Ownership of replaced parts after service—mine or watch brand?

Eve · Oct 5, 2019

Thats the same dilemma i have with Blancpain. I sent the watch in for service, waiting for the final price estimation. Meanwhile i emailed asking what a replacement dial would cost, they called me a price, but they said i will not get the old Tritium dial back 🙁 otherwise it would have been an easy decision..
Now i am still not sure what to do, to keep the original or get a luminova dial.
I never was into that tritium thing, nevertheless i dont want to jeopardize originality if i ever wanted to sell the watch in the future. 😵‍💫

Evitzee · Oct 5, 2019

I always felt that the purpose of returning parts to the customer was to assure them that the stated service was performed. It used to be fashionable to have your mechanic return spark plugs, points, condenser when they did a tune up, or your old brake pads, but no one does that anymore in my experience. I don't want my spark plugs, used oil, or brake pads for my car, nor do I want the old mainspring, cracked crystal, various screws and click spring from my watch when serviced. Some things like dials and hands do have some intrinsic value to the owner, but they also have value to the secondary market which the manufacturer does have a stake in controlling in some circumstances. I would want the dial back if I was paying for it, but I can see the manufacturers logic in not wanting an authentic dial floating around.

As far as the OP's dinged bezel goes, I can't get too excited about it. Yes, it's his property but I think he is letting his lawyerly brain get in the way of common sense. If you don't want your used parts from your car why do you want a dinged bezel from your watch?

Archer · Oct 5, 2019

Evitzee
Yes, it's his property but I think he is letting his lawyerly brain get in the way of common sense.

BlackTalon · Oct 5, 2019

Who says none of us want used parts back from our cars? Not fluids or consumables that are worn like brake pads and rotors, but I generally want suspension parts, etc. back.

pIoNeErOfThEnILe · Oct 5, 2019

Eve
Thats the same dilemma i have with Blancpain. I sent the watch in for service, waiting for the final price estimation. Meanwhile i emailed asking what a replacement dial would cost, they called me a price, but they said i will not get the old Tritium dial back 🙁 otherwise it would have been an easy decision..
Now i am still not sure what to do, to keep the original or get a luminova dial.
I never was into that tritium thing, nevertheless i dont want to jeopardize originality if i ever wanted to sell the watch in the future. 😵‍💫

you really should contact them and voice your displeasure at this.

you also need to to speak with somebody other than a lower level customer service rep.

with all the value in vintage watches you will lose so much of it losing your original dial. it that doesn't work i would try and find somebody to source one for you.

quite a few "luxury" watch companies love to hold their customers hostage with these things.

what needs to be done in this day of social media and the internet is make sure watch collectors everywhere are aware of things about the way these companies operate. usually the more patient and understanding you are the less will get done or work in your favor. i'm not saying go on a profanity laced diatribe but definitely kick it up a notch.

there are so many high profile watch forums you can share your disgust with. if your ordeal or experience prevents somebody from buying their product you have succeeded in one aspect

blufinz52 · Oct 5, 2019

pIoNeErOfThEnILe
what needs to be done in this day of social media and the internet is make sure watch collectors everywhere are aware of things about the way these companies operate. usually the more patient and understanding you are the less will get done or work in your favor. i'm not saying go on a profanity laced diatribe but definitely kick it up a notch.

This sounds like something you should take up. Make it your personal crusade. 👍

jaspers · Oct 5, 2019

Dan S
Not really relevant for the OP, I totally understand that the question is one of principle. But it would just be interesting to have more details about this. For example, what is the approximate market value of the dented bezel? And also, is it possible that the price charged for the new bezel took the trade value into account? This doesn't change the fact that they should have informed the OP, but in practical terms, it could affect whether it's worth going to the mat over this.

The replacement bezel, which is not a service bezel but a duplicate of the original, was charged at €150. I don't know what market values of separate bezels are, but it is technically possible that I received it at a discount assuming that I'd surrender the original. All fine and good, but I would have liked the opportunity to consent with this swap. I no longer practice, but when I still was the price of that bezel would have been 20 billable minutes for me. Thing is—I am a principled guy who's totally irrational when it comes to opportunity costs...

jaspers · Oct 5, 2019

Evitzee
As far as the OP's dinged bezel goes, I can't get too excited about it. Yes, it's his property but I think he is letting his lawyerly brain get in the way of common sense. If you don't want your used parts from your car why do you want a dinged bezel from your watch?

