Czapek

[Bug04]

This statement can be applied to any product/service on the mkt, at least on the free world.
But the point is fairly admitting some characteristics of the bracelet that … simply are there, like the slight (slight) looseness or connection to case (factual area).
Then, many may deem these aspects as minor/irrelevant issues of an outstanding watch, few may be disturbed and step back (tastes area).

Originally Posted by szabo_martin

People are free to buy what they want. The wait list dictates a strong demand so cancelling an order just means someone who wants the watch gets it sooner.

[szabo_martin]

The "slight looseness" is a result of the quick release. Czapek could've used a screw but they chose to be innovative. As you mentioned, it doesn't bother me, some people its a deal breaker. I think Bentleys are great cars but I don't like them so bought an S class coupe. What matters to some is irrelevant to others. Its not to diminish any bodies opinion hence the choices on the market.

[mikemargolis]

Originally Posted by szabo_martin

The "slight looseness" is a result of the quick release. Czapek could've used a screw but they chose to be innovative. As you mentioned, it doesn't bother me, some people its a deal breaker. I think Bentleys are great cars but I don't like them so bought an S class coupe. What matters to some is irrelevant to others. Its not to diminish any bodies opinion hence the choices on the market.

We are in the process of sourcing a thicker spring bar. That'll solve the few wobble issues.

[JR16]

Originally Posted by mikemargolis

We are in the process of sourcing a thicker spring bar. That'll solve the few wobble issues.

If you do, would be great if the watch could be supplied with both … I’ll trade off a little wobble for better comfort, which is what many of the above posts imply.


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[Gebbeth]

You can get spring bars of all different kinds yourself, assuming there is nothing "special" about the type of spring bars necessary.

[rag5178]

Mike, how are the Glacier Blue models coming along? Have they started delivering to US customers yet or still none?

[mikemargolis]

Originally Posted by rag5178

Mike, how are the Glacier Blue models coming along? Have they started delivering to US customers yet or still none?

First few have shipped this month.

[RolexSimon]

Originally Posted by mikemargolis

First few have shipped this month.

Mike - do you have any idea of "slippage" time? My build was estimated Jan 2023. I presume it will be later than that, but it would be nice to know just how much later?

[stateman]

Originally Posted by RolexSimon

Mike - do you have any idea of "slippage" time? My build was estimated Jan 2023. I presume it will be later than that, but it would be nice to know just how much later?

Yes - great question. Appreciate the supply chain challenges in the current environment but the lack of clarity on potential delivery delays is disappointing. It could be a month or a year for all we know


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[mikemargolis]

Originally Posted by RolexSimon

Mike - do you have any idea of "slippage" time? My build was estimated Jan 2023. I presume it will be later than that, but it would be nice to know just how much later?

I can't see in the order admin system the original estimated ship date, or build date vs actual delivery date.

I can inquire to the factory and see if I can get a reply on the subject.

[RolexSimon]

Originally Posted by mikemargolis

I can't see in the order admin system the original estimated ship date, or build date vs actual delivery date.

I can inquire to the factory and see if I can get a reply on the subject.

Thanks Mike. It would just be nice not to build up my own expectations.

[AlyRba]

Originally Posted by mikemargolis

First few have shipped this month.

Hi Mike, I am correct to assume that all Czapek deliveries in US will be routed through you to the AD or to the end customer (direct order with Czapek). So all the Glacier Blue Antarctiques are first coming to you even though my order may be through an AD. If correct, how long is the delay from the order shipping from Czapek to actually arriving at the AD in US?

Thank you.

[mikemargolis]

Originally Posted by AlyRba

Hi Mike, I am correct to assume that all Czapek deliveries in US will be routed through you to the AD or to the end customer (direct order with Czapek). So all the Glacier Blue Antarctiques are first coming to you even though my order may be through an AD. If correct, how long is the delay from the order shipping from Czapek to actually arriving at the AD in US?

Thank you.

Some retailers are able to import directly from Switzerland, some are not. So some parcels for the retailers come through the Czapek Americas office, some go direct to the store.

All direct sales are imported by Czapek Americas and are then forwarded to the end customer.

