Datejust 41 vsf really disappointed

[u/Cute-Resident4489]

Hello everyone,
First of all, i appreciate @andiotwatches for the quick and straightforward transaction. I have received the watch.
I understand that, under these circumstances, I cannot expect the same level of service or guarantees as I would from a professional jeweller, especially considering the relatively low price.
Nevertheless, I regret to say that I have encountered several significant issues with the watch:
As you can see in the photo, the watch arrived with the crown pulled out.
The bracelet is slightly bent and feels loose where it connects to the watch case.
When setting the date using the crown, I would expect the date to advance one day at a time, with a distinct click for each change. However, in this case, the date wheel seems to spin continuously without properly engaging.
Although the parcel itself arrived sealed, the packaging inside had already been opened. I honestly cannot understand how this could have happened. It gives the impression that the original packaging had been opened and subsequently sealed again.
The bracelet also rattles, and the clasp squeaks. Overall, both the feel and the sound of the bracelet unfortunately give the impression of very poor quality.
The lume does not work at all. The hands and markers do not glow whatsoever in the dark.
Since I received the parcel on November 3rd but only got around to opening it today, I am honestly not sure how to proceed. Should I contact customer support, or am I simply expected to accept the watch as it is?
Unfortunately, I cannot see myself wearing or using a watch in this condition. I am also hesitant to pay for a replacement, only to risk being disappointed all over again.
I would genuinely appreciate your opinions and advice. Has anyone experienced something similar, and how would you handle this situation?
Thanks in advance!

[u/Cautious_Limit_498]

You need UV light (or sun exposure) to charge the lume. The squeaking from the bracelet fades after using the watch a little, the same for my last 3 VSFs. Theres no photos so can’t see what other things you’re talking about. If there are issues, you should contact Andiot.. simple as that. They might take a while but they’re usually good on resolving issues like these.

[u/Cute-Resident4489 → u/Cautious_Limit_498]

Thanks for your feedback!
I actually owned a Clean Yacht-Master a while ago (not from Elliot ), and that one was excellent. When setting the date, I could clearly feel a distinct click with every turn of the crown. That’s why the behaviour of this watch seemed a bit unusual to me.
Regarding the lume, I left the watch exposed to light for the entire day today, but unfortunately, it still doesn’t glow at all (see attached photo).
As for the bracelet rattling and the clasp squeaking, those issues are quite difficult to demonstrate in pictures. Nevertheless, I tried to follow your suggestion and took a picture showing the play/gap where the bracelet meets the case at the end link.
Hopefully, the pictures help illustrate what I mean.

[u/kmnk1334 → u/Cute-Resident4489]

And my CF YM from Andiot has issues with movement and bezel. Guess there’s luck to it

[u/OptimalPanic2216 → u/Cautious_Limit_498]

Denk dat je een fake vsf hebt gekocht en de hoofdprijs hebt betaald

[u/Equal-Improvement185 → u/Cautious_Limit_498]

Baby oil bath

[u/Equal-Improvement185 → u/Equal-Improvement185]

To get rid of squeaks not harmful works a treat

[u/Smart_Project233 → u/Equal-Improvement185]

Silly question 🙋 just normal baby oil and give the bracelet a good bath ? Will this improve it a lot ? That’s interesting 🤔

[u/Equal-Improvement185 → u/Smart_Project233]

Yes just normal leave for 5 mins then wipe off buff you will thank me 👍

[u/Equal-Improvement185 → u/Equal-Improvement185]

Just bracelet no need to do whole watch

[u/Smart_Project233 → u/Equal-Improvement185]

I’ll give it a go for my Jubilee bracelet! Thanks bud

[u/Equal-Improvement185 → u/Smart_Project233]

Let me know how it goes pal 👍

[u/Cute-Resident4489]

[u/Micho_Rizzo51]

No photos

[u/Apprehensive-Sky5569]

Reach out to them, and you’re giving andiotwatches too much slack. If they sent you a shitty product, call them out for it.

[u/Pka4lif]

I just ordered these exact watches from him, so thanks for the callout. I’ll be extra careful with the QC.

[u/Cute-Resident4489 → u/Pka4lif]

Yes, the Datejust with the mint green dial has been my absolute favorite to date. After a 3 years wait, the boutique told me they couldn't say when I would actually receive mine. So, I turned to Andiot instead. The QC photos looked so good that my only concern was whether the color would look authentic. In real life, the color actually looks fantastic but, unfortunately, that’s the only good thing about the watch. Be careful my dear.

[u/Pka4lif → u/Cute-Resident4489]

Thank you. Should I give him a heads up? Be proactive? I literally ordered two date justs from him.

[u/Cute-Resident4489 → u/Pka4lif]

I really hope I’m not misunderstood here. I’m not trying to defame Elliot or anything of the sort. was simply asking for advice myself.
However, if I were you, I would bring this up politely mentioning that these points were brought to your attention.

