Query

[Rikki]

Question would you buy a 20,000 dollar watch from a company that doesn't support Independent watchmakers knowing you would be held hostage at service time. Just asking

[The Joker]

No

[mfer]

You mean richemont?!?!?

[texex91]

Yes, as I don't consider it hostage if you knowing going into the purchase that's the case.

[Rikki]

So How many people ask these questions at time of purchase

[Dr.Brian]

Sure. There are watches that cost far, far more with in house movements I wouldn't trust to an independent.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Rikki

So How many people ask these questions at time of purchase

Please don't tell us you've received a letter from Rolex?

[swils8610]

Sure. Isn't Panerai somewhat like that already with in house movements?


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[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Rikki

Question would you buy a 20,000 dollar watch from a company that doesn't support Independent watchmakers knowing you would be held hostage at service time. Just asking

you mean parts availability and service manuals and such..?

well, i think i have, its called a rolex. but i'm not proud of it. and it really depends on what you mean by "support"?

take rolex, they say they "support" but they also don't "support" (google it). its their way or the highway type of "support"; especially on the newer models.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Please don't tell us you've received a letter from Rolex?

my thoughts too.

[Tools]

Very few people buy a watch with any thought of future repairs or service. Sad, but true.

[GB-man]

Yes I would buy a Journe.

[SearChart]

Lange, Journe. Sure I'd buy them if I wasn't as broke as I'm now

[Etschell]

I have a native American friend that simply throws away his high end swiss watches when they break.

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by Etschell

I have a native American friend that simply throws away his high end swiss watches when they break.

Is his action based on some sort of spiritual ritual/tradition (or can he simply afford to because of some vast oil/mineral rights on his native lands)?

There have been stories/accounts of wealthy farmers and ranchers who 'simply' abandon their expensive cars on their vast acreage because it's apparently too much trouble for them to have these vehicles serviced or repaired. Mind-boggling to say the least.

[Rikki]

No letter from Rolex just a question

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Rikki

No letter from Rolex just a question

c'mon Rikki, what happened?

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Rikki

Question would you buy a 20,000 dollar watch from a company that doesn't support Independent watchmakers knowing you would be held hostage at service time. Just asking

Yes. I am already held hostage because they have the watch I want. Who repairs it after the warranty expires doesn't enter into the equation.

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

There have been stories/accounts of wealthy farmers and ranchers who 'simply' abandon their expensive cars on their vast acreage because it's apparently too much trouble for them to have these vehicles serviced or repaired. Mind-boggling to say the least.

Ancient myth propagated by people who don't know much about the business side of agriculture.

[swils8610]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

c'mon Rikki, what happened?

What's the skinny, Rikki?


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[kilyung]

Just fabricate your own parts Rik.

[Old Expat Beast]

Honestly, if I could afford a 20k watch, I would probably expect to get it serviced by the manufacturer anyway, so wouldn't feel held hostage.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Honestly, if I could afford a 20k watch, I would probably expect to get it serviced by the manufacturer anyway, so wouldn't feel held hostage.

what do you mean "if"?

[77T]

I now pay more attention to this regardless of the price - but I admit that wasn't the case when I bought my first Rolex. It isn't something I understood back then.

Let me turn the question around, though. If a dealer gave you an extra 10% off (above and beyond the best discount you negotiated) to waive your warranty rights - would you do it?


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[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by 77T

I now pay more attention to this regardless of the price - but I admit that wasn't the case when I bought my first Rolex. It isn't something I understood back then.

Let me turn the question around, though. If a dealer gave you an extra 10% off (above and beyond the best discount you negotiated) to waive your warranty rights - would you do it?

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Not on a $20K watch. That's only $2K, and a major fault could easily be $3-5K. On a $100K watch (e.g. RM) I would probably take that risk.

[bdex75]

I got very lucky very early in my watch buying days to run into someone that is a salesperson and a watch maker. We have built a great friendship and I trust him 100%.
He is a Rolex/Tudor AD but is a love of all cool horology, especially vintage.
He has always been very up front when I have looked at something about the cost of service or restoration so I can bake that into what I am willing to pay.

I know this particular question doesn't involve Rolex but that has been my fear for a while with how Rolex has been treating their smaller ad's. Hence my shift to Tudor and more specifically ETA based Tudor pieces. I know swatch tightened up the parts supply for a while but we all knew they would come to their senses.

To answer your question Rik, I would, if I knew what I was getting into up front.


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[Rikki]

Fair enough

[Rikki]

Next question should all companies supply parts to qualified watch makers who sell their pruducts here it is a law that parts must be supplied if you sell and or manufacture products in this country for 8 years it used to be 50 years that was changed in 1986.

[brandrea]

I can see the sentiment here. Since we aren't talking about vintage then I'd expect to service a watch of that price by the manufacturer. I guess at some point they all become vintage though ...

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Rikki

Next question should all companies supply parts to qualified watch makers who sell their pruducts here it is a law that parts must be supplied if you sell and or manufacture products in this country for 8 years it used to be 50 years that was changed in 1986.

Manufacturers need to comply with the law. There isn't any argument there.

But, where the law doesn't mandate supporting independents, I don't see why a company should be forced to help out an independent. Unless the independent is a member of the manufacturers' network, he is a competitor. It would be unfair to force a company to support its competitors.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Rikki

Next question should all companies supply parts to qualified watch makers who sell their pruducts here it is a law that parts must be supplied if you sell and or manufacture products in this country for 8 years it used to be 50 years that was changed in 1986.

if they can be both, sure. why not?

but again, what's a qualified watchmaker?

is a CW21 the standard the Swiss big houses look for? its my understanding that (for example) rolex and swatch group need to inspect and scrutinize all ASS (after sales service) applicants/partners. and if manufacturers deem that a watchmaker must buy the most modern pieces of repair equipment to be supplied parts, i don't think there's much to talk about. they kind of have the indy's in a corner.

http://www.awci.com/wp-content/uploa...cy-7-11-13.pdf