Complete AP 3120 Failure

[endo]

My SS diver decided to call it quits this afternoon , possibly the mainspring has gone :( given the symptons.
Hopefullt AP UK can turn it around a tad quicker than my OH's watch which spent 6 months away.


The Fortunate/unforunate thing is, I'm a couple of months shy of the 3yr. warranty ending (august) but not holding my breath on them attempting to wriggle out of honoring that.


Bright side is... Its now a 1680 vintage weekend (36/37 years old an still ticking)

[texex91]

Sorry to hear, but if it's in warranty AP has to honor it.

Hope it returns soon!

[GB-man]

Sorry to hear! No reason they wouldn't honor the warranty. Good you were using it and it didn't happen 3 months from now.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Sorry to hear! No reason they wouldn't honor the warranty. Good you were using it and it didn't happen 3 months from now.

"truck ran over it and it suddenly stopped for no reason"







good luck with a quick and satisfactory turn around

[lapince]

Originally Posted by subtona

"truck ran over it and it suddenly stopped for no reason"

good luck with a quick and satisfactory turn around

[masterserg]

Bummer ... I love the brand but had so many issues myself ... One at Clearwater at the moment. Thankfully, their service is top notch.

[texex91]

I know someone here on the forum that doesn't post that sent in his high end AP for service (few months old) and they refused it as they said he dropped it. Problem was he didn't. It got a little nasty.

Net/net they will make a determination if they will cover it or not (even if under warranty).

[conkers]

Originally Posted by texex91

I know someone here on the forum that doesn't post that sent in his high end AP for service (few months old) and they refused it as they said he dropped it. Problem was he didn't. It got a little nasty.

Net/net they will make a determination if they will cover it or not (even if under warranty).

This happened with me on an IWC. I went nuts. Basically they were calling me a liar.

[malarky_hk]

Originally Posted by conkers

This happened with me on an IWC. I went nuts. Basically they were calling me a liar.

So what happened Roger? How was it resolved? Seems to me that could be a convenient excuse to get out of warranty related repairs if they see any possibility to claim that it was dropped.

[conkers]

Originally Posted by malarky_hk

So what happened Roger? How was it resolved? Seems to me that could be a convenient excuse to get out of warranty related repairs if they see any possibility to claim that it was dropped.

I was utterly disgusted and asked to see the evidence of any user-induced damage. What was happening was that the year digit had not flipped over at year end - everything else was working perfectly and the watch condition was as new.

They sent me a photo of a shot from what was obviously a very high powered microscope. I could still see nothing, and the boutique staff agreed with me. They went back to the service people and I was asked to pay a nominal fee (USD100 IIRC) and I got the watch back very quickly.

I sold it within a week, and vowed never to buy an IWC again.

There are so many other shocking stories from IWC service, it is not just my situation. Another friend of mine sent his in for service and they returned a different watch to him several months later!!!!! He had to send his own photos of the piece to the CEO of Richemont before they actually agreed they had made a mistake. Frankly that is far worse than my experience.

[lapince]

Originally Posted by conkers

I was utterly disgusted and asked to see the evidence of any user-induced damage. What was happening was that the year digit had not flipped over at year end - everything else was working perfectly and the watch condition was as new.

They sent me a photo of a shot from what was obviously a very high powered microscope. I could still see nothing, and the boutique staff agreed with me. They went back to the service people and I was asked to pay a nominal fee (USD100 IIRC) and I got the watch back very quickly.

I sold it within a week, and vowed never to buy an IWC again.

There are so many other shocking stories from IWC service, it is not just my situation. Another friend of mine sent his in for service and they returned a different watch to him several months later!!!!! He had to send his own photos of the piece to the CEO of Richemont before they actually agreed they had made a mistake. Frankly that is far worse than my experience.

OMG now that really sucks, can't believe they sent him the wrong watch, that's crazy...

[texex91]

Originally Posted by conkers

This happened with me on an IWC. I went nuts. Basically they were calling me a liar.

I'm not surprised with IWC, have heard nothing but deplorable stories about their service. For AP and a $75k watch one would think they would just fix it (and he owns 7 others and they sent him a bill). Bad business if you ask me. Ok off my soapbox.

