Poky
1248
Is it me or is it Patek?
After the initial problem with the poor refurbishment, Patek kindly agreed to replace the case. 4 months wait for the initial service/refurbishment and another 3 months wait for the new case. Got the watch today and I was disappointed to see subtle marks on the dial and a tiny scratch on the rotor.
Before anyone says these are reflections or dirt on the crystal, let me tell you that the AD manager also identified them; these are marks on the dial and rotor. They are very small but can be seen. The photos probably do not show them well. The AD was happy to send the watch back again but I decided to take it home for the time being.
Am I being over-obsessive? what would you do?
The problem is that I like the 5167 too much to let it go but this level of service is changing my mind.
Read my initial story with the poor refurbishment here:
www.watchprosite.com
tiny scratch on the rotor
scratch on the rotor- green circle
mark on the dial
mark on the dial- green circle
mark on the dial
mark on the dial- green circle
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Is it me or is it Patek?
After the initial problem with the poor refurbishment, Patek kindly agreed to replace the case. 4 months wait for the initial service/refurbishment and another 3 months wait for the new case. Got the watch today and I was disappointed to see subtle marks ...
signs that humans have handled the watch
You asked for it and in my opinion your expectations are a bit too high. The shown "blemishes" are not relevant and acceptable. Best Moritz
I think you have the right
To send it back,But if it was me I would let it go without you look for 100% perfection that is going to be hectic and frustrating. Best, Ahmed
Agree with Beejo....
.....i think you have the right to send it back. If i was in your shoes, though, I wouldn't as it would not bother me that much.
I will contact the service centre
If they can rectify them the next time the watch goes for its service, I may go along with that as they are quite hard to see. Who knows, there may even be more problems when it goes for a service again. I am kind of losing faith in Patek, not as perfect ...
They replaced the case, so that's pretty good!
I wouldn\'t worry about those marks, perhaps the dial one if it shows up more obviously in person than pictures. I\'m very happy that they replaced the case for you though! Hopefully you can enjoy your watch now. If I was you I wouldn\'t get my watches po...
No more polishing for me.
It was good of them to agree to replace the case. The marks are not readily visible and I doubt most people would see them without knowing. Just not what I expected.
I understand
It\'s hard to know what to expect! I have similar issues with my Portuguese, I think it\'s normal.
You will always find some irregularities
If not with 2x or 3x magnification, then certainly with 10x... ;-) There is an easy rule: If you see the flaws with your eyes only, and it disturbes you, let it be changed. If you don\'t see it with your eyes, chances are high, that with the improvement o...
If you only see the issues under magnification then I'd leave well enough alone
This is why I never look at my watches with a loupe, I know I'd see imperfections that would start to bother me. The mark on the dial seem extremely minor. Do you know that it wasn't there all along? To be honest I see some other minor marks in your photo...
I do actually see them with naked eyes
that is because my short sight is very good. Maybe the dial can just be cleaned and the rotor probably should be left alone. My main gripe is that I did not expect to see this from the Patek.
+1 from me.
This is supposed to be Patek. They were already dealing with an unhappy customer who had evidence of a poor service AND they let this happen. Disappointing
Sell the watch as "like new"
Don't buy a Patek again. ALS is pretty much your best bet.
If I had known, I probably would have kept the watch sealed
That way, I would get much more for it. I opened it as I thought it must be all fine now. I will definitely take my name off for a Patek I had in my mind. I can't bring myself to spend any more cash on Patek.
Hard to tell Poky
From my own experience, I noticed that not many watches would pass a highly magnified control. This is craftmanship and there is very often a little imperfection somewhere if we look well. That's also a reason why I don't like using magnifying glasses for...
Stories like yours....
make me think that it is a good idea to wait for service, you're paying top dollar, they should deliver top service. Unfortunately it is what it is, if you can live with it as is, keep it as such but ask your AD if in its next service will these be charge...
