Complaint Review: Rolex TAG Heuer Omega Patek Philippe Montres Allison Movado Swiss Watches - New York New York

High end watches are scams. Look at the detailed survey below this funny story.

Saw the report after this funny (but true) story and equate it to the report below the story. Read these stats on a previous poll that was posted to this site. They will horrify you.

My nightmare finally became true...

November 21 2003 at 10:22 AM Jess (Login cesar57)

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Hi, Everybody,

I am wearing my Patek Aquanaut 5066 today at work when I decided to relieve myself. No urinals were available so I had to use the toilet bowl.

As I was in the process I flexed my wrist to improve my aim a bit, then all of a sudden the springbar on the 6 o' clock lug released, and before I had a chance to react my beloved, weeks-old Aquanaut was smack in the bottom of the toilet bowl, immersed in that vile liquid ;-(

Before this there was no indication of looseness or problems with the springbars, and since this is a brand new watch, I did not really think about them much.

Well I fished it out and washed it several times with hand soap, but my concern is the effect of urine on the gaskets.

Should I have the watch checked and/or the gaskets replaced? At the very least I am going to request from my dealer a new set of springbars.

I thought the Blancpain friction pins were a bummer to remove when changing straps, but they seem like a good idea now. Check your spring bars, everyone I am getting paranoid with these things.

Thanks,

Jess

Responses

Oh my! - Chuck P on Nov 21, 2003, 10:39 AM

I concur w/ Chuck P... - Robert on Nov 21, 2003, 12:00 PM

Relax.....neither the wee nor the soap is going to harm your watch..... - Evitzee on Nov 21, 2003, 12:49 PM

I agree..... - Chuck P on Nov 21, 2003, 12:56 PM

Have a look at the serious problems people have reported with their watches below. Some super high-end brands have had some serious problems and have horrible customer service. Take a look and learn something.

Here are the results of the Watch Quality Survey answering this question:

SURVEY QUESTION

"Looking to determine the % of new watches that have a problem during the first year. List all the watches you have purchased (by make and model) and any problem or, equally important, indicate if there is no problem. Do not report accuracey errors if they are within +10s, -4s per day. If we get enough responses I will tabulate the results and post a summary by make. "

RESULTS

We received 55 responses representing ownership of 336 watches over a three day period (March 9-12, 2001). The results of this survey is not at all scientific, particularly for the smaller sample sizes. Also, a large majority of the defects were cosmetic or watch accuracy. Rather than draw any conclusions I will leave it to you to do so and post your comments. Following the table is the actual submitted information so you can read the particulars and draw your own conclusions. By the way, the most popular brand among the participants is Omega. Others are miscellaneous brands in which their sample size was typically 1-3.

TABLE OF RESULTS

The table below (which can't be aligned using this software, has 3 figures, the total number of watches of the brand, the number of those watches reported with no problems, and the % of the watches reported with problems of any degree, even minor ones)

brand (# watches - no problems - % probs),

others (78 - 59 - 0.24),

omega (43 - 32 - 0.26),

iwc (29 - 26 - 0.10),

jlc (23 - 15 - 0.35),

rolex (22 - 18 - 0.18),

minerva (18 - 10 - 0.44),

breitling(15 - 10 - 0.33),

seiko (15 - 10 - 0.33),

invicta (12 - 7 - 0.42),

patek (12 - 8 - 0.33),

blancpain(12 - 8 - 0.33),

zenith (11 - 8 - 0.27),

oris (7 - 5 - 0.29),

un (7 - 5 - 0.29),

GP (7 - 6 - 0.14),

hamilton(6 - 5 - 0.17),

fortis (5 - 2 - 0.60),

panerai (5 - 3 - 0.40),

ap (5 - 5 - 0.00),

limes (4 - 4 - 0.00),

(total 336 246 0.27)

Submitted Data:

55 participants

OMEGA 43 watches / 32 no problems

Omega Seamaster Professional America's Cup - No Problems

Omega Seamaster Ladies 120 - No Problems

Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33 - No Problems

Omega Speedmaster Professional w/Display Back - No Problems

Omega SMP #2054.50 Perfect

Omega GMT on strap Perfect

Omega SMP - No Problems

Omega Speedmaster - Auto winding problem - fixed by Omega

Omega Speedmaster Racing LE - no problem

Omega Seamaster: (quartz) Ate three batteries in 11 months. Sent to Omega and was fixed (just barely) under warranty. No further problems.

Omega Speedmaster: No problems.

Omega Speedmaster Automatic (7751) - intermittant, then rather more mittant, and finally complete, stopping. Omega's NY service center sent it back to me running, but with a scratch on the hour hand and the hour register hand misaligned.

