Bad Finishing by Tudor?
Came across the following YouTube Shorts video posted by @Max about the BB58 and BB54.
https://youtube.com/shorts/bTqIDK_3_U4?si=ICclruhf9ebiOT8G
My OCD has again gotten the better of me, and I can't help but to notice what seems like some bad finishing by Tudor with the Black Bay 54.
The following is a screenshot taken from the video. I have added markings for easy reference and have posted one without markings in case they confuse you and for comparison purpose.
With markings:
Issue #1: (see red) the line on the left hand side of the triangle became "skewed" towards the tip of the triangle Issue #2: (see yellow) the lume pip seems off-centred and is positioned closer to the right hand side of the triangle, i.e. there is a gap between lume pip and the left hand side of the triangle but none on the right hand side. Without markings (for comparison purpose):
The said issue with the positioning of the lume pip can also be seen later in the video, i.e. no gap between the lume pip and the right hand edge of the triangle, therefore I don't think is an issue with the filming angle.
Do you see what I see? What are your thoughts on this, or Tudor's finishing in general?
@max please take a quick look at the BB54 and check if this really is the case (if you still have it with you).
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Man, now i can’t unsee it.
Man, now i can’t unsee it.
Sorry about that 😐
Yeah that’s pretty bad from Tudor QC
That's what I initially thought as well but it does seem more like an issue as I continued watching the video.
The guy from Seiko went to work at Tudor 😂
(Please note: I love Seiko. I can forgive their almost inside-joke alignment and finishing issues due to their price point. Given Tudor prices, that's inexcusable)
That’s awful, I’d have to take that back. Would drive me crazy!
The guy from Seiko went to work at Tudor 😂
(Please note: I love Seiko. I can forgive their almost inside-joke alignment and finishing issues due to their price point. Given Tudor prices, that's inexcusable)
Agreed, fully.
That’s awful, I’d have to take that back. Would drive me crazy!
I would do the same but I feel like this is quite sad. I would never feel the same about Tudor. I hope it's not @Max 's.
Yeah this was a known issue in early ones 😔
Yeah this was a known issue in early ones 😔
Ah ha. I wasn't aware of that.
And so great to get a feedback from you! Thank you!
I remember seeing this when some watch reviews came out. If I recall it was picked up on one of Bark and Jack's reviews?
I'd already tried one on by this point and when I checked the photos that I had taken, the watch had no issues.
I think it may be common as I’ve seen that before.
I remember seeing this when some watch reviews came out. If I recall it was picked up on one of Bark and Jack's reviews?
I'd already tried one on by this point and when I checked the photos that I had taken, the watch had no issues.
Well I hope this was a one-off.
I think it may be common as I’ve seen that before.
Yes probably, as Max also just shared that it was a common issue with the earlier batch.
I believe this is a parallax issue. Caused by a combination of the angle the photo was taken slightly right of flush to the case (to mitigate reflections in the crystal, and the depth from the dial to the bezel pip. It is exactly square in reality I believe. You can tell by looking at the top of the bezel that the right side is closer than the left. It’s all photographic parallax.
Sigh of relief after anxiously checking mine under a magnifying glass
I apologise for any uneasy feeling caused.
Britt Pearce talked about this. She also noticed from someone else's video. But she checked her own BB54 and found no such defect.
you sir are certainly entitled to your opinion..I just suggested that if it is a bother send it to them..they will fix it. My Tudors are my entry level daily pieces so I guess I dont stare at them with my loop...no worries enjoy the hobby...
Of course it should be send back, did my comment suggest a different approach? Well, except for the option to not purchase it.
Is it perfect, probably not. Is some of it just reflections, possibly. But it is not on the dial, the bezel will scratch so I don't care as much.
That piece going through QC, and with the AD not spotting that hence putting it on display 😬
Well I'd be surprised if you got anything from Tudor that day (or ever again).