In all fairness AP service is normally quite good

[jjnd08]

Originally Posted by texex91

I'm not surprised with IWC, have heard nothing but deplorable stories about their service. For AP and a $75k watch one would think they would just fix it (and he owns 7 others and they sent him a bill). Bad business if you ask me. Ok off my soapbox.

In all fairness AP service is normally quite good

That is bad business.

This thread has me a little scared of ditching my Rolex for a 15400. I've had 6 Rolex watches over the past 2 1/2 years, and no issues with any of them...

[texex91]

Originally Posted by jjnd08

That is bad business.

This thread has me a little scared of ditching my Rolex for a 15400. I've had 6 Rolex watches over the past 2 1/2 years, and no issues with any of them...

There are always bad stories no matter the brand. What I can say is the turn time is amazing from AP and I personally never had an issue with Clearwater. Don't let one example sway you.

15400 is a rock solid keeper

[Hairdude1]

Sorry to hear, APSC should have back and running ASAP

[texex91]

Actually if it's the spring you can blame Swatch (Nivarox) as they make it. Then again they make springs for 90% of Swiss manufacturers. .

[Muzz]

Not the first Diver I heard that did this, two in my office currently have their Divers in for repair.

Sorry to hear, most of my chrono offshores have been exceptional! I had one ROC that had a weak power reserve and my T3 is in right now getting a little adjustment. But nothing major at all!

Hope you are taken care of!!!

[sea-dweller]

Oh no!

[malarky_hk]

Thanks for the info Roger. That is shocking - especially about getting back the wrong watch.

[benlee]

In the IWC own forum, there are also no shortage of complains from IWC owners when getting their aatches repaired. Seems most of the problem is from North Asia which includes HK. It is one reaskn why I decided to move on from my IWC watches, besides also because my taste in watches has changed also of course.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by texex91

I'm not surprised with IWC, have heard nothing but deplorable stories about their service. For AP and a $75k watch one would think they would just fix it (and he owns 7 others and they sent him a bill). Bad business if you ask me. Ok off my soapbox.

In all fairness AP service is normally quite good

Originally Posted by benlee

In the IWC own forum, there are also no shortage of complains from IWC owners when getting their aatches repaired. Seems most of the problem is from North Asia which includes HK. It is one reaskn why I decided to move on from my IWC watches, besides also because my taste in watches has changed also of course.

I have my 5002 Transitional at service now in NYC and will tell you that not every IWC service center is the same and we here in US quite lucky to have Superior Watch in NYC as they have a certified watchmaker who has been working on IWC forever and is tops! The same goes with Panerai I wouldn't send my watch to Richemont and just had my 217 served by La Jolla Boutique who has top master watchmaker there. Lastly same with Lange we are lucky to have Alkis here in the US as he is one of best watchmakers around. So not all service centers are the same and depend clearly on region you are located. Again we are fortunate here in US to have some great watchmakers and that includes Clearwater APSC!

[endo]

Thanks for the responses, was a bit of downer to an already good evening yesterday.

I'm praying they dont play the user abuse card when I send the watch in, Its not uncommon with many brands sadly, and being a daily use watch its not an immaculate safe queen :( (far from looking beaten up mind)

Unlike the US which has a fairly strong AP presence, the UK is close to being a one man band operation, and while they have been good to rectify problems in the past they haven't been infalible (ie warranty books returned un stamped on multiple occasions and the OH's watch had to get a new movement after it being sent back not working after a B1 water test, no end of irritation there chasing up the watches return!)

Hoping the outcome is more positive this time round, especially since I have my name down to pick up a 15450

[grnman]

they will honour the warranty period. I handed one in 2 weeks before the warranty ended.

[B. Doggy]

I'm confident you'll be OK.

[AK797]

I've dealt with Alistair and the UK guys and they seem like real gents to me, so would be very surprised if they didn't behave respectfully to you unless they really have probable cause, which it seems they don't.

[endo]

Originally Posted by AK797

I've dealt with Alistair and the UK guys and they seem like real gents to me, so would be very surprised if they didn't behave respectfully to you unless they really have probable cause, which it seems they don't.

