New Tag F1 scratched?

Cl2G
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My new Tag F1 came in the other day to jareds. New in box direct from their distributor, but it has a few " micro scratches " on the band and clasp. As well as a small pinpoint of silver showing through the titanium carbide coating on the bezel in one spot. While unsightly they're very unnoticeable compared to normal wear & scratches.

I was writing to see if this is normal for there be to small or slight marks from the factory on a new watch at this price point. Or if it's unacceptable and something I should return or exchange.

I understand there will be wear and more scars to come. But was just curious how " perfect " new watches usually come, as this is my first.
 
Hubert
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Watches that come directly from the manufacturer should be pristine. On the other hand, watches that have been on display will show it. I suspect the "distributor" could be another Jared branch. Sometimes timepieces and jewelry can show some wear, based on the amount of times they have been handled and the care they had.

If you feel unsatisfied by its condition, then you should talk to the dealer and try to ask for a replacement. Just be ready, as the dealer will probably try to downplay or reject your request, suggesting the watch is under acceptable condition in accordance to their policies.
 
OttoWilliam
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Sometimes AD bring in their stocks separately between the watch, and the strap, and the box, and the manual book. Perhaps to avoid tax. I won't judge them anything. But sometimes by doing that when they re-place it together, sometimes it wasnt done in the most appropriate fashion. The AD in my town usually made light scratches on the lugs near the strap. Again, i am not judging or accussing them of anything, its just something that i noticed over the years.
 
elbeik
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I've noticed many customers who'd try on all the watches in the shop, with no particular care to handling, and randomly putting them back on the counter submitting the said watches to potential damages.
Of course with no intention of buying anything.
 
WernerBoeinck
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elbeik elbeik
I've noticed many customers who'd try on all the watches in the shop, with no particular care to handling, and randomly putting them back on the counter submitting the said watches to potential damages.
Of course with no intention of buying anything.

Don't want to accuse anybody. But a way to a lower Price?
 
OttoWilliam
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Does your AD usually cover the watch with plastic wrapping ? Mine does. But i suspect the mild damage was due to releasing the strap and putting it back. Maybe it is a boring job after hundred of watches.
 
elbeik
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WernerBoeinck WernerBoeinck
Don't want to accuse anybody. But a way to a lower Price?
Not accusing anyone. But sometimes jumping from one style to another is not indicative of a purchase.
 
Cl2G
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That's exactly what happened, they tried selling me one transferred from another store with damage from being tried on and mishandled " As New. "

I simply returned it and ordered directly from Tag's website, came the next day before 10 a.m. in perfect condition!

Another quick question I had is on how to store this at night to avoid scratches etc.

Would this be fine laying on it's side most evenings when I take it off?



IMG-2104.JPG
 
Hubert
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Glad to hear this had a happy ending.

If you're concerned about scratching it, then place it on a soft or rubber mat away from keys or other hard items that could make contact.

Cheers!
 
OttoWilliam
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Cl2G Cl2G
That's exactly what happened, they tried selling me one transferred from another store with damage from being tried on and mishandled " As New. "

I simply returned it and ordered directly from Tag's website, came the next day before 10 a.m. in perfect condition!

Another quick question I had is on how to store this at night to avoid scratches etc.

Would this be fine laying on it's side most evenings when I take it off?



IMG-2104.JPG
I put them on the side like that for the one that i am using daily. For the one waiting on standby, i usually put them back inside the box. So far no problem for both either on the side or inside the box. I would suggest do not put anywhere near magnetic. Like your TV or handphone. Apart from the obvious keys or other hard items as mentioned by Hubert.
 
Cl2G
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Awesome, I was wondering if that would be ok.

I know it'll get scratches and marks from daily use and I'm ok with that. But no accidents! haha.
 
OttoWilliam
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Cl2G Cl2G
Awesome, I was wondering if that would be ok.

I know it'll get scratches and marks from daily use and I'm ok with that. But no accidents! haha.
Yeah. Daily use scars actually add characters to the watch. As long as the movement wasnt impaired i guess you been doing a great job of your wrist hugger friend.
 
P
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Return it. You paid to much money for a watch thats suppose to be new!!!
 
Cl2G
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Well here's where the plot thickens,

somehow during folding laundry, my towels exactly, with no metal parts or zippers etc at all the watches AR coating on the saphire crystal was scratched.

Needless to say I'm absolutely livid at a 3 day old watch being scratched so easily because of tags poor decision to use a coating that's so delicate on the OUTSIDE of a scratch proof advertised lense.

I am returning it to Tag and probably will never buy another TH again,

My father has had several over the years, the oldest being nearly 20 years old and those are still flawless after hundreds of hours of wear and use, indoors, outdoors, kayaking etc with no scratches whatsoever on the sapphire and mineral crystals................

I'll either be buying my first rolex or an omega without any AR when I find a model I like without it.
 
imagwai
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Cl2G Cl2G
Well here's where the plot thickens,

somehow during folding laundry, my towels exactly, with no metal parts or zippers etc at all the watches AR coating on the saphire crystal was scratched.

Needless to say I'm absolutely livid at a 3 day old watch being scratched so easily because of tags poor decision to use a coating that's so delicate on the OUTSIDE of a scratch proof advertised lense.

I am returning it to Tag and probably will never buy another TH again,

My father has had several over the years, the oldest being nearly 20 years old and those are still flawless after hundreds of hours of wear and use, indoors, outdoors, kayaking etc with no scratches whatsoever on the sapphire and mineral crystals................

I'll either be buying my first rolex or an omega without any AR when I find a model I like without it.
Are you seriously suggesting that a towel scratched your AR?
 
Cl2G
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I'm not suggesting it. It did. A towel. I'd only worn it around the house that evening and it surely didn't contact anything else as careful as I had been.

A complete joke, Then tag's customer service was terrible as well. It was supposed to come sized, did not, and they asked me to travel an hour away to get it sized at an AD boutique only.......................

Needless to say my experience with tag, their cs and quality, not to mention the issues with Jared, one of their largest AD's in the states selling me two used ones in a row " as new " I'm pretty much done with Tag Heuer having wasted my time at this point.
 
Cl2G
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I really looked into it as I had planned on keeping it forever, I'd rather not have to correct a poor decision in design by modifying a brand new $1275 watch from the start.

No company should be putting a plastic coating over an advertised " scratch resistant " sapphire crystal.

They do that specifically to encourage replacement and added expense on the owners part at serviced intervals if you haven't realized that by now, they do it specifically to encourage the replacement and cost of it instead of providing the highest quality and most durable component to their customers....

Like I said, I've been around my fathers and uncles Tag's, Hublot's & Rolex's my entire life and this is the first time I've seen such an issue, as those either have no coating in the case of Rolex, or one Under the lense as how it should be...................
 
Hubert
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Respectfully, what I can tell you is that over the span of over 20 years, I've collected 18 TAG Heuer chronographs (still have all them), ranging from entry level F1s (one from the 90s, another one from 2 years ago) and up-the-chain, and I've never experienced the situation you are describing. Granted I've never had your exact model.

In any case, other people should definitely pitch in, if they've ever endured something similar with their crystals and external AR coating. On the Omega forum, some people did ask about it and recommended using microfiber cloths to clean it.

If you have made a final decision, then sorry to see you go, and best of luck with whichever other watch you choose.
 
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