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20 December 2011, 08:49 AM | #1 |
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Michael Young bracelet restoration update
There has been a lot of chatter of late in TRF regarding this vendor and his services and I wanted to post a brief update...
Despite some TRF members issues with Michael Young(MY), I sent him a well stretched 14k/SS jubilee bracelet off a 1675/3 I acquired over the summer. While the recent reports on Mr. Young were " less than glowing" the bracelet was only worth scrap to me so I figured I did not have much to loose and, given how few people can/do tighten Rolex bracelets, I had a lot to gain if Mr. Young came through. I packaged and sent the bracelet off per his instructions USPS registered and insured to the address in Hong Kong given me via e mail by MY. The package was sent from USA on 03 NOV 2011 and delivered in Hong kong on 15 NOV 2011 according to USPS tracking. MY never sent me any advice of receipt of the bracelet. I sent an Email to him on 30 NOV 2011 inquiring as to his receipt of the bracelet and got no response back. Yesterday I received an Email from MY indicating that bracelet was done and ready for shipping back to me. I paid him via paypal per his request today. Stared shipping coast was $28 back to me here in USA. I will report on this thread if/when the bracelet arrives and it's condition and the quality of the work.
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20 December 2011, 09:23 AM | #2 |
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Looking forward to the update...
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20 December 2011, 02:51 PM | #3 |
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This just back from Mr. Young today....as always, workmanship is A+!
1969 - 7206/80 Bracelet. |
21 December 2011, 02:21 AM | #4 |
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Just woke up this morning to an e mail from someone named "Selina" informing me that my bracelet was being returned to me today via FedEx and giving me a tracking number. Michael Young was copied on the Email.
A check of the tracking number with Fed Ex shows that it is being shipped on 20 DEC 2011 and expected delivery to me here in USA is 21 DEC 2011 so it is being shipped overnight. Origin point is Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong.
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21 December 2011, 02:38 AM | #5 |
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Can't wait to see results and the price for them
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21 December 2011, 02:43 AM | #6 |
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The price to tighten a 14k/SS jubilee bracelet was $150.00 shipping was $28.00.
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22 December 2011, 01:03 AM | #7 |
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21 December 2011, 02:53 AM | #8 |
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I am looking to get this done and was hoping more people would deal with MY to see if the past was just a major mistake or if that's how he runs his business. Can't wait to see your bracelet. Could you post before and after? Cause I want to send him the same type of bracelet. Thanks and good luck!
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21 December 2011, 08:50 AM | #9 |
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Always happy with michael young
He does good job although not over communicative
But that is secondary since he is trustworthy Just send you bracelet, wait and you will be contacted Happiness shall follow :) --alex |
21 December 2011, 08:56 AM | #10 |
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That has been my experience so far. I don't need or want a lot of communication or hand holding....just competent work at a fair price.
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21 December 2011, 09:42 AM | #11 |
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Nice work!
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21 December 2011, 11:21 AM | #12 |
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Looking forward to these pics.
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21 December 2011, 12:08 PM | #13 |
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Been active here and on VRF for a couple of years. Can't imagine the volume increase in Mr. Youngs business that I've witnessed, but it seems there is always that concern and then extreme pleasure when the watch arrives. I would rather Mr. Young continue his focus on excelent work than comunication skills as almost always the finish product is worth the worry.There aren't many restoration options out there.
Can't wait to see the bracelet |
21 December 2011, 11:00 PM | #14 |
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Had him do 2 of mine and they are great. One is a daily wearing and still tight after 2 years.
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22 December 2011, 04:13 AM | #15 |
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Can't say I agree...Good customer service is, in my opinion, just as important as the end product...I see no reason why the two can't go hand in hand.....Especially with all of the forms of communication available today...
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22 December 2011, 06:06 AM | #16 |
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Just got my TT jubilee bracelet back.....simply AMAZING!
I just got my vintage TT jubilee bracelet back from Michael Young in Hong Kong and the result is nothing short of extraordinary particularly in light of the Rolex AD replacement cost for a new one.