Omega Seamaster Pro Chrono - chronograph function became faulty, refunded

Omega SMP Chrono NP

Omega Seamaster Pro: no problems

Omega Dynamic Chrono: no problems

Omega SMP Chrono: Manual winding led to feel of grinding and resistance, fixed under warranty.

Omega Ladies Constellation, mini size, half bar (quartz) - no problem

Omega Speedmaster Professional (bought in 1992): Straight out of the box, improper resetting of chrono minute accumulator, effectively causing it to restart at 00:01:00 instead of 00:00:00. Common problem with this watch, it seems. It was easily corrected by a watchmaker who was familiar with the problem.

Omega Speedmaster Professional, no problems (purchased new two years ago)

Omega Seamaster "Bond" sent back because the crown wasn't screwing down

Omega Seamaster Multifunction - During the last three years sent back to Omega twice to fix/replace digital module (each time covered by warranty) - no problems in last 10 months

Omega Schumacher (aka Crayola) Speedy Auto - no problems in 6 months

Omega Constellation (ladies) -- no problems

Omega SMP Auto NP

Omega Dynamic Chrono: Spring jumped out of position

Omega Speedmaster Reduced: No problems

Omega Seamaster -- dust on dial, stopped, clasp failed

Omega Seamaster Pro No Problem

Omega Seamaster Pro Chronograph No Problem

Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch No Problem

Omega Triple Date No Problem

Omega Speedmaster Professional: No problems

Omega X-33 - NP

Omega Seamaster NP

Omega Seamaster Professional Chronograph ETA7750 :

As chronograph function of ETA7750 had broken down 3 times , I sent it to SWATCH Group Japan 3 times .

Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph Lemania861 :No problem

Omega Speedmaster Automatic ETA2894-2 :No problem

Omega Speedmaster Automatic MARK40 ETA7761:No problem

Omega smp mid qtz np

Omega smp gmt np

Omega Constell.: No probs

Omega Seamaster Pro (Titanium)- no problems.

ROLEX 22 watches / 18 no problem

I had a problem with a Rolex Oyster Perpetual, steel & gold, no date, which I bought new from an authorized dealer. When I got home and tried to set the time, I was left with the crown in my hand. The watch was replaced with a new one.

Rolex Submariner - no problem

Rolex Oyster Date - No problems

Rolex Date: Lost up to 5 minutes per day! Sent to Rolex three times.

Rolex datejust (women's size - for wife): Slowing 12-15 sec/day

Rolex GMT master II : No problems

Rolex GMT II - NP

Rolex Explorer II - NP

Rolex Sub "P" serial np

Rolex Explorer I - no problems

Rolex OP Date - no problems

Rolex Datejust - No problems, sold watch anyway

rolex sub np - sold to help pay for HD

rolex sub ss / 18k np- sold to get wife diamond ring

rolex date just np

Rolex GMT II - No problems

Rolex Yachtmaster - defective stem seal. Repaired. Bracelet poor, on new strap now. Runs perfectly.

Rolex Submarine DATE :No problem .

Rolex Submariner No Problem

Rolex Explorer I - no problems

Rolex OP Date - no problems

Rolex Submariner: No problems

IWC - 29 watches / 26 no problems

All IWC's fine (5)

IWC Flieger mecaquartz - no problems

IWC Ingenieur 3521 - no problems

IWC Flieger - no problem

IWC UTC - no problem

IWC Portuguese Chrono - No problems

IWC Fleigerchrono - no problems

IWC UTC NP

IWC UTC np

Iwc flieger np

Iwc utc np

IWC Flieger - no problem

:IWC UTC - no problem

IWC Fleigerchrono--Poor dial printing/dust; imperfect reset to zero

IWC Flieger No Problem

IWC Fliegerchrono: Stem gasket failure. Returned to IWC for replacement under warranty, no problems since. (two years +)

IWC MK XII: No Problems

IWC Portugueser Automatic Chronograph - no problem

IWC Ingenieur: No problems

IWC Flieger mecaquartz - no problems

IWC Aquatimer: Link problem, fixed under warranty.

IWC Ingenieur 3521 - no problems

IWC Portuguese Chrono np

IWC Inge: Insecure closing on bracelet clasp; touched up at IWC, no probs since.

IWC Portu. Rattrapante: No problems

PATEK - 12 watches / 8 no problems

A Patek Philippe 5035 bought new from an authorized dealer, was running almost a minute fast a day. Im waiting for it to return from Switzerland. Ive waited almost four months now.

