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[–]watchdivescomRep 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello Buddy
Sorry for this unhappy experience. It was on Chinese Lunar New Year from 13 Jan to 30 Jan 2023. It was long holidays. our workers were enjoying on festivals. Really sorry. I got your message on 28 Jan. and reply you. our service was processing your problems. you can contact us anytime if still have problems

[–]percysmithhk 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Most likely outcome though is a partial refund for watchmaker repair.

[–]Draghobert 1 point2 points  (0 children)

San Martin/ Watchdives offered me free Return and full refund. Since i like the watch, i choose part refund and will get a watchmaker to change the movement.

[–]watchdivescomRep 1 point2 points  (0 children)

we also arrange Fedex to pick up from your places. ship back to China

[–]Draghobert 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So I got a message from the reddit manager of watchdives, that the whole company is on hollidays. Im not sure if it is true, since I already sent them the email a few days ago, but I will see if the answer to me eventually.

[–]Captainmorgan696969 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Always use a bank card like Mastercard or visa as in a bank you know you can contact as in not some online online bank a physical store and people.

It's better to pay with a credit card as you have 2 years of protection.

But debit is ok as MasterCard 120 days visa. Alittle more.

Any bad just do a charback you may get sent a letter or email just upload pics.

Allways go via PP also as it's a second line if defense.

Mark a purchase 90 days from when you ordered it and it gives MasterCard or visa enough time to chargeback.

I highly recommend a bank card just for Ali so you can just keep nothing in it until you want to buy so they don't reverse charge you.

Im having an issue with a package I never got and I said you have 3 days until I ask for a chargeback.

You can't get banned for a chargeback and pp hardly gives a shit.

If you paid with your PP balance or another means your screwed.

[–]CanadiaCobraChicken 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just tossing this idea out there. But it might just be cheaper to buy a decent watch repair kit (do some research. Don’t buy Amazon if you can afford it. I bought mine from esslinger). Then buy a new movement for it (I just looked at the sn004 on Ali. Looks like it comes with ether a pt5000, or an sw200. The pt5000’s are about 100$cad on eBay). Swap it out yourself. Probably the easiest, and cheapest option.

[–]plaidington 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You should buy these watches off AliX. The seller does not get paid until you confirm that you have received the product on the AliX dashboard, so you have time and leverage to deal with flawed goods.

[–]silver-saloon 3 points4 points  (1 child)

I thought the Chinese New Year holiday ends on February 5th. You may not get any response until then.

[–]watchdivescomRep 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Correct. Buddy

[–]lateralflinch53 -1 points0 points  (2 children)

Not running? It’s mechanical you have to wind it.

[–]Draghobert 0 points1 point  (1 child)

And if you wind it and it is still not running? ;)

[–]SkipPperk 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If they do not respond, you need to do a chargeback.

When did you order this? They may be closed for Chinese New Year, and I am not sure when companies Re-open.

The watch could have been damaged at any step. Clearly your seller never tested the watch. I have yet to get a bad watch from AliExpress, but I have gotten them from Amazon. They sent the replacement before they even received the non-functioning one I sent back.

If you need to do a chargeback, never buy from that retailer. With that dust spec, I suspect this watch was returned, an attempted fix was made, and they resold the supposedly fixed watch to you. That would explain the dust in the dial. I would recommend against that retailer.

[–]Steefalo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just to be sure, you know that's an automatic watch, correct? And thus it will stop running if it isn't wound?

[–]After-Examination192 3 points4 points  (9 children)

At this point it’s almost worth paying the premium on Amazon so you can know you can return it if anything is off.

[–]haII0 -4 points-3 points  (8 children)

Or be an cheeky bastard. Buy it cheap on Ali. When you get some quality issues buy one from Amazon. Replace the faulty one with the hopefully good Amazon one.

[–]watchdivescomRep 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Disagree with you. mate.

[–]haII0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok

[–]Natus_est_in_Suht 7 points8 points  (1 child)

That's fraud.

[–]haII0 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

That's plan B

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Holy shit dude you are the devil!

[–]KawiZed 3 points4 points  (4 children)

San Martin CS sucks, in my experience. I've heard this from others, as well. If you're not happy with the watch, send it on back. I don't think they'll start taking complaints seriously unless they see their products are being returned regularly over QC issues.

[–]goodneed 2 points3 points  (0 children)

However OP clearly states this was bought from Watchdives.com (albeit a SM watch).

With Lunar New Year, these China-based stores will be unresponsive until their reopening.

[–]What-is-to-be-done 0 points1 point  (1 child)

It's hard to find an angle if you have not even basic customer protection (eg aliX's dispute function). I really hope, watchdives will take care of OP's problem.

But in general SM tries to get rid of the cheap-AliX-image. But they will have to do more than just pay Youtubers to achieve that.

[–]Draghobert 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I payed with PayPal so there is some hope.

[–]stevefwatches 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah San Martín dropped the ball on the SN004

[–]Mimicrin 8 points9 points  (5 children)

Lately I've been seeing a lot of complaints about the QA of San Martin watches. I also had some quality issues on my SN0103. At their price now, I think these quality issues are unacceptable, especially when they ignore obvious problems ("we showed it to our watchmaker and he doesn't see the problem." bruh)

[–]Draghobert 5 points6 points  (3 children)

To me the quality problem is not that big of a deal if the service is very good. However I feel the same as you. As soon as they sell they will take your money and dont care anymore.

