Official Watches - anyone used them?
Discussion
I speculatively called Official watches ( http://www.officialwatches.co.uk/) to enquire about parts for a Porsche Design watch that i had seen advertised on Ebay.
The owner advised me not to buy the watch on Ebay, but said that he had a IWC Porsche Design Ocean 500 available.
I bought this on my credit card after seeing several pictures of it and the accessories.
Today, six weeks after the purchase, i have woken to find that the watch stopped last night. I have worn it on again thinking that it needed a wind, but this has not woken it. I have also manually wound the watch as in the instruction manual, but again this fails.
I contacted Official Watches who have asked me to send the watch back to them for a look. I am not sure if they are IWC registered agents?
Should i spend the money and send the watch back to IWC? How much could this be?
Should i send the watch back to Official Watches?
Any help is appreciated.
ETA: I still have the original warranty card for the watch and i know it has never been back to IWC. The card is stamped in 1994. Is it worth sending to IWC and claiming on their warranty?
The owner advised me not to buy the watch on Ebay, but said that he had a IWC Porsche Design Ocean 500 available.
I bought this on my credit card after seeing several pictures of it and the accessories.
Today, six weeks after the purchase, i have woken to find that the watch stopped last night. I have worn it on again thinking that it needed a wind, but this has not woken it. I have also manually wound the watch as in the instruction manual, but again this fails.
I contacted Official Watches who have asked me to send the watch back to them for a look. I am not sure if they are IWC registered agents?
Should i spend the money and send the watch back to IWC? How much could this be?
Should i send the watch back to Official Watches?
Any help is appreciated.
ETA: I still have the original warranty card for the watch and i know it has never been back to IWC. The card is stamped in 1994. Is it worth sending to IWC and claiming on their warranty?
Edited by Ray Singh on Friday 15th October 10:30
Contacted OW - they suggested sending the watch back.
I received a call the day after posting, apparently the watch needs a service. Normally this is £225 but he will only charge £150 as i bought it from them a few moths ago.
Sounds like i have been had ? ive had to give them the go ahead........
I received a call the day after posting, apparently the watch needs a service. Normally this is £225 but he will only charge £150 as i bought it from them a few moths ago.
Sounds like i have been had ? ive had to give them the go ahead........
Hmmmm did OW provide some sort of warranty when you bought it? Is this still valid?
There's something peculiar in watch circles. If my engine blows a conrod through the block, it needs "fixing". If the mainspring twangs off its axis, it needs "servicing". I THINK YOU'LL FIND IT NEEDS FIXING NOT SERVICING.
There's something peculiar in watch circles. If my engine blows a conrod through the block, it needs "fixing". If the mainspring twangs off its axis, it needs "servicing". I THINK YOU'LL FIND IT NEEDS FIXING NOT SERVICING.
Edited by ShadownINja on Wednesday 20th October 16:44
Hi,to reply to your first question i have used Official watches and found them to be very helpful and very professional. I dealt with a guy called Philip who was fantastic throughout the whole deal. I traded in my Rolex Day Date in return for an IWC seven day and cash my way which in my opinion was a good deal. Loads of help and follow up calls were made and i wouldnt hesitate in recommending them. I think you were just unlucky in this situation. Just out of interest was this you who posted this on there website:-
Porsche design by IWC - Ocean 500 Posted By Rav Posted Date 2010-09-20
Thanks to Luke for the great job of sourcing me a Porsche design by IWC Ocean 500. Watch is exactly how he described and the follow up calls to make sure all was well was a nice touch. Thanks Luke.
I wouldnt right them off just yet.
Porsche design by IWC - Ocean 500 Posted By Rav Posted Date 2010-09-20
Thanks to Luke for the great job of sourcing me a Porsche design by IWC Ocean 500. Watch is exactly how he described and the follow up calls to make sure all was well was a nice touch. Thanks Luke.
I wouldnt right them off just yet.
