MichaelC
[AP Moderator]
18857
The end of the saga with my 1858 Tachymeter.
Yesterday, after more than a 4 month process, my broken 1858 Tachymeter was returned from Montblanc factory service. I promised to conclude the service experience, so here it is.
A box within a box, this looks good.
Ahhh... let's not get ahead of ourselves. Check the older posts if you need to see how this brand handles logistics. Why put the watch in the extra box when you can save a few seconds and jam it on the side?
For a second I thought maybe they sent me a backup timepiece. Alas, just an empty box...
At least they remembered to wrap it in plastic
For a second I thought maybe they sent me a backup timepiece. Alas, just an empty box...
At least they remembered to wrap it in plastic
And how about this detailed explanation of why my watch would not work, and why it needed to be gone for 128 days:
So far this is just much more of the same. Montblanc does not have any understanding of how to provide a customer with a service experience commensurate with the product they sell.
So far this is just much more of the same. Montblanc does not have any understanding of how to provide a customer with a service experience commensurate with the product they sell.
Now, some good news. The watch has not been scratched and is in the same cosmetic condition as when I sent it in. We should expect this courtesy from every brand, but again, given the previous 4 months of experiences, I had no confidence in what would come back.
We have a heartbeat again, back from the dead.
I can say upon winding the watch and setting the time, it felt much different than I remembered. Maybe mine left the factory initially with some sort of issue, but it did function fine for a few months before refusing to operate. I tried the chrono, everything is operating correctly. It seems miracles do happen.
I am faced with a tough decision. I was 90% sure I would sell this watch the second it came back. After seeing the return packaging - with the watch not even put in the correct box, and the overly generic paperwork - I was at 98%. But to hold this watch, to wind it... I can at least be certain of my initial decision to buy it. It is an awesome design. The case has everything I like, the dial and hands, the seemingly wonderful movement. I want nothing more than to keep it and hand it off to my son one day.
But the thought of another failure, or what about a general service in 4 or 5 years? If I never have to work with these people again that is a good thing for my stress level. This process was beyond disappointing. I won't be dramatic and say they have lost a customer, it is utterly apparent they could care less about that. But I will never again purchase another Montblanc product of any kind, that is for sure.
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The end of the saga with my 1858 Tachymeter.
Yesterday, after more than a 4 month process, my broken 1858 Tachymeter was returned from Montblanc factory service. I promised to conclude the service experience, so here it is. A box within a box, this looks good. Ahhh... let's not get ahead of ourselve...
Yeah, this would bring 90% to 98%
I can see no reason why the watch came outside of that "box". Sort of amazing. And I am also with you on the generic paperwork. How this is expected to convey a peace of mind is beyond me. Thanks for sharing your experience. Best, Dogu
So glad you got it back, Michael!
And it's it's a relief that the service center did not do a polishing job and respected your wish. The packaging and the written statement are a joke, though. I can fully understand your hesitation to let it go, and I fully understand your mixed feelings ...
You're absolutely right Henrik about the hands. It seems incredible and I don't know if it's a question of angle or not.
I would like to see this watch adjusted at noon/midnight to see if they're correctly adjusted or not. Unbelievable if it's not the case 😳 Best wishes Alkiro
No, actually he is not. Just the angle.
That is one of the first things I check on any new watch or serviced watch. Believe, if that were wrong I would post it for sure! ...
Don't think for a second I was not concerned about this possibility...
I read the paperwork before removing the piece out of the plastic bag. I knew it would have been taken apart to fix the movement, it was pure hope they would get it back together,and correctly.
As posted below, the hands are fine.
As you say, the return parcel as a whole is a joke. If ever MB should have broken their standard printout for a return, this was it. More opportunity lost.
Well Michael, I'm happy for you if your 1858 went back in perfect working order. The ultimate decision (keep it or not) is in your hands and only you can take it.