I am led to believe these pieces are 100% automated and machine made with no human touch 😄 kind of like seiko prospex models
I'm surprised to hear there were issues with your Tudor Ranger, which seems to only include a rather simple time-only movement. I also agree that their watches have decent designs and good hours of power reserve. I hope their QC issues can be addressed with their new machineries and technologies in their new factory that they have recently moved into.
I have read about the new factory. I hope it leads to improvements. I just think there will always be QC issues with watches that are totally machine made without rigorous post production testing and an actual person going over every watch with a loop to identify issues. The companies are trying to do these at scale to make money. It is a different business model vs companies selling really expensive watches by hand or with rigorous individual testing and inspection of each watch before it goes out the door. The brand offers a 5-year warranty so they can fix watches post sale rather than rigorously inspect them all before going to dealers. It is a cheaper way to do things. It was definitely disappointing to have my time-only watch movement fail. Clearly, my watch was never individually tested. Tudor did ultimately swap the movement for a new one that works well, but it took around 5 months. When you send a watch back for warranty repair, it actually gets the individual attention it never got the first time around. If you want a watch that gets individually tested, then you need to move up the ladder. I believe JLC is one of the most affordable brands that does this kind of quality check on each watch, but those watches start around $10k, not $3k.
I am led to believe these pieces are 100% automated and machine made with no human touch 😄 kind of like seiko prospex models
Your sharing thus far has also inevitably led to lost of my confidence in Tudor, and makes me reconsider what's worth the money if you are one who cares about quality.
I have read about the new factory. I hope it leads to improvements. I just think there will always be QC issues with watches that are totally machine made without rigorous post production testing and an actual person going over every watch with a loop to identify issues. The companies are trying to do these at scale to make money. It is a different business model vs companies selling really expensive watches by hand or with rigorous individual testing and inspection of each watch before it goes out the door. The brand offers a 5-year warranty so they can fix watches post sale rather than rigorously inspect them all before going to dealers. It is a cheaper way to do things. It was definitely disappointing to have my time-only watch movement fail. Clearly, my watch was never individually tested. Tudor did ultimately swap the movement for a new one that works well, but it took around 5 months. When you send a watch back for warranty repair, it actually gets the individual attention it never got the first time around. If you want a watch that gets individually tested, then you need to move up the ladder. I believe JLC is one of the most affordable brands that does this kind of quality check on each watch, but those watches start around $10k, not $3k.
Great insight there, and what you shared makes a lot of sense. I feel stupid to have never considered the trade off between inspection effort and warranty period offered the way you explained 💡
I hope there would be no further troubles with your Tudor Ranger.
Of course it should be send back, did my comment suggest a different approach? Well, except for the option to not purchase it.
Well, there is that..LOL enjoy your day...
Your sharing thus far has also inevitably led to lost of my confidence in Tudor, and makes me reconsider what's worth the money if you are one who cares about quality.
Haha not my intention. I'd like to own a tudor one day too. The 39mm pelagos is calling to me. But i guess give the unit you're buying a good scrutiny before giving them your money. 😊
Haha not my intention. I'd like to own a tudor one day too. The 39mm pelagos is calling to me. But i guess give the unit you're buying a good scrutiny before giving them your money. 😊
I have trust issues now. Scrutiny will be applied to everything from now on.
Poor QC on that batch… thankfully the problem doesn’t appear to be systemic… no issues on my BB54
Unfortunately mine is not so good. Bezel, lume pip and 12 index all off
Unfortunately mine is not so good. Bezel, lume pip and 12 index all off
Sorry to hear and see that. Any chance this may still be within the warranty period hence be eligible for repair?
Sorry to hear and see that. Any chance this may still be within the warranty period hence be eligible for repair?
Ya. It's going back yo Tudor tomorrow. Friend ordered it through his AD so I didn't get a chance to inspect before purchasing. Unbelievable really for a nearly €4000 watch