TICINO WR Issue. Irresponsible seller: Sizzlin' Watches

4096 Views 10 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Luskar, Dec 19, 2013

G.Zgidnick

Discussion Starter · Dec 16, 2013 (Edited)

I would like to write this report to warn any potential customers to take extra care when dealing with online Ticino reseller - Sizzlin' Watches.
Several months ago I purchased a watch, the ST-19 Pilot watch to be precise:
Sizzlin' Watches - The ultimate resource for high-end watches and watch parts

If you review the pictures on their website, one of them clearly indicates "WATER RESISTANT 3ATM" engraved on the back on the watch.
They also provide 1 Year warranty with the watch.

The watches was shipped from Miami, obviously it traveled from China to Miami first before being sold to customers throughout the world.

Now, my story. Since I acquired the watch took extra care of it.
It is a fine watch with high grade ST-19 movement inside which comes with high quality leather strap. Very accurate (+/- 5 sec) a day.
Very nicely brushed case with doomed hardened crystal.

Although it was sold as water resistant I never exposed the watch to any wet conditions, I don't even expose my 10ATM watches as like to maintain them clean, tidy and in top condition. One day though, completely unselfconsciously took the watch in the bath with me. Took a short shower. On the next morning the crystal from inside indicated serious condensation.

Opened Sizzlin' Watches website, and used the SINGLE contract form they provide as way of contact.
Explained the situation and advised that this is a recent purchase under warranty. - No response.
Did it again. - No response.
And again. - No response.

I took the watch to m local watchmaker, he cleaned the watch for me.

Sizzlin' Watches - I leave it to WUS community to decide whether should bankrupt or not.
WUS gave them a chance, WUS should decide.

Cheers.
MG.

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wessa

· #2 · Dec 16, 2013

3 ATM water resistance means the watch is barely splash proof, i.e. don't get it too wet when you are washing your hands. This is equally applicable to the multi $K Swiss watches, not just Chinese made.
Here is what Breitling advises on their web site for instance:

Information on water resistance - Service - Breitling - Instruments for Professionals

Hence I am not surprised your watch fogged up after you took a bath with it.
Now, why the seller ignored your query? That is another question that I have no answer to.

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Okapi001

· #3 · Dec 16, 2013

wessa said:
Here is what Breitling advises on their web site for instance:

The claim on their website "The wearer's movements (diving, jumping, swimming, etc) as well as the force of the water (shower jets, river currents, waterfalls, etc) can considerably increase the pressure" is simply not true. You would be hard pressed to add even one whole ATM that way. You can read more on that topic here.
https://www.watchuseek.com/f17/water-resistance-myth-vs-reality-159142.html

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captaincaveman79

· #4 · Dec 16, 2013

I've had good experiences with Rob. He replaced my pilot chrono twice within the 1 yr warranty period. First two had issues with the chrono resetting.

As for the water resistance... I would not even wash dishes with a watch rated to 3 ATM; let alone one that is manual wind and has chrono pushers plus a display case back. Way too many points of entry for water to work its way into the case. Your messages definitely deserve to be responded to but whether Rob is obligated to address this problem or not is debateable. The fact that water got into your watch is regrettable but not surprising given its design and intent.

Had the watch in question been a diver...

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wessa

· #5 · Dec 16, 2013

Okapi001 said:
The claim on their website "The wearer's movements (diving, jumping, swimming, etc) as well as the force of the water (shower jets, river currents, waterfalls, etc) can considerably increase the pressure" is simply not true. You would be hard pressed to add even one whole ATM that way. You can read more on that topic here.
https://www.watchuseek.com/f17/water-resistance-myth-vs-reality-159142.html

OK, you go swimming with yours, good luck.
I will not.

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skeester

· #6 · Dec 16, 2013

I have had excellent dealings with sizzlin so I would give him another chance. I agree that 3atm should not be put underwater. Factory Water resistance ratings are misleading.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

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watchcrank_tx

· #7 · Dec 16, 2013

skeester said:
Factory Water resistance ratings are misleading.

This, in my opinion, is one of the disgraces of the industry, and sellers should absolutely explain it to buyers, in plain language, and preferably removable stickers covering the dial where they cannot be missed. Generally speaking though, my guess is that most watches rated 3 atmospheres will not pass a 3 atmosphere pressure test. I trust Seiko enough to swim in a 3 atmo SNK805, but I'd have little faith in most other makers.

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G.Zgidnick

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 17, 2013 (Edited)

Fair enough.

What do you understand by 'second chance'? - Maybe begging on my knees to have my customers rights recognized?
Is that how we should do? - Some may agree, who knows....

320$ is ridiculous amount of money to risk even the slightest of the possibilities to harm your reputation, especially your business reputation. Yet some businessman may not agree also, who knows...

Regards
MG

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CWMV

· #9 · Dec 18, 2013 (Edited)

Your experiences seem to be the exception rather than the rule. Lots of people here have exchanged watches through sizzlinwatches with no problems.
That said here's hoping your issue is resolved.

Edit to add, what was the time frame for the attempted contacts?

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AlbertaTime

· #10 · Dec 18, 2013

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Luskar

· #11 · Dec 19, 2013

Maybe there's a problem with the guy from Sizzlin. He use to be around here, selling on the Sales Forum and responding to thread concerning his watches.

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