QC Issues with Tudors

[Sir Larry Wildman]

Went out shopping for a Tudor BB Black this past weekend. In all four (across two ADs) that I examined, there was a quite obvious QC issue - two had misaligned bezels, two had lume bubbles (one on the snowflake hour hand, another on an hour plot). These weren't issues I needed my loupe to see. They were able to be seen with the naked eye.

I'm not sure what the issue is here. Me or the watch. As a collector of AP and FPJ, are my standards out of line with something at the price point of a Tudor? Maybe. But then again, I also *love* my Speedy Pro, and have a few Hamilton Field Khakis that are pretty darn good. And heck, I even collect some G Shocks!

Before I get the "never look at a modern Rolex under a loupe" responses, as I said above, these were issues that I could see with the naked eye (although I did pick up on them with the loupe).

Is this just a game of hunting to find the right one? Am I on a fool's errand? Am I just plain crazy?

[capote]

I guess the bar is set pretty high if you are used to AP and FPJ, although clearly visable defects sounds a bit sloppy. I haven't noticed this on Tudors myself.

[joe100]

I'd expect fit and finish on a $3000 watch to be good but not Ap or Journe good. Tudors are mass produced so there will be the odd thing once in a while

[Sir Larry Wildman]

Originally Posted by joe100

I'd expect fit and finish on a $3000 watch to be good but not Ap or Journe good. Tudors are mass produced so there will be the odd thing once in a while

Well, yeah. The finish is not going to be as good, and I accept that at the price range. Not a problem. I just have an issue with what I perceive to be sloppiness.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by Sir Larry Wildman

Well, yeah. The finish is not going to be as good, and I accept that at the price range. Not a problem. I just have an issue with what I perceive to be sloppiness.

what is the issue? dont by the particular watch. i would tell the AD however. and why not post some pictures here so we can see?

not defending tudor, sloppiness is unacceptable.

i will say this you wont notice the sloppiness on pelagos lume because it glows like tron. we all know that AP is not known for lume.

[landroverking]

Compare Tudor to Tag. Closer in price point.

[Boothroyd]

Can't speak to the issues you observed. Mine (BB Black) is fine on both counts. A couple of bad examples due to rushed production run?

[Ian Macdermott]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

Can't speak to the issues you observed. Mine (BB Black) is fine on both counts. A couple of bad examples due to rushed production run?

Same here on my RBB even under a loupe.

[Sir Larry Wildman]

Originally Posted by Etschell

what is the issue? dont by the particular watch. i would tell the AD however. and why not post some pictures here so we can see?

not defending tudor, sloppiness is unacceptable.

i will say this you wont notice the sloppiness on pelagos lume because it glows like tron. we all know that AP is not known for lume.

The issue is a misaligned bezel, or lume applied so unevenly that you can see it with the naked eye.

As I said, I'm not expecting world-class finishing, or anything like that. But simple things like that should be taken care of in a $3k watch.

[watchwatcher]

My expectations were exceeded when I got my Pelagos earlier this year. As Joe said, the odd thing is going to happen every once in a while...

[Rookie52]

Originally Posted by Sir Larry Wildman

The issue is a misaligned bezel, or lume applied so unevenly that you can see it with the naked eye.

As I said, I'm not expecting world-class finishing, or anything like that. But simple things like that should be taken care of in a $3k watch.

Based on what you observed with the 4 watches you mentioned, I'd say you have every right to question the QC (or lack thereof). Totally agree with your statement above.

Having said that, I just picked up a BBB - Fit/finish wise, it's perfect.

I hope you find one that's acceptable because they're really nice watches to wear. I'm really enjoying mine.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by Sir Larry Wildman

The issue is a misaligned bezel, or lume applied so unevenly that you can see it with the naked eye.

As I said, I'm not expecting world-class finishing, or anything like that. But simple things like that should be taken care of in a $3k watch.

i would post some pictures. but do you gasp when ferrari's have engine fires as well?

[Chadridv]

thats disappointing. my bb black is perfect!

[Sir Larry Wildman]

Originally Posted by Etschell

i would post some pictures. but do you gasp when ferrari's have engine fires as well?

Unfortunately I don't have pictures. These were at two different ADs.

