I don't think this meets the standard of a prestige brand

Dec 13, 2016,16:00 PM
 

You are right to complain.  

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Is it me or is it Patek?

 
 By: Poky : December 11th, 2016-09:19
After the initial problem with the poor refurbishment, Patek kindly agreed to replace the case. 4 months wait for the initial service/refurbishment and another 3 months wait for the new case. Got the watch today and I was disappointed to see subtle marks ...  

signs that humans have handled the watch

 
 By: COUNT DE MONET : December 11th, 2016-09:30
You asked for it and in my opinion your expectations are a bit too high. The shown "blemishes" are not relevant and acceptable. Best Moritz

I think you are probably right.

 
 By: Poky : December 11th, 2016-09:52
Thank you for your opinion.

I think you have the right

 
 By: beejo : December 11th, 2016-09:36
To send it back,But if it was me I would let it go without you look for 100% perfection that is going to be hectic and frustrating. Best, Ahmed

Agree with Beejo....

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : December 11th, 2016-09:40
.....i think you have the right to send it back. If i was in your shoes, though, I wouldn't as it would not bother me that much.

I will contact the service centre

 
 By: Poky : December 11th, 2016-09:49
If they can rectify them the next time the watch goes for its service, I may go along with that as they are quite hard to see. Who knows, there may even be more problems when it goes for a service again. I am kind of losing faith in Patek, not as perfect ... 

They replaced the case, so that's pretty good!

 
 By: Harry2 : December 11th, 2016-09:42
I wouldn\'t worry about those marks, perhaps the dial one if it shows up more obviously in person than pictures. I\'m very happy that they replaced the case for you though! Hopefully you can enjoy your watch now. If I was you I wouldn\'t get my watches po... 

No more polishing for me.

 
 By: Poky : December 11th, 2016-09:51
It was good of them to agree to replace the case. The marks are not readily visible and I doubt most people would see them without knowing. Just not what I expected.

I understand

 
 By: Harry2 : December 11th, 2016-09:58
It\'s hard to know what to expect! I have similar issues with my Portuguese, I think it\'s normal.

You will always find some irregularities

 
 By: MCG (Markus) : December 11th, 2016-09:58
If not with 2x or 3x magnification, then certainly with 10x... ;-) There is an easy rule: If you see the flaws with your eyes only, and it disturbes you, let it be changed. If you don\'t see it with your eyes, chances are high, that with the improvement o... 

If you only see the issues under magnification then I'd leave well enough alone

 
 By: logan2z : December 11th, 2016-10:25
This is why I never look at my watches with a loupe, I know I'd see imperfections that would start to bother me. The mark on the dial seem extremely minor. Do you know that it wasn't there all along? To be honest I see some other minor marks in your photo... 

I do actually see them with naked eyes

 
 By: Poky : December 11th, 2016-11:52
that is because my short sight is very good. Maybe the dial can just be cleaned and the rotor probably should be left alone. My main gripe is that I did not expect to see this from the Patek.

Then I'd send it back

 
 By: logan2z : December 11th, 2016-11:56
This is not what I'd expect from Patek either.

+1 from me.

 
 By: Bounce781 : December 11th, 2016-13:35
This is supposed to be Patek. They were already dealing with an unhappy customer who had evidence of a poor service AND they let this happen. Disappointing

Sell the watch as "like new"

 
 By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : December 11th, 2016-13:48
Don't buy a Patek again. ALS is pretty much your best bet.

If I had known, I probably would have kept the watch sealed

 
 By: Poky : December 11th, 2016-14:33
That way, I would get much more for it. I opened it as I thought it must be all fine now. I will definitely take my name off for a Patek I had in my mind. I can't bring myself to spend any more cash on Patek.

Hard to tell Poky

 
 By: Mark in Paris : December 11th, 2016-14:57
From my own experience, I noticed that not many watches would pass a highly magnified control. This is craftmanship and there is very often a little imperfection somewhere if we look well. That's also a reason why I don't like using magnifying glasses for... 

Stories like yours....

 
 By: Rogi : December 11th, 2016-15:13
make me think that it is a good idea to wait for service, you're paying top dollar, they should deliver top service. Unfortunately it is what it is, if you can live with it as is, keep it as such but ask your AD if in its next service will these be charge... 

I suggest..

 
 By: yming : December 11th, 2016-16:42
You try to enjoy the watch for a while and if you can't, then you owe it to yourself to send it back.. All watches will have minor blemishes due to the manufacturing process, only the degree of visibility varies.. I have had many issues with a few Langes ... 

I have been thinking in fact

 
 By: Poky : December 12th, 2016-10:53
If I should sell this at a loss and get a Lange instead. After reading your post and your problems with Lange, now I am not sure if that is the best thing to do.