[mikemargolis]

Originally Posted by AlyRba

how long is the delay from the order shipping from Czapek to actually arriving at the AD in US?

Thank you.

Sorry, I see I didn't answer part of your question above.

If the box has no alligator straps (CITES, the bane of my existence), it usually takes less than a week door to door.

https://www.fws.gov/program/cites

If the box has alligator, it usually takes two weeks door to door.

There is ZERO pushing US Fish and Wildlife and/or US Customs and Border Patrol; after years of importing and working with them, they clear the box when they clear the box, and that's all.

I've had them take three months to move a package out of their lockup.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by mikemargolis

I've had them take three months to move a package out of their lockup.

#Truth

Thanks Mike for all you do.

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New pic for those curious about... with black leather / red stitching strap.

[rag5178]

That’s great news!

[AlyRba]

Got the glacier blue after 11-month wait. Beautiful dial, highlight of the watch for me. Really interesting movement architecture. Bracelet/strap connection to the case feels a little wobbly when handling the watch, although on the wrist it is fine. Should have introduced the watch with better hooks/connectors for a more secure connection, just my opinion. Although I know that Czapek is working on an upgrade.

Anyways, my date doesn’t completely change over to the center position half of the time. It’s a big disappointment to say the least. This will be going back to Czapek so that they can fix the issue. Surprised that the watch passed quality control before shipping. Will patiently wait for it to come back.

[mikemargolis]

Originally Posted by AlyRba

Anyways, my date doesn’t completely change over to the center position half of the time.

I spoke with Jay today, I am all over this.

It'll get fixed immediately. I can't help but wonder how much football fedex played with the boxes from La Chaux de Fonds --> Me --> your retailer --> you.

[AlyRba]

Originally Posted by mikemargolis

I spoke with Jay today, I am all over this.

It'll get fixed immediately. I can't help but wonder how much football fedex played with the boxes from La Chaux de Fonds --> Me --> your retailer --> you.

Thank you Mike. Appreciate the quick response on this.

[rag5178]

Originally Posted by AlyRba

Got the glacier blue after 11-month wait. Beautiful dial, highlight of the watch for me. Really interesting movement architecture. Bracelet/strap connection to the case feels a little wobbly when handling the watch, although on the wrist it is fine. Should have introduced the watch with better hooks/connectors for a more secure connection, just my opinion. Although I know that Czapek is working on an upgrade.

Anyways, my date doesn’t completely change over to the center position half of the time. It’s a big disappointment to say the least. This will be going back to Czapek so that they can fix the issue. Surprised that the watch passed quality control before shipping. Will patiently wait for it to come back.

Unfortunate you have an issue, but hopefully it gets fixed promptly. At the time that you placed your order, what was the delivery timeline like? Trying to get a sense for how delayed orders currently are from original expectation.

[AlyRba]

Originally Posted by rag5178

Unfortunate you have an issue, but hopefully it gets fixed promptly. At the time that you placed your order, what was the delivery timeline like? Trying to get a sense for how delayed orders currently are from original expectation.

Placed my order in Nov 2021. Was originally told April, then August. Finally got the watch this week.

[Ducky Magoo]

Originally Posted by AlyRba

Got the glacier blue after 11-month wait. Beautiful dial, highlight of the watch for me. Really interesting movement architecture. Bracelet/strap connection to the case feels a little wobbly when handling the watch, although on the wrist it is fine. Should have introduced the watch with better hooks/connectors for a more secure connection, just my opinion. Although I know that Czapek is working on an upgrade.

Anyways, my date doesn’t completely change over to the center position half of the time. It’s a big disappointment to say the least. This will be going back to Czapek so that they can fix the issue. Surprised that the watch passed quality control before shipping. Will patiently wait for it to come back.

Ya! I have the same problem! I thought it was just me. If you move it forward and back again though it resets to the middle.

[mikemargolis]

Originally Posted by Ducky Magoo

Ya! I have the same problem! I thought it was just me. If you move it forward and back again though it resets to the middle.

Dear Mr. Magoo,

I notice your watch is set at 11:00.

As with any mechanical watch, it is critical not to change the date between 9:00pm and 3:00am as the date changing mechanism is engaged.

