Lost Watch: Collector Sues over Alleged "Bait-and-Switch"
June 09, 26
(IDEX Online) - A collector is suing Richemont Canada and the luxury Montreal-based jeweler Birks, claiming they lost his watch worth CAN 80,000 (USD 59,000) after he took it in for servicing - and then tried to give him a replacement that had been discontinued.
He agreed to the offer of another watch, by way of a replacement for the 15-year-old Roger Dubuis Excalibur Chronograph (Dubuis is a Richemont brand).
But he later discovered the replacement was a discontinued model, rather than a current model as agreed, according to BIV News (Business in Vancouver).
The plaintiff now accuses the companies of orchestrating a bait-and-switch scheme, alleging that they verbally promised a current model but that the actual replacement delivered was an older, discontinued piece with significantly lower market value and collector appeal.
A discontinued watch is less attractive to collectors because it lacks modern features and warranty coverage, faces higher maintenance risks as spare parts become unavailable, and carries significantly lower resale value and diminished desirability in the secondary market compared to a current model.
The lawsuit, filed in British Columbia courts, is for both the value of the lost watch and damages for the alleged fraudulent scheme.
Neither Richemont Canada nor Birks has so far filed a response to the notice of civil claim, or provided a comment in response to an approach by BIV.
Generic pic of a Roger Dubuis Excalibur watch.