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A most humble thanks...
Thanks for understanding. Have really been deeply sad about what Patek has been doing the past few years, and other collectors i know have also not been too enthusiastic. Have a feeling i figured out the company's new strategy last night. Basically, make models for collectors that do not wear their timepieces that often, so reliability and durability is not really a factor do to low use. Every three years or so for servicing backs up this low use/reliability factor. Also, while the Aqua and Nautilus claim to be durable, with the later being for 'divers', it really is not a diver's watch more than giving **the impression** that it is. So it is by far more a jewelry piece and for appearance rather than for actual daily use for the 'wrist instrument' it is said to be made for. Now Patek's new 'vision' makes sense to me. Obviously i loved the days years ago when you could wear a Patek everyday and rely on it. If something broke, it was fixed within a few weeks or so. So yes, i miss the good ol' days of Patek Philippe, and those memories i shall always cherish fondly.
Wish didn't have it refurbished
I decided to have my 5167 refurbished as I was having the bracelet changed to the tropical strap and the watch was also due for its service. The watch looks great with the strap and the movement also looks very good but the case refurbishment is disappoin...
There is always risk when metal is removed.
Personally I would not risk a second round of polishing as again you remove material. I realize it is a major disappointment and you should draw it to their attention but.... I guess the lesson we learn as that unless your case has be abused it is not wor...
That casework was completed by Patek directly?
Wow. That is utterly disappointing. I feel for you.
Was that done at the manufacture or an agent?
That's very disappointing. Best, martin
Incredible. I wonder if a significant mistake was made during reconditioning...
and the resulting over-polishing was done to hide the error. I would send it back to Patek to fix as best they can.
By the way, that is a double-error...
first, in skill and care when reconditioning the case; and second, in quality control when a second set of eyes should have not let the watch be returned to you in that condition.
You should definitely le them know!
I\'m sure Patek will take care of this, but obviously they can\'t better the job by polishing again as they will remove even more material. You said the watch had only few marks but how deep they were? Did they offer you the possibility to operate with la...
There were a few small dents and some light scratches but mainly on the bezel and bracelet.
There was no damage on the lugs. I am going to take it back tomorrow. I am really annoyed with myself for not checking it out thoroughly in the store.
Let us know what happens.
It\'s quite bad...sorry to hear this happened through PP...
Laser Soldering
Hi! Just a newbie question, Does patek offer this service to Steel cases? I was under the impression that they only do laser soldering for Gold and Platinum watches?
Luckily they have spare cases in Patek
and who ever did the work, ask them to change the case. Best, Kari
thats a really good idea......
.....re-polsihing or re-touching just may make it worse. Its a steel case....they have them.......they can make it right.
That is what I am thinking.
A replacement case is going to be the only solution. I doubt re-polishing is going to resolve it. The question is whether Patek will accept that.
I think the question is if Patek was polishing the case
or one of their service centres (=AD). I'm sure Patek stands behind their quality. Best, Kari
My concern exactly. I think it is an authorised service centre but it came back with a Patek accompanying letter.
I really hope Patek will sort this out for me. I have been waiting to put this watch back on with its tropical strap. I have emailed Patek through their online Contact us. I have not heard anything yet. I have taken the watch back to the local AD. The wat...
Okay! Rhone Products = a subsidiary of Patek Philippe
That's the distribution centre for UK and they should be able to settle the issue. Best, Kari
Do you think they will honor Patek values?
I hope so. I am waiting to see if Patek (presumably Geneve) responds to my email first. If nothing by tomorrow, I will pick up the phone and hopefully be able to speak to someone at Rhone Products.
I have discussed with their man.dir. many times
and I trust that he's fully sharing Patek's values. Best, Kari
That is incredibly bad
How it went out to you in that condition is amazing. No back up inspections, I guess.
Very sorry to hear about the poor polishing job.
I hope Patek makes it right for you. The photos are very distorted though, could you post some normal ones? Good luck!
Thanks for letting us know in this forum. Sympathize with your dillema.
Aquanuts a great line of Patek. Its carried well by some famous people like Paul mc Carthy and Ringo Star here in my country moguls use it as a somewhat versatile watch. Can be for the board room and for leisure. Let us know what is the response of Patek....
I can't see it!
Gentlemen, I am a newbie to this kinda of thing. I can't see the problem. Would someone mind annotating the pictures? I'm struggling here and cannot zero in on the comparison between what it SHOULD look like and what it DOES look like?
look at the first photo, if you look at just the lugs,where the polished and brushed finishing meet...
you'll see that both the lugs have different shape to where the finishings meet. I feel for you, Poky. It's obvious to the naked eye, and that shouldn't be acceptable, especially when a servicing is done to have it back to as close as like-new condition. ...
a mistake by Patek
I believe they take photos of all watches on intake, so they can certainly see the shape it was in. And even "if" it was in worse shape then you are saying, they should have told you how it would come out. This probably totally surprised them too. Patek h...