I just opened up the FedEx overnight envelope and gave it a quick once over on my way out the door....AMAZINGLY TIGHT...as in LIKE NEW! No visible marks or scratches on either side of the bracelet. The bracelet was returned with two new spring bars as well. I will post photos of the bracelet and compare it side by side to a BNIB SS jubilee I have. So far...a seven week turnaround and almost two of those weeks was spent by USPS getting the watch to Mr. Young's PO box in Hong Kong. Very much with the $$$$ I am very happy!
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22 December 2011, 09:43 AM | #17 | |
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Quote:
Not returning an email asking if the package had arrived safely implies to me that someone is either lazy or just doesn't care.
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22 December 2011, 10:30 AM | #18 |
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I think that Mr. Young and his business should be presented as an option on this forum, with the past postings of other's experiences.
I fall into the Palidin opinion camp, having sent Mr. Young a 14K solid gold Jubilee bracelet back in '06 for rehab and having a returned bracelet that is still a tight, restored and enjoyed integral accessory for my Date watch. I am a very satisfied customer, but I went into the transaction expecting nothing more than fine work at a fair price. I can assume that Mr. Young really doesn't rely on this forum to keep his work flowing and shop open and as described by others, is apparently a skilled artisan who doesn't want to subscribe to high touch customer service. Armed with that knowledge, a bracelet owner wishing restoration can make an informed decision about transacting business with him with set expectations about how things will likely go. |
22 December 2011, 11:11 AM | #19 |
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what
most people fail to realize is that this is not Michaels main business...he operates a BIG business manufacturing all kinds of watch related items ...
these days i am pretty sure he only keeps the bracelet repairs up because he'd never hear the end of it if he stopped, and as a community we'd probably lynch him if he didn't.... he gets bucket loads of them ...seeks no additional work , rarely advertises his services but does it on his terms ...take it or leave it... and does it all for less than most watchmakers in Europe or USA would charge to fit a new buckle pin ....... to date i've never heard of someone losing a bracelet when following his instructions...but it is on his terms ...send it ..wait...pay, get it back....that's how it works ...no hand holding in between ....if that doesn't work for you ...don't bother, you'll sleep better at nights for 4 months and he wont loose any sleep that it wasn't for you.... |
22 December 2011, 12:35 PM | #20 |
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Jed is spot on as usual
My advice in dealing with Mike Young services is to “Never look a gift horse in the mouth”. My own experiences have been 100% positive. Be patient and trusting and good things will come to pass.
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22 December 2011, 12:51 PM | #21 | |
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Quote:
Michael Young is a craftsman not a baby sitter. My advise for people who can not wait for Mr Young to complete his work, go and buy a new bracelet then! |
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25 December 2011, 05:33 AM | #22 |
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26 December 2011, 01:20 AM | #23 |
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If they turn out as well as described and for that price I guess it can be unsettling to ship something off to parts unknown and hope for the best....it appears there are enough raving reviews to just send it to him and wait
After just sourcing a "like new" jubilee for my GMT Master II, I can tell you they are not cheap either new or pre-loved, so the prices quoted here for a refurbish are down right cheap |
22 December 2011, 05:53 PM | #24 | |
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Quote:
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23 December 2011, 12:25 AM | #25 |
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Thanks for the updates. I'm about the send two bracelets to him.
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23 December 2011, 03:58 AM | #26 | |
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Quote:
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3 January 2012, 08:58 PM | #27 |
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I will post before and after pictures later but can tell you that the result is VERY nice. Regarding time: I shipped out 24 October, MY received the bracelet early November, mailed me that it was ready 1 December and I got it back 10 days later.
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9 January 2012, 01:00 AM | #28 | |
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Quote:
To: Mr. Young: |
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9 January 2012, 01:16 AM | #29 |
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Member #1,315 I don't want to get technical, but according to chemistry alcohol IS a solution! |
9 January 2012, 04:37 AM | #30 |
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