First Rolex experience , Was i wrong expecting perfection to be perfect ?

[jstan9]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Do yourself a favour and put away your loupe.

Triple yep.

I got the first scratch on my amazing (from DavidSW) Rhodium YM and it killed me for a day (just like the first ding in a new car). After that, as many posters will tell you, you move on.

We TRFers (along with all the other customers) get to experience wearing machine works of art on our wrist, beautifully crafted tank-tough objects that give us pleasure every time we look at them.

That’s Rolex to me. I’m not disparaging you. That first ding on my YM was traumatic! But I’ve also never looked at it under a jeweler’s loupe...I’m sure it’s not perfect. No work of art (even mass-produced works of art) is ever perfect.

[jstan9]

Originally Posted by pepperam

I'm stunned at the replies to this..

I'd expect perfection from a 10k watch, I don't think many can afford to throw money around for a luxury piece and find flaws?

What about imperfections you can't see, inside etc.

I'd have that back to Rolex in a heartbeat..

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In fairness, I think it’s a question of relativity. My 18 year-old SS/PL YM runs as well as it ever did. Sure, it’s no spring chicken, but when I wash it, the platinum bezel glows, the crystal remains flawless, the caliber keeps incredible time. *That’s* what I paid for buying a Rolex.

Not running down the OP, but yes, I paid a lot for that YM. Was it perfect? Hell no. But I ran with it, swam with it, biked with it, raced triathlons with it. It’s an incredible machine and well worth the small fortune I paid for it.

[jstan9]

Originally Posted by agentsmith350

Thanks Devildog, I think some just havnt read it properly and jumping to conclusions .

I have spoken to the RSC again to discuss the mark on the gold , they say that they couldn't see by eye but admitted they could see something there under magnification which they decided was within manufacturing tolerances.

I must be in the wrong job as I could see it easily by eye , in the below "wrist shot" from the day I purchased the watch I think it is clearly visible ( top left of the 12 hour marker gold border ).





I went through this with RSC and sent that photo and a couple others I had of it but he said that in his opinion it was the reflection of the light. They will take another look at the other RSC for a second opinion if I want but my hopes arnt that high that they will do anything about it, really shocked how they can say that's acceptable.

Below is a photo of the watch available from another AD which i could buy if I took a refund on my original one. My worry with this is that damn cyclops looks a touch crooked to me, lower on the left higher on the right.

Also if RSC say marks like on the original one are within tolerance who's to say this wouldn't have similar.

Dude, I’ve read the entire thread up to here. You need to buy a completely hand-made watch and watch it being built. You want $250,000 tolerances in an expensive tool watch. Rolex makes watches that work well for generations and, that, along the way, can take whatever you throw at them. They’re tanks! I think you need something *much* more expensive.

[jstan9]

Originally Posted by RHIII

Nothing is perfect. Especially with super enhanced magnification.

...I tell my wife the same thing when she sits in front of her makeup mirror...




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A man who owes his wife many make-up dinners, and more!

LOL!

[agentsmith350]

I appreciate every reply good or bad , I think I have high expectations but I'm not about to lower them.

I was looking at my daily Armani watch that was only a few hundred and there isn't one thing out of place or marked so thought why should I let Rolex have less QC than this at 10x the price ? "Tool watch" or not.

Im going to discuss with my AD , im curious if RSC have cleaned the dial or marker while replacing the crystal which has pretty much got rid of the mark but won't admit to it as it would be confirming there was a flaw on the watch.

Farfetched but I just cant belive how they could say they could only see it with magnification (which is why they class as within tolerance , implying that if they could see it by eye they would do something about it ) yet i can clearley see if with my eye from the wrist.

If it is as it was il be sending it back to RSC , and if they deny it is visible even with my regular wrist shot photo showing the mark il return the watch and if a good one doesn't come up soon move to another brand.

[agentsmith350]

Just to keep this up to date as it had gained over 6k views at last check!

Watch was returned to me by AD as they couldn't see the mark anymore ( they could when I returned it to them originally )

However as soon as I got it I spotted it still the same and untouched as feared , along with a scratch on one of the lugs .. it is already returned to them a second time and should be back with RSC this week along with photos I took showing how visible it was from afar with the naked eye (wrist shots etc )

I'm hoping after all this they do the right thing and replace the dial , and rebrush where they have marked the lugs. Then after over a month since buying it I can finally wear and enjoy the damn thing !

Will update with the outcome.

On a side note I got a call from yet another AD that one had came in at , unfortunately the rehaut was too far off for me to buy so holding out on this one seems the only option at the moment.

