Fingerprints inside my Tudor

[Portland]

Hey everyone,

So I just picked up a Tudor Black Bay (second hand) from a trusted seller. I purchased the watch from the original owner. The watch came with box and papers and is well within the warranty period (purchased December 2015). Yesterday as I was driving home from work, I glanced at my watch on the wrist that was resting on the top of the steering wheel. I noticed that the inside "collar" edge of the watch (the polished steel area between the crystal and the dial) has 2 distinct and rather larger finger prints on either side of the one o'clock indices (see photos). When I got home, I took my watch off and held it at an angle and inspected the rest of the perimeter and found that it is not very clean. It looks like residue from a finger or possibly dried lubricant. It's not wet, just "smudgy" looking. The worst of it are the 2 fingerprints but upon closer inspection the whole thing looks dirty all the way around.

I confirmed with the previous owner that the watch has never been opened or serviced. I believe him since the watch was mint condition when I purchased it, it even had stickers still on it, plus he is a trusted seller. I can only see the smudges in certain lights but unfortunately the fingerprints are right over the 1 o'clock and now that I know it's there I see it every time I glance at my watch at an angle.

So next steps, is this something that would be covered under warranty? I have done a bit of research and have found others having had similar issues that were covered under warranty. I called my local Rolex AD. The lady I spoke with did not seem to have any answers. She thought that it would need to be shipped to a Rolex Service Center for inspection before a determination could be made if it is under warranty or not. She quoted me $100 to ship it through their store to Rolex. She also said that if they determine that it's not covered under warranty that I would need to pay return shipping as well. That doesn't seem right. If the watch was never opened or tampered with, yet the inside collar is clearly dirty and has fingerprints then that would mean it came from Tudor that way. Seems to me that it should be covered by the warranty.

Any ideas on how I should proceed? I tried ignoring it by my eyes go right to it. I figured it's a silly issue but still something that bugs me, especially for a luxury timepiece.

Thanks in advance.
Paul

[sensui]

Looks minor to me... I wouldn't open a new watch over it.

[Beauregard]

That would seriously piss me off. I would go to the AD directly.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Different issues bother some people in ways it wouldn't bother others. I'm sure a trusted seller would take care of it with his watch maker. Did you ask the seller about taking care of this. I didn't read that in your post. There're called trusted sellers for a reason he should make right.

[aekdb]

I'd take it to the ad and see what can be done.

[japenney]

Originally Posted by sensui

Looks minor to me... I wouldn't open a new watch over it.

Originally Posted by Beauregard

That would seriously piss me off. I would go to the AD directly.

I think its too funny how one person is on one end of the spectrum while the other is on the opposite . You have to decide if it bothers you or not

[sensui]

I'd certainly be less forgiving if it was on the dial.... But I don't look at my watch normally at that angle so wouldn't bug me heh.

[Jack Bauer]

If that wasn't disclosed prior to sale, that's unacceptable on the trusted seller's part. How can that not be noticed? That is precisely why I would never buy a watch sight unseen, sorry.

[Portland]

Originally Posted by Jack Bauer

If that wasn't disclosed prior to sale, that's unacceptable on the trusted seller's part. How can that not be noticed? That is precisely why I would never buy a watch sight unseen, sorry.

Hi Jack. The seller actually met me face to face to do the deal. It really isn't noticeable unless the light hits it just right. That's why it took me a few days to even notice it. That said, once it's seen it cannot be unseen. I doubt he even noticed it since he almost never wore the watch.

Regardless, any recommendations on how to deal with Rolex on this issue? Has anyone had a similar issue? I'm going to swing by my AD tomorrow to have them inspect it but I'd like to go in there prepared if anyone has any advice.

[Ragna]

Its the watch disease .. once you notice something.. could be a ding or scratch.. its game over for you until you fix it.

[soundserious]

Meh

[Old Expat Beast]

I would return it to the seller for a refund. No need for you to have to go through all the hassle of getting it sent off, opened up, cleaned, returned, etc.

[Andad]

I'm with Adam but if you really want this watch then enjoy it until a service is required.

[Portland]

Maybe you guys are right. I might be making a mountain out of a mole hill. If it still bugs me I'll take it in. The light has to hit it just right to see it anyway but still, when I see it it's all I see.

I do like the watch. I doubt I'd return it to the seller over something like this. I'm more surprised Tudor let it go out the door this way.

Question, if the AD does work with me and agrees to send it to Rolex to have it corrected under warranty, what would be the concerns? I noticed Sensui say that it's probably not worth opening a watch for. Is the concern that more issues could arise if the watch is opened at Rolex? I get that anytime a watch is opened it introduces risk since it's exposing the internal components, is that what you meant? Or was it rather that in your opinion it's too minor of an issue to bother with?

[brandrea]

That would bother me to know end; I'd return it. As Adam suggested why bother with the hassle of dealing with the fix.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by Portland

...
Question, if the AD does work with me and agrees to send it to Rolex to have it corrected under warranty, what would be the concerns? I noticed Sensui say that it's probably not worth opening a watch for. Is the concern that more issues could arise if the watch is opened at Rolex? I get that anytime a watch is opened it introduces risk since it's exposing the internal components, is that what you meant? Or was it rather that in your opinion it's too minor of an issue to bother with?

