Uh oh, AR coating issue?

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Timepiece.Pete
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Uh oh, AR coating issue?

Post by Timepiece.Pete »

Folks, i've had the Wyrd Bel Canto on all week but today I noticed a few blemishes on the crystal. I grabbed a watch cleaning cloth and tried to clean the crystal. The blemishes hadn't gone, so I did the old breathe on it and another rub, still there.

Got the loupe out and discovered all sorts of imperfections around the edge and all across the face. It's quite difficult to photograph, but here's a couple. I'll drop a line to CW tomorrow, but i'd be interested to hear your thoughts.
IMG_0028.jpg
IMG_0026.jpg
IMG_0023.jpg
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Bahnstormer_vRS
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Re: Uh oh, AR coating issue?

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

Commiserations, Pete.

I've seen this on a couple of other Bel Cantos in recent months, I recall purple dial one; reported on the CWE Facebook Group.

I think it's related to the AR coating but cause unknown other than, perhaps, a component failure.

Back to CW, I'm afraid to say, but should be fixed under warranty.

Guy

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Timepiece.Pete
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Re: Uh oh, AR coating issue?

Post by Timepiece.Pete »

Yeah, I think you might be right. I've just emailed these and a couple of other pictures through to CW Customer service and we'll see what they say.
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Re: Uh oh, AR coating issue?

Post by maclink »

Is the AR coating double-sided?

The problem is clearly evident in those well taken photos. One for a return and repair under warranty … bummer.
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Re: Uh oh, AR coating issue?

Post by Timepiece.Pete »

maclink wrote: Mon Sep 02, 2024 9:02 am Is the AR coating double-sided?

The problem is clearly evident in those well taken photos. One for a return and repair under warranty … bummer.
I'm not sure if the AR is on both sides. I tried to feel the blemishes to see if I could work out if they were on the top or the inside, but I coulnd't feel them with my finger tip. Either that means it's on the underside, or it's so slight so as to not be noticeable.
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Re: Uh oh, AR coating issue?

Post by Timepiece.Pete »

CW Customer Services have replied to say (as expected) that the watch needs to go back to CW HQ for inspection. I'll get it packed up and sent off this week some time.

They've said that if it is the AR coating, then the crystal will be replaced.
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Re: Uh oh, AR coating issue?

Post by MarkingTime »

The problem for me would be why the AR coating is deteriorating in this way and CW should themselves, be quite concerned.

Replacing the crystal might not be the solution if the problem is widespread and it doesn't appear to be an isolated case.
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Re: Uh oh, AR coating issue?

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

@Timepiece.Pete - a few pics taken from a post on the CWE Group (I mentioned earlier) from about two weeks ago.

The watch in question is a purple Bel Canto, as opposed to your WYRD.


Image

Image

Image

Image


Unfortunately the OP has not updated to say what response / action he's had from CW. :-k :-k


Guy
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Timepiece.Pete
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Re: Uh oh, AR coating issue?

Post by nbg »

Do the current mass produced Bel Cantos use the same suppliers and processes as the true original blue and green models?

Neil
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Re: Uh oh, AR coating issue?

Post by Timepiece.Pete »

Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: Mon Sep 02, 2024 9:56 pm @Timepiece.Pete - a few pics taken from a post on the CWE Group (I mentioned earlier) from about two weeks ago.

The watch in question is a purple Bel Canto, as opposed to your WYRD.


...


Unfortunately the OP has not updated to say what response / action he's had from CW. :-k :-k


Guy
Ah, that's interesting, i'd not spotted that in the group, thanks. The issue with mine looks identical.
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Re: Uh oh, AR coating issue?

Post by Timepiece.Pete »

Well folks, it seems that my replacement crystal has developed the same AR coating issue again.

I've emailed CW and am waiting for a response.
20241122_212559.jpg
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Re: Uh oh, AR coating issue?

Post by biggus_richus »

^^^ That’s rotten news @Timepiece.Pete. Mine has just started showing signs and will be heading back too.
IMG_4188.jpeg
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Re: Uh oh, AR coating issue?

Post by Chris GB »

Correct procedure for customer return would be to investigate and identify the root cause of the failure, quarantine all existing stock of parts that will be affected, source replacement parts, consider recall of potentially defective parts, fit known non defective replacement parts, inspect for visual and performance attributes, return to customer.

CW - bosh a new crystal in, send it.

It's why I have lost all confidence in the brand.
C63 Sealander - Hunter Green. Twelve Ti -Purple. C65 Aquitaine - Seagrass Green. C63 SH21 Blue Marine Foundation. C1 Bel Canto - Voila
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Re: Uh oh, AR coating issue?

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

Chris GB wrote:Correct procedure for customer return would be to investigate and identify the root cause of the failure, quarantine all existing stock of parts that will be affected, source replacement parts, consider recall of potentially defective parts, fit known non defective replacement parts, inspect for visual and performance attributes, return to customer.

CW - bosh a new crystal in, send it.

It's why I have lost all confidence in the brand.
A reasonable recommended course of action, but a somewhat sweeping statement of CW's action.

Are you privy to their procedures?

Guy

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Chris GB
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Re: Uh oh, AR coating issue?

Post by Chris GB »

Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: Sat Nov 23, 2024 9:16 pm
Chris GB wrote:Correct procedure for customer return would be to investigate and identify the root cause of the failure, quarantine all existing stock of parts that will be affected, source replacement parts, consider recall of potentially defective parts, fit known non defective replacement parts, inspect for visual and performance attributes, return to customer.

CW - bosh a new crystal in, send it.

It's why I have lost all confidence in the brand.
A reasonable recommended course of action, but a somewhat sweeping statement of CW's action.

Are you privy to their procedures?

Guy

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My comment was a little tongue in cheek😉 I am not privy to their procedures, but I am privy to the effectiveness of their procedures. 5 returns, 5 defective outputs. In any of my consultancy clients organisations, there would be the "What's green and comes after P44" question being asked.

Edit: I was bought in to try to turn around an organisation with similar quality performance. I understand the scale of the challenge with QA issues. The company was a basket case, beyond help. I was out of that sharpish.
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