If it has to be magnified and pointed out, it is too minuscule of a problem to ask for rework IMHO.

 
 By: CaptainCrunch : December 11th, 2016-18:14
It is a handmade craftsmanship piece so there are bound to be little inconsistencies here and there. If I look at my pieces under magnification, there are bound to be imperfections too. A watch is meant to be enjoyed. Sooner or later these pieces will get... 

Totally agree with you except that I can see these with naked eyes

 
 By: Poky : December 12th, 2016-10:56
The watch was totally pristine when I first purchase it meaning that Patek can make flawless time pieces, even if it is from the lower end of the range.

In that case, return it for a refurbish again though I don't see how

 
 By: CaptainCrunch : December 13th, 2016-07:08
It will work out if you will be looking for minor blemishes. I have a feeling the watch will be returned somehow with something else somewhere else. Doesn\'t seem like a winning proposition but hey if you have got the time to spare and let it sit for anot... 

if you're not happy send it back

 
 By: benzng : December 11th, 2016-20:35
i would. if you can see them with the naked eye and it bothers you, by all means send it back.

I have started a conversation with Patek service manager

 
 By: Poky : December 12th, 2016-11:02
She has offered to inspect and make suggestions but that means the watch to be away again.

What magnification is this 10X?

 
 By: Patekphilippecollector : December 11th, 2016-20:39
Surely there has to be a tolerance level that minor blemishes that are not visible tpo the human eye are not acceptable? I get that the watch needs to be perfect but then is anything perfect? My view may be different if that was my watcg but I dont look a... 

I don't either

 
 By: Poky : December 12th, 2016-10:59
I don't even own a loupe. I saw them first at the AD within 5 minutes but the AD had to use a loop to see them. They have been magnified with an old camera to demonstrate them. I definitely would not use a loupe to inspect the watch as I am sure I will fi... 

Here's the thing I've realized...

 
 By: Makilla : December 11th, 2016-23:51
people always expect the best from Patek. Well I've seen many new Pateks with scratches on dials, hands, movements and even rotors. Some minor flaws can be expected since it's humans working on the watches but there are things no one accepts. Here's the t... 

Thanks Laurent

 
 By: Poky : December 12th, 2016-11:10
I do expect the best from Patek as I do believe they can be the best. When I first purchased the watch, it was absolutely pristine, completely flawless. Very impressive. The watch has not been serviced to the same standard that it was first made. I don't ... 

I would be upset too. I'm surprised by the responses of fellow purists

 
 By: fallanden_ch : December 12th, 2016-09:46
Fine finishing and perfection is part of the pleasure in owning a Patek Philippe. I enjoy looking at my watches using a 10X loupe, how else are we to admire the fine finishing we're paying such a premium for? Most mechanical watches keep excellent time, b... 

Well said, could not agree with you more. That is why I feel like this.

 
 By: Poky : December 12th, 2016-11:24
Some watch brands actually give you a complementary loupe, and why not. I don't own a loupe system and can still see these with naked eyes. I am a perfectionist but watches are supposed to be perfect with Patek being the best of the best IMO. The dial on ... 

I think you better find another brand as PP will never be able to meet your expectations!

 
 By: Patekphilippecollector : December 13th, 2016-00:26
TS himself has stated that PP has approx 2-3% of annual production that has QC issues and thats within normal tolerances for them. If the CEO thinks 2% is ok then I am afrain your 100% is just not going to be met!!

Patek has agreed to inspect it and most likely send it back to Geneva

 
 By: Poky : December 15th, 2016-23:59
I suspect at best they will offer to replace but more likely to polish the rotor and clean the dial (if cleanable). I doubt very much, even if I was to insist, they would give me a new watch. My concern is that, this is what I see on the surface, what is ... 

I think it is what a brand should always offer

 
 By: Mark in Paris : December 16th, 2016-07:21
a way to satisfy clients requests on such subjects without arguing on dealing with issues that can arise here and then. Patek handles this very well and and it is far to be a general behavior. However, if I wear you, I would also have sent the watch for a... 

Very comforting to hear that from you Mark

 
 By: Poky : December 16th, 2016-08:42
Initially I was going to wait until the next service in 5 years but I think it is important to resolve this early as the solution now may be more ideal than the solution 5 years down the line. Who knows, they may even offer to replace the watch completely... 

I don't think this meets the standard of a prestige brand

 
 By: jkingston : December 13th, 2016-16:00
You are right to complain.

Initially I was going to let it go

 
 By: Poky : December 13th, 2016-23:59
But as I keep noticing the marks I am going to send the watch back. There has to be a difference between a Patek and much cheaper brands.