Vintage Red Sharp Caseback

[glammie]

Hi to all my new forum buddies...this is my 1st post.
I have been reading these forums for a while and they are a valuable source of info for all watch fans....so thanks!!

My old watch......Rolex Sea Dweller......had it for 2 years and loved it.
I have just sold it at a profit as I need some extra cash.

After a lot of searching I have replaced it with the Steinhart Vintage Red.
I received it two days ago direct from Germany and it is indeed a lovely watch.
My only two issues......

Bezel
The bezel is very loose and has a bit too much play in it.
Movement can be seen as you press on it...I am surprised at this!!

Caseback
I had read about sharp casebacks and had even mentioned this to Eva at Steinhart.
She had assured me that the issue was fixed.
Unfortunately,I got a sharp one....I now have a bald patch on my wrist and some red skin irritation.
This is a real issue and I would advise anyone that is soon to purchase an Ocean to gain assurances that they will receive a smoothed out caseback.

I have emailed Eva and Gunter about the problem and have yet to hear from them
Emails do not seem to be the best way of communicating with them so I will call them tomorrow.
I am seeking advice from them on how to smooth the caseback out myself or will hopefully get a new one if this can't be done.

Having owned a classic Rolex, I can assure all prospective buyers that the Steinhart watch is
great and can easily hold its head up next to the big names.
I hope to have it on my wrist for many years...minus the hair trimming qualities of course!!

Hope this is of help to others!!

Cheers

G

[DNW]

There is an entire thread, two pages of people discussing their poor hairless wrists, not even halfway down the Steinhart main page. Does anyone use the search function on this forum? Nut up.

Oh, and sweet watch. Bezel doesn't sound right, mine is pretty solid on both my GMT and Vintage.

[fiatkid]

Yes, I have experienced very similar situation before. Not every time but in some Steinhart orders any special request did not really work. Feels like Steinhart's QC is not strong/consistent enough and the packing team won't follow the customers' instruction to complete the orders at all (maybe some of them can only understand German). I think you better send it back. I am pretty sure yours can get fixed soon.

[wellers73]

I received a Vintage Red about two weeks ago. Mine has a somewhat sharp caseback, but it's not causing me any discomfort or hairloss. The loose bezel doesn't sound right. Mine has a bit of play, but basically feels tight. It's better or the same as my other divers.

[Chromejob]

My November Ocean Black DLC bezel turns very freely (120 clicks though, sounds like a plastic gear piece), easier than any other diver I've got. Not sure if that's what you mean, or that it "shifts" in it's track. If it's the latter, that's unfortunate quality control, I'd CALL Steinhart, as those who get them on the phone seem to get concerns sorted right quick.

[peakay]

The caseback is a very easy to fix, take a look at the thread further down the main page. I guess it makes a difference what shape wrist you have as my new Ocean Black DLC has sharp edges to the engraving, but doesn't cause me any problems, which is fortunate, because with the DLC coating I wouldn't be able to buff the edges down by the methods suggested in the other thread.

The bezel, from your description doesn't sound as if it is seated correctly if you've got a gap between it and the case; you could try pressing it down and rotate it at the same time to see if it will snap properly into postion; otherwise it's a return job.

[glammie]

Thanks for all of the great feedback.....what a forum!!
I spoke to Gunter(on the phone) today and he has asked me to send the watch back so that they can smooth the caseback out.
Gunter comes across as a 100% genuine guy and was happy to help......great to see personalised customer service.
He recognises that there has been an issue with some casebacks and expects to get smoother ones in the next few weeks.

As for the bezel...he will look at that to see what he thinks...it may not be as bad as I first thought but there is still a bit of unexpected play in it.

So....big thumbs up to Steinhart for their customer service!!

As for the watch...I have really fallen for it....my sea dweller has quickly been forgotten.
Solid case, great bracelet(way better than the Rolex one), well sized and fantastic to wear!!

Anyone pondering over an Ocean watch should take the plunge......you will not regret it!!

I will update you as soon as I get the watch back.

[Riker]

............

Gunter is a busy guy, but make no mistake he takes care of the customer. Pleased you are happy glammie...

Just a quick story, Gunter recently had a guy with a 16 month old Debaufre Csar (Steinhart Aviation) contact him asking about fixing a problem with it. Now being that this watch is a Debaufre anyone that isn't aware of Gunters superb customer service ethic would expect Gunter would say no, can't help. No, he told the guy to send the watch in to have it fixed. That is Gunter in a nutshell & every time I speak with him which is often it becomes more evident.

Now, the sharp caseback issue on some Oceans isn't going to effect everyone but those it does you can rest assured Gunter will sort it. Everyone can also be sure that Gunter is looking into the caseback issue....

Thanks for all of the great feedback.....what a forum!!
I spoke to Gunter(on the phone) today and he has asked me to send the watch back so that they can smooth the caseback out.
Gunter comes across as a 100% genuine guy and was happy to help......great to see personalised customer service.
He recognises that there has been an issue with some casebacks and expects to get smoother ones in the next few weeks.

As for the bezel...he will look at that to see what he thinks...it may not be as bad as I first thought but there is still a bit of unexpected play in it.

So....big thumbs up to Steinhart for their customer service!!

As for the watch...I have really fallen for it....my sea dweller has quickly been forgotten.
Solid case, great bracelet(way better than the Rolex one), well sized and fantastic to wear!!

Anyone pondering over an Ocean watch should take the plunge......you will not regret it!!

I will update you as soon as I get the watch back.

[Fender]

............

Gunter is a busy guy, but make no mistake he takes care of the customer. Pleased you are happy glammie...

Just a quick story, Gunter recently had a guy with a 16 month old Debaufre Csar (Steinhart Aviation) contact him asking about fixing a problem with it. Now being that this watch is a Debaufre anyone that isn't aware of Gunters superb customer service ethic would expect Gunter would say no, can't help. No, he told the guy to send the watch in to have it fixed. That is Gunter in a nutshell & every time I speak with him which is often it becomes more evident.

Now, the sharp caseback issue on some Oceans isn't going to effect everyone but those it does you can rest assured Gunter will sort it. Everyone can also be sure that Gunter is looking into the caseback issue....

I have no doubt that Gunter is a real stand up guy, and that's why I didn't send mine back for such an easy fix. I just got some Autosol and a rag....rub in a circular direction for a few minutes and NO sharp edges. The caseback looks untouched, so it's not like you ruin, or change the appearance in any way.

I do agree that they shouldn't have been sent that way in the first place though, but send it back? no.

[glammie]

I guess that it is an issue that can be fixed at home but I was just concerned about damaging the caseback plus Gunter wanted to have a look at the bezel.

Regardless of issues and how they are resolved........it is a great watch!!