InTime sent me the ARF QC pictures - the dial shot looked fine in isolation, so I OK'd it and they sent it:
But then I saw someone else's InTime QC pictures of the exact same ARF V3:
Notice the different cyclops magnification?
Here are the emails that followed:
Me: Dear Sir, I am concerned that the watch I received was not an ARF V3 but an ARF V2 as the magnification on the cyclops is too strong.
InTime: the V2 has been stopped production for a very long time, they only have V3 now.
Me: OK, but I am just not happy with the magnification - somebody else posted their QC pictures of the exact same watch from you and the magnification was nothing like mine. [I attached the photos above]
InTime: Did you mean the datewheel or the cyclops? the cyclops must be the same.
Me: I believe the cyclop is over magnifying the size of the datewheel aperture.
InTime: I have asked the maker but they said they have only one kind of cyclops and crystal...
Me: Thank you for asking - did you show them the pictures below - they must see there is an obvious difference - can you let them know I am very unhappy. Maybe they could send me a new crystal/cyclops and I could send them back the old one
InTime: I have showed them the picture but they said probably it is the angle of the picture, they insist they have only one kind of crystal. they don't offer free crystal replacement...Would you accept a $20 voucher code for next purchase?
Me: No i will not accept “$20”, it is obviously wrong. Here is another picture of my watch with the same angle:
InTime: I can confirm the cyclops and crystal must be the same version. the factory only has updated the date wheel fonts, the cyclops and crystal is the same. the $20 voucher just a gift, I didn't mean the cyclops is wrong.
Me: How do you or ARF explain the huge difference then? The date window is too big? The crystal is set away from the dial too much therefore increasing the magnifiying affect?
InTime: to be honest, I really think that is camera angle issue.
Me: I can take it from 100 angles and I promise it will be the same. Tell me the distance that you took the picture of the other guys watch and I will replicate the distance and angle
I have heard no more from InTime
But then I saw someone else's InTime QC pictures of the exact same ARF V3:
Notice the different cyclops magnification?
Here are the emails that followed:
Me: Dear Sir, I am concerned that the watch I received was not an ARF V3 but an ARF V2 as the magnification on the cyclops is too strong.
InTime: the V2 has been stopped production for a very long time, they only have V3 now.
Me: OK, but I am just not happy with the magnification - somebody else posted their QC pictures of the exact same watch from you and the magnification was nothing like mine. [I attached the photos above]
InTime: Did you mean the datewheel or the cyclops? the cyclops must be the same.
Me: I believe the cyclop is over magnifying the size of the datewheel aperture.
InTime: I have asked the maker but they said they have only one kind of cyclops and crystal...
Me: Thank you for asking - did you show them the pictures below - they must see there is an obvious difference - can you let them know I am very unhappy. Maybe they could send me a new crystal/cyclops and I could send them back the old one
InTime: I have showed them the picture but they said probably it is the angle of the picture, they insist they have only one kind of crystal. they don't offer free crystal replacement...Would you accept a $20 voucher code for next purchase?
Me: No i will not accept “$20”, it is obviously wrong. Here is another picture of my watch with the same angle:
InTime: I can confirm the cyclops and crystal must be the same version. the factory only has updated the date wheel fonts, the cyclops and crystal is the same. the $20 voucher just a gift, I didn't mean the cyclops is wrong.
Me: How do you or ARF explain the huge difference then? The date window is too big? The crystal is set away from the dial too much therefore increasing the magnifiying affect?
InTime: to be honest, I really think that is camera angle issue.
Me: I can take it from 100 angles and I promise it will be the same. Tell me the distance that you took the picture of the other guys watch and I will replicate the distance and angle
I have heard no more from InTime
Last edited: