Patek Philippe

When my 5960 had problems, I was definitely a bit disappointed and wondering why such an expensive watch could not keep more accurate time.  The chrono hand not re-setting to 12 o'clock was also a little bothersome but I let both of these matters go and was happy that my watch was under warranty and fixed properly.  I have not had any problems since.

My 5167A was definitely of greater concern as I ordered the watch from my AD since he did not have it in stock.  PP shipped out the watch to my AD and the AD sent it to me within a few days thereafter.  The watch did not run from the moment it came out of the box as the seconds hand would get stuck against the crystal (poor QC).  The PP rep even suggested that my AD may have opened the watch case, tampered with the watch, etc. but they quickly dropped that notion once they checked their records which showed them having shipped the watch to my AD the previous week!  They did report that there were some "irregularities" inside the case which they fixed.  I believe those "irregularities" (imperfections) could only have come from the factory.  When PP took that initial position of pointing the finger at my AD, even though it was for just a moment, it made me realize that they are not overly enthusiastic about standing behind their product unconditionally.  Now, with that said, the PP service department is very pleasant, nevertheless, but clearly we are all paying for that with the price we pay for these watches!

After reading this posting, I hurriedly opened up a PP I had been saving in my safe for the past 10 months as I did not want to get stuck with a bad watch and a big repair bill down the road! ;-)

I have a 5146J,  less than 2 years of ownership the whole movement just stop moving. An overhaul was needed. Since it is still under warranty they did it for me free.
A new watch need an overhaul in less than 2 years? Is it normal? The recommended servicing is between 3 to 5 years right. Non of my other watches need a overhaul in such a short period of time.

Than my 5712... brand new 4 days in operation the watch was slow for 1 hour. Bring to my local AD, after 1 mths came back claim to be prefect. Than 3 weeks later I discover the watch was not moving at all (note power indicator is FULL) a shake is needed to start it again. I was really MAD and demand a replacement. Now after 4 months still have not get my watch back.

Sometime I wonder, why I still want to buy another Patek? To create more trouble for myself? The kind of money we spend can bring so much more happiness from somewhere else.

Are Patek outsourcing their QC department to the consumer???

Oh dear.... thrice!!! I will get really worry each time if I need to pull the crown to adjust the time.
As it is a complicated watch, my local AD is not allow to repair. If it drop off, it is going back to the factory for a good 2mths.

I am really puzzle how can we let them get away with this kind of design fault. Although the number might not be high but with the kind of premium they are charging us.......

Furthermore with their experience in watch making cant this be avoided?

Any enlightenment?

And I can fully appreciate your frustration as a similar thing happened to me.

But, I hope that you are able to resolve this quickly and to your satisfaction.

Regards

Tony 

first time around it was fixed in the NY workshop, second time around it was sent to factory then came sealed in a plastic sleeve with service and free of cost strap and additional 1 year warranty. Third time around they fixed it but upgraded the dp platinum buckle with a new calatrava logo one free of cost. Obviously it is the first PP which has given trouble however they took good care. But bottom line is that it does not leave a good taste as you have spent a fortune on a watch and then all this happens.
Ovais

So this happen on the same watch? Cant they fix it once and for all?
In my own opinion, all movement although their design might be the same. But they are still handmade and assembly by human. Individual movement will have their own characteristic. Some will be reliable for years to come but some will just be “lemon”, full of problem.
If this keep happening to the same watch something must be wrong. As I say, our local agent is not allow to fix anything higher than an annual calander. Everytime I send it in, the wait will be 2 months and will I be lucky enough to get the same treatment?
I am starting to have doubts on their company values. Are they going too commericalize and starts taking short cuts?
I use to be Patek believer, but now my faith is shaken....badly.

Happens to me all the time. Can be repaired easily.

May I know if this happen after years of ownership or when it is brand new?
If it is use for a period of time, I could understand it might due to wear and tear and it had done its job.
But if it is brand new....I will like to know what is their solution for you. Can PM me?

5107 was about one year old. The AD fixed it on the spot, while I was standing next to him (or at least next his watchmaker). 5450 was about six months old. Never got it fixed. Crown still falls off every now and then. Perhaps I will step by an AD in the not too distant future.

Hard to believe such a small piece has the strength to wind the watch. The winding stem kept coming out of my 3800. I read in the instructions that some movements come out from the front so the winding crown easily pulls out to allow this. To reinstall simply insert and turn until it re locks in place. My 3800 was one of those movements and I never could reinstall it myself. The 315 caliber is not one of those listed in the instructions as having the pull out feature. Clearly, the design intent is for the crown to break rather than the movement/mainspring with undue pressure in all the calibers. I have been told the correct motion to extend the winding crown is with a prying type action with a thumb nail and not a direct pull with the fingers.

