The end of the story...

[Ken Cox]

Some folks here might remember how, a few months ago in a moment of dimentia, I sent my 1986 GMT Master II "Fat Lady" to a watchmaker not certified by Rolex.

Please go gently with me: I've already suffered enough.

I paid $1370 for a restoration.

The watch came back as an absolute piece of garbage.
I won't itemize the discrepancies because most folks have already read them, and, besides, it hurts to recount them.

So, I talked to a lot folks on this forum, the police in the watchmaker's community, my police department, a lawyer, and the president of an association to which the subject watchmaker belongs.

I also talked at length to the local large AD, a former Certified Rolex watchmaker, and a current Certified Rolex watchmaker.

All that I learned from everyone helped me develop my game plan.
I won't go into all of it, but, the subject watchmaker subsequently refunded my $1370 plus $200 damages.

I then sent the watch to a Certified Rolex watchmaker who replaced all the bogus parts put on the watch by the previous watchmaker.
He could not replace the clasp, which looks like the correct clasp but actually comes from a 1985 Jubilee bracelet (Rolex would not exchange the clasp except for the correct original clasp).

The watch came back to me today, and it cost $770 to undo the damages and restore the watch to its original condition, except for the Jubilee clasp (which looks and functions exactly like the original).

I want to thank everyone who helped me and educated me.
The story has a happy ending, and my GMT Master II "Fat Lady" looks as good and runs as well as it did when my wife gave it to me 21 years ago for my 40th birthday.

Thank you.

[Tools]

Great story..

I'm happy that all turned out to your satisfaction..

[Downing]

What a story!

You got to meet a lot of nice people, learn some interesting stuff and ultimately got complete satisfaction.

Glad it worked out.

[mike]

Fantastic!! Glad it all turned out for you. The 16760 is such a special reference!!

[Alcan]

Ken, good to hear that you finally got it sorted out.

[East Bay Rider]

There's a lesson to be learned for all of us.
Glad all is now OK.

[Leighton]

Nothing like a story with a happy ending! Thanks for sharing and hopefully keeping the rest of us from having to endure all the problems you had to deal with.

[DS/B MINI S]

Glad it worked out.

My Father once told me"Lessons learned hard...are lessons remembered." There are quite a few I can't forget

[bgriz]

Hey, its only money. You got a lifetime of memories from your watch. Glad it worked out.
Enjoy!

[ducksaw]

I had very similae situation w/ a 1680 submariner...yours turned out better. I wonder if it was the same guy??? Any pics?

[Andad]

:>) :>) :>)

[sharif]

How about a pic or two? :)

[shoppy]

That is brillint news, congrats on the good news and I can understand your fustration especially being off sentimental value.

[Wolfgang427]

Wow what a story. Glad you get to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[frostie]

Nice story. Glad that everythng was ok

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Wow, I am happy to hear about that, Ken!

Now we need a PIC!

[f16570]

Well done Ken, but some pics are now all we need to complete this happy tale.

f

[Thani]

good good good

[vukotab]

Nice to hear about happy ending.Enjoy your watch!

[Robb]

[nsolga]

All the way for me. Thanks for the lesson before I ever need service. Salute.

[Tallboy]

Originally Posted by nsolga

All the way for me. Thanks for the lesson before I ever need service. Salute.

Plus one!

[the186element]

x2 it sounds like a happy ending.{ENJOY}

[Oscar]

Ken,

I am quite new to TRF. I am waiting at least 8-10 months for a GMT II c from my AD here in Australia. As a serving cop here in Oz, (detective background also) I am more than impressed at the lengths you obviously went to, to achieve the 'right' outcome for you as a consumer. Consumers should not be ripped off by any business. Especially, in your circumstances.

Obviously, your story does not really indicate to the reader how many 'man hours' it took for you to get some financial compensation from that disreputable watch dealer. This is the very first time I have read your post.

Considering that your enquiries along the way would have been thoroughly documented by you, it would in my opinion be worthwhile to advise ALL of TRF people and actually nominate the business name of this dealer. If your facts are correct, it is highly unlikely that you'll be subject to any civil court action.

I really have to take my hat off to you and say that if I had've been in the same situation I would not have stopped until I had drawn 'blood' from that disreputable dealer.

A good win for you.........Congrats.

Cheers, Michael

[Erix]

Nice nice nice.....