Patek 5035- no problem

Patek 5036 no problem (stays fully wound with ordinary left arm mvts.)

Patek 3802 no problem (stays fully wound with ordinary left arm mvts.)

Patek 5035 - no problems (had 3 years)

Patek Ladies moonphase 4857: no problem

Patek Calatrava (I): Winding stem falls off while attempting to adjust time. Repaired by independent watchmaker, no problems since.

Patek Calatrava (II): Poor quality control on original dial. Returned to H. Stern for replacement. Returned perfect.

Patek 5035 - NP

Patek Aquanaut - low reserve; fixed in one week

Patek 5035 np

I had many months of problems getting a new Patek 5035 regulated properly.

It has to be sent to Patek NYC three times and finally they got it right.

It was a long struggle to get this watch the way it should have been in the

first place.

JLC - 23 watches / 15 no problems

JLC Master moon - gaining 2minutes a day

JLC Reveil- discolouration of dial

JLC Master Moon - Erratic Winding kept stopping - refunded 3 weeks

JLC Reverso Duo NP

JLC Master Lady: sent back for dust on dial, then no problem

JLC Reverso Duetto: no problem

JLC Reverso Duo - no problems in 3 months

JLC Master Reveil: No problems

JLC Master Date: No problems

JLC RDM - mainspring defect, repaired under warranty, loose piece of rubber in movement (charged for pressure check even though watch under warranty?!)

JLC RendezVous (ladies) - no problems

JLC Reveil No Problem

JLC Ultrathin - NP

JLC Geographic - second hand pauses and skips

JLC Reverso Duo NP

JLC Geographic np

JLC Sun/ Moon np

JLC Reverso Duo rose gold np

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gran'sport - no problem

JLC GTaille: No probs.

Jaeger Le Coultre Master Moon - date hand not quite aligned properly.

JLC Mecaquartz Chrono no problem

JLC Reverso Date (hand wound) runs more than 10 seconds fast per day

BLANCPAIN - 12 watches / 8 no problems

Blancpain Moon Phase Half Hunter - just 1 month old and still no problem

Blancpain FF fine

Blancpain Ladies Flyback 2385: no problem

Blancpain Aqualung - NP

Blancpain Flyback -- no problem

BP 1106 - grossly irregular running; replacement had no problems

Blancpain 50F stoppage

Blancpain 50F Deployant lock broke

Blancpain GMT stoppage

Blancpain 2100 Mil Moon - no problems

BP2100 Moonphase - no problems (had 6 months)

BP AL: No probs. (though finish on sec. hands not "perfect")

MINERVA - 18 watches / 10 no problem

Minerva Palladio DT - no problems

Minerva Palladio 24Hr - sent back for adjustment when it showed irregular rate

Minerva Pythagore II: No problem

Minerva Heritage, no problems (purchased new two years ago)

Minerva Palladio "S", no problems (purchased new one year ago)

Minerva Pythagore, no problems (purchased new two years ago)

Minerva Pythagore - scratched hands, scratched dial, repaired under warranty AOK, 10 months old.

Minerva Palladio "S" - no problems

Minerva Pythagore - no problems

Minerva Europeo - no problems

Minerva Rose Gold Cal 49 - no problems

Minerva pythagore-no problems

Minerva Anniversary - dial defective and replaced, spring failed and replaced

Minerva Palladio GMT - gear failed and replaced

Minerva Cal 49 waves in case finish. fiixed

Minerva Pythagore Ann. - became 3 min slow/day, damaged keyless works, in service

Minerva Pythagore I - runs down in 7 hours, can barely keep time within 10 minutes/day, repaired 3 times in last 6 months with no joy.

Minerva Pythagore I (black dial) np

GP - 7 watches / 6 no problems

A Girard Perregaux chrono GP4900 which only runs for a few hours after I take it off my wrist. I bought it in the Caribbean, now I dont know how to get it fixed.

All my GPs fine (6)

ORIS - 7 watches / 5 no problems

Oris Classic Sport / Diver - no problem

Oris Jules Verne World Timer no problem but tends to run > 5 secs. slow per day

Oris BC3 - no problems

Oris BC3 (40mm) -- no problem

Oris Classic XXL NP

Oris Big Crown (ladies) - no problems

Oris Big Crown :Crown had rusted

ZENITH - 11 watches / 8 no problems

Zenith El Primero No Problem

Zenith Class 4 El Primero: Loose steel bracelet link pins, sorted under warranty, but this problem has been common to my three Zenith purchases so far.

