**RESOLVED** Beautiful New Grail… but Already Needs Repair 😞
12/16 UPDATE:
After a month, I finally “got the call” that my Spirit was back from Longines and ready to be picked up! So my wife and I made a trip to the mall for a little holiday shopping and to pickup my watch. All the work was completed under warranty, the watch received a full service, accuracy testing, and water resistance check. Turns out it was a bad mainspring barrel. The AD was awesome as well, and even gave me a little swag for my trouble, a nice padded Longines travel case and some cleaning cloths.
All-in-all, the great customer service from the AD and Longines turned a disappointing situation into a happy ending that has definitely made me more likely to purchase from them again.
11/16 UPDATE:
Well, my Spirit is headed home to St. Imier, Switzerland for repair/refurbishment. I don’t know yet if it will be getting a full heart transplant haha, but it sounds like everything will be taken care of under warranty. I didn’t even have to pay for shipping. Here’s hoping it’s a quick turnaround 🤞
ORIGINAL POST:
I bought one of my grails to celebrate the birth of my second child. It’s stunning, comfortable and so incredibly well-finished. Unfortunately, after manually winding 10-15 turns to get started and wearing it for about an hour and a half, it stopped running. With a wind and a tap, it’ll start back up for 5-7 seconds, but always stops again.
I bought it from an Authorized Dealer as a display model, so it’s new but not “box fresh” and I’m sure the AD will take care of the situation, but it’s still utterly disappointing to have what should be a special moment ruined like that.
I know it’s not a fair comparison, and I’m sure it sounds like sour grapes, but it I’ve bought dozens of new and slightly used watches from far more “budget brands” and never had a instance like this. Off accuracy spec? Sure. But non-functional? Never.
I can’t remember the last time I was so disappointed with a purchase.
Just a man with a few too many watches…
That's a bummer, lovely looking watch though
Insist on a new watch, not a repair... Out of box failure is not a warranty issue in my opinion.
I would also insist on a new watch. A repair will most likely take multiple months and there's no reason you should be without a brand new watch because of an issue like this. If the AD won't help, I would talk directly with Longines. A lot of the Swatch brands have pretty solid customer service as is evidenced by many recent posts online.
Unfortunatly, stuff happens.
Oh man 🤦♂️
That’s just lousy. You really should get a new watch from the AD. As watch_dude said, go directly to Longines if you get no joy. I’m really sorry about your situation.
Cheer up! You’ll win out eventually, and yes, that is a beautiful watch. I’m aiming for a Spirit titanium - I like the no-date design best. Best of luck!
I agree with the above sentiment, I would try to get a new watch.
I’ve had the same problem with my Oris Big Crown Pointer Date and it’s “robust, reliable” Sellita SW-200. Ive had three repairs in three years with that thing as it becomes impossible to hand wind the watch after 3-6 months. I’ve never had a single issue with my Omega Aqua Terra and I’ve driven that baby HARD. I think about this often when people ask why you would ever want to pay up for a watch.
Is the Longines an in house movement? I try to stay away from in house unless the calibre has been around for a long time in multiple previous releases.
I Had the same problem with my longines spirit literally in the first 2 weeks of owning it.
My Tudor BBGMT arrived with a factory flaw but have never had a problem with at least a dozen other brands that have similar MSRP. My 2 most recent Longines divers seem fine but mechanical things are not always perfect.
100% ask for a replacement. Whatever's going on in there is fairly catastrophic and not a rsult of wear and tear. You shoudln't have to wait for months for a repair, as the itme was not fit for purpose when sold.
Most AD's will sort this out wiht no quibbles. If not, go straigth to Longines.
It happens, and it stings more with a special watch. I hope the AD sorts it out pronto ! Would love an update when its sorted, I hope it doesn't sour the watch too much for you.
Oh man, really sorry to read this. Totally get it, spending $$$$ to get this result and it being a commemorative watch adds insult. Hope your AD does right by you and congrats on your 2nd child ❤️🤙
I’ve had the same problem with my Oris Big Crown Pointer Date and it’s “robust, reliable” Sellita SW-200. Ive had three repairs in three years with that thing as it becomes impossible to hand wind the watch after 3-6 months. I’ve never had a single issue with my Omega Aqua Terra and I’ve driven that baby HARD. I think about this often when people ask why you would ever want to pay up for a watch.
