Just took delivery of my dream watch.. BUT...

[HansGruber]

So long story short, I've been in love with the 38mm Panda ROC for the last year. Made a connection at a boutique but did not look like it was ever going to come through, so I pulled the trigger on a preowned one for a decent premium. A month later, I got the call from the boutique that I'd get it sometime this year. A week later, got the call that it was ready to ship...

So.. got the piece this week, and as I was admiring the amazing detail on the dial, something looked off. Took out the loupe to confirm what I saw with the naked eye, and the index at the 6 o'clock is tilted slightly to the left. Despite my attempts to ignore this since its ever so slight, it was all I could fixate on, and can't help think this should not have passed QC on a $30K watch.

I put the call into the boutique and expect to hear from the Service Center soon to get this resolved. SA was very nice, and is doing her best to expedite getting this fixed. Wanted to get perspective on this, am I overreacting or would you do the same thing? Here are a couple of pics. Unfortunately the high Rez close ups were too big to upload.

[tifamo]

Amazing that you even caught this with your naked eyes - I honestly couldn't tell from the pics if I didn't read your post.

If you're concerned about the authenticity of the watch, just from the grande tapisserie I'd say you have nothing to worry about.

However, if it's really the index position itself that bothers you, I hope the service center will be able to press on a new baton for you. They just might need to ship it to EU to get it fixed.

[BNA/LION]

Congratulations!

[de66]

I had a similar issue once with my Breguet Marine Big Date. The issue was actually a mistake on the dial it self. It was the way the light caught the satin finish that I couldnt live with. They acknowledged the error and had a new dial made. The second dial had a mistake in the finishing of the big date window. They agreed it wasnt right and sent it back. A third dial was made. That dial I noticed the 6 marker was ever so slightly offset.
All of this I noticed with the naked eye and confirmed by closer inspection under a loupe.
The six marker I could live with as it gave me a sense of the hand work that went into it.
I missed my watch for nearly 8 months going back and forth, the service was great though. They never argued, never came with "yes but...". As a result, despite what I went through, I would definitely recommend the brand, and use my story to tell owners that if something is not upto what you expect to give them a fair chance to do something about it.

Long story short: you did the right thing. The quality they stand for and what you expect and pay for needs to be upheld, and we as watch freaks help them in doing so.

[HansGruber]

Here is a better picture that illustrates the misalignment.

[mnl]

Originally Posted by HansGruber

Here is a better picture that illustrates the misalignment.

i think that yes you’re a bit crazy for noticing, i think most people won’t notice. BUT you did notice, and i have a feeling i’d have noticed too, and like you said this is not a cheap watch so this shouldn’t have passed QA. so while it’s a minor thing i hope they get it fixed for you soon! i’m also very particular about small details and they drive me crazy if they’re not quite right haha

[GreenLantern]

The most important thing is how it looks to you.

So kudos for pushing to get it fixed!

Hoping you get it back soon! Enjoy in good health.

[rolexbud]

I would have totally noticed and made the same request given it's a new watch. :) You're crazy, but not that crazy.

[1William]

Good eye. I would do the same as you and have the watch fixed to specs. I hope they can get it done in a timely manner.

[C_Troy242]

So, now you have two or were you unable to unload the PO one right back?

Re misalignment, gotta do it, but still leaves a funny feeling that it happened in the first place.

[Halothane]

I hope you don't hold the Nakatomi Plaza hostage until it gets fixed !

[AK797]

If you can see it then get it fixed, otherwise it will just draw your eye every time and spoil it.

[HansGruber]

So for those curious, I wanted to provide an update on this matter.

After weeks of sending pics to the Service Center through my BTQ SA, they finally agreed to review in person and I am pleased to say that yesterday they informed me they will be replacing the dial under warranty. Although it took a full month, I’m extremely pleased AP is fixing this issue and the BTQ was supportive and great the whole way through. It will likely be another month before I have the watch back but I’m happy to wait for them to get it right.

[squall1]

Good news...I would have noticed and felt the exact same way OP.

[btinl]

Get it fixed or it will drive you crazy forever.

[Nauti]

I agree with you getting it fixed my OCD would have me staring at it constantly...

I had a 16610 LV with engraved rehaut....the engraved coronet at 12 did not line up with the dial marker ..took it in thinking the dial was slightly rotated ...no the engraving was slightly out....could not live with it...so flipped it ...chrlish maybe but...

Once you see something its fix it or flip it..

That said AP will resolve and its a beautiful piece...

[srvrf]

I do think that they're pretty reasonable, but I don't understand how this would pass a quality control inspection before it gets used or sent off to be sold. Someone there has to look at it with a loupe before it goes out right? I had a ROC in for service and when it came back the chronograph hand reset just to the right of 12:00. I couldn't unsee it and since that is the normal resting spot I sent it back in and they fixed it.

[kaiserphoenix]

Unacceptable. YOu did the right thing.

[EEpro]

I notice this issue with AP watches in listings quite frequently. The double batons on the 15500 are often installed crooked.

I complained about the rebrush / touch up finish on a bracelet link on my $30k VC and was told by the boutique "I've been working here for 8 years and I've never..." you now the drill. They ordered a new link and it was perfect. Glad you brought it up.

[ks58]

I hope to get an AP Royal Oak Chronograph one day as I’ve been on the list for it and it’s great to hear that service will work hard to make it right.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by AK797

If you can see it then get it fixed, otherwise it will just draw your eye every time and spoil it.

This ^^^

What would bother me more is the off centered date window

Congratulations, still a gorgeous watch

[ap1]

Check out the markets at 12 on a 5711. More crooked than straight on like, all of them

[mobster600]

That’s wild, good catch.

I had a Panerai a years ago the 6 material wasn’t lined up correctly. Or the material might have tightened up from heat or whatever. Glue or solder or whatever holds it on can change even the slightest.

[epicurus]

i wouldve never noticed that. wouldnt bother me either in all honesty

[dubaiart]

i just checked mine and it seems to have the same alignment issue, but i am not really bothered, will leave it as is and enjoy the imperfection

you are not alone

i am attaching the photo

[herts9]

step 1) keep loupes away from your watches

step 2) enjoy life

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by herts9

step 1) keep loupes away from your watches

step 2) enjoy life

That's what I do.

For example, don't ever look at the underside of Lange's hands. They're usually not finished to the same level of finishing as everything else that's visible. In fact, they're not really "finished" at all.

If you want near perfection in finishing, there's (so far) only one single brand that achieves that. Greubel Forsey.

I have yet to see anyone else achieve near perfection.

[V25V]

I think since you noticed it, you will never not notice it until it is fixed. And since it was purchased new and through a boutique, I would get it addressed if I were you. In my experience, APSC is very good and I am sure they will get this corrected very quickly for you.

[Potawatomi]

Originally Posted by V25V

I think since you noticed it, you will never not notice it until it is fixed. And since it was purchased new and through a boutique, I would get it addressed if I were you. In my experience, APSC is very good and I am sure they will get this corrected very quickly for you.

You didn't read the thread. It's being replaced under warranty

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by V25V

I think since you noticed it, you will never not notice it until it is fixed. And since it was purchased new and through a boutique, I would get it addressed if I were you. In my experience, APSC is very good and I am sure they will get this corrected very quickly for you.

Originally Posted by Potawatomi

You didn't read the thread. It's being replaced under warranty