Patek AD wants $65 to put on a new strap

[geoach]

Bought a new rubber grey to put on my 5066. Nice change from my black. AD with a bad attitude wants $65 to size put on the strap. I go back years with this AD. What do all think ? Who did it themselves and was it a pain?

[watchvert]

Originally Posted by geoach

Bought a new rubber grey to put on my 5066. Nice change from my black. AD with a bad attitude wants $65 to size put on the strap. I go back years with this AD. What do all think ? Who did it themselves and was it a pain?

This is mad! I went to the salon in London a few days ago and they changed my strap for free without problems.

[77T]

Originally Posted by geoach

Bought a new rubber grey to put on my 5066. Nice change from my black. AD with a bad attitude wants $65 to size put on the strap. I go back years with this AD. What do all think ? Who did it themselves and was it a pain?

While you go back years with this AD, it could just be a standard fee for all customers.

I paid my AD for a new Calatrava strap that was special order, and new quick release springbars. Didn't mind $50 (this was in 2022). BTW - got offered a big pilot when they were not especially easy to buy.

Could you expand the "bad attitude" point?

Was it the manager or an SS or a tech?

[offrdmania]

I would pay the $65 because then they would be liable if there were any scratches made to the watch or if the strap was sized incorrectly.
Take very clear, time stamped pictures of the watch before they begin the work to show its current condition just in case they do scratch it.

[1William]

Just pay and enjoy the strap and having them put it on.

[brandrea]

I’ve never been charged to have links and bracelets sized at my Rolex AD.

That said, if they charged me $65 I would understand. I don’t like to conflate previous purchases with what happens down the road, but maybe that’s just me

[PhilLynott]

That seems reasonable to me if it was something I didn't want to mess with I'd gladly pay $65 to have it done properly.

[Notimetodie]

More importantly, will they ask for a 20/25/28% tip when you pay? Haha

[dauster]

Originally Posted by geoach

Bought a new rubber grey to put on my 5066. Nice change from my black. AD with a bad attitude wants $65 to size put on the strap. I go back years with this AD. What do all think ? Who did it themselves and was it a pain?

lol I’d report them to Patek tbh I have shaky hands to would never attempt myself but I’m sure plenty of YouTube videos to help you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[geoach]

thanks for the responses .........bad attitude like they're doing me a favor like Im bothering them thing

[1William]

Originally Posted by geoach

thanks for the responses .........bad attitude like they're doing me a favor like Im bothering them thing

They do see it as a bother and they also think they are doing you a favor. Such is the brand.

[SoylentGreenChi]

Did you buy the new strap from them or another party? The answer to this question would determine my answer to your question.

[PBJ1925]

Can't recall any AD charging me to swap OEM straps unless it was an aftermarket option. Even then, many waived it as a courtesy (assuming I purchased the piece from them).

My Rolex AD did politely refuse to put a non OEM strap on for me (I.E. Rubber B). With that said, I don't think it's unreasonable for an AD to charge you to install a 3rd party strap but if it was OEM and purchased from there, I would be disappointed.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by geoach

thanks for the responses .........bad attitude like they're doing me a favor like Im bothering them thing

Well, they could have spent that time calling up a lucky customer and informing them that the AD had agreed to make a $40k margin on a Nautilus by selling it to them.

[geoach]

I bought the strap through Tracy at Stern NY. Back ground bought 3 Rolex past thru them in the past.

[goog53]

Do they carry Patek and was this watch bought grey?

[GB-man]

A rolex AD won't put on an aftermarket strap for you pay or not so at least they are willing. As noted, tell them fine but for 65 you expect it done by a watchmaker and there to be no damage to the watch.

[Calatrava r]

Seems like a lot to charge but pay it and enjoy the watch.

[Goldilock]

One with a Patek should not complain about a 65 usd charge. Having a top luxury watch comes with high costs for sure.

