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  1. JPE.88305 Sep 12, 2018

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    I purchased a moonwatch (1861) for my father just 2 months ago...brand new watch from an AD. I thought he'd appreciate the manual wind (what he grew up with) and the history, and something we could appreciate together given our similarities (fountain pens, coins, etc)
    He was diligent about winding at the same time daily, appropriate # of turns, but after a few days it was off by 5 min, after 7 days it was slow by ~10 min, and after about 3 weeks it was slow by almost 30 min.

    I took the watch back and and ran a similar check against my speedy (and iPhone), sure enough I got the same results.

    I'm understanding that these things happen, and it will be returned to get serviced/repaired, but the incident has left an unfortunate scar on the whole experience. Gifting someone such a fabled watch only for the experience to be soured by doubt, and the perception that a brand new $5000 watch of infamy can't keep time on par with a $100 Invicta, has marred the experience.

    What are the odds?
     
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  2. ac106 Sep 12, 2018

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    Are you really scarred by needing the watch regulated?
     
  3. eugeneandresson 'I used a hammer, a chisel, and my fingers' Sep 12, 2018

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    Did you get it demagnetized?
     
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  4. BlackTalon This Space for Rent Sep 12, 2018

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    The odds of having issues with some watches that roll off the assembly line along with 800,000 others each year is probably pretty decent. These are not individually built by elves working in shops inside carved trees. And who knows, it could have gotten magnetized somewhere along the line, or dropped while in the AD's possession, etc. The main thing is that it gets fixed or replaced.

    What are the odds of a brand new top-of-the-line BMW or Mercedes having an issue? I believe those adds are higher then zero.
     
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  5. Donn Chambers Sep 12, 2018

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    That is disappointing, but one reason buying from an AD with a warranty is a good idea. I don't know how many Speedmasters are produced each year, but let's say for argument it's 10,000. It's nearly impossible to get 100% reliability for any product, regardless if it's mass-produced or hand-made. Say 1% of them having problems is acceptable (and it's probably higher than this). That's still 100 watches. Unfortunately, one of them was the one you purchased.
     
  6. JPE.88305 Sep 12, 2018

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    I understand all the above, but it's more frustrating when you purchase something like this as a gift--ideally a memorable one, for a family member--while, converserly/ironically all the watches I've ever purchased for myself --new or used--have never had any problems...

    "what are the odds" = somewhat rhetorical question
     
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  7. JPE.88305 Sep 12, 2018

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    that's not what i said; i said the experience of giving a watch [THE watch] to my father was tainted/suboptimal.
     
    Edited Sep 12, 2018
  8. BlackTalon This Space for Rent Sep 12, 2018

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    While I would agree it is unfortunate, I would assume your dad has been alive long enough to have experienced issues with mechanical objects -- even expensive ones -- in his lifetime. Letting it get to you is an individual decision.
     
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  9. JPE.88305 Sep 12, 2018

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    I'm sure he has--I wouldn't say it got to me (aside from the inconvenience), just a little disappointed. I don't think anyone wouldn't be disappointed in a similar scenario.

    (FWIW that's why I got rid of my X5...fun to drive, but not worth it out of warranty)
     
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  10. JPE.88305 Sep 12, 2018

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    ...thread title 'corrected'
     
  11. Taddyangle Convicted Invicta Wearer Sep 12, 2018

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    Don't Hate on Invicta.

    upload_2018-9-12_9-53-30.png
     
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  12. JPE.88305 Sep 12, 2018

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    lol not knockin! indeed I still have my Lupah ca 2005...
     
  13. Swingman Sep 12, 2018

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    I was under impression that each of the watches are tested for time keeping for at least 15 days. That's what my 43 years old SMf300 booklet says.
     
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  14. c5driver Sep 12, 2018

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    It happens and it's not a big deal, like other's have said. I think it's more that you've placed more of a significant emotional value to this watch, when in reality, it's a mechanical device with tolerances that have to be adjusted, either now or later.
     
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  15. many Sep 12, 2018

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    I get it. It's disappointing to spend 5K and then a month later have to send the watch back in for service. Just as it's reasonable for a percentage of watches that pass QC to fail on delivery. It's also reasonable to be disappointed when it happens to you.
     
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  16. JPE.88305 Sep 12, 2018

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    this was more of a vent than a "how in the world could this happen!", as I would assume anyone who has a father or son and purchases them something of value with historic & emotional relevance--mechanical or not-- (this wasn't a blender or a lawnmower) would be frustrated...it's "not a big deal"--first world problems and all--just disappointing.

    Appreciate the comments.
     
  17. WatchWalker Sep 12, 2018

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    My estimate would rather be between 50 to 100.000 Speedmasters yearly....
     
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  18. The Father Went out for smokes in ‘78 not seen since Sep 12, 2018

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    Just my view on the problem...… a watch has more or less one function, to tell time right? I would be kinda teed if the $5,000 watch didn't tell the correct time. So my opinion is a watch that doesn't tell the correct time is a big deal.
    [​IMG]
     
  19. c5driver Sep 12, 2018

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    I would disagree. At some point, the purpose of a watch changes from just telling time to a piece of history or an example of mechanical precision or something akin to aesthetics. If a watch's one function is to tell time, then a $50 Timex would be all we needed. Just my $0.02 worth...
     
  20. JPE.88305 Sep 12, 2018

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    which is why i didn't get him a $50 Timex! Though ironically that's what he's using now, lol.
     
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