New Aquastar In The Works

Come on in and introduce yourself!
General watch talk.
Post Reply
User avatar
mattcantwin
mattcreatestonsofwatchrelateddrama
Posts: 18487
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:53 pm

New Aquastar In The Works

Post by mattcantwin » Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:07 am

Flyingdoctor posted on WUS he finished a review of a new Aquastar, but can't post it yet.


He said it's not a chrono.
Image

User avatar
demer03
Current Forecast: Vintage Doxa
Posts: 19572
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:41 pm
Name: Mike
Location: Lake Michigami

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by demer03 » Sun Jul 03, 2022 1:12 pm

Shhh. First rule of fight club…
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams
The islands and bays are for sportsmen

Image

User avatar
hoppyjr
HJ
Posts: 39665
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:05 am
Name: Hoppy

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by hoppyjr » Sun Jul 03, 2022 1:46 pm

Please tell me it’s 40mm or larger and 3-handler.

User avatar
hoppyjr
HJ
Posts: 39665
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:05 am
Name: Hoppy

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by hoppyjr » Sun Jul 03, 2022 2:26 pm

Ooooh!

Image
Image

User avatar
toxicavenger
President Tranny
Posts: 48083
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
Name: HeadDIK
Location: Colorado Springs

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by toxicavenger » Sun Jul 03, 2022 7:22 pm

i wonder if these guys ever started taking care of the aquajive customers they stopped responding to last year.

User avatar
BBK357
Ban Jacobs
Posts: 28821
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:01 pm
Name: Vladimir
Location: Ohio

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by BBK357 » Sun Jul 03, 2022 8:39 pm

toxicavenger wrote:i wonder if these guys ever started taking care of the aquajive customers they stopped responding to last year.
Is it Synchron?

I sent multiple messages to Synchron when it had the military. Was having issues with the spring bars sliding out not matter what size… anyway they never responded to any messages. No customer service.
DEATH FROM ABOVE
:ak:

User avatar
toxicavenger
President Tranny
Posts: 48083
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
Name: HeadDIK
Location: Colorado Springs

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by toxicavenger » Sun Jul 03, 2022 10:08 pm

BBK357 wrote:
Sun Jul 03, 2022 8:39 pm
toxicavenger wrote:i wonder if these guys ever started taking care of the aquajive customers they stopped responding to last year.
Is it Synchron?

I sent multiple messages to Synchron when it had the military. Was having issues with the spring bars sliding out not matter what size… anyway they never responded to any messages. No customer service.
same basement guys.

User avatar
hoppyjr
HJ
Posts: 39665
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:05 am
Name: Hoppy

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by hoppyjr » Sun Jul 03, 2022 10:56 pm

toxicavenger wrote:
BBK357 wrote:
Sun Jul 03, 2022 8:39 pm
toxicavenger wrote:i wonder if these guys ever started taking care of the aquajive customers they stopped responding to last year.
Is it Synchron?

I sent multiple messages to Synchron when it had the military. Was having issues with the spring bars sliding out not matter what size… anyway they never responded to any messages. No customer service.
same basement guys.
This gives me pause. Since it’s from men, it’s menopause.

User avatar
Ryeguy
Posts: 5519
Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2011 1:03 pm
Name: Chris
Location: Rye

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by Ryeguy » Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:28 am

Maybe it’s me, but I kind of expect zero customer service when I purchase a micro. In most cases they are just a brand owner with outsourced manufacturing, QC, shipping, etc. I suspect most micro’s never even handle your watch before you receive it.

They usually have nothing to offer even if they are sympathetic to the request. It isn’t like they have a watchmaker with spare parts on hand to support you.

It is a common theme that some forum guy says “the major brands screw the consumer! Just look at all the features on this micro that costs half as much!” They never consider the cost of aftermarket customer support.

I’m actually surprised when I hear positive reports. Personally, I’ve had good experiences with Steinhart and OWC.

@Ben - were you running a BOR bracelet on your Military or was the spring bar issue there when running it on the stock ISO and stock spring bars?