While I understand there is a 50/50 chance your watch was set at 11:00am, may I respectfully ask you to forward the hands to say 6:00 (AM or PM, doesn't matter) and recheck the date change?

Of course, if there is a problem, we are 200% ready to help.

[mikemargolis]

Dear All,

Well, there seems to be some hub-bub (a chaotic din caused by a crowd of people) regarding a potential issue with our date change mechanism on the Antarctique.

To be clear, it is critical that the date not be changed manually between 9:00pm and 3:00am, as the date change mechanism is engaged. Forcing a date change at this time can result in the issue we have seen. Continued or strong forcing the date to change at the time can cause damage to the date wheel, which would then need to be replaced.

Above is true for any mechanical watch with a date, regardless of brand or quality.

In our run of Antarctiques, I am not sure the number but it is in the hundreds, we have repaired a total of two watches with this issue. Both were caused by the end user changing the date at the forbidden time. One was forced so badly the date wheel teeth were all destroyed, and we had to replace the mechanism.

Now we have two more this week. We have not yet seen these watches to diagnose the issue, and we are nice people who do not accuse anyone of anything, so we are working to receive back the watches and will let our watchmakers work their magic.

We are happy to do a Facetime or Zoom to see if we can help without sending the watch back to us, in the case of Mr. Magoo.

AlyRba has received a prepaid insured label to return his watch, and we will follow up with the resolution.

If you have had the same issue, please contact me at mmargolis ATTTT HorologyNOSPACEworks DOTTTT com as we need to know if there are others.

We are firmly ready to resolve any issues.

[Ducky Magoo]

Originally Posted by mikemargolis

Dear Mr. Magoo,

I notice your watch is set at 11:00.

As with any mechanical watch, it is critical not to change the date between 9:00pm and 3:00am as the date changing mechanism is engaged.

While I understand there is a 50/50 chance your watch was set at 11:00am, may I respectfully ask you to forward the hands to say 6:00 (AM or PM, doesn't matter) and recheck the date change?

Of course, if there is a problem, we are 200% ready to help.

I’ve set it to 4am and re did the date change . You are correct that it doesn’t get stuck anymore.


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[mikemargolis]

Originally Posted by Ducky Magoo

I’ve set it to 4am and re did the date change . You are correct that it doesn’t get stuck anymore.

Awesome, thanks for the update!

[sski]

Originally Posted by mikemargolis

Dear Mr. Magoo,

I notice your watch is set at 11:00.

As with any mechanical watch, it is critical not to change the date between 9:00pm and 3:00am as the date changing mechanism is engaged.

While I understand there is a 50/50 chance your watch was set at 11:00am, may I respectfully ask you to forward the hands to say 6:00 (AM or PM, doesn't matter) and recheck the date change?

Of course, if there is a problem, we are 200% ready to help.

i'm curious if the 'any' mechanical watch date changing mechanism includes Rolex too? I've paid no mind changing dates all these years I've had the watch; wondering if I really should be doing things differently. (i've been mostly setting it at nighttime too come to think of it)

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by sski

i'm curious if the 'any' mechanical watch date changing mechanism includes Rolex too? I've paid no mind changing dates all these years I've had the watch; wondering if I really should be doing things differently. (i've been mostly setting it at nighttime too come to think of it)

Not a concern with a Rolex. Not a modern one anyways. It’s been covered many times here.

[ChetBaker]

Got to handle the Antarctique with the ice white dial today and, overall, I was mightily impressed. To me it compares favorably to the Overseas (which I have owned and sold) and the RO (which I have handled in several of its iterations). The dial is fantastic with its lovely pattern and sharp detailed indices. The fit is much better than the Overseas - it wears a lot more comfortable on the wrist despite being the same 41mm. I really like the heft of the watch, it feels like a solid piece of steel. The movement is of course a sight to behold, but choosing between this and an Overseas comes down to personal choice. No contest with the RO to me. And then finally the bracelet. Much has been said and written and about the bracelet. Yes, there is a bit of flexibility in the endlink but it didn’t bother me to the extent i’d see this as an issue - not at all. I think it works well with the overall suppleness of the bracelet. Great watch and I will be keeping my pre-order.

[Ducky Magoo]

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