Beware of AP HK boutique on changing strap

[ezinhk]

A young lady who changed the strap on my new ROO Ti put a scratch on the polished part of the lugs. Had the watch for 2 weeks and worn it less than 5x so I'm pretty sure the scratch wasn't from me as I baby all my watches. Beware!!! Will post pics of the watch to follow.

[lapince]

Oh this is a grand old classic, problem in most shops is that the salespeople have no problem changing the straps themselves instead of giving it to the watch maker, especially if he is not here, my Rolex AD in Paris always refuses to do it when their watch maker is absent, and that's how it should be, don't think the young lady who did this is a watch maker, most certainly just a salesperson, in that case I prefer to do it myself, a watch maker can make a scratch but in theory changed hundreds if not thousands of straps, so the person should know what they are doing, best solution is not to ask first if they can change the strap, but if their watch maker is here, if they have one, and on the affirmative ask if he can change the strap...

[ezinhk]

Originally Posted by lapince

Oh this is a grand old classic, problem in most shops is that the salespeople have no problem changing the straps themselves instead of giving it to the watch maker, especially if he is not here, my Rolex AD in Paris always refuses to do it when their watch maker is absent, and that's how it should be, don't think the young lady who did this is a watch maker, most certainly just a salesperson, in that case I prefer to do it myself, a watch maker can make a scratch but in theory changed hundreds if not thousands of straps, so the person should know what they are doing, best solution is not to ask first if they can change the strap, but if their watch maker is here, if they have one, and on the affirmative ask if he can change the strap...

Unfortunately they don't have watch maker or technicians on site and I don't even think AP boutiques have in Hong Kong. Changing of straps are performed by salesperson. I only know The Hour Glass (PP ad) have technicians on site but that's PP which explains why they are the best in the world.

[FlyinM3]

Originally Posted by ezinhk

A young lady who changed the strap on my new ROO Ti put a scratch on the polished part of the lugs. Had the watch for 2 weeks and worn it less than 5x so I'm pretty sure the scratch wasn't from me as I baby all my watches. Beware!!! Will post pics of the watch to follow.

Ouch feel your pain.
Yes, please post pics! Been wanting to see pics of this with the vinyl removed.
On the flip side, major congrats!

[ezinhk]

Is the scratch noticeable?

[Marciano490]

Don't surreptitiously take a picture of a woman and post it online; that's bad form. Especially because you're only "pretty sure" she did it.

[Superburrito]

I'd like to see a pic of the lady if she is hot.

[Tomas Eriksson]

Originally Posted by ezinhk

Is the scratch noticeable?

Wait, did they scratch your watch on the upper beveling on the case? I was expecting them slipping with the screwdriver, that looks like they flipped the watch over and put it down on a desk with sharp objects on it.

[ezinhk]

Originally Posted by Superburrito

I'd like to see a pic of the lady if she is hot.

I didn't take any pics of the lady as I was in too much shock when noticed the scratch

[ezinhk]

Originally Posted by Tomas Eriksson

Wait, did they scratch your watch on the upper beveling on the case? I was expecting them slipping with the screwdriver, that looks like they flipped the watch over and put it down on a desk with sharp objects on it.

She didn't change it in front of me so not really sure how she put the scuff on it

[APAP]

This has also happened to me when I installed the strap on the 15407. It's not as bad as yours but yeah the guy scratched the beveled area right next to the hole. I just let it go.

The reason of me not installing the bracelet back is the incompetence of th le boutique staff when it comes to using screwdrivers. And I don't feel like sending my watch in for a strap change.

[GB-man]

How long until you noticed it? Unfortunately this is something that you need to address right then and there.

Good news. It looks very minor.

My policy is watchmaker or myself. No one else!

[ezinhk]

Originally Posted by GB-man

How long until you noticed it? Unfortunately this is something that you need to address right then and there.

Good news. It looks very minor.

My policy is watchmaker or myself. No one else!

I noticed right after they changed it but she kept denying ofcourse and saying the watch will eventually get scratches over time

Thanks for the advise. For sure will go to watch maker next time

[armen34]

That is horrible to hear!