[adg31]

I'd call it quits at this point, get your money back and start again.
My £0.02 :)


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[jenniferjanef]

Originally Posted by agentsmith350

I appreciate every reply good or bad , I think I have high expectations but I'm not about to lower them.

I was looking at my daily Armani watch that was only a few hundred and there isn't one thing out of place or marked so thought why should I let Rolex have less QC than this at 10x the price ? "Tool watch" or not.

Im going to discuss with my AD , im curious if RSC have cleaned the dial or marker while replacing the crystal which has pretty much got rid of the mark but won't admit to it as it would be confirming there was a flaw on the watch.

Farfetched but I just cant belive how they could say they could only see it with magnification (which is why they class as within tolerance , implying that if they could see it by eye they would do something about it ) yet i can clearley see if with my eye from the wrist.

If it is as it was il be sending it back to RSC , and if they deny it is visible even with my regular wrist shot photo showing the mark il return the watch and if a good one doesn't come up soon move to another brand.

For the kinda perfection you are after, I strongly suggest you search for watches that are at least half a million retail price. Your expectation IMHO is unreasonable. As the old saying you need to pay premium for perfection. Perfection don’t come cheap. Good luck hunting!

[agentsmith350]

Originally Posted by adg31

I'd call it quits at this point, get your money back and start again.
My £0.02 :)


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Thanks , yeah if it comes back untouched again that will be the last straw and I'l walk away to other brands

[jenniferjanef]

Originally Posted by agentsmith350

Just to keep this up to date as it had gained over 6k views at last check!

Watch was returned to me by AD as they couldn't see the mark anymore ( they could when I returned it to them originally )

However as soon as I got it I spotted it still the same and untouched as feared , along with a scratch on one of the lugs .. it is already returned to them a second time and should be back with RSC this week along with photos I took showing how visible it was from afar with the naked eye (wrist shots etc )

I'm hoping after all this they do the right thing and replace the dial , and rebrush where they have marked the lugs. Then after over a month since buying it I can finally wear and enjoy the damn thing !

Will update with the outcome.

On a side note I got a call from yet another AD that one had came in at , unfortunately the rehaut was too far off for me to buy so holding out on this one seems the only option at the moment.

Maybe is time to flip this watch and start looking for watches that retail above half million dollar and hunt down perfection. No point in keeping the Rolex you own cos what seen cannot be unseen. Good luck hunting.

[Pavlos]

You also have some small scratches on the dial at 10am and 9pm. I am not talking about the normal lined pattern of the watch. Get at least a 10x loupe and look at dial under direct heavy sunlight or a bright lamp. You may not see them straight away but try a few times You will see a scratch that is mostly in line with the pattern on the dial but it is deeper ad appears to be a mark.

It will play on your mind. Go back to AD and ask for new watch. If you can live with it keep it.

[agentsmith350]

Here's a shot from the wrist.. , taken about a foot and a half away just cropped slightly for easier forum viewing

I can't see if people are honest with themselves any of us on here being ok with seeing that on the 12 marker every time you look at your watch. I hope this puts to bed the loupe crap.

[jenniferjanef]

Originally Posted by agentsmith350

Here's a shot from the wrist , I don't think I'm unreasonable to expect an unmarked dial on a 10k watch.

I can't see if people are honest with themselves any of us on here being ok with seeing this every time you look at your watch .

Honestly, all I can see is you are wearing a amazingly handsome watch on your wrist that’s really compliment your wrist. As I said what seen cannot be unseen by you, maybe you should let it go and look for another. Do yourself a favour, stop using the loupe and high power camera.

Where are the marks on the dial??? You sure they are not reflections?

[jenniferjanef]

Originally Posted by pavlos

you also have some small scratches on the dial at 10am and 9pm. I am not talking about the normal lined pattern of the watch. Get at least a 10x loupe and look at dial under direct heavy sunlight or a bright lamp. You may not see them straight away but try a few times you will see a scratch that is mostly in line with the pattern on the dial but it is deeper ad appears to be a mark.

It will play on your mind. Go back to ad and ask for new watch. If you can live with it keep it.

lol

[agentsmith350]

Originally Posted by jenniferjanef

Honestly, all I can see is you are wearing a amazingly handsome watch on your wrist that’s really compliment your wrist. As I said what seen cannot be unseen by you, maybe you should let it go and look for another. Do yourself a favour, stop using the loupe and high power camera.

Where are the marks on the dial??? You sure they are not reflections?

I dare not post a close up to show you the mark for fear of being hunted down with pitchforks for using nasa camera satalites to zoom in :)

I've posted a pic at the start of the thread I think , look at the 12 triangle hour marker on the dial , top left of the gold border. What looks like a reflection there... isn't

[G'ed]

It will annoy me though, if it’s mine. I don’t mind nick and scuff on the case/bracelet but the dial. The reflective nature of the gold trim actually make it more visible.

