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We haven’t completed the repair yet, but
it’s already clear: returning this Prospex to full working order will be
straightforward. Almost trivial.
The final outcome is predictable: one happy customer, a few dollars in
profit, and an unbelievably quick turnaround. Another Seiko saved and
ready for years of service.
You might be blown away by Seiko’s promptness, their willingness to
supply parts, and their commitment to keeping the dream alive.
But you shouldn’t be.
Seiko is simply doing the most basic, most economically logical, and
most customer-oriented thing a reputable watch manufacturer should do.
This is how the industry worked since the first branded watch rolled off
the bench 120 years ago. Independent watch repairers were always the
link between manufacturer and owner—supporting both sides, offering
skill, saving time, saving money.
So why in the world can we no longer obtain parts for Rolex, Omega, JLC, Breitling—practically any modern Swiss brand?
Ask the Swiss brands, and they’ll tell you that we—Australian
independent watchmakers—are too old, too dumb, and too unwilling to
invest. Useless. Unnecessary. And if that insult isn’t enough, they’ll
claim that by restricting access to parts, they’re protecting you from us—from our supposed incompetence and inability to serve you properly.
Of course, you know this is nonsense.
While they blame us and deny us parts, they continue ripping you off
with outrageous charges, unnecessary repairs, and months-long wait
times. It’s monopolistic abuse of power—and in any country that values
consumer protection, it should be illegal.
Arrogant bastards.
I won’t beat around the bush: the day Seiko closes our spare parts account will be the last day of my watchmaking career. Not
because Seiko repairs keep us financially afloat, but because everyone
else has beaten us down, ridiculed us, and stripped our dignity to the
point where losing Seiko would simply be the end of the road.
I only hope that what we offer Seiko continues to be seen as valuable.
That our relationship continues and grows. That Seiko becomes an even
stronger player in the Australian market, and that you keep enjoying
fine Japanese watchmaking—proudly wearing a Seiko.
One thing is certain, proven over the past decade: we are not dumb, too
old, or unwilling to invest. On the contrary—we are young, extremely
smart, and fully capable of making anything from a single tiny watch
part to complex space-grade devices.
And you know this. And that’s what matters.
Thank you, Seiko—and a very Happy and Merry New Year. |
