1 /5 Mc Mark (Yande): I’d been aware of Georgies since they first opened in Batemans Bay. Being interested in watches, I followed their lines, and at times went into the shop to ask about specific items, though found them mostly generic low end and over priced.. Enquiring about watch making and repair work, I was referred to Georgies. My first inquiry was for a repair job of a mechanical automatic watch that my father had smashed the crystal when he had a car accident. I was told that the watch would be sent to their "watch maker." Quote came back in good time, though well over the value of the watch so I declined. There were some items stated in the quote that I deemed not necessary, (new main spring) but as I was told the "watch maker" was a professional, I still declined. That particular watch is till ticking away, time reserve still around 42 hours. albeit with a smashed crystal. Last week I had the chance to take another time piece to Georgies.
It was a Heuer Yacht Master. Similar to a stop watch, though for use in timing the start of Yacht Races. Made in the 70s by Heuer, before they became Tag Heuer. I was met with an older more officious woman than I had dealt with previous. I stated that I merely wanted the case back opened, and two screws that could be seen floating on the dial, re-homed. When I asked that perhaps the watch maker could tidy up the lugs, I was cut short being told that to do so may damage the plating even further. Although not knowing me, and consistently referring to the Time Piece as a Tag Heuer, she made a point, by her attitude and lack of listening skills, in letting me know that she knew more about horology than I would ever know. After taking photos of the time piece I was then told that the "watch maker" was very busy and it could take some time. She was not conversational, unlike the previous representative I had dealt with; it seemed the buck stopped with her. . Being in business myself, I left questioning why I had entrusted my business with someone that on first impressions had come across as arrogant and rude. 2 days later I received a phone call telling me the “watch” was able to be picked up, and that it could not be fixed.
I went to the shop, picked up the “watch” and returned back to my work. When I got home I looked at the time piece and was surprised, if not shocked to see the damage that had been done. In the process of attempting to remove the case back there were not only new scratch marks, (understandable perhaps) but a large piece of metal plating had also been dislodged.
Fair enough, the ask was a difficult one, to remove a case back from a time piece that had not been touched for 40 years, BUT to create such damage and NOT EVEN notify me, let alone apologise to me, was something that I felt worthy to write this complaint. All I got was, “It could not be fixed.”
If indeed you are thinking that it is just a scratch, obviously you are not aware of historical mechanical time pieces and the devaluation due to scratches, ineptitude etc.
If Georgies wishes to blame the “watch maker?” with this lack of description, I am not buying it. If indeed this is the case, they are at fault for contracting such a watch maker and taking the commission on such work.
