Driver8 wrote:
Personally I think you were
more than generous in offering to have it repaired at your expense, Altair. Maybe I only know mean people, but I can't think of one single person I know who would've done that. I guess that just shows what a decent guy you are, so in that respect I take my hat off to you.
BUT I could never have done that myself.
It sounds to me that the guy changed the date at the wrong time without reading the manual (or knowing anything about mechanical watches), managed to cock it up, and then got cold feet over it altogether and asked for a refund. I mean honestly, saying it scratches too easily??! What's he been doing with it - mixing concrete or something?? I'm sorry but all he would've got from me is the phone number of Breitling USA (or UK, or wherever he's from). I despise scammers with a passion and this guy fits the bill to a tee IMO.
Anyway I hope it all works out for you, Altair, and that it's the last you hear about it.
Well, as I said in my initial post, I couldn't be 100% sure he was a scammer. He was initially very nervous about the sale, and I think he was expecting a fake, hence his comment which he has retracted. I do find his claim to not have broken the date mechanism yet admitted to winding it at the wrong time, but he has on the other hand offered to send it to a watchmaker of my choosing for evaluation and repairs. I think he is just a nervous and confused kid, but just cant make the connection to him being a scammer.
As for me paying him for the repairs, I have to say it is more being careful than being kind. if it one thing I have learned in life, is that whatever you do comes back in one way or another. Call it karma, Divine Intervention, or what have you.
here are some of our communications, what a nightmare!
Hi,
I just received the watch, but the I can't set the date. It seems to be stuck, it is stuck on day 11... I can hear it click, but the date does not change...What do I do?
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Mike,
From your description of the watch, it seems you tried to change the date between 10 and 1. What you need to do is change the TIME to say, 6 O'clock, then move the crown to the second (middle) position, then change the date.
The watch works perfectely, if you still cant work it I suggest you drop by any Breitling authorised distributor and have them show you how to change the date. They wil also be able to confirm that the watch works fine.
That said, if its just the jitters you have, I will completely refund your money giving that the watch is not working or is not as I have described in any way minus the cost of shipping.
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Why do you have to set the time to 6oclock first? Shouldn't you be able to set the date at any position?
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No!! You cant set the time at certine times on ANY mechanical watch, here read this:
Time and Date Setting
To set the time, first of all, it is necessary to unscrew the crown, pulling it as far as it goes. Then the hands should be turned to the right time. The last step is to push the crown down and screw.
To change the date, the same precautions should be taken as while setting the time. The first way is to move the hands as though you are setting the time. If you need to change the date faster, the crown should be pulled to the first notch. Then turn the crown to the necessary date. Dates of most timepieces move only forward. If you accidentally pass the right date, turn forward until the necessary date appears again. It is better to stop one day before the right date and then adjust it carefully by moving the hands.
When you change the date, it engages a few gears in the movement. Avoid rapid date change in the period between 10pm - 2am - this is the time when the date-change mechanism functions.
http://www.the-watchez.com/takecarewatch.htmlAlso,
http://www.alessi-watches.com/eg/pdf/Y675_eg.pdf_______
What does it cost to get something like this fixed? I dont think i broke the date though. Will you pay for any costs to fix the watch?
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To spare you another 25 emails, I agreed to fix the watch, the this slew of emails:
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if the watch was permanently damaged, I still don't think I managed to damage it. I have other high end watches and have no problems changing the date. It is a fairly easy task and don't think something like that can happen so easily..
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You should pay me in full as it is. The watch was defective when received. I think you knew the watch was defective when you sold it to me. This has gone on way too long. And, I want a complete refund now.
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I am starting to believe this is a replica. The bezel always gets stuck. There is a scratch on the face.. Whicj shouldnt bhappen. You and i know sappphire crystal wont scratch that easily. The bracelet looks like aa rep too. Please send my full refund.
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A replica???
Look, went I sent the watch, it was in perfect condition, ZERO scratches on the saphire. If you scratched, then I need you to say that you did, and we can overlook the issue, but dont accuse me of it being a replica!!! Do you think Breitling would take the watch for service if it was fake? Would I pay you money to send the watch in if it was fake? and no it was working fine as for the best of my knowledge, I have you on record saying that you attempted to change the date between 10 and 1!
An accusation of selling fakes is not an easy matter.
How did the crystal get scratched???
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After doing this post, and thinking it over I went with this route and sent the following:
Here are my final thoughts on this:
1- You may send the watch in to Breitling or the online watchmaker for repairs, I will pay the costs at full, even though I suspect the damage happened after I shipped (either through the shipping process or during yoru date change)
2- You can get a full refund if you can promise to send the watch as you recieved it, no scratches! If the crystal is scratched that is your responsibility.
I think I am being fair here, regardless of your accusation of me selling fakes.
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I will send the watch to the repair shop. And, will glad keep the watch if it is confirmed to be real. I can even replace the crystal for you and send it back to you and get my refund. If it is a fake, I will want a complete refund. Scratch or not. I don't know how the scratch came about .. It is no easy task to scratch sapphire crystal...
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Agreed, if its fake I will buy you a 6.75 from your AD plus a navitimer!
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What a headache! I think his next response will really help me make a very clear distinction between him being a scammer or just a nervous kid. Time will tell I suppose.
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