I suggest..
You try to enjoy the watch for a while and if you can't, then you owe it to yourself to send it back.. All watches will have minor blemishes due to the manufacturing process, only the degree of visibility varies.. I have had many issues with a few Langes ...
I have been thinking in fact
If I should sell this at a loss and get a Lange instead. After reading your post and your problems with Lange, now I am not sure if that is the best thing to do.
If it has to be magnified and pointed out, it is too minuscule of a problem to ask for rework IMHO.
It is a handmade craftsmanship piece so there are bound to be little inconsistencies here and there. If I look at my pieces under magnification, there are bound to be imperfections too. A watch is meant to be enjoyed. Sooner or later these pieces will get...
Totally agree with you except that I can see these with naked eyes
The watch was totally pristine when I first purchase it meaning that Patek can make flawless time pieces, even if it is from the lower end of the range.
In that case, return it for a refurbish again though I don't see how
It will work out if you will be looking for minor blemishes. I have a feeling the watch will be returned somehow with something else somewhere else. Doesn\'t seem like a winning proposition but hey if you have got the time to spare and let it sit for anot...
if you're not happy send it back
i would. if you can see them with the naked eye and it bothers you, by all means send it back.
I have started a conversation with Patek service manager
She has offered to inspect and make suggestions but that means the watch to be away again.
What magnification is this 10X?
Surely there has to be a tolerance level that minor blemishes that are not visible tpo the human eye are not acceptable? I get that the watch needs to be perfect but then is anything perfect? My view may be different if that was my watcg but I dont look a...
I don't either
I don't even own a loupe. I saw them first at the AD within 5 minutes but the AD had to use a loop to see them. They have been magnified with an old camera to demonstrate them. I definitely would not use a loupe to inspect the watch as I am sure I will fi...
Here's the thing I've realized...
people always expect the best from Patek. Well I've seen many new Pateks with scratches on dials, hands, movements and even rotors. Some minor flaws can be expected since it's humans working on the watches but there are things no one accepts. Here's the t...
Thanks Laurent
I do expect the best from Patek as I do believe they can be the best. When I first purchased the watch, it was absolutely pristine, completely flawless. Very impressive. The watch has not been serviced to the same standard that it was first made. I don't ...
I would be upset too. I'm surprised by the responses of fellow purists
Fine finishing and perfection is part of the pleasure in owning a Patek Philippe. I enjoy looking at my watches using a 10X loupe, how else are we to admire the fine finishing we're paying such a premium for? Most mechanical watches keep excellent time, b...
Well said, could not agree with you more. That is why I feel like this.
Some watch brands actually give you a complementary loupe, and why not. I don't own a loupe system and can still see these with naked eyes. I am a perfectionist but watches are supposed to be perfect with Patek being the best of the best IMO. The dial on ...
I think you better find another brand as PP will never be able to meet your expectations!
TS himself has stated that PP has approx 2-3% of annual production that has QC issues and thats within normal tolerances for them. If the CEO thinks 2% is ok then I am afrain your 100% is just not going to be met!!
Patek has agreed to inspect it and most likely send it back to Geneva
I suspect at best they will offer to replace but more likely to polish the rotor and clean the dial (if cleanable). I doubt very much, even if I was to insist, they would give me a new watch. My concern is that, this is what I see on the surface, what is ...
I think it is what a brand should always offer
a way to satisfy clients requests on such subjects without arguing on dealing with issues that can arise here and then. Patek handles this very well and and it is far to be a general behavior. However, if I wear you, I would also have sent the watch for a...
Very comforting to hear that from you Mark
Initially I was going to wait until the next service in 5 years but I think it is important to resolve this early as the solution now may be more ideal than the solution 5 years down the line. Who knows, they may even offer to replace the watch completely...
Initially I was going to let it go
But as I keep noticing the marks I am going to send the watch back. There has to be a difference between a Patek and much cheaper brands.