|
|
| Welcome to 3T! Please take the time to register and join in on the friendly,knowledgeable watch talk.Please note that not all registrations will receive an immediate activation e-mail.Those who do not receive an immediate notification will be activated manually within 48hrs. by an admin. without an e-mail activation url sent to you,you may then sign in using your username and password,if you feel there is a problem please e-mail us at timetechtalk@hotmail.com and include your name and username and we activate your account.Thank You! |
| Moderated by: 3T | ||
| Author | Post | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Simon_Leung 3T WIS 
|
Last night a customer walked into my store and asked if I could take a look at his Tutima Automatic. He told me that the watch was around 4 months old and that he couldn't set the time and the date. He gave me the watch to see if I could get up and running. He stepped out for ten minutes or so. Upon further inspection the bracelet was scuffed at the buckle and the crystal had a mark that looked it might have been dropped. He came back and I asked him if he could bring in the warranty card so that I could I send it out for further inspection by Tutima. I know that watch companies don't warranty watches that are abused, but I just want to get a confirmation by the Authorized Repair Centre for a second opinion. If however the watch is abused then the warranty is voided and the customer will have to pay for the repair themselves. Which could run between $500 - $1,000 for a replacement of either an entire movement. |
|||||||||
|
Paxman 3T WIS 
|
Sometimes shit happens and then sometimes guys don't have the appreciation and love we all share for a timepiece. I can't imagine abusing my Tutima but she sure do get a good workout from time to time!!:D |
|||||||||
|
Simon_Leung 3T WIS
|
I agree with the point that not every guy will appreciate a fine timepiece which is a sad fact. Therefore,forums such as 3-T,Timezone and watchuseek are important,so that we can educate and promote appreciation for various timepieces. For example, if someone came into my store and told me he once owned a Breitling Navitimer only to delibrately abuse it beyond repair. Then buys a $2,350 Longines Grande Vitesse Automatic Chronograph to replace it... I'll be hesistant in selling the watch because he'll wind up ruining a fine watch that took months to build. I can't stop him from buying it and but can I refuse to sell him the watch? Certainly a judgment call at my discretion. Then of course through no-fault accidents is a different matter because we have all dropped things. Definitely something to look for the next time I take in a watch for repairs.  Thanks Mark.Last edited on Fri Oct 10th, 2008 02:04 am by Simon_Leung |
|||||||||
|
lumatuna 3T WIS 
|
That is a shame. To me every time piece should get utmost repsect, whether it be a Casio or a Rolex. It would hurt me equally, to put a scratch or ding in either. In fact, I regretted calling one of my watches a beater in another forum. The fact is, there's so many scratches/hairlines (but NO dings), I choose to wear it more frequently than all my others. But then again, like you said, it may have been an accident, and for fear of saying he dropped it (thus possibly voiding the warranty or definitely voiding it), he's trying to "get over" on the repair costs... Business is business don't take this too personal, I guess it's hard not to when you have so much love for what you do. ~D |
|||||||||
|
KenC Admin 
|
Hey...guys...get a grip. A Tutima or even a Rolex could be a "beater" to some. We may not act the same way, but face facts, it is not a person or a pet, it's a watch, and the owner can do with it as he wishes. |
|||||||||
|
Ablejack 3T WIS 
|
I wear all my watches with no regard. They are all somewhat nicked or scratched. Big whup, I'm with KenC. It's merely a watch. The resale and the pics are not as good but they still look good in the meat world. Then again, I don't own any serious grail either. |
|||||||||
|
Paxman 3T WIS
|
Hey guys I wear my watches and they show it, but I do not abuse my watches. There is a difference in my mind.:D |
|||||||||
|
Smith357 3T WIS 
|
I'm with KenC and Ablejack. A watch is a tool for telling time, some tools may be nicer than others but they are still just tools. All my watches get worn, save one box queen that is set aside for special occasions, and they all show it with well earned battle scars. It's like getting a brand new truck and then not wanting to haul anything for fear of scratching the paint in the bed. But then I have yet to spend more than a few hundred dollars on a watch because I do know how rough I am on them. If I were ever able to drop 10K + on a watch I might change my mind. |