BUT how Montblanc can send back a timepiece like this in just a plastic bag and in a parcel without no more protection? May be I'm rude but... are they stupid? For me, it's just unacceptable, it's not a banana they had put in a parcel but an expensive wat...
I pulled the white box out first and did not even see the watch on the side.
I put the box back for the photo. Astounding. You are not rude - whoever placed the watch in the outer box is a stupid person. At least there was the other single layer of foam.
Thanks for sharing the conclusion!
That image of the watch tucked in next to an empty box is almost comical. Awful. But the watch is beautiful; you need not question your initial decision to buy it. I'm sure you'll make the right decision about its future. Cheers, Brandon
100% the truth, start to finish.
I did the same for my AP Royal Oak, and I will soon post on a Chopard experience (all positive so far). I think we can be an asset to each other here on the forums by being honest. This is not about slandering a brand. On the contrary, do things correctly...
Agree +1
First sorry to read about what you have gone through. I was close to buying this watch but hesitated as I felt the size was not for me. But otherwise the design, movement ticks all the right boxes and I have been thinking about it again. But after your po...
Thank you. I would not tell anyone to hesitate on the watch itself.
It is a killer, that is why I selected it. I would tell you be very weary of using Montblanc to service it. Surely there are others who can work on these Minerva movements.
First of all, giving all the circumstances
very happy for you that the watch is finally back and working! As for the packaging, I have to say, kind of hilarious, really made me laugh An inside foam box used as a...space filler which the watch chucked in to the side of the box. Oh boy, these guys n...
CC, I said a prayer before opening the box.
Again, if you have read the posts up until now, why in the world should I have had any confidence about what would be inside? And then the first impressions, not even in the correct box... frankly, I credit God for all great things in my life. And I credi...
I surely followed and when I saw your post today
before opening it, I was 99% sure something was f... up. I'm just happy for you that the watch is 100% okay. This should have been the case without needing prayers!
This is the good news, despite the horrors of the service experience, the watch is now 100%.
I can almost recall how much I loved wearing this watch. I am taking it to the bank while I decide, I am likely you sell it. I'm afraid to start wearing it and fall in love again.
Factory service
I am assuming the watch was under factory warranty - that's why you sent it to them. Yes? The fact is that this is a large and somewhat uncomplicated chronograph...as chronographs go (and, I think it's as stunning watch as well). This is not a super compl...
It was under warranty, you can search the old posts.
I am likely to sell it and won't ever have to make that decision, but for sure, if it ever needed anything and was out of warranty, Montblanc would be the last place I would send it.
Glad you got it back in this state!
The packaging is hilarious indeed! But what strikes me too otherwise, is the standard letter speaking of battery change!! They might at the least have two different sorts of standard letters, one for quartz, one for mechanical watches!! Not at all the sam...
A real dilemma for me. A near perfect timepiece offered by horribly run brand.
Obviously Montblanc has some talented watchmakers. OK, great. But this Davide Cerrato guy, obviously no accountability from him. I was told he would reach out to me, never a single word. Not a message here, or an email. I do not like working with people w...
See the
"replacement of battery if quartz blablabla" statement leaves a bit puzzled about the level of service management in the MB... one like the other, more or less! Anyway, " re-assembly of the watch" is the cherry on the cake: almost as if writing: "returned...
Is that not ludicrous? They can sell watches for thousands of dollars but cannot include a more specific letter?
We could go on and on. I guess I should count my blessings for the "re-assembly".
When you step back and think about it, its quite a ...spectacle (and not in a positive way) how they'd simply pack a watch that costs as much as a car into such packaging and service
That aside (no pun intended), its good to at least see the watch back in intended condition. Now the conundrum of what you'll do next ... Regards, skyeriding
You are of course correct. Not such a conundrum after all, I can't keep this watch.
I once declared it on the same level as my favorite AP, and while the watch itself might be, the brand itself is one of the poorest I have ever worked with.
Well, Michael.
