First Steinhart - A little disappointed. :(

[SteveD]

*** ISSUE NOW RESOLVED BY STEINHART ***

Hi folks.

My new (and first) Steinhart arrived yesterday. It is this model:

Nav B-watch stainless steel - Pilot Watch - Steinhart Watches

When the watch arrived I was struck by how beautiful it was. The 47mm size looks good on my wrist, and works really well with a nice shirt, or casually with just a tshirt.

However, there were 2 problems:

1) You can see from the photo on the website, the watch has a beautiful dark brown, textured strap. My watch came with a smooth tan strap, which I just don't like at all.

2) The little bar holding the strap on between the lugs clicks when I press it or move my wrist. This happens on both sides. I'm worried that either the bars are faulty, or the holes in the lugs which the bar fits into have not been milled properly.

I have emailed Steinhart, and I hope to hear from them very soon. How do you think they will resolve these problems for me? I initially thought that if they just sent me a new strap that would be great - although I'm new to the watch world and I don't think I would have the tools required. Also, after I tried on the watch and had removed the plastic face protector, I found a little card in the box that says they will not give refunds if this plastic has been removed.

So, basically, if they won't sort out the strap for me, I'm stuck. I noticed in the small print of their website they say that the watch can vary in appearance from what is advertised. I think this is a bit unfair, and bad practice. In addition, they took a week to reply to one of my emails prior to buying the watch. If they take a week to reply this time, it will be pretty difficult to get it back to them within 14 days if I want a refund.

So, in summary, a gorgeous watch, but the experience has been ruined slightly by these issues.

Thanks for your advice,
Stephen

[Titan II]

Hello Stephen,

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the Steinhart family.

I am the proud and happy owner of 5 pieces from Steinhart and I've had the pleasure of dealing with many members of the team over the past couple of years. I have never been disappointed.

Here is my advice to you. Contact the Steinhart team and let them know the facts as you have outlined them here and also tell them your concerns. I have all the confidence that they will make things right to your satisfaction.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Regards,

T2

[SteveD]

Thanks T2, I'm sure everything will work out. I do want to keep the watch.

I guess after waiting for it to arrive, I was a bit frustrated. I suppose that is the downside to internet shopping!

[Uwe W.]

I own many watches with "clicking" spring bars, so I wouldn't consider that to be a defect. Also, as has been explained here many times in the past, Steinhart does on occasion swap a strap at their discretion if the one originally offered with the watch was out of supply. People already complain about waiting for watches to return into stock; I can only imagine the outcry if they had to wait for a strap to become available, which in the grand scheme of things is a small part of the equation.

As Titan suggested, contact Steinhart and tell them that you're not happy with your purchase.

[SteveD]

I own many watches with "clicking" spring bars, so I wouldn't consider that to be a defect. Also, as has been explained here many times in the past, Steinhart does on occasion swap a strap at their discretion if the one originally offered with the watch was out of supply. People already complain about waiting for watches to return into stock; I can only imagine the outcry if they had to wait for a strap to become available, which in the grand scheme of things is a small part of the equation.

As Titan suggested, contact Steinhart and tell them that you're not happy with your purchase.

I have not owned a lot of watches, but I would imagine that they are not supposed to click. I'm certainly not an expert, but when I researched the issue it would seem to be a slight mismatch between the bar size and the holes in the lugs.

To be fair though, I'm sure most people buying a watch from Steinhart will not know about this forum, let alone be able to find out Steinhart swap straps on occasion. To go from a very dark brown, textured strap, to a smooth tan strap totally changes the character of the watch, and if I'm the paying customer, it shouldn't be at Steinhart's discretion at all. Imagine ordering a red car, but getting a blue one because the company didn't want to keep you waiting a few weeks. I'm pretty sure most people would rather wait.

[raze]

I have owned a few watches from Steinhart 2 others not listed on my sig and never had problems with them. Bottom line though its your money and if you are not happy with it then you should get those issue resolved. Good luck on that and keep us posted.

[SteveD]

I have owned a few watches from Steinhart 2 others not listed on my sig and never had problems with them. Bottom line though its your money and if you are not happy with it then you should get those issue resolved. Good luck on that and keep us posted.

Thanks. The watch itself is flawless, it is just the strap and the associated bars that are causing me the woes!

[AngryBaconGod]

To be fair though, I'm sure most people buying a watch from Steinhart will not know about this forum, let alone be able to find out Steinhart swap straps on occasion.

I agree completely. To expect the average customer to know about a policy buried in this forum is a bit silly. On the other hand, the web site does include the fine print which you have noticed (after the fact?), but I do wish you luck in sorting it out. I hope that your experience is as positive as predicted here, and that Steinhart will indeed do what is necessary to make you a happy customer! I believe the strap is an intrinsic part of a watch, key in it's character on one's wrist, so I'm with you on this.

BTW, how big is your wrist? I'm just curious given your comment about wearing it with a nice shirt.

[Dangermouse]

I have the Nav B chrono II with the strap you want, I wanted the tan so if you get no joy fron Steinhart maybe we could swap.

This is my strap and watch.



I have actually got the watch up for a trade, but I am having serious doubts as to why I want to get rid of it, Steinhart,s are amazing watches for the money.

[Tony A.H]

hi Stephen
congratulations on your Nav-B . it is indeed a great looking Watch with Great Presence on the Wrist .

All my Steinhart Watches are on Leather Straps, so i've had NO Issues with either Spring Bars, Straps,nor a Case that are Held together. so don't worry about that.

i've Noticed that (i don't know if it's only me ) the Clicking Sound comes from The Strap when it's BRAND NEW (Stiff). but it goes away when it starts to Flex !!

in terms of the Strap Color/Style ? they Change with every New Stock. hopefully they'll ship you the Right one you asked for.

mean while enjoy the heck out of it .




.