Zenith Chronomaster Moonphase NP

Zenith Port Royal Chrono - thought I had a problem but it went away, so no problems - (had 8 months)

Zenith Chronomaster Triple calendar - very intermittant failure to advance calendar(s) - haven't sent it in yet; it still has over 3 years left on the warranty.

Zenith Class 4 El Primero- no problem

Zenith Class El Primero no problem

Zenith Class 4 - no problems

Zenith Elite DT - dust under dial

Zenith Port Royal El Primero-No problems

Zenith Chronomaster-no problems

BREITLING - 15 watches / 10 no problems

Breitling Superocean - No problems

Breitling Blackbird - No problems

Breitling Aerospace - lug fell off, bracelet spring fatigued

Breitling Navitimer 92-no problems

Breitling Chronomat 98--calendar failed; rider tab fell off

Breitling Aerospace-no problen

Breitling Montbrilliant-dust on dial

Breitling B2 - No problems, but the most uncomfortable watch I've ever worn; returned to dealer for refund.

Breitling Callistino -- no problems

Breitling Antares World -- bezel rider tab slightly loose

Breitling SuperOcean Professional-no problem

Breitling SuperO Pro NP

Breitling Old Navitimer - No problems

Breitling Chrono Colt Automatic - chrono hours not aligned to markers on subdial, chrono hours sometimes continue to run after stopping chrono. Not sent for repair yet, keeps excellent time.

Breitling Montbrilliant Eclipse - no problem.

SEIKO - 15 watches / 10 no problems

Seiko 200m diver: No problem

Seiko Diver's 200m - no problems, but running about +20s / day.

Seiko Diver 200m Automatic - no problems (except the white day and date rings)

Seiko 5 - No problems

Sieko Kinetic auto relay no problem

Seaiko automatic 26 jewel,weekdater no problem

Seiko Auto Diver 200: no problems

Grand Seiko: No probs

Seiko S-Wave - runnning +28secs (all my Seikos seem to be ridiculously fast when new - is it just me?) self regulated to +3secs, 20 months old.

Another S-Wave (at +25)was regulated under warranty to -1 secs by Seiko UK - top quality service - , 3 years old.

Grand Seiko quartz - no problems

Seiko Diver 200m Pro - No problems

Seiko Kinetic - Started making REAL grinding noises - refunded 4 weeks

Grand Seiko quartz - no problems

Seiko Alpinist - running +23secs, self regulated to +2, 3 months old.

PANERAI - 5 watches / 3 no problems

Panerai GMT - NP

Paneria Luminor Power Reserve - No problems

Panerai Luminor GMT - No problems in 18 months.

Panerai Luminor Power Reserve no problem although it also may not stay fully wound with ordinary left arm mvts. (you would think the heft of this watch would keep the rotor spinning).

Panerai-would require full wind to get the movement to "start" if it had been sitting around in my safe for a few weeks

AP - 5 watches / 5 no problems

All AP's fine (3)

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak np

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak chrono np

Invicta - 12 watches / 7 no problems

Invicta-8114......no problem

Invicta 8926: went from -4 / day to -40 / day during 1st six months

Invicta 8926 np

Invicta 8926 "Sub" - "sluggish" second hand, but still keeps acceptable accuracy.

Invicta 8926 - misaligned dial - long gone and not missed!

Invicta Sub: No problems.

Invicta 8926 no problems.

Invicta 8926 - no problem

Invicta - not worth wearing

Invicta Sub--no problems

Invicta 8236 (automatic, not the "sub") - crown threads stripped, still awaiting new crown

Invicta 8926 sent back to Ashford,to

align Bezel,and fix,sticking second hand,at 23 minutes on the dial...Fixed, in

6 days! But fixed by Sean McNamara,of course!

HAMILTON - 6 watches / 5 no problems

Hamilton Khaki chrono I just sent it for warranty service, the chrono second hand was going from a hard ticking to running smooth.

Hamilton Khaki Chrono - No Problems

Hamilton Atlantis II - No Hamilton Khaki Auto-no problem

Hamilton day date Chrono: No problem problems

Hamilton Viewmatic-no problems

Hamilton Khaki Manual - NP

UN - 7 watches / 5 no problems

Ulysse Nardin 1846 np

UN 1846 01 -- dust / metal on dial

Un 1846 99 -- no problems

UN1846 - no problems (had 2 yrs)

UN 1846 LE fine

UN 1846: Was -6sec / day out of box; +0.5sec / day after regulation.

