Comments:
From your post it sounds like your watch is running slow. Shouldn't be since you mentioned the movement has been replaced before.
Actually $2600 is not really that high if you breakdown what the service entails.
1) Replacing crystals and strap is going to cost a few hundred dollars. Maybe $400-$500? And that least $2100 on the table.
2) I would presume servicing the movement costs at least $1000?
The difference could be dealer margin(assuming you did it through them and RM allows a margin for repair work for dealeers) and my underestimation of the costs involved. If you don't want to spend so much just tell them to fix the movement only. The service contract(at least my experience from other brands) will usually give a breakdown and you can just tell them what you want done only.
Richard Mille Repair Sticker Shock!!!!
I have an RM 005 Ti - which I bought from the east coast rep - which is out of warranty. Initially i wore it a lot, and had timekeeping issues which resulted in the Company changing out the movement. As I am an avid collector and have many watches - I barely wore it over the last few years. Recently I took it out of the safe and found that it would not keep time losing many minutes per day.It was sent back to Mille. They insisted that their estimate would cost me $500.00, if I chose not to repair the watch. I said fine assuming a reasonable charge to have it repaired. I just received their quote of $3,500.00. When I complained vigorously, it was adjusted to $2601.00.
This includes refurbishing the case and replacing the crystals (which is not required) and replacing the strap and refurbishing the buckle (which is almost unused as I bought a rubber strap last year (which I have barely worn). Basically - all I want is for the watch to keep time. There is no diagnosis given.
This feels like highway robbery. Since they don't release their case tool, I can't get a 2nd opinion from a another jeweler. I think the economy and fewer sales is causing watch companies to gouge their loyal customers on watch repairs. I don't care what a watch costs - this seems ridiculous.
I'm thinking of getting the watch back and sticking it in my safe for my future heirs.
Looking forward to you comments or experiences.
This includes refurbishing the case and replacing the crystals (which is not required) and replacing the strap and refurbishing the buckle (which is almost unused as I bought a rubber strap last year (which I have barely worn). Basically - all I want is for the watch to keep time. There is no diagnosis given.
This feels like highway robbery. Since they don't release their case tool, I can't get a 2nd opinion from a another jeweler. I think the economy and fewer sales is causing watch companies to gouge their loyal customers on watch repairs. I don't care what a watch costs - this seems ridiculous.
I'm thinking of getting the watch back and sticking it in my safe for my future heirs.
Looking forward to you comments or experiences.
Tell the people who sold it to you that they are going to regret it.
That is highway robbery alright
Tell them that there is nothing worse for a company's reputation than a client who has been treated like lcrap. Those clients will no longer buy from the same people and their opinion will affect prospective buyers with whom they talk to. Hell, even write in your own website or blog about it.
I think there is a profit opportunity here - caseback openers for RM watches.
Tell them that there is nothing worse for a company's reputation than a client who has been treated like lcrap. Those clients will no longer buy from the same people and their opinion will affect prospective buyers with whom they talk to. Hell, even write in your own website or blog about it.
I think there is a profit opportunity here - caseback openers for RM watches.
Does the cost involve a new movment?
From your post it sounds like your watch is running slow. Shouldn't be since you mentioned the movement has been replaced before.
Actually $2600 is not really that high if you breakdown what the service entails.
1) Replacing crystals and strap is going to cost a few hundred dollars. Maybe $400-$500? And that least $2100 on the table.
2) I would presume servicing the movement costs at least $1000?
The difference could be dealer margin(assuming you did it through them and RM allows a margin for repair work for dealeers) and my underestimation of the costs involved. If you don't want to spend so much just tell them to fix the movement only. The service contract(at least my experience from other brands) will usually give a breakdown and you can just tell them what you want done only.
Sticker Shock
I will ask the dealer. They told me they took off their profit to satisfy my outrage. All I want is for the watch to keep time. It doesn't need refinishing, a new band or crystals. I will let you know.
Hello Avimd
Please contact me via private mail so that we can get to the bottom of the situation with your watch.
I am here to help.
Kind regards,
Theodore
I am here to help.
Kind regards,
Theodore
Cost breakdown?
Hello Avimd,
Am really sorry to hear about your watch; these things are extremely aggravating indeed and (as a fellow collector) I understand your feelings completely!
I have sent you a private message to contact me so I can get a better idea about what is exactly going on, and I will do my best to assist you in this matter.
I would like however to point out that it is impossible to refresh a case without taking the glasses out. Replacing the glasses in and out requires new gaskets, and a new series of 2 staged waterproofing tests. Exceptions to this might be a minor scratch at the edges of the bezel or such places. But as soon as the front section is scratched to the point of needing re-polishing, the glass has to come out, and this is true of many watches indeed. RM cases, with their curves, polished and matt surfaces are amongst the most complicated of their kind in the market, and I can tell you that re-polishing them is pretty costly to begin with.
Regarding case screws: the vast majority of parts for RM are only made for his watches; this means that there are no jewelers/watchmakers around with materials for such work except RM authorized dealers. So even if you open it, it is not going to help much. I understand this may seem an irritation, but there are a number of exclusive brands that have exactly the same system in place. I suspect that it is very much the same with Ferrari's; I doubt a Ford dealer is going to have replacement parts for any Ferrari engine block in their shelves...
As the movement was indeed switched out, then there is a guarantee period for the movement that ensues afterwards, so I also don't understand what is going on exactly here.
I also have no idea what the retailer has marked up, the original costs, shipping, etc. so I can't really react fully to your situation.
Be that as it may, if you can contact me you will be sure I will follow up and get to the bottom of the situation for you.
Regards,
Theodore Diehl
Richard Mille Watches
Am really sorry to hear about your watch; these things are extremely aggravating indeed and (as a fellow collector) I understand your feelings completely!
I have sent you a private message to contact me so I can get a better idea about what is exactly going on, and I will do my best to assist you in this matter.
I would like however to point out that it is impossible to refresh a case without taking the glasses out. Replacing the glasses in and out requires new gaskets, and a new series of 2 staged waterproofing tests. Exceptions to this might be a minor scratch at the edges of the bezel or such places. But as soon as the front section is scratched to the point of needing re-polishing, the glass has to come out, and this is true of many watches indeed. RM cases, with their curves, polished and matt surfaces are amongst the most complicated of their kind in the market, and I can tell you that re-polishing them is pretty costly to begin with.
Regarding case screws: the vast majority of parts for RM are only made for his watches; this means that there are no jewelers/watchmakers around with materials for such work except RM authorized dealers. So even if you open it, it is not going to help much. I understand this may seem an irritation, but there are a number of exclusive brands that have exactly the same system in place. I suspect that it is very much the same with Ferrari's; I doubt a Ford dealer is going to have replacement parts for any Ferrari engine block in their shelves...
As the movement was indeed switched out, then there is a guarantee period for the movement that ensues afterwards, so I also don't understand what is going on exactly here.
I also have no idea what the retailer has marked up, the original costs, shipping, etc. so I can't really react fully to your situation.
Be that as it may, if you can contact me you will be sure I will follow up and get to the bottom of the situation for you.
Regards,
Theodore Diehl
Richard Mille Watches
Thanks Theodore for helping out here. I have been out of
'radar' range for the past couple of days. Avimd - I am truly sorry to hear of the sticker shock for the repair on the RM005. I find it hard to believe given what you have described here. I also feel that Theodore is in the best position to deal with this, given his connections to Richard Mille watches.
Let Theordore get to what has happened here, as I think it is more a breakdown of communication somewhere along the line.
Thanks
Andrew H