Having an issues with some Trusty Time purchases

[dannydon]

Hello, I'm new here and wanted to say hi, but also wanted to get some advice from more experienced forum members

I've purchased some items from Pure Time and had no issues at all, very pleased with the quality.

I thought I'd try another trusted dealer and compare the service and time it takes to receive the items. So I tried Trusty Time and bought an IWC Pilot IWC0208A, whilst waiting for this to arrive I placed another order with them for a Nautilus 5711 MKF V6.

The IWC eventually arrives and immediately falls apart, well at least the crown falls out (see photo) and the strap was in bad shape on arrival with lifting on the sides of the material, which you can kind of see in this photo too.
I contact Trusty Time and its almost like they needed convincing that it arrived like this, after a couple of back and forth emails they eventually say return the watch to be repaired, at my own shipping expense and at my own risk. So basically if it doesn't make it through customs it's gone. They didn't offer to replace or refund, just send it all the way back to China for repair and risk losing it.

In the meantime I get QC photos of the Nautilus and it seems to me the that the 12 o'clock markers are not aligned, I mention this and they send QC pics of another watch which pretty much looks the same.

At this stage I'm reluctant to even accept the Nautilus at all, and not pleased with their solution for the IWC.

So the question is am I being too fussy about the misaligned 12 o'clock markers? is that okay do you guys think? I do totally understand its a rep but honestly how hard can it be to get them straight?
And would you return the the IWC or just try and find a local jeweler to try and fix it and just not worry about it or having the risk and expense of sending it to China and back.
I want to be reasonable and have realistic expectations but I really don't think I will be buying from Trusty Time again.

 

[trustytime]

Hi,

Pls drop me an email with your order number for the IWC and I will arrange to have it resolved for you. For the Nautilus, let us know via email and we can arrange another piece for you.

 

[dannydon]

As I explain in the post I have already messaged you about both items which is why I am now seeking advice of other members

 

[kavorca1]

Have you gotten an estimate to repair the crown from watchsmith? When my crown broke off i took it to watchsmith and the cost was less than the shipping/wait/customs risk. Just saying that's what i did and it worked out for me.

 

[dannydon]

Thank you, that's what I was thinking/ hoping. I might go that route if I can find a repair shop that will work on it. Not happy that it arrived like that though.
I appreciate your reply

 

[tripdog]

The IWC eventually arrives and immediately falls apart, well at least the crown falls out (see photo) and the strap was in bad shape on arrival with lifting on the sides of the material, which you can kind of see in this photo too.
I contact Trusty Time and its almost like they needed convincing that it arrived like this, after a couple of back and forth emails they eventually say return the watch to be repaired, at my own shipping expense and at my own risk. So basically if it doesn't make it through customs it's gone. They didn't offer to replace or refund, just send it all the way back to China for repair and risk losing it.

The crown - that's the keyless works that need to be reset - nothing on that watch has fallen apart - you are exaggerating for dramatic effect.

Everybody who buys reps regularly knows the straps are crap and should be replaced as soon as possible.

Most Pateks have misaligned markers, your TD isn't going to spend time looking for a watch with aligned markers if he thinks you're unpleasant to deal with.

 

[zachsdad82]

Personally I am of a bit of a different view to tripdog, I think that you are well within your rights to expect a watch strap that is in good condition, regardless of if most people change the strap or not, and markers that are straight. Really frustrating when markers are misaligned.

The keyless works though is not worth the hassle of sending to China. Just swallow the cost and no doubt Andrew will give credit on a future purchase. TT are a TD for reason.

Good luck

ZD82


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Phoenixboy]

Personally I am of a bit of a different view to tripdog, I think that you are well within your rights to expect a watch strap that is in good condition, regardless of if most people change the strap or not, and markers that are straight. Really frustrating when markers are misaligned.

The keyless works though is not worth the hassle of sending to China. Just swallow the cost and no doubt Andrew will give credit on a future purchase. TT are a TD for reason.

Good luck

ZD82


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

its a known fact that rep straps are generally poor.
mine are thrown in the draw or the trash, depending if they have survived long enough to try the piece on.
the effort goes into making the watch, the strap is an afterthought, and is rarely worth attaching a nice watch to.....

 

[dannydon]

Thanks to each of you for your advice I do appreciate it. The strap for sure I should just replace to something of better quality and will be doing that. I was already thinking that it might be easier to repair the crown than send it back, which is why its useful to get your thoughts on that too. Thanks

 

[DaleM]

Remember that TT does not make the watch. I have had all.kinda of things happen to my reps that drives me nuts or just dying shortly.after.arrival. The seller has no way to predict reliability. I consider a best practice to get a watch serviced by our crew as soon as possible.

 

[dannydon]

Remember that TT does not make the watch. I have had all.kinda of things happen to my reps that drives me nuts or just dying shortly.after.arrival. The seller has no way to predict reliability. I consider a best practice to get a watch serviced by our crew as soon as possible.

Understood, thanks DaleM

Does anyone know somewhere in LA that will service and repair reps?

Thanks

 

[DaleM]

We have a watchmaker and horologist section.

 

[kavorca1]

I've taken mine to quick fix in chino. He hasn't made too big of a deal to work on mine. He does put rep on receipt. I emailed him and told him i received a rep Rolex as a gift and if he could work on it. give it try.

 

[Slanglican]

I had an issue with qc on my recent order with TT but he got it handled with the factory and I have an awesome watch on the way. Granted mine was the slide rule so basically every number/markers were misaligned but with yours you sure it isn’t the lighting?? I thought the exact same thing one of my mine that the marker was mis aligned but it was just the lighting and reflection...
I love using TT bc he is super responsive and will work for your satisfaction!

btw since you are in America, did you use dhl shipping? If so, how long did it take for the item to get “picked up?”
Been a week now on mine and it’s still says “info received.”

 

[Paulbsiny]

I’ve place 6 orders with Andrew since the lockdown started. Currently waiting on a RB excalibur spider. Andrew does his best to resolve problems when they inevitably occur.

 

[Replica Envy]

I have ordered probably $5000 worth of watches from Andrew in the last 2-3 months. Only had an issue on one of them. I did my part and communicated the issue as soon as it was discovered the next day. He always responds within 2-12 hours and we worked out a solution. I agree, sending over the pond is not worth the risk. I was able to knock off some $$ off my next order that offset the cost of my repair and all was great!