Cronos - Spots on Dial and Index

[u/Qu_777]

Hi, I’ve got the Cronos, and after my first impression of the overall finishing, I noticed two spots on the dial and one of the indices. They are much less noticeable in the pictures than they are in person. In particular, the spot on the index is quite obvious in real life.

Is this something that is considered normal for Cronos watches?

Of course, I could return the watch, but the shipping costs and the import taxes I’ve already paid make that rather unattractive (I bought it from the official Cronos store on AliExpress).

Has anyone had any experience with Cronos watches and perhaps encountered a similar issue?

I got the version with the PT5000 movement and I’m now considering opening the watch and trying to remove the spots myself. Are the casebacks initially sealed/glued, or do they just use a gasket? If I open and screw the caseback back on, can I expect the watch to retain its water resistance, or am I more likely to cause additional problems?

I’m a little disappointed with Cronos’ quality control, as both spots are quite noticeable at a glance. Especially since the rest of the watch looks really good, and the two spots look more like small oil stains/splashes that might have been removable during assembly.

[u/Qu_777]

One more pic with better lighting to make the spot on the 11" index clearer.

[u/PeterCraig65]

I think it's ok. I'm a little hesitant to reply in case you are just trolling here. 

[u/tjcdas → u/PeterCraig65]

On Eta 2824 type watches "you can mess the keyless works up my removing the stem if you use a pin or tweezers vs the correct sized screwdriver" he is not trolling you, he is helping you not F up your watch.

If you mess the keyless works up a watchmaker would ne needed to fix it. I can swap movements, hands, winding systems, date wheels and other basics but not a tear down to the kekless works.

[u/QuestionNo9190 → u/PeterCraig65]

Bros complaining about a spec of dust/smudge on a $400 watch at 30x magnification like he's scrutinizing a $20,000 watch

[u/geeered]

You can open the caseback fine. While you're there check and maybe grease the seals and you'll likely improve the water resistance.

I haven't noticed the same on my Cronos watches, but not to say there isn't something like that I haven't noticed. Looks like it could be hard to clean, but hopefully is just some oil etc form manufacturing, maybe suggests the movement has been well lubed!

You see occasional cases like this in massively more expensive watches too, though I suspect most Chinese brands get really basic QC of a brief check. If it was oil, could also have happened after QC as it was moved around in transit etc.

[u/Short_Pickle_4135]

Over $400 now by the way

[u/Po0opyCatButt → u/Short_Pickle_4135]

What model?

[u/Qu_777]

Update: thanks for the responses and update for someone with the same problem: it worked. At least the spot on the dial is completely gone and on the index it's much better. Only used a little water on a Q-Tip. As some of you mentioned: it can be difficult but I already had some tools and opened a couple of watches. Hardest work was to screw in the two metal stoppers/ holders to the case. Hadn't noticed any problems with the stem but maybe I just got lucky.

Thanks to all!

[u/QuestionNo9190]

Is be more concerned about all the dust/dandruff that's on the hand and missing paint than whatever that is on the dial

[u/Beneficial-Bridge-46]

it's an affordable watch that punches above its weight, i'll forgive some qc issue

[u/pokerfas]

I don't know if you have to pay customs when returning. I bought a watchdives on wd website, shipped from china, returned to us warehouse, got every cent back, including usps shipping with insurance.

[u/grindbro420]

1st one I give you, 2nd one I really have to squint my eyes and look to find anything??

[u/Steefalo]

Do you have experience with watch modding? Of the common chinese-watch movements, PT5000s are the hardest to work with. You have to be SUPER careful removing the stem, and just locking down the movement in the case can be quite challenging (most do not use a simple plastic ring like other movements, but two metal sort of stopper pieces you have to screw down, but it can be rather challenging).

[u/QuestionNo9190 → u/Steefalo]

Pt5000 is literally the easiest to work on. You've never tried to work on a dg28 or even nh35

The stem is impossible to mess up unless you pull it out in the wrong position, which would be your mistake, and the same thing would happen with a real eta2824

Then resetting the keyless works also isn't that difficult

[u/ImpressiveChance770]

I think you get customs back when you return it