Your worst nightmare with repairs/services

[digilux]

here is my worst nightmare regarding repairs/services...

The back cover of my Submariner fell off in the shower once only one day after it had been at the Rolex service senter in Norway for a general service as well as pressure testing. I must say I was somewhat taken aback when I stood there and the back lid was lying on the floor of the shower and the Submariner was soaked in water and shampoo.

They were somewhat embarrassed when I came back the next day and placed the watch on the counter wet and the loose lid. I showed them the pressure testing receipt that showed it had passed the 200 meters test.

They explained it with that they some times use apprentice in the workshop ...

- so now its your turn to tell us about your worst nightmare regarding repairs/services...

[Brenngun]

Fortunately I've never had this problem. I never use an RSC. Always use the same very experienced local independant watch maker with a Rolex account who never disappoints and is generally 2/3 the price.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by digilux

here is my worst nightmare regarding repairs/services...

The back cover of my Submariner fell off in the shower once only one day after it had been at the Rolex service senter in Norway for a general service as well as pressure testing. I must say I was somewhat taken aback when I stood there and the back lid was lying on the floor of the shower and the Submariner was soaked in water and shampoo.

They were somewhat embarrassed when I came back the next day and placed the watch on the counter wet and the loose lid. I showed them the pressure testing receipt that showed it had passed the 200 meters test.

They explained it with that they some times use apprentice in the workshop ...

- so now its your turn to tell us about your worst nightmare regarding repairs/services...

So exactly what did they do in regards to your watch? Did they have to replace anything?

[Wolfgang427]

Originally Posted by digilux

here is my worst nightmare regarding repairs/services...

The back cover of my Submariner fell off in the shower once only one day after it had been at the Rolex service senter in Norway for a general service as well as pressure testing. I must say I was somewhat taken aback when I stood there and the back lid was lying on the floor of the shower and the Submariner was soaked in water and shampoo.

They were somewhat embarrassed when I came back the next day and placed the watch on the counter wet and the loose lid. I showed them the pressure testing receipt that showed it had passed the 200 meters test.

They explained it with that they some times use apprentice in the workshop ...

- so now its your turn to tell us about your worst nightmare regarding repairs/services...

Wow, thats pretty bad. Didn't you notice it loose on you while you were wearing it?

[SubKing]

Sent my brand new panerai into Richmont texas repair center for a broken strap release button defect... This is a J series, one of the first series to use the strap release button.

when I got the watch back, it had gashes and scratches all over the case back and scratches on the hands, also there was a fingerprint on the inside of the crystal...

keep in mind the watch was only 2 weeks old when i first sent it in for service and it took 4 months to get a new case for it because of the broken release button..

now they wanted to offer to re print a new caseback and give me a new crystal and hands... This would take 6 months...

i made such a stink with them that my watch was brand new and i have not been able to wear it once and its been pulled apart several times, by the time I was done with them, they replaced the whole watch with the unreleased K series (at the time)

they said I was the first person they ever had to replace an entire watch for with a brand new one.

I had sent one of the managers a little present to thank her for all her help..
she no longer works for the company at this point. I don't know why but she was the most nice and actually got things done.

thats the last time I used panerai service.

[STEELINOX]

Lancaster, PA !

Need I say more !

[George Ab]

I had my IWC 3717 a pilots that uses a modified ETA 7750. I had returned to my watchmaker no less then 8 times over a year and a half period. On this occasion, he states it is working fine..... "I replaced the entire movement"..... I asked "come again?" and he lets me know that he replaced the movement. I paused and gathered all the composure I could to explain to him why that was unsatisfactory and to put the original movement back and return the watch. I was seriously bummed as I had worked with the guy for a number of years and developed a relationship. For example for his Birthday I gave him tickets to the Seahawks to watch his favorite team the 49'ers with his son...... highly priced commodity where I live. I speculated that something was going on in his personal life that had deteriorated his skills. It was just sad.

I have since found another watchmaker who is great!

[digilux]

:=| lots of good stories here folks - keep em coming!

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

Lancaster, PA !

Need I say more !

Yes - I'm confused.

