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Ever buy a watch that you knew would be impossible to fix but it was too beautiful to pass up?

Archer
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M'Bob M'Bob
Her ability to maintain a long-term relationship…


Charlie Schlatter

Daniel McDonald

Jon Stewart

Adam Duritz

Tate Donovan

Paul Rudd

Brad Pitt

Vince Vaughn

Paul Sculfor

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Justin Theroux




Ah, so she is obviously the problem in your eyes.
 
ahartfie
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When I bought my Stardust in 2017, I knew it'd be risky, but it was the first one I'd ever seen come up for sale anywhere after years of looking. The seller provided a video of it in action, but two weeks after I got it, it started gaining time by beating double-fast at times. Shaking it would resolve it for a little while.

After letting it sit for a year and a half unpowered, I bit the bullet and shipped it off to STS who did their magic heart transplant and it's been fine ever since. It is a joy to wear and I don't regret it for a (precise) minute. I mean, look at that dial.

DSC_E9291.JPG
 
ghce
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I admit I am guilty of buying faulty beautiful watches in the hope that I can remediate them.
My reason for doing so is that I can pick up watches I could never normally afford at a fraction of the normal going price.
The hook in the tail is that my watch maker gets so much business from me that I get much better than trade repair prices from him, for example a fairly complicated repair and full service to a Valjoux 7750 cost me about US$150.00 a couple of months ago, I have seen quotes from other local WMers for US$1100.00 for just a service!!!! let alone the time and parts consumed in the repair.
The down side is that occasionally I get burned cost wise but there is always the upside that I have resurrected watches that would otherwise be lost forever to land fill. Time will tell as I say to my WM, in 20 years my extravagant repair might well reap a financial reward but in the short term I get to thoroughly enjoy a wonderful piece of mechanical mastery with the style and panache of the golden years of of Horology at its peak.
 
pdxleaf
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UPDATE: it's now been 240 days since I sent them the watch for service. 60 days past the promised completion date, ( but still 120 days less than the date predicted by y'all.)

I have called a few times, going straight to voice mail. After leaving messages, there has been no response yet. I also sent emails with a request for a status update. It seems the communication with customers hasn't improved.

I am not worried or angry, just disappointed. I am prepared to wait another 4 to 5 months, which seems to be the normal turnaround. I have a 50/50 expectation that they will have the correct missing pusher. 50 % positive because they saw the watch in advance and said no problem. 50% negative because their word is not trustworthy.

Any who, I said I'd leave feedback and this is where I'm at for now. I wanted to give them the chance to prove themselves improved, but it ain't looking good.

To be continued...
 
Braindrain
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
I had to join Facebook 🤦 to get a response.

I hope it all goes well. But that response seems like PR speak for "we've now outsourced our servicing to someone else"...

I know it happens in the industry.
 
Canuck
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I have bought lots of watches that that took my fancy, and had a dubious future. Sometimes it can take years for the pieces to fall into place, and the watch can be returned to health.

Here are two of them.

689DEF17-2901-4353-9F68-E6C71F7BDEFC.jpeg 5E7A3144-7605-4B9E-ADCC-9DA1BF6D5374.jpeg
 
pdxleaf
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Update: I was blocked by Facebook. I suspect it was Larry/David who reported me after the above message.

Gallet does not respond to phone calls, email, etc. It's been 18 months. Past time for legal action.

Anyone have any advice or comments? I have never had to sue anyone. Basic facts are that after paying him in advance with a Visa for service, I received an agreement through email stating that service will take 6 to 8 months. I live in Oregon and the so-called company is in Georgia.

I have some lawyer friends and also a judge. I have just reached out to them also. I am open to constructive advice if anyone has had experience with a similar situation.

I can't stop anyone from saying I told you not to send a watch to this charlatan, but at this point I am primarily trying to get my watch back and cut my loses.

Thanks.
Edited:
 
RevZMan123
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
Update: I was blocked by Facebook. I suspect it was Larry/David who reported me after the above message.

WOW

I assume this is the Larry guy:
https://www.facebook.com/larry.slaz.1

u6ItP0D.png
 
Archer
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Bummer - I hope you get resolution mate...and your watch back!
 
pdxleaf
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Well, well. Well.

After leaving a message in the Gallet world contact form ( the one inquiring about becoming a dealer rep), i just had a call from Larry.

In the form,I said I was initiating legal action due to the lack of response. I asked him to contact me immediately to avoid court.

Lo and behold, he called.

The short of it is the following:

A repeat of the excuse that they had two watchmakers pass away. My response was that we discussed this before I sent the watch and before he said it would take 6 to 8 months.

He complained of not having enough watchmakers, even saying crown and caliber has taken all the talent.

I said I understood and if he can't do the work then return the watch and I'll be content. His response was that the watch has been dismantled already.

The end result is that he said he will move it up and personally complete it. It should be 30 days. I asked that if it will be delayed, inform me.

They have moved from Georgia to Florida, according to him. He also said the owner of Gallet, a husband and wife, is a bastard and has caused him a great deal of grief. I'll leave it at that.

In summary, I will wait another month and update you then.

What a circus. All because I bought a watch without a pusher cap.
 
RevZMan123
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
Well, well. Well.

After leaving a message in the Gallet world contact form ( the one inquiring about becoming a dealer rep), i just had a call from Larry.

In the form,I said I was initiating legal action due to the lack of response. I asked him to contact me immediately to avoid court.

Lo and behold, he called.

The short of it is the following:

A repeat of the excuse that they had two watchmakers pass away. My response was that we discussed this before I sent the watch and before he said it would take 6 to 8 months.

He complained of not having enough watchmakers, even saying crown and caliber has taken all the talent.

I said I understood and if he can't do the work then return the watch and I'll be content. His response was that the watch has been dismantled already.

The end result is that he said he will move it up and personally complete it. It should be 30 days. I asked that if it will be delayed, inform me.

They have moved from Georgia to Florida, according to him. He also said the owner of Gallet, a husband and wife, is a bastard and has caused him a great deal of grief. I'll leave it at that.

In summary, I will wait another month and update you then.

What a circus. All because I bought a watch without a pusher cap.

I've got a spot in the swamp for ya.
 
Caracal25
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8034447A-1EF6-45A0-A965-03A7EF171D4B.jpeg


Nothing worked on this watch when I found it but it was in such great shape and unpolished that I took a chance on it. Also didn’t hurt that it came with the original box and all of the original paperwork.
 
pdxleaf
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Caracal25 Caracal25
8034447A-1EF6-45A0-A965-03A7EF171D4B.jpeg


Nothing worked on this watch when I found it but it was in such great shape and unpolished that I took a chance on it. Also didn’t hurt that it came with the original box and all of the original paperwork.

I don't blame you, it's a beauty.
 
NGO1
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Dang. What a left turn. I was hoping to see a restored watch. Idk the value of your Galet, maybe small claim court is the way to go.

Crossing my fingers for Larry to do the right thing here. Hoping it’s just a time management issue on their part.
 
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