'I wonder what happened with most of those wonderful pieces'...
Regards,
Jeronimo
Perhaps what happened with the missing quarter baton would be more topical (especially given that lots with missing furniture have been noted pre the advert being shown/known).
That is definitely a matter of opinion.
What happened to those wonderful pieces reflects a concern with a little known human tragedy, while the missing quarter baton in a Ref 866 is a detail without any significance.
'while the missing quarter baton in a Ref 866 is a detail without any significance'
It's got more significance in this very thread concerning new stock and dials (did i write TOPICAL in me earlier post?) than chapter 14 of War & Peace, especially given that the pre-drilled fixing points are non plugged and suggest more that something's been under-looked than purposefully designed to be so.
PS..Anyone know of any models (by any companies) sold new.. with exposed baton fixing holes...in any time-frame?
Well...
This comes to prove that we, humans, are far from being perfect, and even when we strive for the perfection we are lacking through our creations, sometimes fail.
It's curious that the "failure" is the exception when it could be the rule... And it is, in my humble opinion, positive to perceive it as a stepping stone towards something better.
But maybe I'm being too philosophical here... Imperfect being that I am.
Very interesting piece (in the OP). I think I would have kept it as it was.
FWIW Panerai recently managed to ship a load of watches with "Stainless steeel" [sic] engraved on the back. Is there "Doh!" smiley on this board? :-)
Ok, got a response.
Simply said:
1. It's the 3rd time it happened to 5001 line
So far, told nothing about any compensation for my time wasted, and pretty much been told that I should be thankful for getting a "replacement" rather than "repairing" it for a NEW watch I've bought. Well, I guess this is how watch industry is... May be I expected too much because it was my first watch from "luxury" brand.
Just bit dissapointed as IWC could have very easily turned this around by offering or at least show sign of care.. but I guess I expected too much.
Now I'm thinking I should have kept it.. But at the same time it probably confused the hell out of me when I'm using it.
I would view this as a good outcome! ... Enjoying another new watch in such a short time :)
It,s a very curious thing. Nobody is waiting something similar. But now you can say you have a unique IWC. And it's true.
I think you are being unrealistic in your expectation. IWC made a mistake, and an embarassing mistake at that. They admitted their mistake. Rather than make you wait for repair, they have said they will simply replace the watch with a brand new one. I don't think they owe you any other "compensation for my time wasted", and I don't know of any other luxury good manufacturer that compensates for "time wasted" - not autos (at least not Lexus, BMW, or Mercedes in my experience), not watches, not fountain pens, and not jewelry.
Personally, I would have kept the watch and enjoyed it as the oddity it is. But you said you didn't like it that way, and IWC reponded and replaced it promptly. I don't think you should feel any disappointment.
Just my opinion. Others may vary.
Well, agree and disagree with some of your points. It was first time I've bought relatively "luxury" brand (well, to a certain point) watch and I thought I was paying "luxury" amount for the "quality" and "service". Replacing a watch is one thing but at the same time I would liked some "compliments" for the mistake (even a nice IWC pen would have made me happy!), but as you've mentioned such thing doesn't exist anymore and may be I was being little bit unrealistic :|
It wasn't the experience I needed for my wedding watch and going through the hassle of getting it replaced after initial purchase, all the waiting time to get response, especially when it was the first IWC purchase, but well, things happen and I should get over it now. I didn't know how process works or what was the "norm" in this case. May be I'm just paying for the price for sending it back rather than keeping it :(
I just find it interesting that people can be generous on matters/errors made from luxury products, while it can make people to jump over little things. In this case this matter made me jump I guess - which may have been acceptable to different people.
At the end, I'm not a collector and all I really wanted was a nice watch on my wrist, which had correct 7 and 8 so I can tell the correct time that I DREAMED to get for 2.5 years... 5001 was the watch I wanted to have for long time. If I forget everything in the middle, it is the end result I will get.. so.. I should be happy now :)
Lesson well learned.
Thank you for everyone for generous notes/interests on this post. I will see if I can post normal 5001 once I get them.
I think to close this discussion positively, you should post here photos of the new 5001 as soon as you get it...
best,
y
Only 3 with that imperfection makes that a rare watch.. Over time that will be worth a premium.. Reminds me of some stamps that are worth a fortune because of mistakes in printing..
But I do understand your wanting what you paid for..
Hopefully, it may be put in the IWC museum rather than destroyed..
Greetings Tony,
Your comments gave me pause to think about what direction this whole issue could go and what a win-win customer relations opportunity could this turn out to be.
