Creation Watches guarantee?

[Vladimir]

The SKZ211J1 I have been pretty pleased with (bought end of July) has just had a rather major issue - the seconds hand just fell off. No impact to the watch, it just happened.

Now I want to sort it with minimum hassle and I really don't want to have to send it back to Singapore - the watch has a 2 year guarantee but it looks to me like it might not be the "official" Seiko one? So I guess that means I can't get it sorted via a local authorised dealer? Anyone had to return anything to them before?

I have to admit that this has put a serious cloud over both Creation (I was already a little miffed that it came in a plain box with photocopied instructions - nothing on the website tells you this) and Seiko. TBH their prices aren't actually that much less than some UK dealers, their RRPs are rather dubious and I can see this being a headache.

[DozyGit]

Hi, Sorry to hear that, I just bought a watch off them. On mine there was the option to upgrade the box, but I choose not to.

Just out of curiosity you mention that you know of a UK dealer that sells an SKZ211J1, I would like to know as I was under the impression nearly all the watches on Creation were Asian models not sent to the UK/EU. I would be really surprised to see an AD being permitted to sell them in the EU. As far as I know the ADs in Japan are not allowed to sell to the EU/UK via their online channels. I may be wrong.

Good luck with the repair.

[Vladimir]

DozyGit said:

Hi, Sorry to hear that, I just bought a watch off them. On mine there was the option to upgrade the box, but I choose not to.

Just out of curiosity you mention that you know of a UK dealer that sells an SKZ211J1, I would like to know as I was under the impression nearly all the watches on Creation were Asian models not sent to the UK/EU. I would be really surprised to see an AD being permitted to sell them in the EU. As far as I know the ADs in Japan are not allowed to sell to the EU/UK via their online channels. I may be wrong.

Good luck with the repair.

This looks like the UK site and it's barely any more than Creation!

[DozyGit]

Can't see any links sorry!

[Vladimir]

DozyGit said:

Can't see any links sorry!

Oops!

http://www.citywatches.co.uk/seiko/seiko-5-automat...

Although it is a K1 - mine is the slightly more expensive J1.

[DozyGit]

Hi thanks, just went through their website and cannot see a company registration number, a legal requirement I believe, for any UK company to display on their website, receipts etc

Had a look on street view

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=14+Chertsey+Road,...


Looks like someone reselling the same watch and not an AD, but then again what do I know, may be horribly wrong, good luck

I would rather buy from Creation which is an actual registered company in Singapore, they are showing their reg on the page. Singapore is as good if not better than the UK when it comes to shops etc

I am sure they would honour your warranty. If I were running such a business I would.

Edited by DozyGit on Tuesday 3rd September 15:59

[Vladimir]

DozyGit said:

Hi thanks, just went trough their website and cannot see a company registration number, a legal requirement for any UK company to display on their website, receipts etc

Had a look on street view

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=14+Chertsey+Road,...


Looks like someone reselling the same watch and not an AD, but then again what do I know, may be horribly wrong, good luck

I would rather buy from Creation which is an actual registered company in Singapore, they are showing their reg on the page. Singapore is as good if not better than the UK when it comes to shops etc

I am sure they would honour your warranty. If I were running such a business I would.

Thanks for the checking out! They haven't replied yet but may not be open until later on. I just want zero hassle - if I have to re-pack it and pay P&P, I'll be rather unimpressed. But they may be fine - we shall see.

[Jobbo]

Vladimir said:

(I was already a little miffed that it came in a plain box with photocopied instructions - nothing on the website tells you this)

It says on every Seiko watch page: "Packaging: Shipped in gift watch box with watch documents. If you wish to receive this watch with a nicer presentation Seiko watch box you can add it to cart here.
Watch box is secured in an additional super-strong non-collapsing cardboard box."

Creation aren't an authorised dealer - it says so quite clearly in their FAQ. They are well regarded and unlikely to be supplying fakes, so far as I am aware. Your options are to ship it back to them (you pay shipping - those are the warranty terms) for them to repair under warranty, or pay to get it done over here. I'd do the latter, to be honest. It's not likely to cost very much.