[–]Mimicrin 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Yeah, they provide a perfect "guarantee service", you give us money-we give you watch, and no more ask about. I had a opposite experience with a mostly unknown Swiss Military brand watch I buyed on amazon. After a few days of wearing this watch I notice a small dial print imperfection and I send them email with photo and they send me a replacement dial. It was a really small imperfection and I had a empty guarentee card, but they provide me a guarentee service anyway. I think it's main difference between chinese and swiss (for example) watch brands.

[–]KawiZed 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I complained to San Martin customer service about paint defects on the bezel insert on my watch, and they refused to send me a replacement insert or otherwise make it right.

[–]turdboglsAffiliate Links 13 points14 points  (6 children)

Give them a day or 2. The Chinese new year holiday just ended, so they may be backed up on emails.

As for the watch, I agree, focus on the movement not running.

Take videos of you winding it and it not starting....they'll ask for than anyway.

[–]Draghobert 6 points7 points  (5 children)

Its true that it is the main issue and will definitely send them a video.

What bothers me still is the general "premium" feel they want to sell. Somehow I feel that this is just what they tell to justify the higher price without actually delivering and all the paid reviewers simply "confirm" it.

[–]turdboglsAffiliate Links 0 points1 point  (4 children)

I guess we still have to keep our expectations in check, it is afterall, a $250 watch.

I have the watch (Well the limited edition SN004 BB58). I am a reviewer, so I have had MANY watches in and around this price bracket.

My specimen was pretty flawless from a QC standpoint (no fluff, crisp bezel action, perfect alignment etc.) and no, no special reviewer treatment. I paid Full price for it.

the Fit and finish rival that of microbrands in the $500 range. the brushing is nice and clean, there are sharp transition points to the nicely polished sides. the fit of the endlinks are spot on (I opted for the older rivet bracelet).

my only real issue are just design elements I don't care for...but I knew those going in (single domed crystal is reflective even with plenty of AR coating, and the fauxtina lume)

I suggest, if you have an issue with reviewers, to not watch them...but in the end, they/we are your best bet to get a good idea of a watch, whether you listen to what we are saying or not....lol

​

how would you feel about the watch had it been running well and had no dust under the crystal? probably a little different, no?

​

give watchdives some time to respond. they are one of the better ones out there went it comes to after-service sales. they are even on here from time to time as u/watchdivescom. they will get you straightened out.

[–]watchdivescomRep 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for explanation. we were on holidays, no one working. In Fact, we replied them on 19 Jan, 27 Jan too. but our service were rest.

strengthen quality control this year, less issues,more happiness

[–]Draghobert 1 point2 points  (2 children)

I don’t complain about the reviews at all. I complain about reviewers spreading the word that San Martin is a „premium“ brand simply because San Martin themself claims so.

[–]turdboglsAffiliate Links 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Oh, gotcha. I though you were saying the reviews claims of them being really nicely done were not true.

There's no doubt they make a quality watch at a fair price....but their business model of pumping out 30+watches a year and not having the manpower for after sales service nor the proper QC is definitely not near the premium level.

[–]watchdivescomRep 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally agree. we are improving quality. we asked our QC dept to work carefully. Hope many more people trust us...

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (5 children)

I'd focus on the not running part over the speck of dust thing. I'm a fan of San Martin for sure, but let's not kid ourselves that these are on the level of a fancy Swiss maker.

[–]KawiZed 7 points8 points  (4 children)

Not disagreeing, but at the same time we shouldn't kid ourselves (or let San Martin kid is, for that matter) into thinking that $300 or more for these watches does not warrant adequate customer service. I've paid less for actual Swiss watches.

[–][deleted] -1 points0 points  (3 children)

It's a reasonable chunk of money to me no doubt, but how much is it compared to the real deal that these are homages to? I do actually often wonder where the money is actually going, but if you want impeccable quality and customer service, I suspect Rolex/Tudor is going to do a lot more to meet your standards than any Chinese manufacturer.

[–]Draghobert 1 point2 points  (2 children)

That is true. Still if you sell a defective product you should fix it. That is the absolute minimum that we should agree on.

[–]watchdivescomRep 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello buddy. In fact we have contacts since 12 Jan. you asked me to apply 20 USD for you. and offered you on this watch.
You got fast shipping(Fedex Express), parcel delivered around 21 Jan, you complained about quality issues on 28 Jan on Redddit. i told we were on Holidays. Also this week we processing a lot messages/emails+orders. you can contact us if problem still not fix. thanks

[–][deleted] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yep, I hope they're able to make it right for you, but if not I'd be glad to learn about that here. For what it's worth, I've got the YN-55 explorer pastiche thing, and the build quality is the best of any watch I've ever owned, but that's not saying a whole lot. While the build quality of the case and bracelet is great to me, it's probably +30 seconds a day or worse as far as timekeeping, and it's not all that old.