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Longines ultra quartz help needed

Fled
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Sorry for being cryptic but since posting this thread I've had some odd exchanges, my own fault I followed up on some contacts using email instead of the forum, not wanting to appear "post farming". These have been tiresome.
So that said longines want no more than you would expect to service a standard quartz watch. So less than £200. Which I consider ridiculously low?
Phil
 
Syrte
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Agree this is stunningly low, and very interesting.
Maybe because they’re curious to see it and do not or cannot provide a guarantee of the result? It’s hard to charge 2000 euros or Swiss Francs if you cannot guarantee the outcome.


PS your concern about avoiding post farming appearances is quite remarkable, but nothing you would post here would be suspected of such. When you start posting at a rate of 50 posts a day saying “great” or “nice watch” it will be another matter.
 
size11s
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This is truly good news. Congratulations Fled, patience and persistence rewarded, as it often is. Oh, and obviously, pics in 8 weeks please when it returns 'home'.
 
MRC
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Fled Fled
Sorry for being cryptic but since posting this thread I've had some odd exchanges, my own fault I followed up on some contacts using email instead of the forum, not wanting to appear "post farming". These have been tiresome.
So that said longines want no more than you would expect to service a standard quartz watch. So less than £200. Which I consider ridiculously low?
Phil
Well Omega charged over £400 to service my early quartz Seamaster which I had owned from new and is worth maybe half that. I rarely wear it but am glad I went ahead with its trip to Bienne. You're a lucky man 👍

Hmmm, must pay more attention to Longines on the FS section.
 
Fled
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They have seen it, it's had a detailed diagnostic inspection at longines Switzerland (brand) .
Personally I think all it needed was a clean, it was buzzing and sort of working, albeit on and off before I sent it.
 
size11s
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It's a fabulous bargain and wonderful to see a rare, vintage watch being cared for by the original manufacturer at more than reasonable cost.
 
Fled
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size11s size11s
This is truly good news. Congratulations Fled, patience and persistence rewarded, as it often is. Oh, and obviously, pics in 8 weeks please when it returns 'home'.
I am sort of waiting for the, oh we forgot to add the cost any refurbishment parts, tha will be £2500 please.
 
size11s
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Fled Fled
I am sort of waiting for the, oh we forgot to add the cost any refurbishment parts, tha will be £2500 please.
😀 I see you are a 'glass only has a couple of drops left in the bottom' kind of a guy 😉 fingers crossed it's just a service, as you say.
 
Modest_Proposal
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It's invigorating to hear you so invested into breathing life into an old watch. There's no need to feel weird about being obsessive. You're among watch collectors. This is the way!
 
Syrte
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Fled Fled
They have seen it, it's had a detailed diagnostic inspection at longines Switzerland (brand) .
Personally I think all it needed was a clean, it was buzzing and sort of working, albeit on and off before I sent it.

It’s great news at any rate. I suppose you’re probably right and they figured it would not be too hard, but I also suspect they’re excited to learn and discover more about this movement and that is the reason for making you an offer you couldn’t refuse.
 
Fled
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I think there must be a motive for giving such a low estimate. What that is I can only guess. My biggest concern is that it is an estimate and the real cost could be much more. (I will still go ahead in any case)
The estimate form they sent to me to agree the work said any extras would be aesthetic cosmetic only and not for functionality.
So now waiting until end January, I will have no finger nails left by then 😀
 
Fled
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Well after an extortionate time waiting for longines to repair the ultra quartz an end has finally been reached.
Not the one I had planned but a happy one none the less.
The ultra quartz cannot be repaired, parts are no longer available. Why it took 3 months to arrive at this is bewildering
So as a resolution to this they offered me any of the current watches at a preferred price.
Being natural cynic this didn't fill me with joy.
In any case I have, since its introduction loved the heratige classic sector dial models.
So i requested this as my replacement watch.
Few days go by and yep this is OK.
The preferred price like the original repair cost, is so generous I just fell about laughing
So sorry to see the ultra quartz go but over the moon with an incoming brand new longines sector dial.
 
size11s
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Hold on...so they kept your Ultra Quartz and gave you a Heritage Sector dial at a hugely reduced price? Have I got that right?
 
DirtyDozen12
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That's quite a left turn. Too bad that they could not repair the Ultra-Quartz. Thanks for the update.
 
Fled
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size11s size11s
Hold on...so they kept your Ultra Quartz and gave you a Heritage Sector dial at a hugely reduced price? Have I got that right?
Yes
 
Fled
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size11s size11s
Hold on...so they kept your Ultra Quartz and gave you a Heritage Sector dial at a hugely reduced price? Have I got that right?
In effect I sold my broken watch to longines. For a very very good price. The alternative was too have it back and put it back in the sock drawer.
 
ChrisN
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I'm pleased you managed to get a positive outcome.

I think it was clear, from the little research that I did, that Longines have not been able to repair these for many years unless it was a service that didn't need parts. It probably took a while for it to appear on a watchmaker's bench and that was the reason for the delay. At that point, the watchmaker probably told the service admin people it wasn't going to be possible.

I think Longines have gone above any reasonable response to let you have a new watch at a discount and that's admirable although it's surprising that they kept your Ultra Quartz.

I hope you enjoy your new watch.

Best wishes, Chris
 
Fled
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I think either a doner watch or destined for their museam. Either way I am more than happy.
 
Syrte
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The key point is that you’re happy with the outcome.

For the rest and at the risk of sounding smug, I will stick to my previous comments:

Syrte Syrte
Because that intricate movement is like a complete electronic jumble, few watchmakers in the world are willing to attempt repairing it.
From what I was told even Longines watchmakers say they cannot repair it.

Syrte Syrte
Maybe… they’re curious to see it and do not or cannot provide a guarantee of the result? It’s hard to charge 2000 euros or Swiss Francs if you cannot guarantee the outcome
 
size11s
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All around an excellent result. The Ultraquartz couldn't be in a better place, you have a rather nice new watch that you wanted, and feel content at the outcome. Winner winner chicken dinner. Bloody hell Longines really do have some of their ducks in order!
 
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