First order - possible theft?

[roib20]

Given the alarming nature of the title, I’ll try to explain my experience as objectively as possible. I also want to point out that I’ve always been polite throughout the process and used the WhatsApp number provided here .

Timeline:

4/23/2025: I asked for more details about a watch and confirmed the model I wanted from their website — a white Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 with a brown leather strap. They said it was available and gave me the payment info. I paid that same day.

4/24/2025: They confirmed they got the payment and told me I’d get QC pictures within 3 days.

4/27/2025: I asked if the QC pictures were ready. They said they’d check the next day.

4/30/2025: I asked once more and mentioned I was an active RWI member. They replied, saying the leather strap wasn’t available at the factory and they didn’t know when it would be. They offered a refund or the option to wait. I decided to wait, since I really liked the watch.

5/7/2025: I waited a week and asked again for an update. They said the strap still hadn’t arrived, but they had the same watch with a steel bracelet. I told them I’d wait a bit more, as I don’t like that model with a steel band.

5/8/2025: Since I wasnt sure how long I would wait, I asked if I could switch to the same model but with a black dial and steel bracelet (since apparently they only had steel bracelet, I could like it with that watch). They said that was fine and that I’d get QC pictures in 3 days.

5/11/2025: They sent the QC pictures. The watch looked good, but I saw, in my opinion, a noticeable defect. After reading lots of posts in this forum, I know some defects in reps are normal, so I was ready to accept things like this, and my expectations were not high. But in this case, the issue was quite visible and right at the top-center of the dial. It looked especially off when the hands were aligned, like things just didn’t match up properly. I kindly asked if it was possible to get a better watch. That was the last time I heard from them.

5/14/2025: I followed up for an update. No reply.

5/15/2025: I asked again. Still nothing.

It’s been almost a month since I paid, and the order hasn’t gone through. I’ve always been respectful and patient. They originally confirmed availability for a watch that wasn’t actually available. When I saw a defect in the QC pictures of alternative watch, I just asked if there was a chance to get a better one (I never demanded ir impossed anything).

I’d really appreciate any feedback or advice. What should I expect? I lost my money?

All I ask is to be treated respectfully in replies!! Thanks!!

 

[Rx4Time]

Can you post the QA picture in question? In general it's better to get the bracelet when one is offered and pick up a genuine leater strap afterwards. A mojority of the rep leather straps are low quality vs the bracelet would cost you over $100 should you want one later on. The issue now is they have to send the watch back to the factory and get another sent over. This is not a daily trip, and each dealer varies in how often they visit the makers. Can you verify what contact info you are using? I don't think from what you said that you have lost money, just it's not as popular of model and there is always a lag. Take my most recent order with a different TD. I purchased an "in stock" model and during the QA they found an issue with the crown and had to get a replacement from the factory. Ultimately it took over 2 weeks before the watch was finally shipped. This is unfortunately how things work.

 

[roib20]

Thank you for your reply, it's somewhat of a relief. Regarding the strap, lesson learned. The contact info I’ve been using is: +86 131 1330 7655 (the number provided here). The QC picture is included below (first one). Now that I look at it again, it doesn’t seem that bad, at least not enough to justify all this trouble. At the time, I remember comparing it with pictures of the same models (12 models in total) from Hont website (second image below), and everything looked fine. I also reseached and checked previous orders of people of the same model, and the dial looked good in all of them. That said, I do find it strange that they stopped replying and haven’t provided any additional information.

 

[Rx4Time]

I am going to first suggest you don't use any of those alignment tools. Unless you have a direct head-on picture, you will have some distortion from both the angle of the crystal versus the camera and the position of the watch itself. I honestly don't see anything that would have caused me to reject it for this very reason. Beyond waiting for them to respond. After they have picked up a replacement piece, you could reach out to them and see if they still have the one you rejected on hand and accept it. No guarantees they still have it but that is an option.

 

[roib20]

I guess it is very subjective and depends how comfortable and strict you are on what you see. Alignment tool was justo to corroborate as that could be seen from different angles. Thanks for your help!!

 

[munichman]

What do you mean by "possible theft"?
Who´s the thieve and what was stolen?

Besides that, the glitch you are claiming to see, is really a minor one and without those funny lines not visible.

 

[Reaps]

Either keep waiting or ask for a refund. Nothing wrong here. You rejected a watch and now they're sourcing another one. This model isn't popular. 1 month is a while but not uncommon.

By the way. Your title is highly clickbait. You are accusing a TD of stealing your money.

 

[Rx4Time]

I guess it is very subjective and depends how comfortable and strict you are on what you see. Alignment tool was justo to corroborate as that could be seen from different angles. Thanks for your help!!

The best bit of advice I've seen which is pertinent to your current situation is to shrink the picture down to the actual size that would be on your wrist and then look at it from about a foot and a half away as if it was really on your wrist.

 

[roib20]

Either keep waiting or ask for a refund. Nothing wrong here. You rejected a watch and now they're sourcing another one. This model isn't popular. 1 month is a while but not uncommon.

By the way. Your title is highly clickbait. You are accusing a TD of stealing your money.

Thanks, will do this. Nope, Im not accusing anyone of anything. Im exposing my situation, including the lack of response and the fact that it’s already been a month, which felt a bit unusual. Anyway, based on the feedback here (including your response), everything should be ok, and therefore waiting is the right approach. Maybe the title wasn’t the best choice, so I apologize for that.