Service before warranty end

[Malren]

Hi all!

Reaching out regarding my 15400 watch that very soon its warranty is about to end.

The watch has been purchased in Italy. However, I dint have any plans visiting there soon.

There are a few other AP house locations in flight distance from me, but as far as I know they dont service at their location, they just collect the watch and send it in for service to other loaction (maybe swiss?)

A few questions (as it’s my first time sending a watch for service)
1. Since the watch is still under warranty, is it true I should expect any costs at all attributed to the service?
2. Anything special you recommend to highlight to the boutique? Maybe not to polish the watch as it downgrades its value?
3. Would you trust a boutique that doesnt service on premise and sends out (maybe everyone does that? Not sure)?
4. How long does it typically take since drip off and pickup?

Feel free to share any other tips or considerations I should take i to account.

Appreciate your help!

[Commandopat]

Is anything wrong with the watch?

[mbalmz]

Originally Posted by Commandopat

Is anything wrong with the watch?

this. they’re not going to service the watch for free under warranty if there’s nothing wrong with it.

[rcwatchcollector]

I don’t see an issue with sending it in. Preventative maintenance. In the USA they don’t have service in the boutiques as far as I know. They send it to the AP service center.

Some people say to service the watch every 5 years anyways. Even the authorized dealers.


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[rcwatchcollector]

I just had my watch (43 offshore) serviced for sub dial issues and bad time keeping. It took 3 weeks. They said 5 weeks. It was a complete movement service. Asked for no polish. They have a list at the boutique they check off. I imagine if you just tell the boutique you are concerned about time keeping they would send it in. I only had my new watch for 2 weeks before I had to send it in.


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[Commandopat]

Originally Posted by rcwatchcollector

I just had my watch (43 offshore) serviced for sub dial issues and bad time keeping. It took 3 weeks. They said 5 weeks. It was a complete movement service. Asked for no polish. They have a list at the boutique they check off. I imagine if you just tell the boutique you are concerned about time keeping they would send it in. I only had my new watch for 2 weeks before I had to send it in.


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Right but you had something wrong with the watch. I don’t think AP will do a complete overhaul of the watch for free if there’s nothing wrong with it.

[rcwatchcollector]

Originally Posted by Commandopat

Right but you had something wrong with the watch. I don’t think AP will do a complete overhaul of the watch for free if there’s nothing wrong with it.

Yeah true.


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[Malren]

Thanks for your feedback.

Actually one of the boutiques told me themselves that it is good practice to send in as it will be 5 years since purchase as well.
However, I do have an issue in which every time I set the watch time, after approximately a week of wear it constantly runs around 5 min forward than actual time.

[rcwatchcollector]

Originally Posted by Malren

Thanks for your feedback.

Actually one of the boutiques told me themselves that it is good practice to send in as it will be 5 years since purchase as well.
However, I do have an issue in which every time I set the watch time, after approximately a week of wear it constantly runs around 5 min forward than actual time.

If my math is right. That is approx 42 sec a day fast. That is way out of spec. AP would definitely repair that under warranty.


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[mickyd329]

I would send it in for service at 5 years anyways.

In the U.S., they send it to the service center in Clearwater, FL. They do a great job with good turn around times. I've sent many watches to them over the years and had nothing but great service and quality work done.

Since they will have the watch apart anyways for service, I would get the watch polished. I wouldn't be afraid to do it. I've had them polish some pieces over the years and they do an amazing job.

On a last note, you can contact them directly and send it to them direct without having to go through a boutique. They will send you a shipping kit.

[Commandopat]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

I would send it in for service at 5 years anyways.

In the U.S., they send it to the service center in Clearwater, FL. They do a great job with good turn around times. I've sent many watches to them over the years and had nothing but great service and quality work done.

Since they will have the watch apart anyways for service, I would get the watch polished. I wouldn't be afraid to do it. I've had them polish some pieces over the years and they do an amazing job.

On a last note, you can contact them directly and send it to them direct without having to go through a boutique. They will send you a shipping kit.

You have sent watches for a free service where they took the watch apart to check it out, all free of charge, except a polishing service?
Very interested to hear more about what you told them. I was asked what was wrong with mine before sending it in - did you just tell them it’s 4.5 years old, please conduct a free service?

Thanks,
Pat

[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by Commandopat

You have sent watches for a free service where they took the watch apart to check it out, all free of charge, except a polishing service?
Very interested to hear more about what you told them. I was asked what was wrong with mine before sending it in - did you just tell them it’s 4.5 years old, please conduct a free service?

Thanks,
Pat

Oh no, not a free service. I've sent in pieces for paid service. I've also sent in watches for warranty work. Either case, they have to take the watch apart to service it. During warranty work, I've asked them to polish it since the watch was apart anyways at a charge of course.

[Malren]

Doesn’t polishing downgrade the value of watch?

[In-N-Out]

Originally Posted by Malren

Doesn’t polishing downgrade the value of watch?

Who cares?

[Malren]

Originally Posted by In-N-Out

Who cares?

Explain…

It’s true that I dont have any intentions to sell the watch, but the scratches don’t bother me that much.
And I always like knowing that my piece is worth a nice value, so why would I want to downgrade that value?

[Vince_76]

I don’t think you HAVE to polish if you send the Clearwater. Just get the service no polishing

[Commandopat]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

Oh no, not a free service. I've sent in pieces for paid service. I've also sent in watches for warranty work. Either case, they have to take the watch apart to service it. During warranty work, I've asked them to polish it since the watch was apart anyways at a charge of course.

Ah ok, so my initial comments still stand. Unless he has an issue with the watch it doesn’t make sense to send it in now, regardless if it’s approaching the 5 year mark, unless he wants it polished, which is irrespective of age.

[whiterabbit66]

I have a similar 15400 about the go out of warranty. I personally see no reason to service at this stage unless there is an actual problem.