By the way, am I allow to post a link to another forum? There is also another case of Patek QC not dong their job well.

nt

I had the exact same thing happen to me on a 5098, I sent it to my watchmaker because I did not want to be without the watch for several months. I understand that humans are making these watches and mistakes can be made, but crowns and stems coming out are just silly. It means it was not tested by QC.

If it were my watch I would demand my money back and agree to purchase the watch once it came back, but to purchase a damaged watch and then suffer through this would take all the fun out of it.

Ok, anyway someone recently bought 5712/1a from an AD in Boston.
Within two days of wearing the watch there was a loose screw in the movement and the watch stopped working.
So he called Patek service center in NY and asked them why they would not just replace it since it was a manufacturing problem.
Their response was that it was a simple problem in the movement and all they can do is fix it. They would not replace the watch because it is their policy.

Well I am wondering, with so many issues is there any Patek management reading this thread? What kind of explaination will they give to their believer?
Is it the old same story... rare and isolated case, simple problem, can easily fix, movement is working fine etc, etc?? Are they taking us for a ride?

Maybe someone could start a thread to post all the unusual/stupid problems they face with their Patek. And get it send to their Customer Service, maybe they will start taking their believer/supporter more seriously. Or realised that it is unjustify to charge such a high premium for their timepiece.

I wonder.....

Although I sympathize with you and had answered to you before,
it sort of bothers me that a fairly new member just complains and
nothing else.
You seem to have several problems with Patek. If I were you, I would not give them my business
anymore.

This thread is going nowhere. what I suggest is that you pm all the details about your watch to Dje, who is
the moderator of this forum andd he can get in contact with PP and find out what is going on. As a moderator
he has good contact with PP and as a purist he will judge fairly.

Just my thoughts

Ha ha, I know what you mean. I can understand that. Although I have not post anything but I have been a registered member since 2007 or 2008 I cant remember.... and have been learning from the forum.
I am not against Patek, and In fact I can show you prove of ownership and repair slip if you want.
I decided to share my experience here as I feel that Patek should do something about their QC. I really admire their timepiece, else I would not spend so much on it, but end up time and again being disappointed with it.
And you are right, maybe I should stop giving business to them.
I will like to warn others that, keeping a watch seal might not be a good idea after all.

I rest my case.

Thank you

Hi there

Is this one of the models which is constructed with a two part stem? That's not to say that it should easily come off, but that there are a number of models with a two part / split stem and that the crown (and part of the stem) can come out if pulled "too hard" (relative to the specific stem's tolerances - ie not to say that the stem was not "too loose"). There's mention of the split stem and how to resolve it if I recall correctly in the owner's manual.

nt

No message body

If you buy a new car and you happen to run a flat just outside the dealer;

you expect a new car?

Of course not. Just a new tyre and everything is fine and still brand new...

and the tire is going to take 2 to 4 months to fix, yes you ask for a new car

I sent my 5016P to mainteance. two years past and the watch sent to Geneva three times. It doesn't solve my problem. The watch worked perfect before mainteance. I had a retrograde date problem after first service. Then I had a repeater problem after second service. Now I am going to pickup my watch. I hope no problem will happen. It will drive me crazy if the watch have a problem again. 

It's obvious that if people start putting the complicated pieces in the safe Patek has less incentive to waste time on QC:Their in-warranty repair costs are close to zero.

And yes, my 5960P has defects.

Edmund

It is why perpetuals are sold with winding boxes. The mechanism works best when it is constantly running to avoid the oil drying up on the minute parts. Why anyone would even want a factory sealed watch makes not sense to me if the AD has handled a watch properly and not allowed any shop wear or abuse. As we all know, that sealed watch may not work, good QC or not. Never buy a watch, a car, or any other mechanical thing without kicking the tires first. Isn't what our Granddad said. Gee those old folks had common sense.

are we describing some back-alley replica watch with some mass produced movement or are we discussing Patek Philippe Geneve ?

No message body

5960 not 5970.

If you do not mind, what sort of defects does it have?

Thanks

Cheers

The date windows on my 5960 are not completely symmetrical. Return to zero is - approximative. As for pusher feel - you know, whith a chrono it's suppposed to click! and back to THE zero, not squeeze and hope for the best from the sponge.

It's a very pretty watch. I'm happy I bought it. But it is nowhere up to what Patek standards used to be, in movement "feel" or in QC. It's interesting actually that "forum rules" haven't already been invoked to wipe this thread - indicates a lot of us would like improvements in QC.

ili