Jaeger-LeCoultre

hi guys, i thought i'd second update on the progress of my watch. Although i had hoped it to be my last and a happy update, it wasn't to be.

If you recall, i had purchased a brand new master compressor chrono 1 from an AD and found that it had two issues.
Loss of time and the second hand of the chronograph not lining up at 12 o'clock were the two issues.

well, it has finally been returned to me after being sent to Switzerland.
It's taken about 3 months. Mildly unhappy at the fact that i was without a brand new watch having just purchased it.
But then again, 1000 hours control testing will eat up that much time anyway.

So, has it been fixed?
The second hand lines up.
The watch runs about 5 seconds faster per day. Still faster than my daytona but i can live with faster running watches than the one that runs slow.
But then again,  why can't it run better than a daytona if the JLC markets itself to be a more boutique, REAL watch company....hmmm...

If all the original problem was fixed, i should be happy.

BUT.........

It's come back with another problem.

There is a smear of black material over the 1 O'clock luminescence, easily seen with a naked eye.
I have a slit-lamp biomicroscope at work so i had a good look at it under lights and magnification to see what it was.
It's not a dust that can be simply blown away, although i can see few dust particles inside the face.
It's some kind of black carbon or oily stuff smeared and embedded into the luminescence.

A bit annoyed, at the fact that this should have occurred to a new watch, and even worse, it was sent out having passing the quality control.
WHY?

I took it back to my AD yesterday.
He was speechless and apologetic. He said he didn't check it because he wanted to present it to me still packed.
He has spoken to Richmond and has sent it off yesterday.
Richmond's standard, understandably, response - "we can't comment until we have seen the watch"
I am waiting on a call today to hear what they have to say about it.

Seriously, i'm getting over JLC.
Maybe i should just stick to my daytona...

any ideas on what the black smudge might be and what they might do?
any experiences from memebers?

Cheers
I

Got a brand new watch from the boutique. There was a fiber in the dial.
Sent it back to richemont and they told me they'll take 3 months for it to be fixed.

I told them if they could get me a new replacement... I mean I just bought them watch!
Got a new replacement and the time runs faster. So yea, I totally know how you feel.

As for your watch running 5 secs fast per day, you're within the specs, so that it is not a problem.

As for your 2d problem, yes, that is an issue.

I'm really sorry for you.

Did I have such experiences with my JLCs?

Only once in may whole JLC Collector watch, with an Amvox II, but it was perfectly fixed.

Wish you a better future with JLC.

Best,

Nicolas;

but I hope that it all ends as a happy story.

I have heard stories like this with Rolex's to so there is not guarantee with any brand really.

Best regards,

George

Thanks guys.
Your experiences and well wishes are much appreciated.

My AD advised me yesterday that the watch has been received by richmond but will not have time to have a look at it until
today.

So i'm still waiting....
xsw:- was the estimated time for removal of lint 3 months? I ask because my AD tells me that unless it's a service or a time adjustment, it shouldn't need to take 3 months and only two weeks or so. I thought all master compressor has to under go 1000hr testing.
can some one clarify this please?

thanks nicolas. I remember from your last post that it was fixed perfectly. And i was hoping for the same. But not to be.....

girigo:- i suppose it can happen to all companies of course indeed.

to be continued.....

JLC is having some major quality problems, and I do not believe that they care to correct them.  I had a problem with a MMC2 running 10 seconds slow per day.    In addition, it did not fit well on the wrist as the case back to me is poorly designed.  I returned it for a MMC1.  You should expect excellence at the price you are paying.  You would expect the 1000 hours test to be closer tolerance than COSC, but it's not....it's purely marketing. 

Certainly JLC should rush this for you and at a minimum thow in a strap or 2.  That to me would be customer service!

By the way, I own 2 JLC's, so I know of what I speak.

2 issues which were perfectly solved: One on the accuracy: It was running too slow, so I had to send it for them to set it, and one on a Vintage.