Is the Longines an in house movement? I try to stay away from in house unless the calibre has been around for a long time in multiple previous releases.
Agreed. I’m not generally swayed by “in-house” movement as a selling point. In the case of my Spirit (from what I understand) it’s not technically an in-house movement. But it is a caliber made exclusively for Longines by ETA, which is also Swatch group. Apparently it’s based on the A31.L11 which itself is based on the 2892 which seems to be a well-established and widely used movement. At the end of the day, it’s a mass-produced little machine with tight tolerances, so some are bound to miss the mark. Shame I drew the short straw on this one haha
Oh man, really sorry to read this. Totally get it, spending $$$$ to get this result and it being a commemorative watch adds insult. Hope your AD does right by you and congrats on your 2nd child ❤️🤙
Thank you 🙏. I definitely have alot to be grateful for, and a little disappointment in a purchase is certainly low on the importance hierarchy right now. Been trying to keep that in perspective ❤️
This too shall pass...
Wow, wonder if it's perhaps damaged by being dropped at the AD. Won't be crazy to think this
I love Longines, but the two that I have both had issues. My Hydroconquest had a faulty pin that we discovered at the AD while we were sizing the bracelet the day I purchased. AD made it right and I took it home the next day.
My Master Collection with the Salmon dial and small seconds complication was completely dead. Winding the crown and moving the watch around did nothing. Again, we discovered this while I was trying on the watch at the AD. They transferred in another one that worked and I bought it.
I’ve had two Longines and never had an issue. I hope you get this sorted out.
That sucks. Especially because the Spirit/Zulu is my grail as well. "Do better Longines".
This happened to my Seiko Hojicha Cocktail Time.
I ended up just getting a refund which I regret now lol.
Damn! Hope this is not a signal of how is going to be your relationship with your child when he reaches puberty 🤣
Oh no. Well let the warranty work and you'll be set. I had a brand new Omega SMP 300 with lume so badly applied it looked fake.
The AD and Omega agreed it was unacceptable and I got a brand new watch.
Seiko sent me an Alpinist that was losing a minute a day. They replaced it.
Stuff happens, have the AD and manufacturer treat you right
I’ve had the same problem with my Oris Big Crown Pointer Date and it’s “robust, reliable” Sellita SW-200. Ive had three repairs in three years with that thing as it becomes impossible to hand wind the watch after 3-6 months. I’ve never had a single issue with my Omega Aqua Terra and I’ve driven that baby HARD. I think about this often when people ask why you would ever want to pay up for a watch.
Is the Longines an in house movement? I try to stay away from in house unless the calibre has been around for a long time in multiple previous releases.
Fwiw the eta 2824 and SW-200-1 and their descendants (Powermatic 80) DO NOT like getting hand wound often. Once the movement is going from a total stop, let the movement of your wrist keep it running or do the"Seiko shuffle" and get it ticking without messing with the crown.
It's also possible you got a lemon movement
What model is that, exactly? I'd like to put it on my "eventually I'll get one of these" list. 👍 It's perfect! Beautiful dial (I love the stars), nice contrast and that long red-tipped second hand. Just lovely...
What model is that, exactly? I'd like to put it on my "eventually I'll get one of these" list. 👍 It's perfect! Beautiful dial (I love the stars), nice contrast and that long red-tipped second hand. Just lovely...
It’s the Longines Spirit 40mm (L3.810.4.53.0). And thanks! I think it’s such a nice take on the classic pilot watch, along with some field watch elements. I had been looking at some Stowas as well as the Murph, and I feel like this is the best of both worlds, and the finishing is just amazing! So crisp and “HD” if that makes sense. Just hoping I can get it running so I can enjoy it🤞
Such a shame, as this watch is superb, a perfect balance of 'land' and 'air' imo. Hope you get it sorted 👍