke to on the phone got it back in 4 days + a free service when it comes around. It pays to send to the manufacturer IMO

[NJH]

Either that or you need someone fairly local that you know you can trust. For me it would be these guys for most things
http://www.watchworks.co.uk/about-us

[cyberface]

Even the best foul it up - my experience with a reasonably special JLC as recounted here recently shows that even the manufactures themselves occasionally let QC slip a bit... Everyone makes mistakes. What distinguishes companies is how they *deal* with the mistakes...

[Roop]

I use this outfit for my Seamaster

http://www.lesambassadeurs.ch/

[Whitean3]

I'd be interested in hearing what people have to say about getting their Rolex serviced in Geneva- I was distinctly unimpressed with how the watch was returned to me. Looked like it had been polished with an angle grinder!

[Koing]

Good on Cartier for the fix but this question has to be asked....what went wrong with the watch to go belly up in the sauna?!

And bits falling off a prestige 'diving' watch is strictly UNIMPRESSIVE. But I guess mistakes happen.

Koing

[Maxf]

Dont trust valuable vintage watches to supposed 'experts' who can quickly check how good the seal is. You may end up like me - a mint dial and hand set ruined and £1400 bill for repairing it, and a 4 month wait!