Watch Repair and Despair final update

[TitanTim]

Hi all,

Slightly gutted today to find my Tag Monaco Gulf has packed in. No idea what the issue is but wandering if its because it hasn't been wound for a few months. Its probably due for a Service anyways as I bought it secondhand from Watchfinder 4 years ago. I think with this watch you can't overwind it as it has a clutch that lets the mainspring slip once its fully wound so don't think thats the issue

I guess the question is do I contact Tag and send it off to them or use a local watch repairer, first time I've needed a mechanical watch repair.

I have a watch repairer local to me who is a fully qualified horologist and guarantee their work but undecided if its the way to go than using Tag themselves. I guess its a bit like getting the car servced at BMW or at an indy.

Any thoughts on using a general watch repairer or should I avoid and just stick with the manufacturer for this type of thing.



Thanks,

Tim.

[Mister T]

I always get my Tags serviced by Tag directly. They aren't that expensive and the service is very good.

[ClumUK]

If you're happy to let an indy service your BMW, then find yourself a decent watchmaker. They don't need to be local as I used to post mine off to a great guy until he retired a few years ago. Some ADs will will ship the work out to Switzerland for repair anyway, though I don't know about Tag specifically.

Personally I find prices from the manufacturer to be horrific (don't ever lose spare links!), Tag will charge around £500 just to service your Monaco whereas an independent shouldn't be more than £300. When you own several watches those savings start to add up.

[mr.tourette]

funnily enough my seiko presage that I haven't worn for months has started running pretty fast +20 mins a day after not wearing it for months, it'll be going to an indi watchsmith for sure as its only a 400 quid watch, same as anything mechanical really if they're trusted then I'm happy to avoid main dealer pricing

[Mister T]

My last service from Tag, which included a polish and a new bezel, was only £345.

[TitanTim]

Thanks for the replies, unsure why it's stopped working odd really as it was fine a few months back and has been sitting on a watch stand with all the other watches and not touched so thinking maybe damp has got inside it maybe.

Unsure where to take it. The Tag service site does have a costs download albeight from 2017 and indicates a service for a Monaco is around 4 to 500 mark.

I've used Ernest Jones for a Tisot in the past and they sent it away to them for a battery and reseal. As they are Tag AD I might try them again.

A bit peeved as it cost 4k and only worn it half a dozen times.

Tim.

[Hilly30si]

Send it to Tag it’s only Manchester. The mainspring can just let go sometimes mine did on Omega

[Tommo61]

Watchdoctors in Tring are pretty good. As well as doing individual service and repairs, a number of high st jewellers outsource their work to them. https://watchdoctors.co.uk/price-guide-c/

[TitanTim]

Watchdoctors in Tring are pretty good. As well as doing individual service and repairs, a number of high st jewellers outsource their work to them. https://watchdoctors.co.uk/price-guide-c/

Many thanks, appreciate the link

I'm just about to send the Tag off to Luxury Watch Repairs, they've sent me a special delivery pre paid posting kit so will see how it goes.

Tim.

[Big Bad Boris]

Watchdoctors in Tring are pretty good. As well as doing individual service and repairs, a number of high st jewellers outsource their work to them. https://watchdoctors.co.uk/price-guide-c/

Hi Tim,

Have you got the watch back yet, if so are you pleased with the outcome?

BBB

Many thanks, appreciate the link

I'm just about to send the Tag off to Luxury Watch Repairs, they've sent me a special delivery pre paid posting kit so will see how it goes.

Tim.

[TitanTim]

Watchdoctors in Tring are pretty good. As well as doing individual service and repairs, a number of high st jewellers outsource their work to them. https://watchdoctors.co.uk/price-guide-c/

Hi Tim,

Have you got the watch back yet, if so are you pleased with the outcome?

BBB

Many thanks, appreciate the link

I'm just about to send the Tag off to Luxury Watch Repairs, they've sent me a special delivery pre paid posting kit so will see how it goes.

Tim.

Not as yet, its been about 3 weeks or so, they said it could take upto 6 weeks as once the watch has been completely stripped, steam cleaned and defective parts replaced, new seals etc they monitor its timekeeping for a week before its returned, work is guaranteed for 2 years. A bit pricey though at £549 but hey ho the watch is worth around 4 grand, the company have a good reputation.

Tim.

[TitanTim]

Hi all,

Just a bit of an update on the service of my Tag Heuer Monaco Gulf watch that I sent off to a company called Luxury Watch Repairs. Reason I chose this company was they make a play on servicing high end watches, Rolex, Omega, Breitling etc so naturally assumed they knew what they were doing.

Fast forward 12 weeks and the watch came back to me on Saturday. The watch had a full service, complete dismantle, steam clean, parts replaced as it had stopped running etc.

This is the first time I've had a mechanical watch serviced so really unsure what to expect in terms of watch handling etc but all I know is the watch was in mint condition and I mean unworn condition. I had spent some time searching for this watch second hand to find one in such condition.

Anyways unpacked it and this is what I found,

Chunk taken out of the corner of the case.



Marring, nicks and pitting of the side of the case and lugs







Flattening to edge of lug



Nick to side of lug



So I guess my question is what should I reasonably expect? following a watch service. Pi$$ed off is an understatement. I get that watches get scratched, dinged and scuffed but that's fine if I have done the wear to the watch but to me this is pure carelessness and so I have been charged £550 to have it look worse. It was worth around 4k and I'm guessing it's value has been significantly reduced now.

Am I being too fussy? I've emailed them and sent the images and said I'm unhappy with the level of service and damage but not expecting anything.

Tim.

[Chris_D]

Jesus. Do you have 'before' pics?
If not, I doubt you have a leg to stand on as they will just claim that's how they received it.
What a palava!

[TitanTim]

Jesus. Do you have 'before' pics?
If not, I doubt you have a leg to stand on as they will just claim that's how they received it.
What a palava!

I do have general pics of the watch Chris but not close ups that would show difference in condition. Really wasn't expecting this as assumed they would care for the watch.

A bit gutted really.

Tim.

[hopz121]

That is shocking Tim,

You will need a new case to fix that unfortunately as they have removed too much material to rectify it.

It will have definitely reduced the value too ultimately so I would really be pushing them to rectify it free of charge!

I know Tag didn’t do this work but if it makes you feel any better I had my mechanical watch serviced by Tag directly around 18 months ago and it was equally as shocking as this The only thing was they did rectify it eventually after 3 attempts and I also didn’t pay a penny for the service as a goodwill gesture.

Good luck with getting it resolved.