Deteriorating Patek quality, need ideas to stop my brand new blue 5711 from rusting

[bonsai-man]

Love that orange, hope it gets sorted quickly.

Do you guys think some of the quality issues are due to increasing production because of the shortages. It would only take a small increase to a fine tuned production line before mistakes creep in. With low production figures the failure rate could seem a lot worse, but as a total % it could still be tiny. My issue was likely a chemical reaction so perhaps just bad luck, but Mis-aligned hands seems more Bulova not Patek.

[imperio]

Originally Posted by bonsai-man

Love that orange, hope it gets sorted quickly.



Do you guys think some of the quality issues are due to increasing production because of the shortages. It would only take a small increase to a fine tuned production line before mistakes creep in. With low production figures the failure rate could seem a lot worse, but as a total % it could still be tiny. My issue was likely a chemical reaction so perhaps just bad luck, but Mis-aligned hands seems more Bulova not Patek.

Tiny % or bad luck as it may be, mistakes happen and it's how they are handled that reveal the character of the company you're dealing with. Do you reject the complaint and hope it goes away or do you own it and make it right.

Look at this flaw I found on my GS Snowflake minute hand; literally microscopic; I regularly bust out the loupe to admire the finish and it took me a few sessions to notice this. I shared the pic with my AD and said it's not visible to the naked eye but here it is under 10x magnification, is this normal? Tbh, I was expecting the answer to be yes but the reply was "it's not up to spec so we'll fix it". I got my minute hand replaced under warranty, with some goodies thrown in for good measure when I went to pick it up. This is the level of QC and customer service I received on a watch that retails at $5,800, which is why I think the pushback you got on the rusty bracelet of a much more expensive timepiece is disappointing.

[bonsai-man]

Originally Posted by imperio

Tiny % or bad luck as it may be, mistakes happen and it's how they are handled that reveal the character of the company you're dealing with. Do you reject the complaint and hope it goes away or do you own it and make it right.

Look at this flaw I found on my GS Snowflake minute hand; literally microscopic; I regularly bust out the loupe to admire the finish and it took me a few sessions to notice this. I shared the pic with my AD and said it's not visible to the naked eye but here it is under 10x magnification, is this normal? Tbh, I was expecting the answer to be yes but the reply was "it's not up to spec so we'll fix it". I got my minute hand replaced under warranty, with some goodies thrown in for good measure when I went to pick it up. This is the level of QC and customer service I received on a watch that retails at $5,800, which is why I think the pushback you got on the rusty bracelet of a much more expensive timepiece is disappointing.

Wow, that’s great service from your AD and GS.

The update I posted did not cover all of the issues with my rusty bracelet. The post would have been too long for that, although some were the AD’s fault to be fair.

[Donjo]

Return it.

[enjoythemusic]

Love the GS Snowflake, Seiko is really good with customer service.

[bonsai-man]

Agreed, I may be taking a look.

[wilsonpepper]

Seriously said, the bracelet pins, and rust reminds me of the Chinese fakes that are out there, and believe me I have seen plenty of real and fakes.

Sorry to report such.

[yellowfinger]

it definitely could be a bad batch of stainless steel. Patek uses 316L stainless steel like others and are all sourced from labs in China.

Even tho they are QCed heavily. A few bad batch makes it pass inspection. just bad luck

[chunkythebulldog]

Originally Posted by yellowfinger

it definitely could be a bad batch of stainless steel. Patek uses 316L stainless steel like others and are all sourced from labs in China.

Even tho they are QCed heavily. A few bad batch makes it pass inspection. just bad luck

I would be amazed if Patek use Chinese steel. It's the lowest grade cheap crap on the market.

[Passionata]

Originally Posted by chunkythebulldog

i would be amazed if patek use chinese steel. It's the lowest grade cheap crap on the market.

+1

[yellowfinger]

316L steel is 316L steel. It is a standardized grading doesn't matter where it comes from.
Its like saying H20 from China is different than H20 from rest of the world chemically.

[chunkythebulldog]

Originally Posted by yellowfinger

316L steel is 316L steel. It is a standardized grading doesn't matter where it comes from.
Its like saying H20 from China is different than H20 from rest of the world chemically.

Rubbish, there's European steel and there's Chinese steel. There is no comparison in the quality between the 2.
Why make comments saying Patek use steel sourced from Chinese labs when it is completely unfounded and untrue

[jag32]

Anyone else having this issue? Already two reported cases now.

