Update on the saga for everyone. Got a call yesterday from my nearest AD, who had previously been sold out of this model. They just received it on allocation yesterday, and got it sent to me. Just arrived. Flawless condition. Glad I sent the scratched model back! Seems maybe it was meant to be.

Attaching some photos to show how it fits on my 6.73in/171mm wrist. 3 links removed; expanded out 2/3 notches on the T-Fit clasp. May try the Uncle Seiko half link so I can get the default position back to the most inside notch, and allow for the full range of expansion. Want to wear it for a while and see if that is necessary.

Also, for what it is worth, the AD responded as they should. Apologized for the problem, and communicated that they would do whatever necessary to right the situation. Also said they forwarded my photo of the damage to their management team to ensure their processes get tidied up.

From an AD, purchased online.

Wow - my first post on WatchCrunch (new member), and I’m impressed with this many comments! Wow! Thanks everyone for the ideas and feedback.

I decided to reject it, and make the return. Told the AD that if they have one that they can ensure has been kept in the box with all of the stickers kept on it, i would be ok with an exchange, and would try it again. Otherwise, I’ve decided to just move forward with the return, and get on a waiting list with a different AD that has promised they can grab any allocated models before they hit the display case. Also, for what it’s worth, the AD claims this one never made it out of the warehouse before coming to me. I don’t believe l that this watch came from Tudor this way though. The time was set when I opened the box, and the watch was running. So maybe their staff scratched it while setting/winding the watch? Assuming the rest of their story is true, that seems to be the most likely scenario.

Patience-building is a good thing, I suppose…however frustrating it might be at the time. But I think it willl be worth it to wait for a clean example.

It was an online order (from Tourneau, so not grey market), so it was sort of a mystery as to what I would get when it showed up. I will say that thus far, the customer service interactions I’ve had with them have been great.

To each their own, but one of things I like about Tudor is the precision machining. Seikos bracelets need to catch up to their movements and dials, in my opinion. The gap on those end links by the case on these Seikos is huge! And as much as I like the Spring Drive, these GMTs don’t have the classic good looks of the BBP. But that’s just my opinion!

Yes. It’s one thing if they are scratches I put on it myself. It’s a bit different when they are someone else’s handiwork!