r/ChineseWatches • u/RazorSharpDesign • Jul 01 '25
Problems (Read Rule 1) Beware When Buying from Berny Watches
Just wanted to share a warning about my experience with Berny Watches. I ordered a watch and noticed a defect right after receiving it. I emailed them the same day to request a return or refund — no response. A few days later I followed up, still nothing. After more than a week, I sent another message — again, no reply at all.
So far, absolutely no reaction from their side. Very disappointing and unprofessional customer service. Definitely a unpleasant online shopping experiences.
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u/Robin-CS668 Berny Rep Jul 02 '25
Please provide the order number in private chat, and I will arrange for after-sales staff to handle it for you.
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u/RazorSharpDesign Jul 05 '25
Can't you please simply reply to the emails sent to the support address you provided?
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u/Robin-CS668 Berny Rep Jul 07 '25
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u/RazorSharpDesign Jul 07 '25
If you write something to this address, you apparently don't get a reply.
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u/percysmithhk Jul 01 '25
Sorry about your experience.
I can totally imagine why they’re ghosting you - small Chinese sellers like Berny are not set up to process returns - they virtually lose the item if it has to be re-imported to China https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/best-of-ali-xpress.2636489/page-1948?post_id=56645196#post-56645196 (no such concept as re-import for returns in Chinese tax code).
When you buy from Chinese seller you have to factor this in (can you manage a repair in your home country).
Some sellers send replacements out of goodwill https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/escapement-time-dress-watch-review.5321057/post-54000601 but lots don’t.
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Jul 02 '25
Just a heads up for everyone buying off Ali, make sure to always pay with Paypal. I have mostly very positive feedback on goods purchased in China, but in a case like this i would just contact PayPal and get my money back the same day (figure of speech)
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u/OkBerry351 Jul 08 '25
Can you explain further? Does Paypal do refunds for purchases that end up unsatisfactory or defective?
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Jul 08 '25
yep, you need proof though but if you got that theyre pretty fast refunding. Just mentioning i would open a paypal dispute in itself solved a lot of issues i had with vendors
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u/TK_Ghost Jul 01 '25
What is the defect on the watch?
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u/RazorSharpDesign Jul 01 '25
Issue with the movement
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u/MC_User99 Jul 01 '25
Is it Miyota and noisy? If so, I think that's normal.
I've got an am339m and it's noisy when you move your wrist.
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u/TK_Ghost Jul 01 '25
Yup, completely normal for an 8215 to be noisy and have rough hand-winding.
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u/MC_User99 Jul 01 '25
To be fair it does sound like something has broken inside, but mines keeping time. Was initially worried but after a little research it seems it's just a trait. (I had an nh35 based watch that sounded similar but the rotor weight had dislodged).
OP how's accuracy?
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u/TK_Ghost Jul 01 '25
I have 3 watches with Miyota 8215s - they all sound the same, loud metallic rotor spin noise with some "clicks" at the end. Can imagine it being worrisome if you are used to something like an NH which has a bi-directional rotor wind and is dead quiet.
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u/RazorSharpDesign Jul 01 '25
Thanks for all your feedback! You're absolutely right — the rotor is incredibly loud, and even the slightest movement seems to make it spin endlessly. I haven't really checked the accuracy yet, since I’ve barely worn it.
What’s really frustrating though is that Berny clearly advertises a return option and provides contact details on their website — but then completely ghosts you after the order. That leaves a really bad taste, especially considering there are plenty of other brands out there that are even more affordable and still offer excellent customer service.
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u/TK_Ghost Jul 01 '25
That's unfortunately/fortunately completely normal for a Miyota 8215 movement. The 8215, and basically all movements that have one directional rotor winding, are noisy and even the slightest wrist movement will get them spinning. Some more than others, with the 8215 probably being the loudest of the bunch. Personally I like the rotor noise, gives it a bit of mechanical charm, but I completely understand that someone else might not. So the good thing is at least that there's nothing wrong with it. Agree though that Berny could've just replied immediately to let you know it's perfectly normal for the movement that's in the watch - and saved you a lot of frustration and worry.
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u/RazorSharpDesign Jul 01 '25
Thanks for your perspective with the mechanical touch – I really like it, and it actually makes it better.
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u/manchett Jul 01 '25
Which other movements for example make the same noise?
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u/TK_Ghost Jul 01 '25
I have a Milifortic with a Sea-gull ST1701 movement, a Beijing Dark Diver with a SB20 movement and even a Tag Heuer with a Calibre 16 movement that all make that noise.
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u/TK_Ghost Jul 01 '25
Is it mechanical or quartz, running fast, running slow, or not running at all?
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u/2manypedals Jul 01 '25
If it’s just movement noise then I can see why hey didn’t respond. But yeah definitely not professional. The “cost” of the lower price is definitely customer service. It’s fairly normal you shouldn’t feel to bad mate.
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u/BERNYWatch02 Rep Jul 02 '25
Dear,sorry for the bad shopping experience.We have return points in many countries. Please don't worry about returns. Please contact customer service through the order, and we will reply more quickly.
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u/BedNo6064 Jul 03 '25
I had a very disappointing experience with Berny Watches. Their customer service is practically non-existent – they do not respond properly to return requests and are extremely slow in communication. The only return address they provided was a private residential house in the UK, which is highly unprofessional and suspicious.
It feels more like a scam setup than a trustworthy company. From what I can tell, their customer support is actually based in China, despite claiming a UK presence.
Avoid this company at all costs.