dram22 Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 My rock scientist move of the year! Got my new Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph in yesterday. I was so excited since it was my first rep. Opened it and it looked beautiful. The bracelet appears to be flawless and the finish of the watch is spot on. The crystal looks brilliant. The face of the watch is gorgeous. Then I notice the Tag emblem that rests just above the day/date is missing and floating around inside the watch. Also I see a small piece of plastic sticking out between 5 and 6 o'clock. So of course I start thinking about sending it back for warranty repair and the time it would take to get it back, so inevitably, the extremely impatient man that I am, I decide since I'm fairly mechanically inclined that I would give it a go and fix it myself. How difficult could it be right!? Mind you - it's not a money issue and I figured if everything goes wrong, I will get another one. Well everything went wrong!!! I broke the crown stem, couldn't set the emblem perfectly so the minute hand kept running into it and put a small scratch on the face. I emailed the dealer who was very nice and helpful. The dealer offered me a replacement crown/pin and face at a good price but said I will have to have a watchsmith set the new face and movement. I also asked for a whole new movement, face and crown quote but he said I was better off buying a whole new watch. So with great humility, I ask any other suggestions for me? In none are reasonable, I will just buy another one. Thank you, Signed Dumb [censored]!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSTEEL Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 (edited) Buy another one, and chalk it up to lesson learned I would be very interested in buying your damaged/broken Carrera, drop me a pm if its an A7750, but I feel its a cheap 21J with faux chronograph? Edited March 19, 2014 by SSTEEL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffindodger Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 LOL!! I can just imagine watching you trying to sort this watch out and all the bad language and fist banging the desk chuck it in the draw and order another and put it down to experience mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamer Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 I comment you for even trying to fix it yourself, I know I wouldn't do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 I have a pretty good idea what to do but not going there..................ever! :bangin: Anything delicate I touch, well easier to just get a hammer smash it first less cursing and high blood pressure in the long run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffindodger Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 same here mike me blood pressure cana take it captain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 But I need more power Scotty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icoopernicus Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Get yourself a 7750 Carrera chrono, the subdial spacing looks Quartz, possible 21j. My first ever rep was a 21j Carrera Day Date, they sent me a quartz by mistake, then sent me the automatic that i ordered. it was nice and I really liked it. Then I decided to try the $400 A7750 version of the watch, could it possibly be worth 4X the money? It is, the watch is amazing, I now have two and the price is down to $300 from some dealers. I consider my first rep purchase a mistake and definitely recommend going with an A7750 version. The 41mm Carreras can be had $230 from Tony. My 2cents buddy. Great choice on watch though, I still love the Carrera Day Date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dram22 Posted March 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Yes it was my first rep purchase and I was a little leery despite hearing good things about the dealer. So I tipped toed into the water for this quartz at $150. I think I'm just going to buy an A7750 from same dealer because besides from the emblem issue, it has a great feel weight wise and is quite beautiful on my wrist. I also have my eye on a Panerai 359 for $278 from Puretime. Any thoughts on Puretime? But the misery of my blunder is setting in... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asciwhite Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 --------- Not to worry mate! I have destroyed many a piece while trying to fix Lesson learned!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightwatch Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Hi, at least it was the quartz model, not too much damage done. Might use that one for training to relume a dial someday. With all the info on this forum and on Youtube luckily managed to be able to fix things like that without breaking anything. Took nerves and lots of reading nevertheless, main part was getting the tools together from available househeld equipments instead of investing in all expensive specialized tools, have it well sorted out by now:) I like that watch - a lot, but didn´t want to invest in the expensive one yet, maybe you do some kind of a compare when you get it. This is my recent quartz from Toro: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simstre Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 this is my next watch to get what a beautiful watch. I wouldn't dare to touch it when things like this happen though, not so mechanically inclined haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kernow Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 Unlucky, but hats off to you for trying. Fortunately for me, I'm a marine engineer and all my hammers are too big to open case backs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffindodger Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 I have the gen and still think it is 1 of the best watches out there. I may order a 7750 white face to go side it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simstre Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 http://bit.ly/1dgKKZE this is the one I'm thinking of getting....I feel it looks better than the stick dial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dram22 Posted March 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 Simstre - It's certainly a beautiful watch. With the band and numbers it's a sportier watch to me. I contemplated that one but with a polished bracelet. I decided on the stick hours because I wanted something sporty yet fits into business casual. But I see that you are looking at Trusty Time. I've never purchased from there. How has your experience been because I'm looking at a Panerai 359 right now and not sure which dealer to go with? Of course the search engine on the board has been helpful. As for an update on my watch, it's the third day now of staring at it and a "mild" form of depression has set in because I want to wear the damn thing so bad. lol I'm really thinking about taking Toro's offer to send me a new crown & pin and dial for a watchsmith to replace. But I'm apprehensive on taking it to a watchsmith 1) because of the price he/she may charge; and 2) how willing are they to work with a rep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martijnp Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 Well a watch smith could fix this but I suppose it's less expensive to buy a new one. But use this watch to practice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icoopernicus Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 As for an update on my watch, it's the third day now of staring at it and a "mild" form of depression has set in because I want to wear the damn thing so bad. lol I'm really thinking about taking Toro's offer to send me a new crown & pin and dial for a watchsmith to replace. But I'm apprehensive on taking it to a watchsmith 1) because of the price he/she may charge; and 2) how willing are they to work with a rep. dram: get him to send you the parts, order a hand remover and installer tool, jewelers screw drivers and a caseback tool. This should cost you about $30 on the bay, max, and you'll be set for the next time this comes up. While waiting for the parts and tools to arrive, start reading about how to remove and install hands, how to remove the crown, caseback, and dial and by the time everything arrives you'll have a solid base of knowledge. Worst case scenario you [censored] it up and have to buy yourself a beautiful new A7750 model, the difference will astound you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dram22 Posted March 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 I think you're right Martijnp! I think it is best to move on and chalk it up as a lesson learned in patience... icoopernicus - Just reading the words, "the difference will astound you," has intrigued me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simstre Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 @dram Yeah I'm actually still contemplating between stick hours and numbers....they're both nice. As to TDs, I have dealt with TrustyTime (Andrew) and it was amazing. I even ordered during Chinese new year and Andrew told me I had to wait till it's over cuz no one's working, then he somehow squeezed me into shipping and I got it too quick. Definitely recommend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dram22 Posted March 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 @simistre honestly you can't go wrong with either version. Good luck in your decision, it's a tough one. Thank you for the info on Trusty Time. Sounds like his reputation of being a good dealer continues. Right now it's a toss up between going with Trusty Time and Puretime. Puretime is $100 less and from what I can tell is the same watch (including movement). I've just read a lot of good things about Andrew so the extra $100 may be worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.