I think this watch is driving me insane

They look a bit tilted, indeed. Once you know it is hard to unsee it.

Even the 12 looks tilted. Since it sold out so fast you could probably recover your purchase if it’s that annoying to you. I probably would.

I would agree that the 9 o’clock looks v slightly off and that may be throwing it all off. I looked at a few other posts of the same watch and the Zelos website images and it didn’t seem as obvious anywhere else. I don’t think it’s out by much but it obviously doesn’t take much.

I would take as digital pic square on and then copy the pic into something easy like PowerPoint and then try to put a narrow horizontal rectangle just around the 9 and 3 indices. The should give you a good feel for whether it’s just an illusion of how off they might be.

Completely understand why it’s driving you mad - good luck but hopefully you can figure it out.

I actually love the effect of domed crystals so I don’t think it would bother me. It adds to the character and depth for new. That is one beautiful watch!

Super cool looking piece great dial …!!⭐️💯

I would email them the pictures, I hear they're very responsive. Mine doesn't have that issue.

Thanks. I did and included this picture. I honestly don’t expect a refund because I took stickers off and resized the bracelet. It’s my fault for being excited and not inspecting the purchase. But I did tell Elshan I am dissatisfied and we will see how he responds.

Hope it turns out well for you. Please let us know how it goes.

Hi Brynn, I was just browsing the internet regarding any follow up comments regarding the recent Zelos Blacktip watch issues. I inadvertently arrived at your post on WatchCrunch. I was surprised to read your comments regarding the misaligned indices. I have had the exact same issue with the indices being misaligned on a Frost version of the watch and the indices in question being identical to the indices in your photos. I agree, nothing worse than looking at a poorly put together watch face! I also emailed Zelos to inform them of my dissatisfaction and they have posted me a new piece and to return the original sub standard watch. I will only receive the replacement watch in about a week as I live in the UK. So I’m hoping this second watch is up to the standard, if not I’ll be requesting a refund.

I’ve just now joined WatchCrunch, so I could respond to your post. Good luck with your watch. I would expect that they should at least offer you a replacement, if not a refund for what is in effect a defective watch, which shouldn’t have passed Zelos quality control. It makes me wonder how many other people have noticed the same issue?

Barty, I really appreciate your message, as it gives me some hope that I might get a satisfactory resolution to my problem with the watch.

I thought at first my eyes were playing tricks on me, as I do have astigmatism. But the more I looked, the more pictures I took, it was clear things were definitely amiss! $549 is a lot for me to spend on a watch: the only time I’ve ever spent that much before was on my Alpinist. The Seiko looks perfect (ironically, given how much crap Seiko gets for bad qc) and I adore it. I’ll attach a pic. It never occurred to me that Zelos would let something like this slip through. I guess I presumed because it’s a smaller operation there would be more attention to detail, not less.

Anyway, I’ll be sure to message back and let you know what I hear. Do you mind sharing a pick or two of your unsatisfactory Zelos? Was it about as bad as mine? Worse, lol?

Cheers from your new friend in the Colonies,

Brynn

I will certainly do so.

Hi Brynn, Coincidentally, I also have astigmatism and wear spectacles to correct my vision. So, I was confident my eyes weren’t playing tricks. I had my partner look at the watch just to confirm the issue and she could also notice the misalignment. The indices on my watch are probably not quite as bad as yours but just as annoying. Once I’d noticed the problem, I was finding my eyes were being drawn to the annoying issue. And after spending what is not an insubstantial amount of money I wouldn’t have expected to receive a watch with such issues. As you say, Seiko often gets bad press for quality control, especially misaligned bezels but I don’t recall seeing any problems with poorly applied indices! Before making my purchase I assessed what reviews were saying on line and they were giving the watches glowing reports! I actually watched the countdown to the launch of the Blacktip, to make an immediate purchase, as all expectations were for the watches to soon sell out. Again, I wouldn’t have expected a micro brand like Zelos to have such poor quality control. See photo. of my watch, I noticed the 3 and 9 o’clock indices to be angled upwards slightly. The 3 o’clock indices can also be seen out of line with the crown. Maybe not that obvious in the photo but was very obvious in real life, enough.to get on my nerves!

Let me know if you get a satisfactory result.

Oh man I hope I don’t get the same

Issue ?!! Just ordered this the other day…

Wow. I ordered two different color ways at launch... .I should receive them any day now ( probably tomorrow or Sunday, I live in the boonies). I'll check back...

It’s also clear for me , terrible QC there tbh. Can you contact them about it? This is quite unacceptable for me

(Update: Elshan at Zelos says he will mail a replacement watch as soon as possible. I’m grateful that he took my issues seriously and, assuming that the replacement watch checks out, I will be a satisfied customer.)

Hi Brynn, just to give an update; I received the replacement Zelos Blacktip today and I’m pleased to say that this one is without any issues regarding the misaligned indices. So, hopefully you should get a similar result. I’m now just waiting for a postage label from Zelos to return the defective piece.