[geoach]

Originally Posted by GB-man

A rolex AD won't put on an aftermarket strap for you pay or not so at least they are willing. As noted, tell them fine but for 65 you expect it done by a watchmaker and there to be no damage to the watch.

not after market new from Patek Stern NY

[kaiserphoenix]

$65!?? Wow...In Japan, typically the charge if you do it at the official Patek Service Centre (only 1 in Japan) in Tokyo, it will cost you around $20.00, this includes more troublesome ones like a Nautilus as well. If you go back to the AD where you got the watch from, ofcourse it will be free but only if they have a Patek watch maker on duty.

[Tqmb79]

I don’t think $65 is outrageous at all. Maybe that’s just me, but I’d pay it without even thinking about it.

[NardinNut]

Okay I guess I’ll be the standout (read “a-hole”) on this thread. Why let anyone other than yourself change a strap on a watch that cost five figures?? One of the great joys of watches is changing up the personality with a simple strap change. Why not get the correct tools ($150) and change it yourself? It’s not difficult with the right tools. You are obviously smart and accomplished elsewhere in life to be able to own a PP so you definitely have the ability (grey matter) to do it. Don’t let someone else potentially scratch your watch and charge you for it. Buy the Bergeon 7825 tweezers and you’ll be able to do the strap change on your own at home any time you like.

[geoach]

Originally Posted by NardinNut

Okay I guess I’ll be the standout (read “a-hole”) on this thread. Why let anyone other than yourself change a strap on a watch that cost five figures?? One of the great joys of watches is changing up the personality with a simple strap change. Why not get the correct tools ($150) and change it yourself? It’s not difficult with the right tools. You are obviously smart and accomplished elsewhere in life to be able to own a PP so you definitely have the ability (grey matter) to do it. Don’t let someone else potentially scratch your watch and charge you for it. Buy the Bergeon 7825 tweezers and you’ll be able to do the strap change on your own at home any time you like.

maybe I will

[1William]

Originally Posted by NardinNut

Okay I guess I’ll be the standout (read “a-hole”) on this thread. Why let anyone other than yourself change a strap on a watch that cost five figures?? One of the great joys of watches is changing up the personality with a simple strap change. Why not get the correct tools ($150) and change it yourself? It’s not difficult with the right tools. You are obviously smart and accomplished elsewhere in life to be able to own a PP so you definitely have the ability (grey matter) to do it. Don’t let someone else potentially scratch your watch and charge you for it. Buy the Bergeon 7825 tweezers and you’ll be able to do the strap change on your own at home any time you like.

For the same reason I don't cut my own hair, change my own oil and the list goes on. I have all the tools and still don't change certain bracelets and straps as my skill set is not what my AD's is. The gentleman that does this work for me has been at it 35 years and is great. They don't charge me but of they did I would gladly pay.

[NardinNut]

Originally Posted by 1William

For the same reason I don't cut my own hair, change my own oil and the list goes on. I have all the tools and still don't change certain bracelets and straps as my skill set is not what my AD's is. The gentleman that does this work for me has been at it 35 years and is great. They don't charge me but of they did I would gladly pay.

Well I’d argue that changing a strap isn’t a skill set (unlike opening the watch up and working on the movement). You don’t need to do any extensive training or have extensive knowledge of said skill to perform it. It literally takes seconds to use the tweezers and drop the strap. But to each their own. No one was pointing out the option and what tool the OP needed to complete the task so I did.

[NardinNut]

Originally Posted by geoach

maybe I will

Those tweezers work great. I suggest putting tape on the lugs the first few times you do it so you don’t have to worry about scratches. Just place the watch dial side down on a soft cloth, tweezer the spring bar, and the strap will drop down. Once you get a hang of the method it’s piece a of cake to drop the strap out without touching the lugs.

[SpeedyTuomas]

I would pay it and then mention that I did not find this very nice or classy.

[BETRNSX]

Seems cheap for an ultra luxury watch maker to charge for this. Swatch would do it for free and free battery changes.

[codecow]

It’s not a good look for a Patek AD to charge someone to change straps, kind of weak. They must not like you.