Sorry to put fuel to fire...

Get refund and restart.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by agentsmith350

Just to keep this up to date as it had gained over 6k views at last check!

Watch was returned to me by AD as they couldn't see the mark anymore ( they could when I returned it to them originally )

However as soon as I got it I spotted it still the same and untouched as feared , along with a scratch on one of the lugs .. it is already returned to them a second time and should be back with RSC this week along with photos I took showing how visible it was from afar with the naked eye (wrist shots etc )

I'm hoping after all this they do the right thing and replace the dial , and rebrush where they have marked the lugs. Then after over a month since buying it I can finally wear and enjoy the damn thing !

Will update with the outcome.

On a side note I got a call from yet another AD that one had came in at , unfortunately the rehaut was too far off for me to buy so holding out on this one seems the only option at the moment.

What do you mean the rehaut was too far off????.The rehaut is part of the case so like you say it cannot be off.The only thing that could be possible is the dial slightly misaligned by a cats whisker when they attached the dial by the dial feet to the movement top plate.Now there is a tiny bit of lateral movement with dial both ways,trouble today Rolex have stopped making watches they now make so called alignment points.Plus a loupe in a new Rolex watch owners hands can be that owners worst enemy.

[adg31]

Originally Posted by agentsmith350

Thanks , yeah if it comes back untouched again that will be the last straw and I'l walk away to other brands

My point would be that any volume business, even Rolex, can produce products with a flaw. In your case it went back for alignment issues and the flaw on the hour marker.
The alignment issue seems to be improved but now you have scratches on the lug as well as the mark on the hour marker.
Under law I believe you only have to give them one shot at repair before you can request a replacement or refund.
Since I don't believe that you will ever be happy with this watch I'd take the money now whilst your AD is willing - and on your side!
By all means go for another Rolex - they make some great watches - and check it thoroughly with your AD before taking it home.


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[Jmbarrack]

These watches are all close to perfect, but nothing is perfect. My BLNR has an ever so small piece of dust under the crystal that you can see in certain lights and a tiny black mark along the bottom ridge where the crystal meets the dial.

Both small imperfections can be easily fixed with a cleaning/service from Rolex at any time. For now, I'm going to enjoy the watch and the way it looks. And in 5 years when it needs a service, I'll mention it to the RSC to fix.

Wear it. Enjoy it. Life is too short my friend. That piece is stunning.

[agentsmith350]

Originally Posted by padi56

What do you mean the rehaut was too far off????.The rehaut is part of the case so like you say it cannot be off.The only thing that could be possible is the dial slightly misaligned by a cats whisker when they attached the dial by the dial feet to the movement top plate.Now there is a tiny bit of lateral movement with dial both ways,trouble today Rolex have stopped making watches they now make so called alignment points.Plus a loupe in a new Rolex watch owners hands can be that owners worst enemy.

You answered your own question there, it's also how they have set the moment in the case but I thought rehaut off is the best way to describe it.

If they make rehaut engraving letters/crown above each minute indice and show them centered to one another on there advertising then that's what I'l expect when I buy one.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by agentsmith350

Thanks , yeah if it comes back untouched again that will be the last straw and I'l walk away to other brands

I think you expect far too much as far as perfection, and to avoid further disappointment you should sell the watch and walk away now. My2C.
Plenty of instances here of folks wanting the watch "perfect" and sending to RSC only to have it come back worse "damaged or scratched".

[agentsmith350]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

I think you expect far too much as far as perfection, and to avoid further disappointment you should sell the watch and walk away now. My2C.
Plenty of instances here of folks wanting the watch "perfect" and sending to RSC only to have it come back worse "damaged or scratched".

I think perfection was the wrong choice of words when I created the thread , I don't expect microscopic perfection. Just not to have visible marks/blemishes on the dial.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by agentsmith350

You answered your own question there, it's also how they have set the moment in the case but I thought rehaut off is the best way to describe it.

If they make rehaut engraving letters/crown above each minute indice and show them centered to one another on there advertising then that's what I'l expect when I buy one.

They also show in there advertisements Rolex watches showing the time 10.11 and date set the 28th and all the winding crowns perfectly upright.But thats just advertising marketing pictures much like all advertising pictures like say food products etc in the real world seldom looks exactly the same as the pictures.And the movement can only fit one way in the case its the dial attached to the top movement plate that could be possibly a cats whisker off.Perhaps Rolex should get rid of the Rolex branding on the rehaut and winding crown then everyone's would line up somewhere.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by agentsmith350

Just to keep this up to date as it had gained over 6k views at last check!

