Stewart H
·I really hope that Zenith monitor this forum because I would like to express my sincere thanks to two members of the LVMH team in the UK.
You may remember that I bought a "Big Orange" at the back end of last year that had a big gouge out of the crystal but, otherwise, was in beautiful condition. I got in contact with Tony in the parts department and he was able to source a replacement crystal from HQ. Now this crystal is very special because it has the minute chapter applied to the back of it in the same way that a Speedmaster Mk II (and others) has the tachymetre ring applied. I had originally intended to ask a local optician to re-grind the crystal but the minute chapter had stuck to the gasket and, sickeningly, some of it peeled off when I removed the crystal. This could have been a labour of love if I had to find someone to make a (some) new transfers (decals) AND had the crystal re-ground.
Any way, to cut a long story short, Tony managed to source a replacement for me and judging by the colour, it hadn't been sitting in a drawer for 45 years. Unfortunately, as I'm not in "The Trade", he couldn't send me the crystal to fit myself so I sent the case to LVMH's service centre in Manchester for them to fit it. This is where Stuart, the "Brand Concierge" comes in. He called me to say that they had received the case and kept me informed througoht the entire process.
So, to Zenith, I say that you have got some exceptional people working for you - chapeau.
For you lot, who can't think without pictures, I have now completed the first phase of servicing the watch. All that remains is to wear it for a while and re-adjust it to suit my activities. So here it is:
As it came back from Manchester, along with the old crystal:
....and after I have serviced the movement - I know the date is wrong, but I need to run it and re-adjust it.
You may remember that I bought a "Big Orange" at the back end of last year that had a big gouge out of the crystal but, otherwise, was in beautiful condition. I got in contact with Tony in the parts department and he was able to source a replacement crystal from HQ. Now this crystal is very special because it has the minute chapter applied to the back of it in the same way that a Speedmaster Mk II (and others) has the tachymetre ring applied. I had originally intended to ask a local optician to re-grind the crystal but the minute chapter had stuck to the gasket and, sickeningly, some of it peeled off when I removed the crystal. This could have been a labour of love if I had to find someone to make a (some) new transfers (decals) AND had the crystal re-ground.
Any way, to cut a long story short, Tony managed to source a replacement for me and judging by the colour, it hadn't been sitting in a drawer for 45 years. Unfortunately, as I'm not in "The Trade", he couldn't send me the crystal to fit myself so I sent the case to LVMH's service centre in Manchester for them to fit it. This is where Stuart, the "Brand Concierge" comes in. He called me to say that they had received the case and kept me informed througoht the entire process.
So, to Zenith, I say that you have got some exceptional people working for you - chapeau.
For you lot, who can't think without pictures, I have now completed the first phase of servicing the watch. All that remains is to wear it for a while and re-adjust it to suit my activities. So here it is:
As it came back from Manchester, along with the old crystal:
....and after I have serviced the movement - I know the date is wrong, but I need to run it and re-adjust it.