Yes, I have seen the service video.
I am just not sure if their photo would pick up everything. Waiting game for now.
Am sure Patek will fix it...
Like any reputable company, am sure Patek Philippe will fix this problem, perhaps a new case, in a week or three when you alert them and send it back to correct their error. Call up Patek and let us know how it goes.
Disappointing initial comeback from Patek
Patek has accepted that the polish is below their standard and I have been offered a repeat polish on the case and a refund for the polish. I am not thrilled with this decision as another polish will completely ruin the case, particularly the crown guards...
They're removing more metal???
A new case is the appropriate thing as they're now just making the case smaller and smaller, which highly reduces the value of the watch. Am ashamed at what Patek Philippe has become and their continual bad treatment to their clients. This is why I sold v...
This is costing you
You wanted it polished 1 time, not twice, for obvious reasons. They can offer you whatever they want. They have said it is below their standard and never would have offered you not to charge for polish unless they knew it would devalue your watch. You are...
Repolish?
Patek has made a point to encourage owners to return their watches for service or restoration. Reading on their website from the "Patek Philippe Commitment", Thierry Stern confirms their commitment for service and restoration requiring the same skills and...
UK Patek didn't even wait for my response!
When I contacted them today, they had already started the repolishing process. I said that I would not be happy unless the case was replaced. They have now sent the watch to Geneva for examination, considering my request for a new case. I will have to wai...
Wow! What an absolute disaster.
How did that even pass QC? It looks like a 5 year old did it. Awful.
Any word from the factory?
Case replacement should be normal to maintaining Patek quality and resale value.
It is always difficult to learn what exactly happened
but I hope that it will be settled the right way. Keep us informed. Cheers, Mark
You are right, it is difficult to know what happened
So far, Patek has been trying hard to keep me informed and have been very friendly. I think I will know next week.
Resolution at last
The watch was polished and regrained again by the Head Polisher in the UK before it was sent to Patek in Geneva for inspection. I did not see the watch after its second refurbish as I had requested a new case. Although Patek in Geneva has said the work is...
My worst nightmare
This is my worst nightmare, this and a million other things that can go wrong during service or restoration. I have a mild form of separation anxiety with the watches that need service and attention. Glad that the issue is resolved. This clearly does not ...
I am glad that they are replacing the case
I had a confirmation that the whole case (bezel, case back and even the crystal) will be replaced. They have been very polite and quick in their communication throughout. It shouldn't have happened in the first place but the resolution is satisfactory. I ...
As it is only a SS case I feel
Patel would replace it due to the lack of precision on the polish. However I'm glad they're correct their mishap. All the best!
answering to a higher God
Lots of aggravation, but I think you will finally enjoy your watch for many years to come. And in the end, glad Patek finally agreed the customer's standards are higher than theirs.
Not quite out of the woods yet
Given the recent experience my fear is that something else may go wrong, so many things that could.
Flip it as like new....
New case and just serviced.... flip it asap. That case scratches easily so don't wear it.
I love this watch too much to sell
I will just have to be more careful with it and don't get it refurbished again.
Good!
Glad they are replacing it completely. I would not have accepted it any other way. Enjoy when she is back in your hands!
I wore mine daily
And it just doesn't hold up, plus the bezel easily scratches too. Maybe it is just a carefully worn show piece, but as a true timepiece for use I feel now is the best time for him to sell and get top dollar. JMHO So yes, perhaps it is more jewelry, yet I ...
I can understand what you mean
I don't think it is so much of getting scratched easily, it is that the scratches show up much more on a brushed metal. Plus, the bezel is relatively wide but this also applies to AP and Nautilus. If it was ceramic, it would have been better.
A most humble thanks...
Thanks for understanding. Have really been deeply sad about what Patek has been doing the past few years, and other collectors i know have also not been too enthusiastic. Have a feeling i figured out the company's new strategy last night. Basically, make ...
If it is the watch he likes why should he sell it??
That's inherent to nearly every watches , especially high-end ones. They are not tool watches so it is part of their life. Poky has faced a problem with no relation with the use of the watch. The problem is solved now and he can use it as he intended to, ...
I would have sold it
if the case was not replaced, mainly because it would have bothered me too much not because I don't like the watch. Now that Patek is getting it all sorted (hopefully no further issues), it will be a great watch to wear and enjoy again.