I, for one, can say I am very happy you now know exactly what was wrong with your watch. NOT! Any idea? (Have to say it looks great, though.)
Michael, please look at this paperwork from Audemars Piguet
Last November, the crown on my beloved Royal Oak came loose. I still remember the short feeling of the sinking heart, but right after knowing it would all be OK. Just needed a service. Look at the letter that came back with my repaired watch (and door to ...
Not fair Michael
AP Clearwater is too high a standard to hold any service center to - they are beyond amazing
That is why I wrote MB should try for even a fraction of AP's level :-)
Because even that would make this brand a helluva lot better than they are now.
Just amazing.
And MB didn't even offer to update the 2 year warranty. As if nothing was wrong, just a regular service. You have every right to be frustrated. And pissed.
Throughout this entire process, I asked for only 1 thing - a new 2 year warranty. Montblanc said NO.
You might think, after first their watch failing and second treating me in such a poor manner, they might accommodate this request, but nope, not to be had. As it has been stated in this thread, at least they did return it to me, and it does work correctl...
The battery needed to be replaced 😉
It is ridiculous indeed. Had the sam experience with AP though when my Extra Thin Royal Oak turned out to be a DOA. Got a standard service letter with it when it was returned. That also pissed me off. Things can break down. Shit happens. But acknowledge t...
Depends on what you see
If you look down at it and remember the angst of the experience, well then not worth keeping - since it will not bring you happiness to wear it. If you look down and see the killer dial and amazing movement and the service experience is just in the back o...
I'm afraid I cannot look past all the angst caused by the brand.
Someone - hopefully a fellow Purist - will get a great deal on my watch. As I have said, the watch itself is beyond debate. I never was upset over it failing. My goodness, it is an extremely intricate mechanical object, and these things happen. I am upset...
Indeed, Despite the poor packaging, the watch itself is perfect.
Cosmetically fine, winding fine, keeping accurate time (only 24 hours so far but a good start), and the chrono works. Needles and handles all correctly aligned. When I sent it in, the watch was dead. If the most important aspect of the entire process is f...
As others have stated...thank you for taking the time to share with us your entire experience.
I would expect this kind of level of communication/packaging from (insert generic retailer) but not from a company dealing with a clientele that is spending thousands on a luxury item (and that can easily take their business elsewhere). The form letter an...
Sure thing. I wish I had insight into how this brand works before buying myself.
I like this watch enough that I probably still would have bought it, but at least I would have understood what I was getting myself into. I guess I assumed they would be / should be on par with other "high end" Swiss brands, but clearly I was wrong to ass...
Mmm hmm... even TracieC getting her shots in! She will tell you she is right about everything...
I would have thought I knew more than her about watches ;-)
Sorry to hear about your bad experience
Mine has been perfect since day one. So I am gonna write it down as unlucky....maybe try to keep for sometime and see if it is working perfectly. Best of luck, Horo ...
I don't recall seeing you had it, Congrats!
Further validation for me that I selected very wisely, when I see the other owners ;-) Definitely my advice to you, if it ever needs anything, find a qualified watchmaker. Do not send it to Montblanc.
Good for you that this journey has come to an end.
The packaging and the service report are hilarious. Fully understand your feelings. Best, Volker
Hopefully you will forget this idiocy with time....
The watch is beautiful. And the feeling when winding it is so great!
I'm afraid I'm past the point of keeping it, but we'll see.
I won't give it away, but I'm happy to take a loss and move on. If that loss gets too big, I am seriously considering the Dr. Kol method of disposal. My 338 Win Mag would leave no evidence at all... I would probably scale down a bit on diameter and power,...
That's a shame, but I understand your feelings. When something is tainted...
Nevertheless: DON'T BLAME THE WATCH It's such a nice watch.
I definitely don't blame the watch. These things happen!
More often than not in my personal experiences recently. The crown issue on my 15202, and for whatever reason my Chopard 8hz went from being spot on accurate to losing +20 seconds / day. That one is also being worked on, but Chopard cannot be compared wit...