[Vladimir]

Jobbo said:

It says on every Seiko watch page: "Packaging: Shipped in gift watch box with watch documents. If you wish to receive this watch with a nicer presentation Seiko watch box you can add it to cart here.
Watch box is secured in an additional super-strong non-collapsing cardboard box."

Creation aren't an authorised dealer - it says so quite clearly in their FAQ. They are well regarded and unlikely to be supplying fakes, so far as I am aware. Your options are to ship it back to them (you pay shipping - those are the warranty terms) for them to repair under warranty, or pay to get it done over here. I'd do the latter, to be honest. It's not likely to cost very much.

Not ideal at all. Last time I'll buy from them if that's the case.

[Jobbo]

Fair enough, that's up to you. But it's rather unreasonable to complain about the terms of their warranty and that they don't send original Seiko boxes when both are stated clearly on their site.

FWIW I have bought two Orient watches from them and am happy with their service; I didn't buy a Seiko from them because I wanted an original box and found it cheaper from an AD in the UK.

[Debaser]

Try asking Seiko UK if they'll fix it for you. They sorted out a problem I had with an SKX007J (though I did get it from an AD I can't remember what proof they asked for).

[Vladimir]

Debaser said:

Try asking Seiko UK if they'll fix it for you. They sorted out a problem I had with an SKX007J (though I did get it from an AD I can't remember what proof they asked for).

Will give that a try - thanks!

[Theoldfm]

Simple repair - DIY

Just twist off the back, depress the button to remove the crown, take the movement out and push the hand back on with your fingers.

Simples...

[Vladimir]

Theoldfm said:

Simple repair - DIY

Just twist off the back, depress the button to remove the crown, take the movement out and push the hand back on with your fingers.

Simples...

Cheers for that. The slight issue is (apart from me never having taken a watch apart!) if the hand fell off without any impact, won't it just fall off again?!

[DozyGit]

Theoldfm said:

Simple repair - DIY

Just twist off the back, depress the button to remove the crown, take the movement out and push the hand back on with your fingers.

Simples...

Don't use your fingers, the hand will corrode. Use the appropriate tool, check ebay for kits. Or use a finger condom

I think the hand stays by friction. Do you have kids? Did they play with your watch, if so it is likely they might have rotated the hands very fast?, it can fly off or dropped it?

I remember I broke my dads mechanical watch as a kid :O

[Vladimir]

DozyGit said:

Don't use your fingers, the hand will corrode. Use the appropriate tool, check ebay for kits. Or use a finger condom

I think the hand stays by friction. Do you have kids? Did they play with your watch, if so it is likely they might have rotated the hands very fast?, it can fly off or dropped it?

I remember I broke my dads mechanical watch as a kid :O

I do but they don't play with it; they're really good like that! Definitely not been dropped, mucked about with, anything. When the hand came off, I was just eating my lunch!

[DozyGit]

I will make sure to avoid having lunch next to you Can't be too careful lol It may not have been fitted properly in the factory or might have suffered a jolt in transit.

Like others have said try checking with seiko, they may fit it for free or modest price.

Did they reply to you regarding the warranty, would be nice if you let us know so we can be careful in the future. Hope it sorts, know how annoying it is.

One of my quartz chronographs has hands that aren't moving!

[Vladimir]

It's the early hours in Singapore so I expect to get a reply while I'm asleep!

[Vladimir]

Generic reply and link to their repair page and that was it.

So, I have to get the repair approved, I have to pay for it's return and insure it, I then have to wait around EIGHT WEEKS and there is no guarantee I will get it back. I then might have to pay import tax.

Yes I'm sure it states somewhere, buried in their Ts and Cs that this supposedly good dealer sends their items in a cr4ppy box with photocopied instructions, yes I'm sure I shouldn't have assumed the guarantee was actually worth anything but I am appalled. There is literally no point me sending it back - the guarantee is worthless, the prices aren't actually anything to shout about and I feel completely and utterly ripped off.

I'd say unless you are friendly with a local Seiko repair centre, avoid them at all costs.

I've emailed Seiko UK in the hope they can do something. If that fails I'll take it to my local jeweller and get it fixed but still not impressed.

Edited by Vladimir on Wednesday 4th September 07:21

[MYOB]

Should have bought a Rolex

Still, what a nuisance. Personally, I would take it in to an AD, explain it was a gift, papers lost etc and ask what they can do.