[subtona]

*1st service experience 1997
Sub broke, brought in for service...watch was returned after several months, i put it on and walked out....2 days later the second hand fell off....returned again for service... another almost 2 months, watch returned with a scratched dial (from the second hand that fell off)...immediately returned again for service ... new dial placed (imagine if it was vintage ) .... several weeks again .... picked up watch and... watch given back with a thumb print on the underside of the crystal .... back to service.

[Oyster Junkie]

Yeeeshhh. Sh*t happens I guess.... I'd be livid after spending 8K to have that happen to my LV :(

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by mrbill2mrbill2

Yes - I'm confused.

Aaaah Mr. Bill, you're not familiar with the infamous OMEEEGA Service Centre that which is located in Lancaster, PA?

Welp, long long ago, far far away in this place in another time...

I sent in my SMP Bond to them for overhaul.

Yadda yadda yadda...

They gave me a NIB SMP free of charge, about 6 months later.

The place was a disaster; though I hear its recently been turned upside down and shaken very hard !

[Oyster Junkie]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

Aaaah Mr. Bill, you're not familiar with the infamous OMEEEGA Service Centre that which is located in Lancaster, PA?

Welp, long long ago, far far away in this place in another time...

I sent in my SMP Bond to them for overhaul.

Yadda yadda yadda...

They gave me a NIB SMP free of charge, about 6 months later.

The place was a disaster; though I hear its recently been turned upside down and shaken very hard !

I had a SMP Titanium back in 2001 and the crown broke off and I sent it in under warranty and 10 months later it was returned to me in horrible shape; the dial was damaged, dust inside the crystal, and the watch was losing 15-20 secs a day. After that experience, I vowed never to own another Omeeegah.

[rad87gn]

That sounds nothing like a RSC would ever do? First I've ever heard of such a thing. No way a hand spun back would pass a full pressure test on a Sub? I'm seriously confused on how that is even possible.

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by rad87gn

That sounds nothing like a RSC would ever do? First I've ever heard of such a thing. No way a hand spun back would pass a full pressure test on a Sub? I'm seriously confused on how that is even possible.

Nothing involving "human" touch/interaction no longer surprises me

Here's the conversation:

ROLEX ServiceTech: "That one is ready for final inspection."

ROLEX QC Tech: "What?"

ROLEX ServiceTech: "Its ready" (pointing to tray with timepiece which screwback isnt threaded to seal)

ROLEX QC Tech: "I did that one yesterday, wait, is this the one you were talking about earlier?" (confused)

ROLEX ServiceTech: "Yes, thats it, I thought you boxed it and send it to the mailroom already"

ROLEX QC Tech: (Places it in shipping box) "I will now"...

[mike]

Had a mint 1680 dial trashed by RSC. Never again.

[Onikage]

I hope they sorted it for free after this unfortunate event. I'd have played holy hell if it was mine.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by mike

Had a mint 1680 dial trashed by RSC. Never again.

[Scott95]

Had my GMT II in for service at the Dallas RSC and got it back in 13 days in perfect shape. You all are making me feel lucky!

[Watch Professor]

I sent my Seiko Monster in for warranty work to New Jersey- it was running quite slowly and the day/date wheels needed adjustment. I got it back three weeks later with a huge gash on the back cover. The back had to be replaced which they did, but the serial number (which was on the back cover) was now different than the number on the warranty card. I had them issue me a new warranty card with the correct number. I was fortunate to find a very nice manager who handled the whole mess.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Scott95

Had my GMT II in for service at the Dallas RSC and got it back in 13 days in perfect shape. You all are making me feel lucky!

have seen a lot of praise here with regard to RSC Dallas...


RSC NY is not a place i would ever recommend
earlier this year, i am convinced, they charged me for work they did not do, i felt like i was at an auto mechanic....really terrible.

[InTime]

Originally Posted by SubKing

Sent my brand new panerai into Richmont texas repair center for a broken strap release button defect... This is a J series, one of the first series to use the strap release button.

when I got the watch back, it had gashes and scratches all over the case back and scratches on the hands, also there was a fingerprint on the inside of the crystal...

keep in mind the watch was only 2 weeks old when i first sent it in for service and it took 4 months to get a new case for it because of the broken release button..

now they wanted to offer to re print a new caseback and give me a new crystal and hands... This would take 6 months...

i made such a stink with them that my watch was brand new and i have not been able to wear it once and its been pulled apart several times, by the time I was done with them, they replaced the whole watch with the unreleased K series (at the time)

they said I was the first person they ever had to replace an entire watch for with a brand new one.

