A positive case for the new Tudor BBGMT

GBTRIUMPH

I took the watch to the AD so they can get the warranty work accomplished. I do not do warranty work. I do not expect a watch costing this much to need "sorting out". My Fossil ($69 on sale!) required no "sorting", any Squale requires no "sorting"...certainly no Omega. I can understand break in periods or adjustments to settle in accuracy, but fundamental function should be assured upon purchase. We will see whether Tudor is responsive to warranty claims and to what extent. Since this is happening worldwide; Tudor had a huge happy sales rush, now they have a significant liability to overcome. Bad publicity, worldwide, all at the same time, is the worst to overcome. Time will tell.

This circumstance is my fault, actually. A family rule for most of my life (being born in Detroit) is "never buy the first model year". It was a family policy I followed until this past month. Why I thought I could break that policy and get away without issues shows my silliness. Maybe I'm getting old. Mea culpa.

The Father

So the problem with GMT is the date window which in my opinion it could have done without. I assume the date window was to add value to the Tudor. Anyway, a damn shame with this problem on a good looking desirable watch

GBTRIUMPH

I took the watch to the AD so they can get the warranty work accomplished. I do not do warranty work. I do not expect a watch costing this much to need "sorting out". My Fossil ($69 on sale!) required no "sorting", any Squale requires no "sorting"...certainly no Omega. I can understand break in periods or adjustments to settle in accuracy, but fundamental function should be assured upon purchase. We will see whether Tudor is responsive to warranty claims and to what extent. Since this is happening worldwide; Tudor had a huge happy sales rush, now they have a significant liability to overcome. Bad publicity, worldwide, all at the same time, is the worst to overcome. Time will tell.

This circumstance is my fault, actually. A family rule for most of my life (being born in Detroit) is "never buy the first model year". It was a family policy I followed until this past month. Why I thought I could break that policy and get away without issues shows my silliness. Maybe I'm getting old. Mea culpa.

GBTRIUMPH

Whether fair or not, this will be a HUGE black eye for the formerly resurgent Tudor brand. Losing functionality (date change) means you are incompetent for those requirements. That is the way it will be viewed even though the issue could be improper assembly procedures. (e.g. too much oil). Tudor will need to sweeten the bad taste in consumers' mouths now, somehow. I would be hard pressed to ever buy another Tudor. My family's 6 Omega (Omegae?) all run flawlessly. Silly me.

stevec14

I was simply giving you the benefit of my experience with the same issue - it was not meant to annoy you.

Some others on the Rolex forum side have tried the same and it appears to resolve the issue, but equally I get the point about wanting Tudor to do it.

You have no worries on the warranty. A few have already had done and Tudor/Rolex are aware and it seems a quick turnaround.

It’s not the first movement to have an issue and I’m sure it won’t be the last unfortunately, but yes I agree these things should be caught. However, many are running without issue so assume it might be a certain batch.

Albe100

Great review. How do you feel about the various shapes in the hands? That is the only thing that puts me off this watch, the rest of it is great, i really enjoy the subdued bezel colour, giving it that vintage feel.

stevec14

Not a problem at all. It’s interesting though isn’t it. Rolex certainly do have issues (in fact, there are a few date mechanisms with issues on the Rolex side currently). My take on these things is that with any mass produced product, there will be occasional glitches. I’m fortunate that I’ve not been on the wrong side of one so far. I also tend not to sweat this kind of thing, as I’ve had plenty of dealings with RSC and while having an issue is a pain in the proverbial, I know they will sort it (I am certainly not the typical Rolex fanboy btw).

I don’t think this will be a major issue for Tudor going forward though. I suspect that’s why the next batches of delivery have dried up - so they can sort whatever issue it is. Sure, it’s not great but ultimately these things do, and will happen. Today’s news is tomorrow’s chip paper and all that.

As for my fix, I was fairly peeved when my date played up and had every intention of sending in to get fixed upon return from holiday. However, while on holiday I decided to give the advice of someone else a shot and it worked. I figure I have 2 years to send it in if it starts playing up again and I suspect Tudor know exactly which batch of serials are playing up (if indeed it is not all). Touch wood, it’s been over a month now and all is well again. That’s not me covering up a flaw - That’s me trying something out on advice of another and it working. In fact, I was one of the first to raise the date issue on the Rolex side and would have been fully prepared to take it in but I’d rather not be without the watch for a period of time.

While it’s not been ideal, it would be a shame if this ruined your ongoing enjoyment of what is a tremendous watch at the price point (and bloody good looking too). I will add that the Tudor in house movements I have had are more accurate than my Rolex (and omega).

Fingers crossed for a speedy turnaround and fix.

GBTRIUMPH

I seldom have worn a new watch as much as this one. I hope it turns around swiftly. I hope there are no further issues with my watch nor anyone else's. I would really like to see Tudor give Omega some competition. (amagnetic properties, efficiency, etc.) That circumstance improves the breed for all of us. I really like having both. ;-)

stevec14

To update you on this, Sod’s law has struck. My watch has been fine for the last month but has started jumping 2 days again. Into RSC it goes next week. They quoted 4 weeks, but hoped it could be sooner than that.

Frustrating, but no biggie and looking forward to getting it fixed.

Davidt

Based on what?

Davidt

Based on what?

Davidt

There's no evidence for that theory though.

You may as well say "I'm beginning to think aliens captured and deliberately sabotaged loads of these GMTs".

No ones disputing the fact there's been a lot of anecdotal evidence of an issue with the date change, but it's a big leap to say Tudor tested non-production line watches.

Surely the obvious answer is that it's just a snagging issue with a new movement. No huge conspiracy, it just happens.