Hi Paul

Sounds like a great trip, however i guess the edge was slightly taken off it by some disappointment...

I have heard much mixed tales from TH Swiss service, some great and some disasters and i guess it perhaps depends on who ultimately ends up with your watch there. As ever in one dept there can be a mix of people, with different skill levels and knowledge, i know this is the case in my office! The worst instance i know about is a 1133b that was sent the end of 2009 and it came back with a horror lume job of hands and dial, colour and application was very poor indeed. But incorrect polishing must be up there as well...

Perhaps there should be some failsafe (if the knowledge is not there) then perhaps they should ask the owner or an external expert before making a fundamental error with parts or only allow the very best to touch these rare vintage pieces, its not as if they are easily replaceable like their modern TH cousins...TH are obviously drawing on this vintage world to their own advantage at present, so in the end its very important for them to get these details correct, however it can sometimes be a minefield and on this board we are the anoraks who have this attention to details, that many do not, so i guess they are unlikely ever to reach our levels of knowledge - (again another good reason to ask and seek advice though)

I'm sure they will rectify the issue P and i look forward to discussing a happy outcome when we next meet for lunch.

Cheers

Rich
www.heuermonaco.co.uk

: Last week I was in Geneva and I took a day out to visit Tag Heuer
: HQ in La Chaux-de-fonds. It’s a 2 hour train ride plus a short
: bus trip to the modern office complex clearly visible on the
: outskirts of the town. The people were courteous and I was given
: access to the museum. It’s an impressive, modern design well
: stocked with historical pieces representing many of their
: achievements from 1860 to the present. My interest lies in the
: period 1964 to 1984 and they had a good selection of the popular
: models. The most striking pieces in my opinion were a Carrera
: Dato and a white dial Autavia 45 screw back case, dauphine hands
: and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway logo all in pristine
: condition. This may well be the only one of its kind and the
: dial markers and outer minute track are most interesting.
: (Please excuse the pictures - they were shot without tripod and
: through the glass).

:
:

:
:

:
:

: In addition to the museum visit I was there to collect three pieces
: that had been serviced/restored – all Autavia 1163’s (T, MH
: and GMT). I have had pieces restored and serviced by Abel and
: Nic and they both did fantastic work so my expectations of Tag
: Heuer service team were high. I left the building with mixed
: emotions and only one of the three pieces – the Siffert. The
: other two were the symptom of a philosophy very different to
: mine. I treasure the watches in my collection and when it comes
: to any work done to them I have become a perfectionist. If I
: choose to have a case polished I expect it to be correct.
: Attention to detail is all important and in this respect Tag
: Heuer failed. The GMT case received a brushed edge. The MH was a
: complete disaster. It came back in a very nice 11630 case. Not
: quite what I was expecting. This is a special piece in my
: collection – early dial, cal 11 movement and low serial number
: Schmitz case. They had no explanation for me and I did not have
: the time to hang around so I have left the remaining two pieces
: in Switzerland in the hands of their Customer Service team.

:
:

: I will reserve my judgement depending on the final outcome. Anyone
: can make a mistake (or two) but sometimes it is the way the
: mistake is rectified that can really speak volumes about the
: overall service. My Siffert is superb with new bezel, crystal,
: pushers and crown. The other two remain in their hands and I
: sincerely hope that they turn this around and make my experience
: one to remember for the right reasons and not the other way
: around. I will certainly report back on the outcome.

: Regards to all
: Paul

: PS Geneva is a lovely city. I just wish I had more time to look for
: vintage Heuers.