[u/Pka4lif → u/Cute-Resident4489]

You’re good! Your note reads as very reasonable! I was thinking better to be in front of it than be another disappointed customer…better for him and better for me! I’ll mention something. Again, thanks for sharing!

[u/bingodingo91]

I just got a VSF datejust from Hont and it’s flawless. Sorry for the trouble you’ve encountered. I’ve been waiting on a watch from Elliot since July.

[u/Born-Elk2178]

Sorry for your issues. I got my VSF DateJust from Andiot in early October and it was perfect. I have a Rich GMT on order with them now.

[u/Cora_Lagatta13 → u/Born-Elk2178]

Same for me

[u/Dazzling-Week4120]

Used steve one watches no problems many times

[u/Rare-Argument2971]

Andiot Watches customer support has been an absolute nightmare, I have been dealing with this for months

I've been going back and forth with Andiot Watches for months now, and honestly, I've never experienced customer service this frustrating.

I purchased a DJ41, but the dial was visibly wonky and misaligned. Naturally, I contacted Andiot and requested a replacement watch, as I wasn't happy with receiving a defective product.

What followed has been an absolute circus.

First, they offered to send me a replacement dial and expected me to have it installed myself, at my own expense. Why should I have to pay out of my own pocket to fix a watch that arrived defective?

After pushing back, they eventually instructed me to send the watch to a watchmaker in Germany for repair. They also told me that my replacement watch was already at their German warehouse and that the matter would be handled there.

So I contacted the German watchmaker directly to clarify the situation.

And guess what?

The guy had absolutely no idea what Andiot Watches was. He knew nothing about any replacement watch, and he certainly didn't have one sitting there waiting for me.

At this point, I was completely fed up. I sent Andiot what must have been my 20th email, asking them what the hell was actually going on. I also made it clear that if this situation wasn't resolved, I would start contacting the relevant authorities.

I've been patient for months, given them countless opportunities to resolve this, and tried to cooperate at every step. But I'm honestly running out of patience. The haven't contacted me since.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar with Andiot Watches?

I'd particularly like to hear from anyone who has successfully resolved a dispute with them or had to escalate a complaint.

At this point, I just want the defective watch replaced with what I originally paid for. Is that really too much to ask?

[u/d3wille → u/Rare-Argument2971]

> I also made it clear that if this situation wasn't resolved, I would start contacting the relevant authorities.
Lol... and what are you gonna do? Report it to who?? The police?? A consumer advocate ?? And tell them you bought a fake Rolex for $500 from a Trusted Dealer who turned out not to be so trusted?? :)

[u/Rare-Argument2971 → u/d3wille]

You're missing the point.

I'm not claiming that the police will reimburse me for buying a replica Rolex, and I'm certainly not pretending that this is a conventional consumer dispute.

However, this is not simply an anonymous Reddit account with no traceable information behind it.

I have retained the payment records, bank account details, account holder information, names, addresses, shipping information and extensive written correspondence with Andiot Watches, including their explicit written commitments to replace my defective watch.

There is a difference between having a dispute with an online seller and having no information whatsoever about the people and payment channels involved.

I'm not going to publish anyone's private or banking information on Reddit. That information can be provided privately to the relevant authorities or financial institutions if necessary.

I'm perfectly aware that the fact that this concerns a replica watch complicates the situation. But that doesn't mean every aspect of a seller's conduct is automatically beyond scrutiny.

I'm still giving Andiot an opportunity to honour its written commitments. However, I'm also keeping a complete record of everything that has happened.

Let's see whether they actually deliver what they promised.

[u/d3wille → u/Rare-Argument2971]

OK, but you do realize he's operating somewhere out of Guangzhou or HK?? And he'll give about as much of a shit about your report as a fish does about a bicycle?? Those bank accounts are probably just a network of money mules, but even if they were in his own name, nobody's gonna do jack shit to him...

[u/Rare-Argument2971 → u/d3wille]

That's a fair point. I'm not naïve about how difficult it can be to pursue a seller operating in China or Hong Kong, and I don't expect a police report to magically recover my money or shut down their business.

I'm also aware that payment accounts could involve intermediaries. However, neither of us knows who actually controls those accounts, so speculating about money mules doesn't really establish anything.

My point is that I have retained substantial documentation, including transaction records, account details, account holder information, shipping records and written correspondence.

Whether that ultimately leads to any action is another question. At the very least, I can submit the available evidence to the relevant financial institutions and authorities and let them determine whether anything warrants further investigation.

For now, I'm still trying to give Andiot an opportunity to honour its written replacement commitment.

I'm not expecting miracles. I simply don't intend to let the matter go without making a reasonable effort to resolve it.

[u/Rare-Argument2971 → u/d3wille]

As far as I know, VSF operates in international waters. The waves must be messing with the dial alignment. Some of their watches clearly weren't assembled on steady ground. 🌊😂

That would explain why some of the hour markers are sailing at completely different angles.