Bought an Expensive Watch from The US, Keeps Poor Time, Am I Unreasonable to Expect a Refund?

Bought a new Parmigiani Tonda watch (with the movement PF701 for those interested), cost $8.9k landed in Australia after tax (retail on the watch is $22k). Over the last 3 days I've noticed that it gains an average of 30 seconds per day, which is ludicrous for what's touted as a haute horology movement.

It's likely faulty, as from what I can find online most peoples run +/- 3 seconds

Am I being unreasonable to expect the ability to return the watch and for the dealer to liaise with the manufacturer about repair given it's only 3 days old and there are no ADs or any affiliates in Australia?

Comments

  • Is it new or used?

    30 seconds per day is pretty hectic for a mechanical watch, although it might be something you have to take on the chin.
    Maybe take it to your local watch specialist to adjust the tension/tick rate before sending it all the way back.

    • Brand new, came vacuum sealed with the manufactuer seals and all. I called a watchmaker who i know well, the case is white gold they said because of that and being brand new they are reluctant to open it and think it'd be reasonable for the dealer to sort it out with the manufacturer

      • 30 secs a day is within the bounds of acceptability for an automatic sadly

        firstly, ask the seller about this problem and how they would rectifiy this

        then come here and complain if they ask you to suck it

  • Can you verify that it is genuine?

    • Yeah for sure, it's such a niché brand + the movement is stunning even under a jewler loupe finished to VC, AP and PP standards and the seller is a big dealer

      • Don't want to be one of those people, but I will: there's no accent in niche.

        • It's fine to be one of those people, so long as you don't pronounce the E in forte.

  • +13

    But does anyone really buy 20k watches to keep time? Surely it’s a piece of jewellery, and all about looks/wearing the brand. So it’s certainly fulfilling the primary purpose?

    Just being a devils advocate here.

    I should add I don’t agree with my DA argument.

    • +1

      Came here to say this. No way the watch was bought for keeping time. This was a work of art.

  • +6

    SO glad you came to OzHelpDesk before contacting, you know, the seller.

  • +1

    I think you could be stuffed and you are at the mercy of whatever their policies are

  • +6

    With such a large degree of inaccuracy it may have simply become magnetized. Easy to diagnose and easy to fix. If that's not the problem, then yes, I definitely think the dealer should get it sorted under warranty. I've just been through something similar with a faulty watch (Steinhart) I ordered from the dealer/manufacturer in Germany. Shipping and repair didn't cost me a cent and no problem with customs or fees at either end.

    • I'm betting it's magnetised if 30 seconds a day out.

    • This. Almost certain it's become magnetised. Easy fix OP

  • +1

    You do realise these watches need to be serviced regularly? I very much doubt its faulty.

    If its brand new then return it if you are unhappy.

  • +1

    This is why I only buy Pagani :/

    The Explorer 2 they make is really nice (imo). I just want a price drop.

    • +3

      The only thing I know about them, is the Zonda they featured in Gran Turismo…
      Parmigiani Tonda, well that sounds like a rip-off name and reminds me of tasty chicken.

      • +1

        Or Italian hard cheese

      • +1

        "Don't forget the pamigiani - Ima going out"
        Thanks Nona

  • Sorry to hear about your experience, I would definitely look at an exchange if it was outside the manufacturers tolerances. What’s expected variance on this model from factory?

  • +2

    I had a parmigiana for lunch the other day, was about $12 - no complaints.

    • +1

      But was it on time?

      • +7

        30 seconds late…

  • Bring it to a reputable watchmaker to have it regulated or demagnetised if it's really magnetised.

  • Refund, yes… unreasonable

    Investigated/repaired is what you would expect but not sure i would risk sending a watch back overseas for a watch of that price, as opposed to finding a local qualified person locally to investigate.

    For a watch of that price you know you're up for regular servicing over it's life anyway, and clearly knew that there was no ad locally for warranty support anyway.

    Or just live with it because that is the kind of watch you put on for special occassions, and not for critical second accuracy time keeping, so who cares if it loses 10s over an evening

  • Should've bought a parmigiana instead and saved yourself a few grand.

  • This is why it went for such a cheap price

  • I’d contact where you bought it from and see what they say they can do. Then if they are unhelpful go direct to the manufacturer. Definitely sounds unreasonable. It’s a risk buying such an expensive item if no local outlets though as technically they have no obligation to do anything as not covered under Australian consumer law.

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