If running a BOR, spring bars are tricky because the end link holes don’t perfectly line up with the case end link holes. You have to use very small tipped spring bars in order to make everything fit.

I normally wear my Synchron Military on a Maranez BOR with 1.1mm tipped spring bars. It seems pretty secure, but I’d definitely swap it onto an ISO with regular bars if I were doing anything active.

User avatar
mattcantwin
mattcreatestonsofwatchrelateddrama
Posts: 18487
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:53 pm

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by mattcantwin » Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:55 am

I don't think I ever posted my CS experience with Synchron.

My Synchron Military had a wonky crown; screwed into the case, but not without fiddling with it.

After many, many emails I was given the go ahead to send the watch in for repair.

I don't remember the exact time for repair, but not unreasonable.


Watch returned and crown was fixed correctly.


A positive experience except for the "run around" at the beginning.
Image

User avatar
demer03
Current Forecast: Vintage Doxa
Posts: 19572
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:41 pm
Name: Mike
Location: Lake Michigami

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by demer03 » Mon Jul 04, 2022 6:46 am

Same old axes to grind. Ricks always done well for me, but that’s not going to change others minds. I’d suggest giving it a rest, but that won’t happen.
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams
The islands and bays are for sportsmen

Image

AtomicTom
Nuclear Personality!!!!
Posts: 13717
Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2012 9:59 am
Name: Tom

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by AtomicTom » Mon Jul 04, 2022 7:15 am

Chrono, or not, it sounds like really cool news either way Matt ! 8-) :)
It will be neat to see what they have up their sleeves with this.
Honestly have to thank you for breaking the news to us sir !!!

User avatar
Ryeguy
Posts: 5519
Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2011 1:03 pm
Name: Chris
Location: Rye

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by Ryeguy » Mon Jul 04, 2022 7:30 am

mattcantwin wrote:
Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:55 am
I don't think I ever posted my CS experience with Synchron.

My Synchron Military had a wonky crown; screwed into the case, but not without fiddling with it.

After many, many emails I was given the go ahead to send the watch in for repair.

I don't remember the exact time for repair, but not unreasonable.


Watch returned and crown was fixed correctly.


A positive experience except for the "run around" at the beginning.
FWIW, my Synchron Military has been fine. Zero issues.

That said, $1K is about my spend limit on “micro” brand watches for the C/S reasons I mentioned above. I just figure you have to think of the watches as almost disposable due to lack of parts availability within a few years after purchase.

For comparison, I’ve had a couple basic Seiko watches serviced by their repair facility in Mahwah, NJ. No drama whatsoever in the process with satisfactory results and reasonable prices.

User avatar
BBK357
Ban Jacobs
Posts: 28821
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:01 pm
Name: Vladimir
Location: Ohio

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by BBK357 » Mon Jul 04, 2022 8:04 am

I don’t have an axe to grind- it was just an experience I wanted to share.
So I didn’t know right away this lug hole thing was an issue, I thought I just needed smaller diameter tip bars. It stayed in place great with the mesh. This is because the fit was so tight it just hung in there. When I posted it for sale I noticed this issue again and I ended up pulling it and trying to figure it out. I tried the smallest tip spring bars I could find. Still slipped. I put the tip of a spring bar tool in the one side and it was obviously not drilled all the way through like the opposite side. Early on I was talking to someone that was suggested by a DWC to drill the holes all the way through but he was cautious about it being black coated and chipping.
I tried emailing Synchron at least 5 times and I even called. Nothing.
I got extremely lucky and the guy on Reddit I got it from traded me the white Sinn 104 for it. It all worked out but I was like crap this company had no reply to me at all. I’m sure if you know people they respond but that was not my case.
DEATH FROM ABOVE
:ak:

User avatar
toxicavenger
President Tranny
Posts: 48083
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
Name: HeadDIK
Location: Colorado Springs

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by toxicavenger » Mon Jul 04, 2022 7:11 pm

mattcantwin wrote:
Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:55 am
Watch returned and crown was fixed correctly.


