Help..what do i do next...

Hi guys

typical new(ish) poster Im afraid only posts when he's stuck but Id love some advise.

I have a Pitit Prince chronograph. Its about 18 months old (in fact i posted a photo here when i bought it). I had to send it for a service a few months after i got it as the day and date didn't change at the same time (four or five hours out). I noticed recently that the watch was going slow and i put it down to the fact that i was sitting more often than not recently at work so i hand wound it a few times until one morning it wouldn't not start. I never wound it or changed the time in between 8/2 as i know Im not supposed to. So i gave the watch to my Dad to drop into a dealer to send back to IWC for a second time. When my dad got it he gave it a very mild shake to see it the movement would start the watch and the hand on the 9 O'clock position actually fell off.

Dad brought it to a dealer who noted some scratches on the left shoulder ( i never noticed). I got a phone call from the dealer today to say IWC want over 1,000 euro to fix the watch because of accidental damage. I certainly never recall hitting or damaging the watch in any way and i always wear it apart from the shower (in fact the only time it was out of my possetion was when i got a new strap from an IWC boutique in Dubai a few months ago)

Do i have any come back? The watch is under warranty but i assume they feel that i damaged it so i should pay but i honestly do not recall hitting the watch off anything. The dealer said he can request photos but i assume the photos will just show the damage on the watch... I dont know what to do other than pay up.... help...

any advise guys?

thanks

Mark

Mark, I am sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately an impact likely could have been the cause of a change in rate and hands becoming detached and a mark on the outside of the case certainly supports this hypothesis. Although you don't remember knocking your watch, even a little knock in the right place is capable of damaging a mechanical watch. Although you may find a watchmaker that will repair it for less, I would suggest that you do have the IWC service center perform the necessary work as you would have it returned to you in "like new" condition with a new 2 year warranty.

Hi

Thanks for your reply...

So if they have to replace hands etc the watch would get a new two year warranty if they have to do a complete service? I would have assumed damage like that would take a fairly serious knock but maybe I'm just unlucky. I've just never had any issue like that before on any good watch I've owned and I got a shock when they said over €1100 to get it fixed..

Grin and bear it?

Thanks

Mark

Hello Mark - yes, you would receive a new 2 year warranty with a complete service. I know it seems steep, but a complete service is very intensive and damaged parts may need top be replaced. And, like I said, you will be returned a "like-new" watch providing you accept the case-polishing option. You don't have to grin but hopefully you at least let out a little smile when you get your beautiful watch back;)

Thanks....