whiteshields1830 Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 Hi all, Been lurking in this forum for the past few weeks (best replica website in my opinion) and first time poster. Just received watches from TrustyTime (one of the recommended websites here). Ended up spending $700+ on two replicas (a Tag heuer Aquaracer 500m Swiss ETA, and a Omega Planet ocean Ult 42mm also Swiss ETA) One of the watches arrived 'semi'-dead (the omega one). Reason why I say 'semi' is because the second hand does tick for 2-3 minutes before it stops around the 25 second mark EVERY time. Now i know it may have been a transit issue, but ive been told by my local watch repair shop that the gear was faulty in the first place (nothing was knocked loose). His quote to fix this issue will be $180 (plus labour costs), the watch costed me $350. So now i have a dead watch, definately more hassle and way more than i wanted to pay for. Not much of a happy camper at the moment. Whats there to do on my end now other than send it back to Trusty time and hope for the best? Are they good in repairing these issues? Has anyone had a similar issue/experience to share and how it got resolved? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeKa Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 I would first describe the issue to Andrew/Trusty and ask how he would propose to handle this. 1) Sending it back for exchange may be one option - time intense and you have shipping costs 2) Andrew sending a movement for you to replace another option - less than half the waiting and the broken movement covers your movement exchange costs 3) Giving a heav discount on your next purchase might be a third option First communicate with him and if you are not satisfyed with the outcome, you might involve an mod/admin to get a compromise. Dee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiteshields1830 Posted March 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 definately not too happy with the outcome - only way is to send it back, wait for repair and then get it back. Prob a 3week turn around (one half week to send back, a few days to repair and one half week back) - while risking package being lost in transit - hopefully doesnt happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWG Technical Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 I can't remember when, or if ever, I have seen a movement with a "gear issue". If the watchmaker used the term "gear", then you have problem. The odds of a "gear" (the correct term is "Wheel" not gear...) being faulty is next to nil. If indeed the wheel was defective, it would not be able to turn past the damaged teeth and would stay stuck at 25.... Most likely causes could be as simple as the seconds hand touching the bottom of the crystal. If you can, try and find a real watchmaker who at least knows the correct terminology for watch parts. I believe you are being lead down the path... Never, ever, send anything back to China. Have it sorted out locally or with someone you can trust. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiteshields1830 Posted March 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 (edited) I can't remember when, or if ever, I have seen a movement with a "gear issue". If the watchmaker used the term "gear", then you have problem. The odds of a "gear" (the correct term is "Wheel" not gear...) being faulty is next to nil. If indeed the wheel was defective, it would not be able to turn past the damaged teeth and would stay stuck at 25.... Most likely causes could be as simple as the seconds hand touching the bottom of the crystal. If you can, try and find a real watchmaker who at least knows the correct terminology for watch parts. I believe you are being lead down the path... Never, ever, send anything back to China. Have it sorted out locally or with someone you can trust. Sorry, used the wrong term. What i meant was wheel (still quite new to the terminology) - i thought gear was the closest thing i could think of when he described the fault to me. when it was stuck at the 25min mark, the only way i could nudge it back to work again is if i smack the watch against my palm a few times OR if i started winding the 'k n o b/ stubble on the side' (again sorry, dont really know the term here) until it would move the seconds needle past the 25-27min mark and then it'll start ticking again normally. I dont want to send it to china, but getting it repaired here locally is gonna cost me half the price of the watch itself, whereas the repair overseas would be for free (although at a huge risk). Have to admit, i kind of regret buying from this dealer (with all the praise they put on their site about the QC), as this is my first purchase and a broken rep watch in two that i have bought ever in my life is not a good sign. Edited March 7, 2012 by whiteshields1830 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWG Technical Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Sorry, used the wrong term. What i meant was wheel (still quite new to the terminology) - i thought gear was the closest thing i could think of when he described the fault to me. when it was stuck at the 25min mark, the only way i could nudge it back to work again is if i smack the watch against my palm a few times OR if i started winding the 'k n o b/ stubble on the side' (again sorry, dont really know the term here) until it would move the seconds needle past the 25-27min mark and then it'll start ticking again normally. My comment was more towards the watchmaker and his knowledge and ability. Based on your being able to get the watch going by winding it tells me that as I suspected, the wheel is fine, you have another problem with the watch, most likely a rubbing hand... Sorry I can't offer anything else, good luck in sorting it out. Stuff happens, unfortunately... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adeodatus Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Sometimes [censored] happens. The dealer is not producing the watch, he/she only sales it. The QC is supposed to give a general, cosmetic idea about the watch, while timegrapher image gives you a vague clue about the watch's health. Read this: http://www.rwg.cc/topic/143915-faq-to-service-or-not-to-service-my-thoughts/ (and the how-to in my signature) - excellent views on the subject by forumites. From my experience, the rep game is a little like gambling but with very good odds, so it's good to be prepared for stuff like this. In any case, even if you repair the watch or have it serviced or whatever, it will still cost you only a fraction of the original. And trust me - the originals aren't problem free either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillincontrol Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 can you take it out of the case and see if it turns free, open back and remove stem.LZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmabshir Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 I reccommend sending it back honestly, I had some issues with my PAM, really didnt want to send it back but a did. Andrew fixed it no charge and along the way there was a lot of communication. Thing to keep in mind is that the whole process is going to take about 7-8 weeks, so you got to go in with a positive attitude, and really..... kind of just forget about it or you'll drive yourself crazy! Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiteshields1830 Posted March 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2012 I reccommend sending it back honestly, I had some issues with my PAM, really didnt want to send it back but a did. Andrew fixed it no charge and along the way there was a lot of communication. Thing to keep in mind is that the whole process is going to take about 7-8 weeks, so you got to go in with a positive attitude, and really..... kind of just forget about it or you'll drive yourself crazy! Good luck Mine was from Trustytime/Andrew and my god 7-8 week turnaround is just ridiculous (given 2 weeks to send to and 2 weeks to send back, leaving 3-4 weeks for repair?!). How was the repair? cause when i was asking around, when it gets repaired its only going to cause more issues down the road as the watch was made faulty in the first place. After hearing that i just want the watch replaced rather than repaired. This whole experience is horrible and this will definately be the last replica watch i ever buy. Honestly from just asking a few watchmakers in sydney - NOT a single one of them wants to repair the watch cause it is a replica. Anyone in sydney, Australia know of a good place to get it repaired (that isnt too fussed that its a replica?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmabshir Posted March 10, 2012 Report Share Posted March 10, 2012 In my situation it was a case issue; threading.. So I feel a bit more confident when I started taking it around locally I basically got snubbed, no one would touch it because it was a replica.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adeodatus Posted March 10, 2012 Report Share Posted March 10, 2012 Mine was from Trustytime/Andrew and my god 7-8 week turnaround is just ridiculous (given 2 weeks to send to and 2 weeks to send back, leaving 3-4 weeks for repair?!). How was the repair? cause when i was asking around, when it gets repaired its only going to cause more issues down the road as the watch was made faulty in the first place. After hearing that i just want the watch replaced rather than repaired. This whole experience is horrible and this will definately be the last replica watch i ever buy. Honestly from just asking a few watchmakers in sydney - NOT a single one of them wants to repair the watch cause it is a replica. Anyone in sydney, Australia know of a good place to get it repaired (that isnt too fussed that its a replica?). Try sending a gen Omega or IWC for repair. If you will get them back within six months, I'm sending you my reps as a gift. Seriously though, some gens take much longer to fix, than seven weeks. I'm not taking the dealer's side, just stating facts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grejyedi Posted March 10, 2012 Report Share Posted March 10, 2012 I think trailboss99 on RWI does wathc repairs. If not I am sure he does know he's based in Down under Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vandal.tbh Posted March 10, 2012 Report Share Posted March 10, 2012 I had an issue with my PO from Trusty (different issue altogether), but I sent it back to Andrew and he took care of it immediately. He replaced the watch with a new one rather than fix it, so from the time I sent it to the time I got it back was a little less than 3 weeks. Andrew's a good dealer and he will take care of you if you give him the chance. I paid $20USD to ship it