“Chrono creep is acceptable and within spec” - Tudor/RSC

In August, I sent my 2023 Tudor chronograph in for a service to address what I’ve since learned is typically tight winding (it’s B01 moment thing, apparently), chrono creep and the watch running a wee bit slow. It came back within 2 weeks and the chrono hand was still slightly misaligned. Back it went. That was in October. Nearly four months later and after visiting the TB on a few occasions, I had heard nothing definitive. Good thing it’s under warranty, but still….

I decided to leave a message yesterday with the RSC and early today received a call back. Nice! I spoke to a very pleasant and professional representative who asked for all details. She also said that the Tudor technicians confirmed that a certain amount of chrono creep is considered acceptable. I’m somewhat surprised at this as I always thought chrono creep was unacceptable. Am I just being picky? Has anyone else been told this?

Speedmasters can creep, of course (mine has), but I’ve never had a watch return from service with a creeping chronograph hand and being told, “well, that’s as good as it is going to be”.

Of course variance is a given with all things mechanical. Still, hearing “sorry, that’s the best we can do” from the RSC, no less, is rather off putting.

I wonder if they would say the same about a Daytona.

I actually asked something like that. I didn’t want to sound like a precious watch guy (not really possible with my small, no Rolex or ultra high-end pieces collection!) but I did say that it matters not whether ALS, PP, Daytona or Tudor, a chrono hand sets to zero - just like my Hamilton, Tutima Flieger and Speedmaster do. I’m simply astonished at the potential undermining of the brands’ reputation.

So…the final outcome for me is I now have my chrono back. Finally. The chrono hand resets pretty much perfectly now (admittedly, my eyes suffer from a very disparate eyeglass Rx and it’s of no help in these precision matters!). I have a service record from the local TB, and the RSC in Toronto has promised to follow up. I can’t stress how pleasant they were to deal with, and I applaud their patience with some tough questions. They knew I was not a Rolex owner yet their customer service was excellent.

I may not agree with their technicians who insist a tiny amount of ‘creep’ or, more accurately, misalignment, is within spec, but the watch is functioning normally now.