I had sent one of the managers a little present to thank her for all her help..
she no longer works for the company at this point. I don't know why but she was the most nice and actually got things done.

thats the last time I used panerai service.

geeesh i woulda a an awful fit too. ouch

[jnkay]

OP - great thread. Subking: worst nightmare ever!

[Seventh Son]

I sent my Tag Monaco for some warranty work couple of yrs back, came back 2 wks later with deep scratch marks around the screws holding the caseback. The tech was obviously careless while unscrewing the caseback. Very disappointing experience!

[snog]

when I sent my Omega away for service I spoke to the tech,I asked could he please take extra care when refinshing my watch as the finish was important to me and could he also make sure the bezel was fully serviced too as I would be using it quite a lot,he reasured me the watch would look great when returned,just over a month later I got my watch back and yes he did a real good finish to my watch,you could see your face in the lovely highly polished case finish,only problem was...yep you guessed it, the only problem was it should have been a brushed finish so after a phone call the watch was sent back within the hour,I rang the next day to make sure the watch arrived ok and was told yes it's in the work shop getting the correct finish and oh the tech noticed the bezel was loose so he will correct that at the same time

to be fair they got the watch back to me within 2 days with the watch working and looking great.

[nch209]

I posted years ago about a vintage GMT I had serviced locally. Not only would it not keep time, the crown stuck out WAY too far and I finally took it back to the dealer and after them telling me it was fine, I threatened to put it in a cup of water!!!! LOL! They stopped me, and offered me a refund. I took the cash, sent it off for proper repairs, and all is well!

As a followup, I contacted them to perform a regulation on a slightly out of warranty Rolex, and service a non-Rolex piece, and they suggested I go elsewhere. I was trying to give them another shot, but they snubbed me like the last mistake was mine. I am all but done with AD's!!!

-nate

[mr500cm]

Had my Sub overhauled by a jeweler I've used before. I hardly wear the watch since I'm real hard on it so I on wear it when I'm going out. Eleven months later the watch won't manually wind and its running 20 second slow a day!

Watch goes back in (should be under warranty) and I'm told warranty is only 6 months and the watch needs a new crown and stem which were according to my paper work were replaced 11 months ago. Watch comes back, new problem....I can't set the time. Watch goes back, comes seems to be working fine and gained 4 sec after one weeks use.

Even though its fixed, I'm looking for a new repairman. I'm dissaponit that after 11 months they wouldn't honor the warranty.

[Keeperoftime]

Short summary:

Purchased two vintage watches.

16613
16750

Service for both 1200.00 USD

Issues: Watches had quite a few issues from timing to cosmetic flaws that were agreed to be addressed as part of the servicing. However, most significantly and the final straw, a manager of the store had the audacity to insinuate that I was lying and tells me I want something for free.



Apparently 1200.00 is not what it used to be.

Solution: Both pieces are receiving a 100% overhaul at another watchmaker (who came highly recommended).

It's one thing to not fix something properly (errors happen), it's another to speak to a customer in a condescending manor and insinuate insincerity on their part when they have a broken watch and have already paid $1200.00 (along with other larger sums of money at the store in the previous 6 months)

So to the Manager who said " I just don't want to pay the money"

My cost to fix my watches will be around an additional $1000.00
Thus, I was not trying to get something free. This was not about cost. No, I just rather not be taking advantage of.

-J

[padi56]

Originally Posted by digilux

here is my worst nightmare regarding repairs/services...

The back cover of my Submariner fell off in the shower once only one day after it had been at the Rolex service senter in Norway for a general service as well as pressure testing. I must say I was somewhat taken aback when I stood there and the back lid was lying on the floor of the shower and the Submariner was soaked in water and shampoo.

They were somewhat embarrassed when I came back the next day and placed the watch on the counter wet and the loose lid. I showed them the pressure testing receipt that showed it had passed the 200 meters test.

They explained it with that they some times use apprentice in the workshop ...

- so now its your turn to tell us about your worst nightmare regarding repairs/services...

Impossible to just fall off its threaded so it must have come unscrewed which I feel very unlikely.And if the case back had come unscrewed a few threads cannot understand why you did not notice it.

[azguy]

Strange, never even imagined that something like that could happen