Richemont Service Review - Horrible

[Jack T]

Uh oh, I'm a bit anxious. My Reverso is running fine, but will be due for a service in a year or so, and I was planning to give it to my son as a wedding gift. Would a JLC AD with a certified watch maker be appropriate instead of shipping it to some far off service center? Fortunately my IWC is relatively new, but it gives me pause on a possible Girard Perregaux, any comments?

[ts3]

Sorry for your experience, OP. No major complaints on my part...

My IWC Mark XV has been multiple times at Richemont Service Center in Munich since I bought it new in 2001. Work included one or two regular services when it lost accuracy, a case replacement after an accident and the repair of a broken clasp and bracelet after another accident, the poor thing... No issues except once they had to adjust the accuracy a second time.

I live nearby and go there in person which helps in terms of accountability. The same is true for the Patek Service Center where I also go in person.

[VintageVagabound]

Originally Posted by Jack T

Uh oh, I'm a bit anxious. My Reverso is running fine, but will be due for a service in a year or so, and I was planning to give it to my son as a wedding gift. Would a JLC AD with a certified watch maker be appropriate instead of shipping it to some far off service center? Fortunately my IWC is relatively new, but it gives me pause on a possible Girard Perregaux, any comments?

If it’s not under warranty why not find an independent watchmaker that you can trust? A good watchmaker could service a reverso without a problem and you’d only have to deal with one person. I’m sure the prices would be lower too.

[CorradoBrit]

Originally Posted by VintageVagabound

If it’s not under warranty why not find an independent watchmaker that you can trust? A good watchmaker could service a reverso without a problem and you’d only have to deal with one person. I’m sure the prices would be lower too.

Cos independents no longer have parts contracts. Richemont want to control the service process and thats one way they ensure watches go to their service centers.

[m j b]

Originally Posted by Montremoi

The watches are fine, the problem is in the servicing. Omega has the same problem btw.

I recently sent an Omega to their service center in Miami for a warranty repair, and it was done accurately and relatively quickly (pre-Covid) without damaging the watch.

Of course, if they had assembled it correctly in the first place...

[aayates]

Sorry OP for your experience. I know it's a touchy subject, but I've come to believe that the routine service (if there are no problems) is a risk. I've done better with my Rolexes if I wait until something is wrong (other than a pressure check).