Thats great Ray i am pleased you have come to a satisfactory conclusion, it was just unfortunate that the watch gave up on you not long after the purchase. They actually sent me my new watch special delivery and a cheque and told me to make sure i was happy with the watch and cash the cheque before i sent the Rolex, now thats not something you usually get with a high street dealer. I used to go to Robert Gatward in Ipswich but found the manager to be unhelpful and pompous who didnt like you to try on more than one watch because it was too much trouble to keep going to the window. I definately will be going back to official watches.
Disaster. The watch crown which is sited at about 7 o'clock now will not screw in.
It almost feels like there is no thread for the crown to screw into when you push it in and turn it. It starts to bite and then slips off.
Called Lucas again this morning and he has asked me to send it back.
Will keep you informed of progress.
It almost feels like there is no thread for the crown to screw into when you push it in and turn it. It starts to bite and then slips off.
Called Lucas again this morning and he has asked me to send it back.
Will keep you informed of progress.
Its been over a week with no call from Official Watches.
I called them up today and Lucas was not in, however, the watch maker himself spoke to me.
At first they couldnt find the watch against the model description or my name, but when i told them that i had the Royal Mail screenshot of the recived signature on the 9th November, they soon found it.
The watchmaker told me that "i" had damaged the thread on the crown and that he had inspected it when he serviced it a few weeks previously. He was quite rude about it too, and told me that he would be in touch with a price, as the parts may have to be ordered from IWC direct.
All i would say is "Caveat Emptor".
More updates soon - if anyone actually cares.
I called them up today and Lucas was not in, however, the watch maker himself spoke to me.
At first they couldnt find the watch against the model description or my name, but when i told them that i had the Royal Mail screenshot of the recived signature on the 9th November, they soon found it.
The watchmaker told me that "i" had damaged the thread on the crown and that he had inspected it when he serviced it a few weeks previously. He was quite rude about it too, and told me that he would be in touch with a price, as the parts may have to be ordered from IWC direct.
All i would say is "Caveat Emptor".
More updates soon - if anyone actually cares.
Hi Rav,
I have read your entry on Piston Heads and understand your questions. Your watch is now ready and will be posted on the Tuesday the 7th of December 2010 by special delivery at no further cost. This watch has now had a service, a new stem and crown replaced.
A service at officialwatches entails a complete dismantle, this consists of at least 150 parts. Each piece is cleaned, demagnetised and then reassembled. The case and bracelet is then lightly polished to factory specifications. Once the watch is reassembled, a second pressure test and timing process is completed.
The crown at 4 a clock is an unique design but is hazardous. I would recommend gentle use of the crown as with all watches, but especially this time piece. I assure you with IWC you would be looking at a 6-12 week turn around but with Officialwatches it has been 5 weeks.
Thanks again for your custom and patience. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask
Luca Lucas
Consultant
Officalwatches
I have read your entry on Piston Heads and understand your questions. Your watch is now ready and will be posted on the Tuesday the 7th of December 2010 by special delivery at no further cost. This watch has now had a service, a new stem and crown replaced.
A service at officialwatches entails a complete dismantle, this consists of at least 150 parts. Each piece is cleaned, demagnetised and then reassembled. The case and bracelet is then lightly polished to factory specifications. Once the watch is reassembled, a second pressure test and timing process is completed.
The crown at 4 a clock is an unique design but is hazardous. I would recommend gentle use of the crown as with all watches, but especially this time piece. I assure you with IWC you would be looking at a 6-12 week turn around but with Officialwatches it has been 5 weeks.
Thanks again for your custom and patience. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask
Luca Lucas
Consultant
Officalwatches
I didnt buy my watch from Ebay....?
Official watches looks a real company. They have a decent website with several dozen messages on thier satisfied customers pages.
http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/4d0be0a5525c2b38...
After all the trouble i have had, it seems to be running well now.
Official watches looks a real company. They have a decent website with several dozen messages on thier satisfied customers pages.
http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/4d0be0a5525c2b38...
After all the trouble i have had, it seems to be running well now.
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