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UPDATE - It happened to me: A different watch came back from service

Archer
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chrisinohio chrisinohio
I can't even see a competent watchmaker having two speedmasters on the bench at the same time for fear of mixing things up.

I regularly work on multiple Speedmasters at a time - it's very common to do this sort of thing no matter what the model is. Any competent watchmaker knows how to not mix up parts from 2 different watches - that would kind of be a requirement for actually being competent in my view. It's easy not to mix things up when each watch is segregated in it's own containers during the service...

ef601100-7ed9-44ce-a15e-ba8f7b982888.webp
 
ErichKeane
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Archer Archer
I regularly work on multiple Speedmasters at a time - it's very common to do this sort of thing no matter what the model is. Any competent watchmaker knows how to not mix up parts from 2 different watches - that would kind of be a requirement for actually being competent in my view. It's easy not to mix things up when each watch is segregated in it's own containers during the service...

ef601100-7ed9-44ce-a15e-ba8f7b982888.webp
Even as an amateur I often have two of the same watch disassembled at the same time. But yes, I'd expect any competent watchmaker to use some sort of tray system for them (as I do).

Maybe this is one of those you tube guys that just puts all the parts laid out on the repair mat instead!
 
Archer
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
Even as an amateur I often have two of the same watch disassembled at the same time. But yes, I'd expect any competent watchmaker to use some sort of tray system for them (as I do).

Maybe this is one of those you tube guys that just puts all the parts laid out on the repair mat instead!
Yeah that looks good for a photo but it’s sort of performative to me.
 
Dan S
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Damn, I think that is the same bezel. [Edit: sorry, I see that was already established.]
 
krogerfoot
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Dan S Dan S
Damn, I think that is the same bezel. [Edit: sorry, I see that was already established.]
It is, and I'm trying to figure out if it's the same case. The one that was returned to me seems like it's in better shape, but it's very hard to find a clear photo of a ding that isn't present on this one. The crystal is certainly in better shape but I guess it could have been polished by the watchmaker.
 
krogerfoot
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chrisinohio chrisinohio
I really do feel bad for you. I can't imagine this happening. Honestly, I can't imagine HOW it happened.

My watchmaker always organizes the watches he's working on meticulously. I can't even see a competent watchmaker having two speedmasters on the bench at the same time for fear of mixing things up. In any case, you deserve to have the watch that you brought to him.

Is this a small mom and pop watchmaker or a larger operation? Also, where is the watchmaker located?

I'm hopeful that you can get this resolved without too much hullabaloo. I'm sure once you present them with the evidence they will be accommodating and do their best to rectify it.
It is a one-man operation and I've been taking watches to him for years now, so it's certainly unexpected. It's a little foreboding that he hasn't called me already and said "aha, I see what happened now." I mean, how many 1960s Speedmasters can he have kicking around on his bench at a time?
 
SpeedyPhill
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Archer Archer
So your watchmaker not only let's you look over their shoulder the whole time he's working, but he services for free because of it?

That is the strangest business model I've ever heard of...
Never a free full service, but thus far:
Free cleaning of a little piece of dust on a dial (watch needed to be opened)
Free replacement of the little "spring" beneath a rotating bezel
Free replacement of a Delrin brake... appreciation and respect for his work "" pays off "" in so many ways
 
krogerfoot
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I trudged out to the watchmaker's shop this afternoon and he immediately greeted me with "I got the photos—I DID inadvertently replace your dial! Yours had the yellow lume! A thousand pardons, I'll fix it right up for you etc. etc." Great, happy ending, I thought, but I said, say, would you mind showing me the dial you took out of my watch?

He brings out a long-index Speedmaster with yellow lume on a leather band with a deployant buckle and this time I actually take a look at it. It's not my watch: no step on the dial, short S and r.