Yes. That's definitely what I'm doing. It prolly wasn't meant as such, but I take this as a compliment. Totally not worth the opportunity costs to pursue this any further, but I kinda wonder how far I can get with HQ in Switzerland. At least it'll make for good banter here...

Dan S · Oct 5, 2019

jaspers
The replacement bezel, which is not a service bezel but a duplicate of the original, was charged at €150. I don't know what market values of separate bezels are, but it is technically possible that I received it at a discount assuming that I'd surrender the original. All fine and good, but I would have liked the opportunity to consent with this swap. I no longer practice, but when I still was the price of that bezel would have been 20 billable minutes for me. Thing is—I am a principled guy who's totally irrational when it comes to opportunity costs...

OK, this helps. I think the only way you can make this worthwhile would be to start a class-action suit. 😉

DaveK · Oct 5, 2019

Eve
Thats the same dilemma i have with Blancpain. I sent the watch in for service, waiting for the final price estimation. Meanwhile i emailed asking what a replacement dial would cost, they called me a price, but they said i will not get the old Tritium dial back 🙁 otherwise it would have been an easy decision..
Now i am still not sure what to do, to keep the original or get a luminova dial.
I never was into that tritium thing, nevertheless i dont want to jeopardize originality if i ever wanted to sell the watch in the future. 😵‍💫

A hassle, but you could have your watchmaker remove the parts you want to keep before it gets sent in for service

Eve · Oct 5, 2019

pIoNeErOfThEnILe
you really should contact them and voice your displeasure at this.

you also need to to speak with somebody other than a lower level customer service rep.

with all the value in vintage watches you will lose so much of it losing your original dial. it that doesn't work i would try and find somebody to source one for you.

quite a few "luxury" watch companies love to hold their customers hostage with these things.

what needs to be done in this day of social media and the internet is make sure watch collectors everywhere are aware of things about the way these companies operate. usually the more patient and understanding you are the less will get done or work in your favor. i'm not saying go on a profanity laced diatribe but definitely kick it up a notch.

there are so many high profile watch forums you can share your disgust with. if your ordeal or experience prevents somebody from buying their product you have succeeded in one aspect

When i contacted Blancpain over the homepage, i was redirected to the Service Center in Munich because it seems it was the nearest official service center next to where i live.
The person in charge was actually very helpful answering all kind of questions. He told me that it is the companys policy. He would need to send the dial to Switzerland in order to get the replacement dial back. So there is nothing he can do about it. I even offered signing a paper that i will never sell the dial separatly from the watch. But obviously it didnt help. At this stage i wouldnt even know whom to contact. i guess its pointless.
I am waiting already since ~4 weeks just to get the cost estimate for the full service. Until i get the estimate i should make my mind if i want a replacement dial or keep the original. i wonder how long it will take 😀

jaspers · Oct 5, 2019

pIoNeErOfThEnILe
you really should contact them and voice your displeasure at this.

you also need to to speak with somebody other than a lower level customer service rep.

with all the value in vintage watches you will lose so much of it losing your original dial. it that doesn't work i would try and find somebody to source one for you.

quite a few "luxury" watch companies love to hold their customers hostage with these things.

what needs to be done in this day of social media and the internet is make sure watch collectors everywhere are aware of things about the way these companies operate. usually the more patient and understanding you are the less will get done or work in your favor. i'm not saying go on a profanity laced diatribe but definitely kick it up a notch.

there are so many high profile watch forums you can share your disgust with. if your ordeal or experience prevents somebody from buying their product you have succeeded in one aspect

Thanks for the encouragement. I think I'm going to try not to be too self-righteous and lawyerly about it, and see how far I get with that. Naming and shaming online would be a measure of last resort. Will keep you all posted on my progress! 😀

Eve · Oct 5, 2019

DaveK
A hassle, but you could have your watchmaker remove the parts you want to keep before it gets sent in for service

I like the idea, but I am afraid that wouldnt help. The service guy said, they would need to send the original dial in, in order to get the replacement 😉
I wonder what would be the reaction if they receive a watch for service without the dial and hands 😁 🤨

Archer · Oct 5, 2019

Eve
I like the idea, but I am afraid that wouldnt help. The service guy said, they would need to send the original dial in, in order to get the replacement 😉
I wonder what would be the reaction if they receive a watch for service without the dial and hands 😁 🤨

Often they will refuse the service if you try this...