[991]

Definitely not cool but you know things happen. I wouldnt worry too much. Its not that bad and there is not much you can do about it. It is very dissapointing that this happened at a boutique though.

[Marciano490]

Originally Posted by Superburrito

I'd like to see a pic of the lady if she is hot.

You're on the internet. I'm sure you can find some if you try really hard.

[FlyinM3]

Originally Posted by ezinhk

Is the scratch noticeable?

Yes, can definitely see it and would bother me as well.
Perhaps you can have APSC SLIGHTLY buff it out and ask the boutique to cover the costs.

[SC11]

Never owned a Ti watch, know there are different grades so wondering how durable the Ti is that AP uses?

How does it compare to SS?

[AK797]

Originally Posted by FlyinM3

Yes, can definitely see it and would bother me as well.
Perhaps you can have APSC SLIGHTLY buff it out and ask the boutique to cover the costs.

Yes, or even just tell APSC and they will probably offer to touch it up for free. As it is on the polished chamfer this will mark up anyway so your call.

[Minimalist]

Originally Posted by ezinhk

I noticed right after they changed it but she kept denying ofcourse and saying the watch will eventually get scratches over time

Thanks for the advise. For sure will go to watch maker next time

It's unacceptable for the her to say 'it will eventually get scratches over time' so in other words she's making out the damage is excusable. Not right.

[FlyinM3]

Originally Posted by AK797

Yes, or even just tell APSC and they will probably offer to touch it up for free. As it is on the polished chamfer this will mark up anyway so your call.

Another reason I prefer the polished CE chamfers

[jem7v]

I take issue with people who say the watch will get marked up anyways. I've had watches from AP, hublot, rolex, for months or years on end without ever scratching them.

If you really are self aware of where you put your wrist, and are careful, it's very easy to not scratch the watch.

Maybe the only exception are steel bracelet watches. And the reason being if you have anything but a glass desk, probably the desk surface will scratch the watch, unless you rest your wrist on some kind of cloth. But the last 3 watches I have sold, haven't had a single mark from the time I bought them to selling them.

[lapince]

Again watchmaker or yourself, never let a salesperson do it

[green_dial]

Very bad indeed. I always take pictures of every angle of a watch before I know someone else is going to handle it. If a watch is going to get scratched, it's going to be by me, not by another person who has butterfingers.

[lianghee]

Originally Posted by ezinhk

I noticed right after they changed it but she kept denying ofcourse and saying the watch will eventually get scratches over time

Thanks for the advise. For sure will go to watch maker next time

Sorry to hear that. You were referring to the AP boutique at IFC right?

[ezinhk]

Originally Posted by lianghee

Sorry to hear that. You were referring to the AP boutique at IFC right?

Yes, did you have the same experience?

[ezinhk]

Originally Posted by jem7v

I take issue with people who say the watch will get marked up anyways. I've had watches from AP, hublot, rolex, for months or years on end without ever scratching them.

If you really are self aware of where you put your wrist, and are careful, it's very easy to not scratch the watch.

Maybe the only exception are steel bracelet watches. And the reason being if you have anything but a glass desk, probably the desk surface will scratch the watch, unless you rest your wrist on some kind of cloth. But the last 3 watches I have sold, haven't had a single mark from the time I bought them to selling them.

All my watches (excl. this one) is in LNIB condition so very unlucky this time.

[ezinhk]

Originally Posted by Minimalist

It's unacceptable for the her to say 'it will eventually get scratches over time' so in other words she's making out the damage is excusable. Not right.

I totally agree with you. It all comes down to service level of the boutique. When I bought the watch at Hour Glass in Thailand and requested xs strap change, they insist that I bring it to their service center cuz the boutique refuse to do it, which is right way. Unfortunately at that time, SC didn't have any xs strap available :(

[lianghee]

Originally Posted by ezinhk

Yes, did you have the same experience?

No, just couldn't believe that a staff from an AP boutique would say anything like that. Very unprofessional for her to say that whether or not she was the one who scratched your watch.


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