UN GMT Perp: No probs

LIMES - 4 watches / 4 no problems

Limes Chyro chrono, no problem

Limes nighflight-no problems

Limes Outback NP

Limes Nightflight 1 - No problems, 15 mths old

FORTIS - 5 watches / 2 no problems

Fortis No Problems! cosmonaut,and flieger

Fortis Pilots Auto - Just bought

Fortis Pilot Auto: After 1 year, began stopping at random, unpredictable times. 2 local watchmakers couldn't correct or even identify the problem. Helvetia Time, Fortis' distributor, corrected it -- at no charge. Watch still runs perfectly 5 years later.

Fortis Cosmo Diver's -- scratch between lugs, +6 to +15 sec. / day when worn, +16 to +27 sec. / day sitting in safe

OTHER - 78 watches / 59 no problem

Lange Saxonia - minor imperfection on dial; fixed

Franck Muller 5850 casablanca np

Breguet XX: Back to shop 3x, still problems.

FM MasterB: No probs.

Ebel 1911 Modulor Chrono - Erratic Winding - replaced 1 week

Ebel 1911 Modulor Chrono - Stopped Winding rotor disconnected! - refunded 2 weeks

Schwarz Etienne Flight Controller - extra "glue" between crystal and case back, easily removed with knife.

Fortis Cosmonaute Chrono - crown thread stripped - fixed by Fortis

Poljot 3133 - chrono pushers came loose - back from repair in Russia, working great

Swatch Automatic - no problems

Swatch Auto Irony Skeleton (Body and Soul) np

Glycine Combat - no problems

Glycine KMU-46 - ran fast 20 sec / day

Rado - No problems, sold watch

TAG S/eL Chronograph quartz - "loose" bracelet, sold watch.

GO Senator Navigator - no problem.

RGM Chrono -- no problem

Davosa Skeleton - No problems

Wenger "officer" watch - No problems

Princeton Chronograph (purchased New Old Stock) - No problems, crystal scratches easily, though.

Bell & Ross Vintage 126 - No problems in two years.

bell&Ross vintage 123 speck of tritium on edge of dial

Tutima FX UTC Auto - no problems in 1 year

Ventura Ego (large) -- no problem

Tissot Ballade auto (ladies) -- crown popped off, but occured outside of first year of ownership

DJR Bressel Chrono - After only five or six wearings, crown would not pull out to set time; warranty repair took more than a month..

Citizen Tough Ti Ecodrive - utterly perfect, 13 months old.

Kobold Endurance A - NP

Kobold Pro B - very poor finish, including crown that did not seat properly on side of case; also marked "waterproof" on back

Glycine KMU-46 - ran fast 20 sec/day

Movado 1881: No problems

Movado ss 1881 auto (ladies) -- no problems

Movado Esperanza (quartz) no problems in 5 years (not even a battery change!)

Jean Marcel - -20sec. / day

Incursore,have owned 4! No Problems!

Baume&Mercier Malibu Chrono: Bracelet falling apart

Heuer Monaco re-edition: No problems

Tudor Prince Date Submariner: Marker position 0 on bezel fell out

Nomos Tangente: No problems

Paul picot regulatuer- seconds indicator loose

All D&S fine (3)

D&S Aerodyn Duo np

Chopards fine (4)

ikepod fine

piaget fine

Tag 4000 Series - NP

Rado Diamaster - NP

Silberstein Bodoni - NP

Chopard Mille Miglia NP

DJR Military - no problems

Krieger automatic - crown threading defect, crown replaced under warranty

Hebdomas 8 Days Ascot - no problems

RT Airspeed-no problems

Epos Moonphase-no problem

Hubot Elegant - no problem

Cartier Santos- no problem

Waldan triple date moonphase chrono: No problem

Poljot Chrono: No problem

Tag Heuer Link Auto - no problem

Revue Thommen Jump Hour - no problem

Longines Conquest Las Vegas L.990 automatic, Conqest quartz L.161, Gold plateed Automatic, all of them no problem

Bulova King no problem

Raymond Weil no problem

Wenger black dial no problem

Mido ocean star datoday, quartz no problem

EPOS Rectangle Jump Hour - no problems

LifeStyle Titan - German made 25J ETA 2824-2 in Titanium - no problems

Muhle Glashutte Traveler w/ power reserve - will only stay < 1/4 wound if worn all day and night taken off only to shower; also can't see only the hour hand in the dark (important for me who gets calls at night and who doesn't want to turn on the lights to wake my wife). The luminous minute hand and indices are otherwise uniformly bright.

Paul Picot Firshire power reserve COSC certified chronometer a joke because it runs 15 to 20 seconds fast per day and has from the day one.

Maurice Lacroix Croneo -- dust on dial

Maurice Lacroix Calendrier Retrograde - no problem

Tutima Nato - no problems

Allison

New York, New York
U.S.A.