Blancpain

http://blancpainrepairnightmare.shutterfly.com/ 

Can anyone here venture a guess as to how the damage shown in these pictures was done to the back of my watch in the course of being "serviced" by Blancpain US for a second time for the same internal mechanical problem?  I had returned the watch to them after the unsatisfactory first "full maintenance" servicing with a pristine case back (since it had just been polished). Blancpain US returned it to me in the condition you see in the pictures.  Despite repeated emails and phone calls to their offices, they have failed to offer me any explanation of how such damage was inflicted.  I'd really like to know what happened.  Since they have failed to offer any explanation, I have declined their invitation to return the watch to them a third time and insisted that it be repaired in Switzerland.  I'm very interested if anyone here has any ideas of how this might have happened, intentionally or unintentionally.  I now distrust all of the work that may or may not have been done on the watch and wonder what damage they may have also done to the movement.  Thank you.

 

This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2009-07-26 17:17:37

department.

I cannot guess why they would not openly communicate with you...perhaps this type of internal correction is best kept within the confines of the Blancpain facility.

I have met the watchmaker in charge of the aftersales training for swatch luxury brands here in the USA.  He is a knowledgable and incredibly nice individual so I have confidence that the watchmakers who pass through the Hayek school in NJ are trained to high standards but I have no idea how a watchmaker would feel good letting this occur.  I think some spanking has occurred.

I would  not hesitate to take them up on their offer and return the watch back to Switzerland.  The watch has given you ten years of good service, I suspect it will give you many more after a thorough workover.  Afterall who else would you send it to?  Just make sure you are satisfied with the process and that it occurrs on timely basis.

I have to agree though...this is not a way to make friends and a repeat customer.  Get your watch fixed and speak with your wallet the next time.

Best, Mike

This poster and I have had email conversations about this watch (I moderate a forum on another site) and one of the people he is trying to reach is on vacation and cannot be reached. I have contacted them for him and hopefully he will hear from them soon.

Thanks, Mike.

I don't feel very comfortable with this kind of post, as a first post on a forum.

Of course, it is not acceptable to receive your watch back from the SC in such a condition, and I can tell you that another brand did worst to me, so, yes, I can feel how big is your unsatisfaction.

But, it is a curious way to do a first post:

" Hello, everybody, I'm not happy at all ..".

You know, the problem is that we don't know you at all, and that it is very easy to say bad things about a brand, because of X or Y reason, and it is very easy to basj a brand with good OR bad reasons.

We don't know you, and the brands don't always, systematically have an eye on our forum, specially in Holiday time.

Hope to read you here, more ofte, and in a more positive and happy way.

Best!

Nicolas

With all due respect, posts that highlight issues with manufactures and, especially, service centers are perhaps the most important ones because they serve as a key reference for what to be aware of and, hopefully, they serve as a wake-up call for the manufactures.  I had a similar experience with the Blancpain SC in New Jersey (thankfully not as bad as Ken) and, frankly, it has put me off buying more Blancpains because I'm afraid that if they have to go in for service they'll come back to me in worse condition (or I'll have to send them to Switzerland and it'll take forever).  Clearly, postive reviews are great because they offer insight and negative reviews (especially ones in which the person posting offers pictures to subtantiate their claim like Ken's and the gentleman who recently posted on his Marin Braun piece) offer the hope of accountability.  Blancpain makes a beautiful product and, arguably, one the lovelist dials available but their quality needs to improve and certainly the SC.  I'm thankful for Ken's review and we should encourage honest feedback.  Assuming Ken's story is true (and I give the guy the benefit of the doubt that since I don't know him) it's clear to me that Blancpain needs to correct this issue.  Anyway, this is just my opinion and I hope that honest and respectful opinions will be embraced and not criticized.  For the record, my Blancpains are beautiful and I love them...I'm just afraid to ever send anything again to their New Jersey SC!

But we should be very prudent, IMO.

Who would love to see his name bashed, only because someome decided so?

The only thing which looks weird to me, is to do so as a first post.

That's all.

We are not here to only say good things about a brand, and if you go here and there, you will easily check that we also criticize.

Best,

Nicolas

Your point is well made. Clearly no one wants their name bashed and the best way to curb that is by providing quality service and accountability. The company appears to have made a good faith effort to rectify the situation, so if he takes them up on it and it turns out well it would be good to hear about that as well.

I appreciate the support. 

****Please do not post Private Messaging/Email exchanges on the public forum****

I will try to post anything postive that happens in this forum as well but for now my experience is very negative.

This message has been edited by DRMW on 2009-07-27 11:50:21

You are twisting my words and I don't appreciate it at all. Taking this public is a horrible way to treat someone who went out of his way to use my personal contacts at Blancpain to help you.

Thanks, Mike.

**Again please do not post Private Messages/Email exchanges on the public forums**
This message has been edited by DRMW on 2009-07-27 11:53:02

Warning to all: 

Let's keep things civil and not let this post get out of hand.


-DR. M. Woo
MODERATOR

Ken, I completely understand and empathize with your situation...been there myself recently.

Having said that the job of any moderator, here or on any other forum, is not to provide an inside shortcut to any of the brands.  If Mike offered to send an email to his contact within Blancpain USA he has done this out of his innate desire to support you and the brand he loves.  He is not an official Blancpain representative but an advocate for the brand.  If the contact within Blancpain doesnot respond to either your or Michael's emails, what does else do you expect him to do?  It  seems like your anger and frustration is now being directed at the wrong person. 

Perhaps your contact at Cellini or the AD where you purchased this watch from can be of service to get things resolved. 

Either way, this thread is locked.

Please take personal disagreements privately and KEEP THEM PRIVATE.

Ken, I sincerely hope your Blancpain gets serviced and repaired properly.  I would encourage you to share the results with us when things are resolved

MikeS, thanks for trying to support the Blancpain owners.  From one mod to another, our "job" ain't that glorious

Best, Mike

This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2009-07-26 17:17:18