Have you asked to send the watch right to the factory? That's what I would insist on...

Eve · Oct 5, 2019

Archer
Often they will refuse the service if you try this...

Have you asked to send the watch right to the factory? That's what I would insist on...

No, i havent. in fact i have no idea where my watch went to.
At first i was communicating with a service guy in Munich via email. When i got all the information i needed i brought the watch to a local Blancpain AD. I assumed they will send it to Munich since its the nearest Service Center, but maybe i am wrong. Probably i should ask where my watch went to.

michael22 · Oct 5, 2019

To some extent, the issue depends what country you are in.
I think naming is the only practical option; not for shaming, but for knowledge. buyers can avoid companies with cultures they disagree with.

Evitzee · Oct 5, 2019

The watch in question must not be an Audemars Piguet. I've used AP's service center in Clearwater a number of times and the back of the service proposal includes a full page of very fine print of Terms and Conditions. I've never really read it but I attach Article 7 of the Terms ..... when new parts are fitted the old ones will NOT be returned. So if someone really bangs up a Royal Oak bezel which needs replacement you won't get the old one back.

Article 7 – Components Used
1. The components replaced during a Service are included in the price as long as the watch is less than 25 years old and the replacement
of these components is considered usual and normal for the Service concerned. Otherwise, if the watch has received an impact or any
other damage which requires the replacement of certain components before their normal replacement period (usually during regular
complete maintenance) these components will be sold to the Customer at an exchange price. This exchange price takes into account the
values of keeping the replaced components, particularly in terms of precious materials. The components exchanged as part of a complete
maintenance are kept for 6 months in the approved service Centers before being recycled. The exchanged components will not be
returned to him or her. Worn components are replaced as part of the Service by original components manufactured in line with Audemars
Piguet's standards and benefiting from the latest.

larryganz · Oct 5, 2019

Eve
Thats the same dilemma i have with Blancpain. I sent the watch in for service, waiting for the final price estimation. Meanwhile i emailed asking what a replacement dial would cost, they called me a price, but they said i will not get the old Tritium dial back 🙁 otherwise it would have been an easy decision..
Now i am still not sure what to do, to keep the original or get a luminova dial.
I never was into that tritium thing, nevertheless i dont want to jeopardize originality if i ever wanted to sell the watch in the future. 😵‍💫

Usually in this case, if you want a newer watch it may be better to sell the old one while it has all of it's vintage appeal and value to others, and buy something newer to wear. Or at lest keep it vintage and buy a second modern one to wear.

larryganz · Oct 5, 2019

DaveK
A hassle, but you could have your watchmaker remove the parts you want to keep before it gets sent in for service

YES! i forgot abut that - "the bezel fell off while swimming and is at the bottom of the lake" - and then they charge 400€ for the new one instead of 150€?

Eve · Oct 6, 2019

larryganz
Usually in this case, if you want a newer watch it may be better to sell the old one while it has all of it's vintage appeal and value to others, and buy something newer to wear. Or at lest keep it vintage and buy a second modern one to wear.

On that i will agree with you. And that is exactly what i tried to do, i placed a FS Post here on OF thinking somebody might be interested in the watch, but after 1 week it seems there was not much interest. So i thought screw it, and withdrew the ad. At the price i was offering it for, i thought i would better keep it for myself.

I think this exact model was build from the beginning till the end of the 90s, so was offered with Tritium and Luminova dial, therefore its not like some vintage watch from the 70s fitted with luminova dial, that would be really off.

Ownership of replaced parts after service—mine or watch brand?

Eve

Evitzee

Archer

BlackTalon

pIoNeErOfThEnILe

blufinz52

jaspers

jaspers

Dan S

DaveK

Eve

jaspers

Eve

Archer

Eve

michael22

Evitzee

larryganz

larryganz

Eve

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