First, I don't believe this rare mistake will end up in the IWC museum as I think it's reserved for prestige pieces only...LOL. However, it would certainly be appropriate for it to end up as a "training tool" for every department to recognize how it impacts their contribution/efforts in making this watch not only a premium quality product but the excellent service and support it receives after the sales purchase. Without those two ingredients, I doubt there would be many IWC owners with more than one watch in their collection.
Interestingly, IMO , MP3MUSIC is a newbie participant to the Forum. He has taken the time and interest to post his experience supported by some great photos which we Forum regulars don't get to see that often ( only 3 times this happened in the past did I read ? ) That said, I'm sure this post has been forwarded or viewed by IWC relations and they are aware that this "mistake" somehow reached the retail environment. Sharing this has made everyone aware that even with all the checks and balances in place, with all the pairs of eyes that had a chance to see it, "S--- Happens".
So raises the opportunity..... My feelings are that MP3MUSIC is going to be happy with his "replaced" watch. This was the right and only thing for IWC to do in this case rather than swap the dial out. For me, I would not ever feel happy about that watch if it were repaired since my confidence level would not be high always thinking in the back of my mind that if a "mistake dial" could make it's way to the consumer, what else in the build of that watch could have been overlooked by QC.
I smiled when MP3MUSIC said " a IWC pen would have made me happy " for the inconvenience. As I said, I believe he will be happy with his "new" watch, but I'll bet he would be ecstatic if IWC customer relations reached out to him with something a bit special considering this a very unique and rare case. For example, a upgraded Santoni on that new 5001 would probably put MP3MUSIC on top of the world and how much more exciting his dream watch would now become. For the very successful IWC company, the minimal cost of that Santoni becomes "priceless" in terms of public perception. What a wonderful opportunity to show how a company values it's customer and how it strives to make every IWC luxury watch buying experience the ultimate in the industry.
MP3MUSIC....I've got a feeling this is going to turn out better than you could imagine. Of course, I'm sure we will hear from you the exciting details.
Keeping my eyes crossed,
Andy
Hello,
Thank you very much for your post Andy.
Your comments about myself being happy after receiving the new watch was 100% correct :), however it could have been ecstatic if I have received a complimentary upgrade as you've mentioned.
I guess I've started to fire up was when issue was forwarded from AD to IWC. In first instance, I've raised a concern at IWC website and also to this forum. I've initially received official response from Australian Richmont arm, indicating "your comments has been received and forwarded to QC/HQ". To be honest, "if" I received apologies at this point (which they have eventually, after receiving official response from HQ/QC), I probably didn't get fired up too much about compensation or "gifts" (May be I was bit greedy here, but imagine the surprise I had - First dream watch and got a funky error).
In a positive point of view, IWC was very fast reacting to this matter by organizing replacement quickly. In fact I've receive a new watch (which I will post photo soon! :)) in two weeks with a little complimentary gift pack (Key-ring, Case and IWC magazines).
The late apologies from IWC and the fact IWC seems to have thought that "we are giving you a new one rather than repair so be thankful" made me bit upset, as it did wasted fair bit of my time, and made me to re-think about what and what not to expect from luxury brand.
It was interesting to see that some people were saying "IWC should go further", when other people were saying "be thankful for IWC to replace it rather than repair it and they've done more than they should have".
If (-yes "if") IWC apologized in first response (AD did apologize many times) and "if" they offered any other type of "gift" due to this mistake prior me asking for it (e.g. Santoni strap upgrade probably sent me to the moon because of happiness), I probably have become super royal promoter of IWC brand.
However when I started to think that I'm begging for compensation or "gift", that ship has sailed. I still love my watch and probably will end up getting IWC watch later stage, but after this hassle my love towards IWC brand definitely went down fair bit.
At the same time, making someone a "promoter" of a brand is not a quantifiable measure, however offering "complimentary" or "gift" is a quantifiable measure, so I also understand IWC's point of view.
THINGS HAPPEN!
Anyways, once again thank you very much for all the comments, and I will upload picture of 5001-14 shortly with the complimentary gifts I have received :)
Received a replacement watch, with some complimentary gifts.
All I will do now is enjoy rather than worrying about the issue! and not late on 7:00 appointments :D
Congratulations on a great watch. In my opinion IWC treated you in a very correct way. Mistakes happen, and you made one too, not noticing the imperfection when you bought the first one. You shouldn't expect such a number switch, but still, my wife spotted it within a second. Enjoy it!
Kind regards,
Paul
here you go....great looking watch...so I guess that now should start the regular string of congratulations...and you certainly get mine...
in addition, you got there a cool keyholder..
all the best,
y
Was this reaction by IWC triggered by your public complaint in this forum?