Whoever designed the case and dial and hands deserves credit
All perfect. The movement was existing and I expected it to be bulletproof. I do not mind that it failed, I mind the Montblanc experience in correcting it.
Oh dear
Watch brands need to get their acts together. I'm still recovering from my IWC experience. If I need emergency money or can't afford a watch I want, that would be the first on the chopping block! Despite the lack of value retention.
I hear you loud and clear. What a pity for the brand too...
Imagine that it is really better to not let them touch their own watches after sold. Now, whichever watchmaker actually worked on my piece - OK, I credit him or her, because the watch does in fact work correctly and is keeping solid time. But getting the ...
I see where you're coming from...
I had a similar experience with AP15202 as you have had with your MB. The additute - or better put - the lack of let me to sell the watch straight-away. Still waiting for the extra link though, which I have ordered roughly 3 months ago😂
While each brand seems to have some regions better than others, Montblanc service seems universally poor. Others have experienced similar
problems to mine and have posted on them. With AP, the US Service Center in Clearwater is quite possibly the best facility of any brand in any part of the world. But other regions like Singapore report much differently.
I'm just amazed
The 15202 is a very cool watch, one would not sell lightly. For a service experience to be so bad that you lose the love for the jumbo... that's something. I like my Portuguese, but it's not a cheap watch. It doesn't perform as well as less expensive watc...
To be honest
I was expecting more of AP, especially given that I'm living in Zurich a can directly deal with their Boutique (although run on a franchise by Bucherer). I would have had absolutely no issues if removing the dust of the dial of a 4 months' old watch that ...
That is horrifying!
These people are delusional! Like I know it's 'just' dust and it's 'just' a warranty issue, but how hard can it be?! You'd think that a business based on luxury customer service could at least do a bare minimum reasonable job...
Glad the watch arrived back in working order and scratch free!
The most important thing is that the watch is with you again and that the service seems to have fixed the issues, without adding new ones - like the scratching or polishing you were worried about. The packaging is simply bizarre and the papers anything bu...
I'm bewildered...
They can't even put it back in the correct box? The whole point of double boxing the watch is for the protection. To include a second box and not utilize it is a failure beyond comprehension. Now, I wonder... Is Vacheron Constantin this bad? They also go ...
Replacement of battery for Quartz models?
Are you kidding me? The paperwork is just staggeringly shocking... Goodness they couldn't use a more generic paper. No pride taken in the work whatsoever... Not even pride. But can't even meet the bare minimum. I took a First Class flight on United Airlin...
Unbelieveable - Does the senior management know this story to the end?
Hi Michael, I, as many others, have been following your fortunes. I find this story astonishing. To put the watch to the side in the box is supreme incompetence towards levels of criminal negligence. It's some kind of bizarre final irony no-one could make...
Davide Cerrato.
I was told he would be in direct contact with me. All of my information was included with the service, and I even have my own email address on this website. But nothing, nada, zilch. So that tells me that the head guy does not care at all about the people...
May I add a (belated) perspective to the weird packaging ...
... which in fact reflects a rather frequent way to protect expensive watches from thieves who open the package whenever recognizing it comes from a luxury watch brand. The box is a mere decoy to fool thieves into taking that. Normally, they do not spend ...
Thanks for your reply but this situation is very different.
And it has nothing to do with thieves. The only think separating my watch from the outside was a single layer of cardboard, and a thin plastic wrapped around the watch. That is all Marcus. Maybe that is sufficient for a quartz watch. But a watch like this...
WEll, you are right. I am surprised Montblanc does not have any service pouches ...
... for shipping the watches. Even Breilting uses them. Marcus
My hypothetical questions were for Montblanc...
I suspected you would agree with me If I were in Cerrato's position, and I knew of this situation (which he does), I would have personally seen to the logistics of the repair and return. None of us needed a second nightmare of the watch being damaged in r...