back and that's way cheaper than any of the options you're talking about. You may have to wait a few weeks (and believe me I kow how much that sucks), but I think that is your best alternative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiteshields1830 Posted March 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2012 I had an issue with my PO from Trusty (different issue altogether), but I sent it back to Andrew and he took care of it immediately. He replaced the watch with a new one rather than fix it, so from the time I sent it to the time I got it back was a little less than 3 weeks. Andrew's a good dealer and he will take care of you if you give him the chance. I paid $20USD to ship it back and that's way cheaper than any of the options you're talking about. You may have to wait a few weeks (and believe me I kow how much that sucks), but I think that is your best alternative. I dont mind getting a new one altogether rather than a fix. According to Andrew though, a fix should do it (though im not comfortable that just replacing the 'movement' gives me confidence that issues with the watch wont happen again). Will be sending it out monday - trusting on you guys about this, i hope i do get it back in 3 weeks or so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_rymeister Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Welcome to the hobby buddy your deffinatly doing the right thing sending it back, it will be worth it in the end, at least you got a 2nd rep to wear whilst you wait. Good luck and don't worry bud it will be fine, most of us have been here at some point. They're call trusted dealers for a reason. Cheers Ry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiteshields1830 Posted March 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 Does anyone know how long it takes to post between china internally from experience? I was on a business trip to HK, so i thought sending it in HK wouldve been quicker than sydney. However, when i sent it out it was the 15th March, its been over 2 weeks and it still has not arrived to the china location to return the watch for repair. Seems ridiculous to me that it takes over 2 weeks to travel so close to the place. In sydney 2 weeks will arrive at USA by now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkay Posted March 29, 2012 Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 Round trip on a watch repair to China is 2 months. If it gets back to you before then, it is a miracle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted March 29, 2012 Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 I'm trying to figure out just exactly what part inside a 2824 costs $180!!! I think you need to find another watchsmith. Zig - I have had several Asian 2824/2836 with "mal-formed", or buggered, gear teeth on assorted wheels. Luckily "real" ETA parts have dropped right in with no problems... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelizer Posted March 29, 2012 Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 I'm trying to figure out just exactly what part inside a 2824 costs $180!!! I think you need to find another watchsmith. +1 You can find brand new complete Swiss ETA 2824's for less than that. I'd track down another watchsmith if I were you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiteshields1830 Posted March 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 +1 You can find brand new complete Swiss ETA 2824's for less than that. I'd track down another watchsmith if I were you. Hes the only one around the area of sydney that was willing to fix it. I tried 5-6 other places and none of them wanted to touch a rep watch - they all shunned it off and said they cant help. They even told me a swiss eta from a rep is not a eta (without even opening it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkay Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Parts for these ETA movements are only a few dollars each! This person is trying to rob you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cougar1 Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Yeah the price is ridiculous just to fix the issue, I could understand if it might be half that with markup/time etc but he is way too expensive. You'd be better served buying one of these st2130 (a2824) clones an learn how to fit it yourself ($72), it's not too difficult, or even buy one and ask him how much he'll charge for a swap...it'd be interesting to hear his quote! http://www.ebay.com/...=item231b8a0f3a btw the seller is in Oz, so not too long to wait for these parts and ask him for a cheaper shipping price ! A few people have used these in the current PO's...they are a straight swap. Also as said earlier, some of the TD's are very good at helping out in these situations, you should let him know, even ask for a movement from him if you don't want to ship it back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archierocks Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 i think your watch makers sales line is bend and present do some research im sure you will find both parts and the method to repair this easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratct Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 Isn't a 2824-2 $75 on ofrei? Then it's an easy pop-in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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