|||||||||
|
canadajo 3T WIS 
|
I gotta agree with both in stating there's a difference in beating and using a tool of any sort ....... I use my tools in the car shop , but I dont use them in an unreccomended way ( usually ) |
|||||||||
|
pablor 3T WIS
|
Of course everyone has a different connection to a watch, and a different reason for wearing it. Some watches are tools - rough and tough watches that were designed to handle some knocks. I don't want to have to treat every watch I own with kid gloves, but I don't see that as abuse. It becomes abuse if it's deliberate, or an inappropriate use for the type of watch. It's a tough call because everyone is entitled to do just what they like with their own watch. Watch enthusiasts tend to have an ingrained attitude of care and preservation - and it's not just about the resale value! It drives me crazy when people don't seem to care, but many folks just don't seem to. |
|||||||||
|
Zarith 3T WIS 
|
My uncle is what you could call a "tough guy". He is a fan of Breitling. He buys a new one every 3-4 years. On his wrist a watch doesn't survive longer than that. He wears his Breitling all the time: while repairing his car, while hunting, while doing sports, etc... It's full of scratch after only 3 months! I'm just the opposite: I clean my watches, replace the spring bars regularly, check the screws, keep them in a nice box,... I don't wear them while doing sports or taking a shower... I cry if a see a scratch and I try to fix it asap with my little tools (I have a big box full of watchmaker tools!). and you know what? I'm ashamed! I feel like a sissy  My uncle has the right attitude. He treats his watch like his car, his shoes or his knife. That's the right way! Simon_Leung wrote: For example, if someone came into my store and |
|||||||||
|
KenC Admin
|
Once again, a watch is a "thing", a tool to be used (and I agree, not abused). As a comparison, I offer...golf clubs. They look so great when the are new and shiny, and then you play with them. You hit off the turf, out of sand bunkers, off roots, and in the desert, calichi and even rock. They get scarred, scratched, chipped and even dented because they are used...occasionally, even a shaft will break or a head will come off, but stuff happens because you use them. Now....if you break them by hitting them into a tree or pounding them into the ground or throwing them in a fit of temper...that's abuse, and unwarranted. But here is the bottom line, those clubs belong to the golfer...and if he wants to, he can throw them in the lake...they are his to do with as he wants as long as he does not hurt someone with them. For a sports store to refuse to sell that golfer new clubs would be, simply said, ridiculous! Watches, golf clubs, cars...they are things! |
|||||||||
|
canadajo 3T WIS
|
thank you Ken for your voice of reason and great analogies ..... making sense of it all  KenC wrote: Once again, a watch is a "thing", a tool to be used (and I agree, not abused). As a comparison, I offer...golf clubs. They look so great when the are new and shiny, and then you play with them. You hit off the turf, out of sand bunkers, off roots, and in the desert, calichi and even rock. They get scarred, scratched, chipped and even dented because they are used...occasionally, even a shaft will break or a head will come off, but stuff happens because you use them. |
|||||||||
|
Simon_Leung 3T WIS
|
I couldn't help feeling sentimental as I recall my dad telling me about his fond memories of my late grandfather,who was a watchmaker. My grandfather had his own brand of watches in Hong Kong and my dad's late uncle used to build watch cases. Even my father had to work as a case polisher, it was demanding job for a twelve year old. But with a household of 34 mouths to feed, there wasn't much money. Watchmaking and watch collecting runs in the family, for which I am proud to be associated with. My dad's brother was a watchmaker. My dad's half-sister has her own retail store in Hong Kong. Now, it's my turn to carry on the tradition. As a retail watch professional, I take my job seriously with enthusiasm and passion. Sometimes, is difficult not to feel sentimental but it happens. |
|||||||||
|
KenC Admin
|
Simon...try taking your job "not-so-seriously". Lighten up and enjoy it. If you start judging your customer's, you will lose them...and the sale! |
|||||||||
|
Simon_Leung 3T WIS
|
Thanks Ken for the advice. :) 3-T was the only opportunity to express how I felt, otherwise I would loose the passion and the enthusiasm for my job. |
|||||||||
|
KenC Admin
|
Simon_Leung wrote: Thanks Ken for the advice. :) Simon...it is okay to have your personal feelings, just don't let it affect the sale! |
|||||||||