That's essentially what I meant. It's a new watch from the sound of things all things considered and like you said....Rolex/Tudor isn't some magical brand where nothing goes wrong...obviously this slipped through their QC. They will have to open the watch and take the crystal off and reseal....and what I would fear is introducing small dust/lint on the dial in the process or even worse introducing something else foreign inside the movement.

So really....the call is to either return it and get the refund (if it bugs you) or just keep and take care of it when service comes up. I personally wouldn't send it to RSC/watchmaker to clean that little smudge that only shows up @ a certain angle........tough position, best of luck.

[Old Expat Beast]

If the sales listing had shown the fingerprints, would you have still bought the watch?

[Portland]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

If the sales listing had shown the fingerprints, would you have still bought the watch?

Probably. I got a really solid deal on it. I think it's because I found the issue after the fact that bugs me.

[Portland]

Originally Posted by sensui

That's essentially what I meant. It's a new watch from the sound of things all things considered and like you said....Rolex/Tudor isn't some magical brand where nothing goes wrong...obviously this slipped through their QC. They will have to open the watch and take the crystal off and reseal....and what I would fear is introducing small dust/lint on the dial in the process or even worse introducing something else foreign inside the movement.



So really....the call is to either return it and get the refund (if it bugs you) or just keep and take care of it when service comes up. I personally wouldn't send it to RSC/watchmaker to clean that little smudge that only shows up @ a certain angle........tough position, best of luck.

You're probably right. I'll give it a few weeks to see if I still notice it. The risk of introducing more issues to the watch doesn't sit well with me. And it's not like the fingerprint is on the backside of the crystal itself. Still, sucks that it's there but it's not the end of the world.

Freaking OCD kicks in hard sometimes.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

You got a solid deal, you like the watch and you can always fix or flip it later. I say relax and enjoy your cool new watch.

[Danny83]

That can be fixed cheaper then shipping the watch back.

[bdex75]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I would return it to the seller for a refund. No need for you to have to go through all the hassle of getting it sent off, opened up, cleaned, returned, etc.

Agree. In addition, why should an AD that did not make a dollar on the sale of the watch you bought from a gray market seller help you remedy the problem?? Return to who you bought it from or send it off to the RSC. Wonder if RSC would even cover that as the watch may have been opened by someone else since it was bought new??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KenNethcole]

This would drive me crazy. I'm always wiping down my watches after wearing them before putting them back in my watch box. Not being able to get rid of that smudge would irritate me.
I wouldn't worry about the watch being open. When a watchmaker work on a watch he/she is in a control room so no dirt can get into the movement.
The work being cover under warranty is a whole different issue.

[Ragna]

Originally Posted by Portland

...I'll give it a few weeks to see if I still notice it..

You will always notice it.

Take it to a good watchmaker nearby.. it would only take 10 min.

Dont worry about opening the watch. The watch is tough and its gonna outlive you.

[volvo]

That's not a finger print it's from a rub from factory tool when they installed the face to the case and unnoticeable, just enjoy your watch and when service comes just mention it to them..my 2cents.

[Portland]

Thank for the advice everyone.
Like I said I'm going to give it a bit of time and see if I still notice it.

[porschedude]

If its a big deal send it in to be addressed. Although not really sure how you expect an AD to hook you up when you bought it second hand.

[Portland]

Update: Took the watch back to the AD from where the watch was originally purchased. The assistant manager held the watch up to the light, took one look, and said "unacceptable".

I handed them my warranty card and off it goes to RSC.

The assistant manager said he thought it looked like glue. Glue?

The watchmaker was there as well. He took a look to offer a second opinion and looked at it and said he thought it looked like fingerprints. A lady that was behind the counter also came over for a peak and she thought it looked like residue from a tool that was used to assemble the watch.

Long story short, everyone agreed it was unusual for a Tudor. They were more than happy to send it in for service on my behalf. They also added a request for Rolex to regulate the movement to run more accurately since they're already going to be opening the watch. My accuracy wasn't bad (+6 seconds a day average) but hey, if they can regulate it better than that why not?

[srtown]

Would drive me crazy. I would take it to a dealer also and have that taken care of. Those that say it's no big deal don't have the issue you do. I could not personally get past it if it were mine and would not fully enjoy the watch until it was right. I agree with your decision to have it serviced under warranty.

[locutus49]

Great post, and essentially my own feelings. It would not bother me but if it bothers you, get it fixed.

Originally Posted by sensui

That's essentially what I meant. It's a new watch from the sound of things all things considered and like you said....Rolex/Tudor isn't some magical brand where nothing goes wrong...obviously this slipped through their QC. They will have to open the watch and take the crystal off and reseal....and what I would fear is introducing small dust/lint on the dial in the process or even worse introducing something else foreign inside the movement.

So really....the call is to either return it and get the refund (if it bugs you) or just keep and take care of it when service comes up. I personally wouldn't send it to RSC/watchmaker to clean that little smudge that only shows up @ a certain angle........tough position, best of luck.