A positive experience except for the "run around" at the beginning.
that is really good to hear.

i was just wonder regarding aquajive. since i knew a few guys who had issues and i was not able to help them out due to it being parts related to the cases. :shrug:

User avatar
mattcantwin
mattcreatestonsofwatchrelateddrama
Posts: 18487
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:53 pm

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by mattcantwin » Sat Jul 30, 2022 9:55 am

Nothing specific; Flyingdoctor posted this on WUS a few days back:


I had a long talk with Rick today. Man, he sure has been busy. If you are an Aquastar fan, you are going to need a bigger watch box. One of the "small" things he is doing, which may not mean much to people, really is a step way beyond what other people do and you won't appreciate it until you see it. Sorry again for being vague and I really wish I could say about what is coming but Aquastar really is moving and shaking.
Image

User avatar
toxicavenger
President Tranny
Posts: 48083
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
Name: HeadDIK
Location: Colorado Springs

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by toxicavenger » Sat Jul 30, 2022 10:34 am

Ryeguy wrote:
Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:28 am
Maybe it’s me, but I kind of expect zero customer service when I purchase a micro.
same, that is until it reaches a certain price point. then i expect some kind of service.

User avatar
mattcantwin
mattcreatestonsofwatchrelateddrama
Posts: 18487
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:53 pm

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by mattcantwin » Sat Jul 30, 2022 1:20 pm

toxicavenger wrote:
Sat Jul 30, 2022 10:34 am
Ryeguy wrote:
Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:28 am
Maybe it’s me, but I kind of expect zero customer service when I purchase a micro.
same, that is until it reaches a certain price point. then i expect some kind of service.
I bought an Islander watch for $299 and was amazed at the great CS from Marc.
Image

User avatar
Ryeguy
Posts: 5519
Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2011 1:03 pm
Name: Chris
Location: Rye

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by Ryeguy » Sun Jul 31, 2022 6:39 am

mattcantwin wrote:
Sat Jul 30, 2022 1:20 pm
toxicavenger wrote:
Sat Jul 30, 2022 10:34 am
Ryeguy wrote:
Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:28 am
Maybe it’s me, but I kind of expect zero customer service when I purchase a micro.
same, that is until it reaches a certain price point. then i expect some kind of service.
I bought an Islander watch for $299 and was amazed at the great CS from Marc.
I’m sure Marc is good people. I’ve directed a few people to buy Seiko’s from him in the past.

My point is more 3 to 5 years down the road. I figure most micro’s probably don’t stock replacement “wear” items such as crowns, bezel inserts, etc. so if something breaks you are likely out of luck.

Seiko is something like 10 years of spare parts (or so I’ve heard). It is a point I don’t often hear people factor in when praising the features of some micro brand watch over a comparable watch by an established brand.

User avatar
mattcantwin
mattcreatestonsofwatchrelateddrama
Posts: 18487
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:53 pm

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by mattcantwin » Sun Jul 31, 2022 7:30 am

Ryeguy wrote:
Sun Jul 31, 2022 6:39 am

My point is more 3 to 5 years down the road. I figure most micro’s probably don’t stock replacement “wear” items such as crowns, bezel inserts, etc. so if something breaks you are likely out of luck.

Seiko is something like 10 years of spare parts (or so I’ve heard). It is a point I don’t often hear people factor in when praising the features of some micro brand watch over a comparable watch by an established brand.
Certainly something to consider.
Image

User avatar
gwells
Posts: 8913
Joined: Sat May 24, 2014 11:05 am
Name: Greg
Location: NoVA

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by gwells » Sun Jul 31, 2022 8:23 am

CS stories like this are what makes me appreciate Jason at Halios even more.

User avatar
hoppyjr
HJ
Posts: 39665
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:05 am
Name: Hoppy

Re: New Aquastar In The Works

Post by hoppyjr » Sun Jul 31, 2022 8:29 am

gwells wrote:CS stories like this are what makes me appreciate Jason at Halios even more.
He’s definitely a great guy and genuinely cares.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 255 guests