Factory Servicing

Hi People,

I have a Mark XV (nothing special, I realise, but it means a lot to me!) that I am trying to have serviced by the factory. Can someone with the right experience tell me how I can most easily get this done?

I live in the Netherlands, and after having written an enquiry to IWC/CH, keep getting the run-around by the local importer. They keep suggesting that they should do the servicing, and make it awkward if I wish to have this done by the factory (the reason I don't want it done by the local Importer is bad experiences I have had with them on two occasions with two separate watches).

Any guidance appreciated!

Regards,
Keith

It's not clear if your importer is an Authorized IWC dealer. If so, I am surprised by their actions. There are several very good IWC AD's in Amsterdam which I am sure can work with you to have your watch serviced.

If you post with your email address, I'm sure some of our Dutch Collector's can give you good advice off line.

Dear Keith,

Hope you will have the servicing problem solved. Would also like to comment on your Mark XV being "nothing special". It's just as special as any other IWC IMHO

Regards
Mike

just send it direct to IWC service center in Shcaffhausen.

correction ......the Mark XV IS really something special Congratulations on a great watch.

Send it back direct to IWC. You will not regret it.

When it comes back you will be amazed at its new condition .Costly but worth every Euro.I have sent several watches back to the factory and every one has been beautifully restored to new condition

I recently obtained an Ocean 2000 of which the "gangreserve" doesn't last much longer than 10 hours and to be honest I don't trust the local AD to look at it because the watch is approx. 30 of age and spare parts most certainly have to come from the factory.
Isn't it wise to ship my watch directly to Schaffhausen and let IWC perform a refit? After all, I don't know what should be done as well in maintenance.

Regards, Erik

I feel confident that the AD will give you prime service on many matters but when it comes to vintage watches I would choose to contact IWC directly.
Please remember to explain exactly what parts NOT to change otherwise you risk receiving a very beautiful and 'restored' watch but with a new dial instead of the original tritium dial etc.

Best regards
Mike

Yes, I agree, but how do you get to know what parts have to be changed. The dial(no.2) is intact, but the hands can't be seen in the dark, for instance.
And when not worn the watch stops after approx. 10 hrs. Is that normal? Can it be helped?

The hands cannot be seen presumably because they have been treated with tritium as supposed to. Tritium will only last for about 24 years as far as I know.
Personaly I would keep the tritium at the hands, the dial and the triangular 'perl' at the bezel. This is the original setup that most collectors look for. Tritium changes in color from white to a light brownish tone. This tone showing some sort of ageing and giving the watch the right vintage apperance is very sought after.
I have heard of dials being changed to ones with Luminova. If changed I would opt for both the hands, dial and 'perl' to be altered so that the colors are all alike.

Best regards
Mike

I'm very surprised by the apparently uncooperative attitude of the importer. I just had my 3706 Spitfire go in for routine factory service, and my local AD was happy to handle everything for me.

Every watch I own is special, because there is/was a reason why I purchased it. Importers like those don't sound like they are going to perform the right test and checks for your watch. I'm pretty sure there are some good IWC retailers around your place, just pop in and ask... If not send it to IWC

Firstly, please accept my apologies to not having reacted to your postings. Entirely my fault; lost a bit of motivation after all the negativity I have had with IWC and their local agent, so had not been following it up.

I have had contact directly with the factory in Schaffhausen who informed me that they cannot (or more likely will not) service my MARK XV, and asked that I deal with the local IWC importer (who are the distributors for BENELUX and Scandinavia) through one of the retailers. In desperation (and as the watch was now loosing a couple of minutes per day), and despite all the troubles that I have had with them over the years, I relented and sent the watch to them via one of the local retailers here in Holland.

The watch was away for almost 3 months for a routine service.

It came back almost as I had expected, serviced and cleaned, though without the new strap that I had requested in the original order. The watch was returned without any official IWC documentation (only a receipt from the dealer which I was told to keep as the one-year Warranty). Only when I called the Importer directly was I provided with official IWC documentation for the Service, and a 2-year Warranty.

All this has knocked my confidence in IWC somewhat, and made me re-consider my intention to pursue a 3233 (Ingenieur out of the Vintage Collection).

Ummm