Complete AP 3120 Failure

[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

[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.

[benlee]

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.
I find watch collecting/purchasing/ownership to be one of satisfaction, not the other way around.

For high end, hand assembled high horology watches, this can happened. Like Paul said, it's a matter of how quick they resolved it. If worry-free wearing is your priority, stick to Rolex. They are build like tanks.

Originally Posted by wdin

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).

I do. I got 5 APs, sold one and still have 4 and hope to add one soon. 2 Divers and 2 ROs. No problem so far ( touch wood ). OK, there was a problem once. I accidentally pulled out the crown of my RG Skeleton. APSC fixed it within 3 days.

[wdin]

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

Originally Posted by benlee

For high end, hand assembled high horology watches, this can happened. Like Paul said, it's a matter of how quick they resolved it. If worry-free wearing is your priority, stick to Rolex. They are build like tanks.

Appreciate the replies gents.
Maybe you guys are right. I'm not ready for high end anything (yet).
I like to be on the safe side (not a gambler either), so probably be sticking to 'tanks' for a more peace of mind.
Until I decide to go high end, I'm afraid I'll just have to stick around here to appreciate the artistry of the watches and read some of the members cool experiences with them.

Originally Posted by benlee

I do. I got 5 APs, sold one and still have 4 and hope to add one soon. 2 Divers and 2 ROs. No problem so far ( touch wood ). OK, there was a problem once. I accidentally pulled out the crown of my RG Skeleton. APSC fixed it within 3 days.

Ben, what do you mean by accidentally pulling the crown out? Are the crown not meant to be pulled out; prior to watch setting, winding etc?
Or are you trying to say that while trying to set/wind the watch, the entire crown came off? That is one scary incident!!
I can't begin to imagine the bill for it if it has past warranty.

Originally Posted by endo

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)

-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.

So they didn't replace your watch but fixed the faulty one instead (since you said you eventually got the B1 sticker/stamp)?
Did they extend warranty (as compensation) for the entire period the watch was with them (ie for the 1st 2 weeks attaining the B1 stamp + subsequent repairs for faulty movements)?

Originally Posted by endo

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.

Gotta agree with you gents; ultimately how issues are handled/resolved by brands + turn around time are key to a good company/brand (makes it less stressful for us, yeah?)

I do hope that AP UK would get your watch back to proper order (as they had to your wife's) to full satisfaction.

[texex91]

Originally Posted by wdin

Appreciate the replies gents.
Maybe you guys are right. I'm not ready for high end anything (yet).
I like to be on the safe side (not a gambler either), so probably be sticking to 'tanks' for a more peace of mind.
Until I decide to go high end, I'm afraid I'll just have to stick around here to appreciate the artistry of the watches and read some of the members cool experiences with them.


.

Keep your tank and grab a 'high end'...grab one under full warranty and you'll be able to sleep at night.

Think you will have one sooner rather than later (especially if you hang out here)...you'll love them

[wdin]

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. Good luck

Originally Posted by texex91

Keep your tank and grab a 'high end'...grab one under full warranty and you'll be able to sleep at night.

Think you will have one sooner rather than later (especially if you hang out here)...you'll love them

HAHA! I shall take heed of your 1st advice!

I should ban myself from checking in to TRF. And you and Roger should be ban indefinitely! Those RM threads are SICK SICK SICK!!
Thank goodness I'm nowhere near comfortable nor able to afford any RM (not even in the distant future if my crystal ball is working fine)

[RUK]

Seeing these type of posts don't help that long term itch to add an AP to the collection


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[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.

[improviz]

Originally Posted by RUK

Seeing these type of posts don't help that long term itch to add an AP to the collection


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Only if you ignore the issue posts in the main Rolex forum, like the two of mine in which my GMT IIc broke (out of warranty) and my Explorer II stopped dead (one month of warranty remaining).

Fortunately like AP, Rolex also has great customer service and fixed them both quickly and painlessly, so they and the others are still in my collection. It happens...mechanical watches are not, cannot be, and will not be as robust as a quartz job, they are complex little machines with lots of moving parts and are therefore more subject to issues.

[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...

[endo]

And a follow up now that normality has been restored

Picked the watch up yesterday, all sorted without any issues under warranty and a service stamp in my warranty book.

So a postive outcome, and it's been great dealing with AP UK with non of the typical warranty dodging that you hear about other brands! :D

Glad to have it back on the wrist, 15202 next?

[texex91]

Originally Posted by endo

And a follow up now that normality has been restored

Picked the watch up yesterday, all sorted without any issues under warranty and a service stamp in my warranty book.

So a postive outcome, and it's been great dealing with AP UK with non of the typical warranty dodging that you hear about other brands! :D

Glad to have it back on the wrist, 15202 next?

[jjnd08]

Good to hear it is back!

[subtona]

Well done

[lapince]

Cool, enjoy it

[eal15]

Originally Posted by lapince

Cool, enjoy it

glad to hear it for sure!

[Le Chef]

Originally Posted by wdin

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).

I have owned my 15300 for just under 7 years and not one single problem.

Like anything handmade things will go wrong from time to time. That's always going to potentially happen vs a mass produced machine assembled watch like a Rolex.

[ec00421]

Originally Posted by 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)

You should have no problem.

The AP service in the U.K. is EXCELLENT. Very responsive, and as AK797 mentioned, they are very well mannered.

[endo]

Originally Posted by ejsc421

You should have no problem.

The AP service in the U.K. is EXCELLENT. Very responsive, and as AK797 mentioned, they are very well mannered.

Guessing you skipped past my follow up post :p

http://www.rolexforums.com/showpost....0&postcount=41

[zama]

I had a former boss what had a near new IWC that stopped working they treated him terribly, it is why i will never buy one of their watches. While it seems AP are a little on the unreliable side they do appear to come with decent if often lengthy service. SOld my 15400 but will buy an older smaller RO some time in the future.

[el1125]

Originally Posted by texex91

You will love the 15202 I'm sure 👍

[el1125]

Originally Posted by endo

And a follow up now that normality has been restored

Picked the watch up yesterday, all sorted without any issues under warranty and a service stamp in my warranty book.

So a postive outcome, and it's been great dealing with AP UK with non of the typical warranty dodging that you hear about other brands! :D

Glad to have it back on the wrist, 15202 next?

Sorry meant to post that comment here

[jjnd08]

Originally Posted by zama

I had a former boss what had a near new IWC that stopped working they treated him terribly, it is why i will never buy one of their watches. While it seems AP are a little on the unreliable side they do appear to come with decent if often lengthy service. SOld my 15400 but will buy an older smaller RO some time in the future.

I take it you didn't pull the trigger on that TT Jumbo?

[grnman]

ive got an issue with my ROO. if my AP service centre cant fix it then ill be in the UK for holiday at the end of the year so can drop it off.

Glad to hear you've had a great result. perfect timing at the end of the warranty period to get it water tested.

[red1108nyc]

Bravo. I am happy to see a satisfactory outcome for you.

[boa2]

Glad to hear it. Nice pic as well!

[Manofsteelpt]

Great pic!

@wdin, only horror stories end up on these forums, you'll never see ppl starting posts saying their watch works... Grab an AP, you'll love it!