Good day to you fine sirs,
I figured I would try this forum to see what you all think about a little dilemma of mine. It has to do with one of my watches that has recently spent more time in the shop than on my wrist.
*** Optional background ***
First of all, let me tell you a bit about the watch. A bit more than a year ago I decided to purchase this Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic. I believe I paid in the area of $350 for it. Here is a review of it:
Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic 42mm
At first, I wasn't sure I liked how it looked on my wrist, but it grew on me. It became my 'everywhere' watch, eventually outshining my Tissot. With a nylon strap it was much more casual, yet the beautiful convex crystal and sharp numerals lent it a classic look. I really got addicted to the convex crystal that wouldn't blind me on sunny days. Also, a key point is that it is water resistant to a static 100 meters.
When my girlfriend and I were moving to DC last year, I had an accident with my Hamilton. I intended to take it off and put it in my pocket for safety, but instead dropped it onto concrete. Minus a scuff it looked fine, so I thought nothing of it and made a mental note to send it in for a checkup after we had settled down again.
Months passed... a new state, a new job, wannabe muggers... long story.
One morning after coming in from the cold I saw the crystal was fogging, so I hurried to find a reputable local watch repair shop. I took it in within days and explained the fogging and the drop a few months ago. A week later I get it back with a bill totalling around $250 to replace a bent stem and new seals for the crown. Fine, my mistake for dropping it. Thank you sir, good day.
Resting easy with my newly sealed and pressure tested watch I lounged by the pool in sunny yet depressing Rancho Cucamonga on a business trip, I decided to go for a dip. I like being able to see how long I've been afloat for, shoot me.
*** The meat of the post, questions ***
You may be able to guess where this is going by now as the next cool morning I find my crystal foggy again.
When I come back to DC I immediately took it back to the shop to have them dry it out and reseal it. The guy gave me a friendly talking-to about rapid temperature changes between the jacuzzi and pool, which I sheepishly accepted since this follow up visit was on them. Except for the fogging, the watch looked fine at this point. Holidays came and went along with a week or two before I was able to go back to the shop and pick up my watch. When I went back and my heart sank. Not only had the numbering on the face bled, but the crystal had an overall fuzzy look to it. The rep couldn't give me a solid answer as to why my watch had changed since I dropped it off. I asked to inspect it closer and ended up stepping outside for a minute. Luckily for me, it was a cold day and I was able to see that my crystal was forming not a gentle fogging, but actual droplets inside. My first thought was 'Did these guys even open it or did it sit wet in the safe for 3 weeks?'
The rep and I spent the better part of an hour discussing the subtle differences between water droplets and preexisting water spots. During this time he kept reassuring me that "the watch expert pressure tested it on the same machine they test Rolexes on." At first he wouldn't accept that there were droplets inside, but after inspecting with his loupe he conceded that there might be trapped moisture. I am to hear back from them within a week.
:rant:
To try and reign in this rambling post, where would you say this leaves me? I stayed civil with the rep and didn't make any accusations, but I almost felt like pointing at a similar Hamilton in the display case and saying "I'll take that one as a replacement". Am I out of line in thinking that what happened to my watch while in their care is their responsibility? Should I demand that they fix it like new? What would be the best way to push back on them and not let them wash their hands of it? I guess I feel they owe me a certain confidence that if they pressure tested it, it should be water resistant.
Thanks for reading, I eagerly await your thoughts
Rob