[RichM]

It's not a $30 watch it's a $3,000 watch. To some, that's still a lot of $$$

I bought a YM in December and it had the small magnification issue. I wore it for a week and shipped it off to the RSC NYC.

After they get the watch, they tell me they are not going to change the crystal because it's "within specs". I asked them what are their specs since their removed 2 1/2 times magnification from all Rolex literature. They couldn't give me an answer. We went back and forth. I even told them if they didn't change the crystal, they could keep the watch, I don't want it back. Bottom line, they changed the crystal.

Thank goodness you noticed these issues before you bought the watch.

My only suggestion would be to keep looking until you find a perfect one.

If you find a problem afterwards ( I'm talking cosmetic) get ready for a battle.

[Ticknaway]

Originally Posted by Rich Mickol

It's not a $30 watch it's a $3,000 watch. To some, that's still a lot of $$$

I bought a YM in December and it had the small magnification issue. I wore it for a week and shipped it off to the RSC NYC.

After they get the watch, they tell me they are not going to change the crystal because it's "within specs". I asked them what are their specs since their removed 2 1/2 times magnification from all Rolex literature. They couldn't give me an answer. We went back and forth. I even told them if they didn't change the crystal, they could keep the watch, I don't want it back. Bottom line, they changed the crystal.

Thank goodness you noticed these issues before you bought the
My only suggestion would be to keep looking until you find a perfect one.

If you find a problem afterwards ( I'm talking cosmetic) get ready for a battle.

No doubt regardless of the price it can't be worth the hassle of getting it fixed. It's best to be happy with the condition of the watch before taking it out of the store

[ndsleep612]

Being a FPJ owner, pretty much you'll notice lots of flaws with some of the low to mid tier luxury watch brands due to them being mass produced.

The QC is apples to oranges with the high end stuff compared to the rest.

[droptopman]

Surprised to hear this. Looked at a bunch of Tudors last fall at the AD and I thought the finish was very good, especially for the price range. Bought a BB Black and has no QC issues at all. Very nice watch.

[ZeKe]

Yeah, that's not acceptable even at this "lower-end".

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by Sir Larry Wildman

As I said, I'm not expecting world-class finishing, or anything like that. But simple things like that should be taken care of in a $3k watch.

if a commonplace $250.00 Seiko can have a flawless finish, then it shouldn't even be an issue with a $3K Swiss-made Tudor...unless they're simply cranking out units with little regard for a customer's scrutiny.

considering all of the recent posts pertaining to flawed Rolex bezels, hair/dust/fingerprints beneath crystals et al, perhaps these kind of QC oversights are to be expected regardless of the pricing as people are still going to desire & buy Rolex/Tudor products anyway.

hopefully Rolex doesn't become the Detroit of the 1970s as there are other quality watch manufacturers just itching to get an increased share of the action.

[madmax21]

Originally Posted by Sir Larry Wildman

Went out shopping for a Tudor BB Black this past weekend. In all four (across two ADs) that I examined, there was a quite obvious QC issue - two had misaligned bezels, two had lume bubbles (one on the snowflake hour hand, another on an hour plot). These weren't issues I needed my loupe to see. They were able to be seen with the naked eye.

I'm not sure what the issue is here. Me or the watch. As a collector of AP and FPJ, are my standards out of line with something at the price point of a Tudor? Maybe. But then again, I also *love* my Speedy Pro, and have a few Hamilton Field Khakis that are pretty darn good. And heck, I even collect some G Shocks!

Before I get the "never look at a modern Rolex under a loupe" responses, as I said above, these were issues that I could see with the naked eye (although I did pick up on them with the loupe).

Is this just a game of hunting to find the right one? Am I on a fool's errand? Am I just plain crazy?

I can't say I'm surprised while in Quebec I've looked at a few watches myself and some online I find the prices to be overpriced there and the quality to be so-so.

In this case it could just be a bad batch especially if you're at an authorized dealer. If you're having issues there I would suggest you visit stores in the Toronto area as I've never noticed any problems with watches here.

One thing I can tell you I think is certain you are overpaying for a used watch in Quebec, so if you are in the market for a used watch over I think you'll get a better deal in the GTA.