Watch was returned to me by AD as they couldn't see the mark anymore ( they could when I returned it to them originally )

However as soon as I got it I spotted it still the same and untouched as feared , along with a scratch on one of the lugs .. it is already returned to them a second time and should be back with RSC this week along with photos I took showing how visible it was from afar with the naked eye (wrist shots etc )

I'm hoping after all this they do the right thing and replace the dial , and rebrush where they have marked the lugs. Then after over a month since buying it I can finally wear and enjoy the damn thing !

Will update with the outcome.

On a side note I got a call from yet another AD that one had came in at , unfortunately the rehaut was too far off for me to buy so holding out on this one seems the only option at the moment.

Do yourself a favour and give Rolex the flick.

People on this forum will defend the brand for all they are worth, but the reality is that Rolex don't make watches that are good value for money in the way you want them to be.

In general terms, the true value in Rolex lies in the engineering and material specs which combined make for a rugged watch that will stand the test of time, with the icing on the cake being a world wide service network that upholds high standards and is more accessible than most(that's assuming one values these attributes).
When it comes to absolute excellence/perfection in terms of finishing in the area you are having trouble with. There are much better value for money brands out there.

If you want closer to "perfection" in a Rolex.
Like with other high end brands, be prepared to spend an awful lot more money.
In summary, you need to better understand what Rolex are actually about and totally ignore their BS hype that's been going on since the time when my parents were born.

Good luck

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by agentsmith350

You answered your own question there, it's also how they have set the moment in the case but I thought rehaut off is the best way to describe it.

If they make rehaut engraving letters/crown above each minute indice and show them centered to one another on there advertising then that's what I'l expect when I buy one.

One of the reasons why I have a DSSD is because I can't readily see that stupid engraving on the Rehaut when gazing lovingly into its face

[Lgreen2017]

I never heard anyone inspecting a brand new Rolex. Lol. Who’s looking at that, nothing is perfect. Wait until you get a character scratch.


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[agentsmith350]

Originally Posted by Lgreen2017

I never heard anyone inspecting a brand new Rolex. Lol. Who’s looking at that, nothing is perfect. Wait until you get a character scratch.


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Drop 10k without checking it out ? I'd like your kinda cash.

Can't compare scratches to stuff like this , it's under the glass ffs

[cht]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Do yourself a favour and give Rolex the flick.

People on this forum will defend the brand for all they are worth, but the reality is that Rolex don't make watches that are good value for money in the way you want them to be.

In general terms, the true value in Rolex lies in the engineering and material specs which combined make for a rugged watch that will stand the test of time, with the icing on the cake being a world wide service network that upholds high standards and is more accessible than most(that's assuming one values these attributes).
When it comes to absolute excellence/perfection in terms of finishing in the area you are having trouble with. There are much better value for money brands out there.

If you want closer to "perfection" in a Rolex.
Like with other high end brands, be prepared to spend an awful lot more money.
In summary, you need to better understand what Rolex are actually about and totally ignore their BS hype that's been going on since the time when my parents were born.

Good luck

I agree, this is a great post.

When you buy a Rolex, you are paying for brand equity, they marketed to you perfection, and you "bought it."

They invested billions over the years to give them the advertising to create the status symbol that they are today to command the MSRP.

You are mostly paying for advertising...then engineering, quality control last.

Its a good watch, not perfect, it'd be nice, just keep in mind what you are really paying for and buying.




all that said, visible imperfections to my unaided eye would cause me to return it at the Rolex price point.

[superdog]

^^^

You are also paying for resale. For better or worse, it’s a piece of the equation. And very few watches hold value like a Rolex.

I’ll not defend the brand. I don’t even like it. But I do like and respect the watches immensely.

In my opinion, sometimes some people will just not ever be happy. It will always be something. Perfect is an illusion.

Better to feel more comfortable with a less expensive watch where imperfections don’t mar the experience.

[SeaAndSky]

Originally Posted by agentsmith350

Here's a shot from the wrist.. , taken about a foot and a half away just cropped slightly for easier forum viewing

I can't see if people are honest with themselves any of us on here being ok with seeing that on the 12 marker every time you look at your watch. I hope this puts to bed the loupe crap.

Well I’m being honest. I don’t see anything but that may be the result of the poor photograph. To be further honest, you will never ever ever find anything made by man that can’t be found to have imperfections. I’m not sure that watch collecting is something that will suit you. I truly don’t believe you'll find the perfection you seek at any price point with respect to watches. You’ll always be able to find things you think could be better. Good luck.