My OH has dealt with Alistair in the past with her watch, and i'll agree he's a true gent to deal with with especially since it was a slightly exasperating situation where she ended up waiting on a replacement movement for her watch.

I've just sent him a mail, to let them know my watch should be arriving in the next couple days, and just to allay any fears I may/may not have.





Plus side.. It's some motivation to rotate other watches a bit more.

[wdin]

Originally Posted by endo

My OH has dealt with Alistair in the past with her watch, and i'll agree he's a true gent to deal with with especially since it was a slightly exasperating situation where she ended up waiting on a replacement movement for her watch.

Curious to know. Was this watch still under warranty? What model?
So this is not the 1st time you've had to encounter with an AP that needs repairing?

What happened to her watch then?
If it's under warranty (indicating that it's only less than 5years old), how come the movement needs replacing?

I'm sorry, i'm beginning to like AP. But horror stories like these, given their price point, is making me cringe. What does it take for a well-known watch house to make flawless movements?
I'm not into the idea of buying high-end watches only having to part with it for months. This creates unnecessary stresses for me.
I find watch collecting/purchasing/ownership to be one of satisfaction, not the other way around.

Is there any AP owners out there that never encountered any problems with either of their AP, at all? I would love to hear from you.
Do chip in the model, length of ownership, and number of pieces (currently owned or have owned).

[texex91]

Originally Posted by wdin

I'm sorry, i'm beginning to like AP. But horror stories like these, given their price point, is making me cringe. What does it take for a well-known watch house to make flawless movements?
I'm not into the idea of buying high-end watches only having to part with it for months. This creates unnecessary stresses for me.

Well you better not buy ANY high end watches, no matter the brand (Patek, Lange, AP, etc, etc) you have these stories.

Watches are watches and the negative tends to find it's way to the internet.

Key with any brand is how they resolve the issue and in what time frame.

Good luck

[AK797]

Originally Posted by texex91

Well you better not buy ANY high end watches, no matter the brand (Patek, Lange, AP, etc, etc) you have these stories.

Watches are watches and the negative tends to find it's way to the internet.

Key with any brand is how they resolve the issue and in what time frame.

Good luck

Absolutely right Paul, no brand is immune to faults and one of the best ways to measure a brand is in it's ability to deal with problems, and time and time again we hear that AP are the best and most courteous, they are the 3 star Michelin service of watchmaking, and I know all about that.

[endo]

Originally Posted by wdin

I'm beginning to like AP. But horror stories like these, given their price point, is making me cringe. What does it take for a well-known watch house to make flawless movements?

I wouldn't call it a horror story, or as a reflection of the quailty of AP. Movements can and will fail especially since we're talking micro engineering where tolerances/forces etc are so small that it doesnt take much to upset them.

Except when it does happen.... it does bring a tear to the eye.
(guess the money involved doesn't help make it easier, when its cheap you just scrap it and move on)

Originally Posted by wdin

Curious to know. Was this watch still under warranty? What model?
So this is not the 1st time you've had to encounter with an AP that needs repairing?

What happened to her watch then?
If it's under warranty (indicating that it's only less than 5years old), how come the movement needs replacing?

-Unsure of the exact model, but her watch is a Ladies Royal Oak,
-Purchased new sent in for the B1 pressure/water test around 12 months later, to extend warranty.
-Watch returned in under 2 weeks (...which seemed a tad quick), warranty book sent back unstamped/no sticker :(
-Watch was retunred the next day via the AD, as it wasnt working.
-Returned to AP, movement diagnosed as faulty (no detailed info i'm afraid), and a replacement ordered from Switzerland which took 6 months
-She kept communication with AP directly, since it saved going through a vague middleman.
-Eventually got the B1 sticker/stamp after the watch was returned (and has been working fine ever since.

Of course, my reason for my inital post/concern is her watch had been working fine prior to being sent in for the B1 test, so either AP, the dealer, or courier was at fault.

Whereas mine is just a daily worn watch that has developed a fault :( and when you read some of the truely shocking stories of warranty dodging by UN, JLC, IWC etc.. it kinda does make your pucker up for a nice big repair bill.






BUT, despite the fact that her watch did spend a fair time away, AP UK was a pleasure to deal with, always courteous and kept us up to date with the status of the repair.