Yes, JLC has quality issues, as all the brands:  a total lack of issues doesn't exist, in an human world.

Now, saying that JLC doesn't care to correct them is not true.

As for your watch runnig 10 secs slow per day, it is not a problem, if it regularly looses 10 secs per day. Every watch needs to be set after a while, as it depends on so many factors.

Just an advice: Every watch you consider should be tested on YOUR wrist before any final decision. We don't have the same wrist, and the real test may lead you to have different feelings.

Best,

Nicolas.

 

its what my perception is as well, as specially with the automatic rotor and the sub-dial of the Master Georgraphics. Don't think this is warranted - reputation and price segment should speak a different language and they should make an effort to fix it. Albeit the trouble, its a great brand - this must be love...

Thanks to members gaferrence, JLC and amanico.
In an ironic way, it's ?comforting to know that i am not alone.
I also agree with amanico that when there are humans involved, mistakes do happen. Granted.
But i cannot agree more with member JLC at the way he has expressed what we all expect - You should expect excellence at the price you are paying.

However, excellence is not what we are getting from JLC.
I can happily accept mistakes do happen and that is why warranties exist.
However, you'd expect this to only occur once
I cannot expect a watch to return from the switzerland factory with a new problem.
Where is the quality control? Why was it even released from the factory when it was so visible to an naked eye.
If 1000 hours is supposed to be an intense testing for the accuracy of the watch, why did i have a watch that had unacceptable time loss?
Is it really just marketing? I can see the theory that's being raised.

Well, I got a call from my AD to say by watch has been fixed and is awaiting collection.
I went to pick it up after work.
Really rushed to get there to only find that the smear on the 1 O'clock mark is only 90% cleaned.
Even to a naked eye, I was able see the residue. With a loupe, it was easier to see.
The AD (assistant manager) initially didn't agree with me that there were any residues left behind - it was clear from the way he was phrasing his words to his manager. "He reckons that he can still see...."
The manager picked up the watch with the loupe and says "i can't see it. I have a headache and it's really making it difficult for me to see it"
At this point, i couldn't believe what was unfolding in front of my eyes. Are they going to abandon me now that they can't see what i'm saying?
You may pull a "i have a headache" on other people, but you can't pull that one on a person with medical education.
If there is a residue, you will see it whether you have a headache or not. Please do not patronise me.

Luckily, the manager agreed with the residue being present.

The AD will send it off again to richmond for ANOTHER assessment.
It's actually becoming infuriating.
It's being sent off for the 3rd time.
A brand new watch.
Been on my wrist for less then 10 days and it's been away for over 3 months now.

Do i want a refund? do i want a new watch face be happy with it? Or should i just demand a new watch?
AD has organised an extra strap and an extension of the warranty for the previous issues
But this whole quality control issue is now becoming a joke.
I will not accept a watch that is brand new, with a residual smear on the luminescence that is supposed to be "cleaned".
I am actually finding it offensive that richmond would think they've done enough to even send it out.
Then again, that's what they did in Switzerland. So i shouldn't be suprised.

How much more do i need to wait patiently and remain understanding with this.

Will keep you posted, if you guys are still interested.

Making mistakes is not a crime, not to learn from them should be. In case of luxury goods one would expect margins to be high enough not only to pay for testimonies and image building advertising campaigns but also to pay for the service one deserves. Sure, humans are full of mistakes but equally they have been given the ability to resolve problems and in doing so, paying respect to the owner of the problem.
In short - first class watch having problems may not be the pivotal hitch - its the way is dealt with.
Omega treats customers even worse is the buzz and my watch maker is confirming that. Today, the bulk of her revenues comes from fixing Omegas and other top notch brands (lately including Jaeger LeCoultre Germany) as the clients are rather pissed off.

However, I had very good experience with the JLC service (Switzerland), why I am really surprised that you are making this dreadful experience. Keep us up-dated and lets hope, someone in Le Sentier get to read it ;-)

Good luck & tally ho