[WatchLurv]

I honestly dont see Stern sourcing his steel from China...Of all places in the World! (Unless they've compromised him and made him use their steel)

[SpeedyTuomas]

I would ask the AD for a new one.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by WatchLurv

Unless they've compromised him and made him use their steel)

Unless WHO compromised him? Who made him use Chinese steel? Hilarious. Don’t think anyone is making stern use anything he doesn’t want to.


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[Coop13]

Grand Seiko is better


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[WatchLurv]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Unless WHO compromised him? Who made him use Chinese steel? Hilarious. Don’t think anyone is making stern use anything he doesn’t want to.


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The Chinese have a way with their monies


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[JR16]

Just looked at my 5712 carefully - purchased one year ago - and have the same problem w the bracelet marks . I was shocked! Shocked I tell you!


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[Trailboss516]

Originally Posted by yellowfinger

Patek uses 316L stainless steel like others and are all sourced from labs in China.

Citation needed

[ct.matt]

I wonder if Patek, like Rolex, owns and operates its own foundry;

From Hodinkee: "Rolex owns its own foundry, where it creates its very own formulas for three different kinds of gold, and its own formulation of 904L stainless steel. Every single alloy used by Rolex is produced entirely in-house because, as they are quick to point out, the composition of the metal is the most important factor in determining a watch's aesthetic, mechanical, and dimensional properties." https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/inside-rolex

[imperio]

Originally Posted by JR16

Just looked at my 5712 carefully - purchased one year ago - and have the same problem w the bracelet marks . I was shocked! Shocked I tell you!


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Got pics?

[JR16]

Originally Posted by imperio

Got pics?

I’ll try to take some tonight. It’s multiple links , the ones closest to watch, both sides, visible at several but not all angles


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[JR16]

Originally Posted by imperio

Got pics?

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[chunkythebulldog]

Originally Posted by chunkythebulldog

My 5524 is currently with Patek for a warranty issue.
Just on holiday and noticed that the chrono second hand on my 5968 is resetting to 58/59 instead of 0. To say I am slightly annoyed is an understatement.

Attachment 1065056

Originally Posted by ap1

so sorry bout this. I try not to look at my 5170 too much (the chrono hand, can’t keep eyes off dial) for fear it may do the same

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

chunkythebulldog, that should take maybe 20 minutes to correct (am being generous). How long did they say it's going to take to fix?

Originally Posted by Passionata

Finally,i m happy they did the replacement (as the only acceptable solution)
Enjoy it!

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Ahh good point! That takes a bit longer of course. Bummer :(


chunkythebulldog
Let us know how long they quote you to fix it.

Originally Posted by bonsai-man

Love that orange, hope it gets sorted quickly.

.

Had an update from my AD at the weekend.
Patek can't give them a timescale as to when it's going to be fixed, they just said it'll be a few more weeks, this is on top of the 8 weeks that they have currently had it for.

And to top it all off I picked my 5524 up the week before and had to take it back this weekend with the same issue. That was after Patek had had it for 6 weeks, the salesmans excuse as to why I had the same issue............................. they've rushed the repair

I'm not even going to look at my 5712a bracelet

[Fat_ninja]

Originally Posted by chunkythebulldog

Had an update from my AD at the weekend.
Patek can't give them a timescale as to when it's going to be fixed, they just said it'll be a few more weeks, this is on top of the 8 weeks that they have currently had it for.

And to top it all off I picked my 5524 up the week before and had to take it back this weekend with the same issue. That was after Patek had had it for 6 weeks, the salesmans excuse as to why I had the same issue............................. they've rushed the repair

I'm not even going to look at my 5712a bracelet

So u have a crooked chrono hand lol

[bonsai-man]

The circles on the edge of the steel Nautilus bracelet appear to be normal, almost all the bracelets seem to have these circles to some extent. You may need a loupe, strong light and view at the right angle to seem them, but they are still there. The circles are only really an issue if they have orange or brown discolouration that keeps re-appearing after it is cleaned off.

[imperio]

Originally Posted by JR16

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Sorry to see that man. Are you going to try to get some sort of resolution or keep it as is?

[JR16]

Originally Posted by imperio

Sorry to see that man. Are you going to try to get some sort of resolution or keep it as is?

I just noticed for first time a few days ago when I posted and haven’t decided yet what to do. I’m going to a patek event soon so may show the pics to a patek two and see what he/she says.


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[Simon.DGV]

That looks superficial stains. Rust is corrosive it destroys.