I show him my photos and the next thing I know I'm delivering TED Talk on vintage Speedmasters. No, you see, the step dial was replaced by these dome dials around 1970; this is a "pre-moon Speedy" with no First Watch In Space/First Watch On the Moon engravings on the caseback; the dial you (somehow) put in my watch is a modern superluminova-lume deal, no T SWISS MADE T means no tritium, no serifs on PROFESSIONAL.

He's looking like he really fυcked up now. I strongly encourage him to locate my dial and set things right. He insists I didn't have a bracelet on the watch when I dropped it off, and in all honesty I don't remember, but I now have no idea what I did with this $500 bracelet I was so excited to track down. Anyway, I now have no watch but the ball is certainly in his court now.

This is a prized possession of mine, so I'm sad, but on the bright side, I've been sadder in my life. That's something, at least. If I could afford yet another afternoon off I suppose I could go back there and persuade him to refund the service fee, seeing as how I still don't have my watch, so I can pay the bills this month.

Edit: We opened the case and verified that the movement is indeed my watch. I didn't check the caseback. The watchmaker agrees too that the hands came with the inadvertently-replaced dial and I assure him that I want my grimy original hands back as well.
Edited:
 
padders
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Wow. How many Speedies was he servicing that afternoon he chose to take a drink?
 
asteroidwave
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krogerfoot krogerfoot
I trudged out to the watchmaker's shop this afternoon and he immediately greeted me with "I got the photos—I DID inadvertently replace your dial! Yours had the yellow lume! A thousand pardons, I'll fix it right up for you etc. etc." Great, happy ending, I thought, but I said, say, would you mind showing me the dial you took out of my watch?

He brings out a long-index Speedmaster with yellow lume on a leather band with a deployant buckle and this time I actually take a look at it. It's not my watch: no step on the dial, short S and r.

I show him my photos and the next thing I know I'm delivering TED Talk on vintage Speedmasters. No, you see, the step dial was replaced by these dome dials around 1970; this is a "pre-moon Speedy" with no First Watch In Space/First Watch On the Moon engravings on the caseback; the dial you (somehow) put in my watch is a modern superluminova-lume deal, no T SWISS MADE T means no tritium, no serifs on PROFESSIONAL.

He's looking like he really fυcked up now. I strongly encourage him to locate my dial and set things right. He insists I didn't have a bracelet on the watch when I dropped it off, and in all honesty I don't remember, but I now have no idea what I did with this $500 bracelet I was so excited to track down. Anyway, I now have no watch but the ball is certainly in his court now.

This is a prized possession of mine, so I'm sad, but on the bright side, I've been sadder in my life. That's something, at least. If I could afford yet another afternoon off I suppose I could go back there and persuade him to refund the service fee, seeing as how I still don't have my watch, so I can pay the bills this month.

Edit: We opened the case and verified that the movement is indeed my watch. I didn't check the caseback. The watchmaker agrees too that the hands came with the inadvertently-replaced dial and I assure him that I want my grimy original hands back as well.
So now's there's potentially a third speedy with the wrong dial installed by your watch maker ? Hope you get yours back in one piece. Best of luck with this whole situation.
 
fiberguy
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FUBAR ... what a nightmare. I truly hope this gets 100% resolved.
 
lenndon
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Just out of curiosity, what are the options if this can't be resolved peacefully? Let's say he can't find the original dial anymore. What would the next steps be?
 
krogerfoot
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lenndon lenndon
Just out of curiosity, what are the options if this can't be resolved peacefully? Let's say he can't find the original dial anymore. What would the next steps be?
I don't know and don't have the bandwidth at the moment to think about it.

M mountainunder
There is no mention of the bezel's deterioration. I think it's something you should discuss.
In all fairness, it deteriorated a lot before I ever took it in, but it's been almost ten months and I can't remember what it looked like anymore. He also serviced my Glycine Airman and it also seems worse for wear now.
 
Shabbaz
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Danmn. Sad story. Best of luck. Hope things work out for you. But that watchmaker does'nt sound trustworthy.
 
zinterz
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Wishing you as much luck as one can wish. This sounds terrible, I’d be so upset. Feel for you!
 
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