I expect you might have to settle for an alternative version, as I understand the Aventurine watches sold out in minutes, unless they kept some aside for unsatisfied customers?

Hey, Barty. When Elshan emailed back and said he would send a replacement, he didn’t say anything about me needing to make an alternate selection, so I am assuming I will get an aventurine replacement. He said it would go out later this week because he was “waiting on the last batch to finish up”. I am happy it’s getting resolved but I continue to be amazed by such a glaring qc foul up. Spending more time with the piece I see that not only the 3 and 9 indices are not applied properly, but the whole dial is off to the left, which makes the whole thing even more out of whack! I wonder if in trying to increase the number of pieces this time around to meet demand to a greater degree they shot themselves in the foot by rushing/not looking at pieces more carefully/hiring extra help who was less experienced…

Hi Brynn, After early stating that the replacement watch from Zelos was without issues. I’m sorry to say that I did find a problem. The replacement watch is an improvement on the original piece, however, I later noticed that the indices marker at the 8 o’clock position to be misaligned. I have again notified Zelos and they are sending me a further piece. So my advice is before thinking any replacements are ok, is to check each individual indices marker in detail by turning the hands around the watch face, as I feel alignment defects can become more obvious when directly comparing the indices against the watch hands, as they did in my situation. See photo of the replacement watch I received, showing the misaligned indices marker. If this third watch offer isn’t to my satisfaction I will be requesting a refund, as there appears to be serious quality control issues with these watches. At this rate they’ll have to make a new batch of watches to replace the first faulty batch issue.

Goodness, that is more than just a little off! Why so many blatant quality control problems?? This whole thing is making me regret being a Zelos customer. I will reserve final judgement until my situation reaches a resolution, but I am disappointed.

Update on my end: despite being told last Sunday that “we will be able to send a replacement later in the week”, I still have no word back. An email sent Thursday asking for an update has gone unanswered. My patience and store of good will is waning…

My email to them:

Hello again. I have not heard back from you regarding the replacement piece that you told me would be sent “later in the week”, and we have arrived at the end of the week. An email I sent you two days ago asking for an update has gone unanswered. I am trying to be patient and flexible, but you have not done what you said you would, nor have you stayed in communication with me.

Will you or will you not send me a replacement? If so, when will that be sent? If not, let’s initiate the refund process and I will look elsewhere for my watch needs. I just need to know what we are doing here.

Thank you.

If I don’t get a reply by end of day Monday I will not hesitate to tell my tale to anyone within earshot. Fellow Crunchers should be aware of such inadequate qc and unacceptable customer service…

Hi Brynn, the lack of communication and delay in response from Zelos regarding a replacement watch is very disappointing and doesn’t inspire me with confidence! I’m currently waiting on my third piece. In my last correspondence with Zelos, I was promised a further replacement “ in the coming week.” I’m just hoping this piece is sent without undue delay and won’t be subject to more quality control criticisms.

I find it hard to believe we are the only customers having issues with these watches. I’ll provide an update on my situation as it progresses. Your fellow disgruntled friend over the pond.

Don’t know if you have any new communication, but I got a reply saying I would get tracking today or tomorrow, and that he was sorry for not replying because he was away for weekend. Kind of a lame excuse and we will see if I actually get shipping notification.

Hi Brynn, reassuring to hear you have at least had a reply. So far this week, I haven’t had any communication from Zelos regarding my awaited further delivery, as promised . Likewise, I’m expecting to hear of a shipping notification, hopefully in the next few days? I will keep you posted.

I got tracking this morning. Delivery expected Friday. Stay tuned…

Hi Brynn, I’m pleased to be able to advise that I received shipping notification this morning. I’m just hoping they’ve managed to find a perfect watch, third time lucky? I’ll report back with a further update.

Hey, David. The replacement piece arrived this morning, and I’m happy (and relieved) to report that all seems to be in proper order. I do love the look of this watch, as well as the titanium feel and finishing. Comfort on wrist is spectacular, and the h link bracelet is very attractive. I’m not happy with the q.c. problems and the sloppy communication from the company, but I do, in the end, seem to have a lovely watch. Let me know when you get your replacement. Cheers!

Hi Brynn, On a third attempt, I’ve finally received a watch which I am pleased to inform is without quality control issues. I was dreading opening the box to be faced with more (obvious) misaligned indices! Thankfully, this wasn’t the case.

I agree with your comments about the superb comfort and finish of the titanium bracelet and unusual overall designs, in particular a feature of how the clasp has been designed. The Zelos clasp is nicely milled and it stands proud of the bracelet, preventing unsightly rubbing of the clasp against the bracelet, which can often be found.

I must say, the overall buying experience with Zelos was sadly marred by the ongoing blatant quality control issues, which took three attempts to resolve.

The

Whew! I am relieved to hear your update. So pleased that you have a watch that has been properly put together. I do love that frost colorway: it was my choice if the aventurine had sold out. Enjoy!