The general concensus on Breitling

[bobbymonks]

Riff Raff said:

I think all of the current mechanical Breitlings are COSC. Like you I have a couple of non COSC Breitlings, but the change (i.e. having them all COSC'd) happened in about 2000. I think if the 3rd digit in the model number is a 3, it's COSC.

Re the Rolex point, I'm not sure about current production, but up until recently (a few years ago) you could buy a non COSC non date Sub for example. I'm sure there will be other models that weren't COSC either.

That's true, there was the 'precision' & Air-King that weren't COSC, the Precision has gone from the line-up and the Air-King is now COSC

[Riff Raff]

Murcielago_Boy said:

FYI, gents, I picked up my Superocean Chrono from Watches of Switzerland on Bond St, this morning after a 2 month absence when it went off for service.
It's cost me £745 but it looks NEW - and I mean BRAND NEW the day I got it. They've gotten rid of EVERY SINGLE mark and scratch everywhere - on the watch, the case, bracelet and the clasp.

Very impressed.

Did you get a breakdown of the bill? There was a link to the Breitling price list posted earlier, and a full service is £370 something (including a case and bracelet valet). I've just sent the two tone Chronomat I posted pics of earlier in the thread, and they've quoted me the £370 something, plus an optional £60 to have the chrono pushers replaced, as the gold plate on those is wearing a bit thin. £745 would make my eyes water a bit......

Anyway. Looking forward to getting the thing back around Xmas time.

[Stefan DS3R]

bobbymonks said:

Well Just checked on Rolex, All their current models are COSC. Oh and no quartz COSC (as I see using electronics to get a COSC rating is cheating really, no real skill involved compared to a mechanical movement)
Some don't submit at all, as their own in-house ratings are more stringent and to a higher spec than COSC.
The likes of AP, PP & VC for example

And one more thing, "wiki states" as Wikipedia is written by anyone, can be edited by anyone, it's a good starting point for information, but should never be used a complete fact. There entries are subject to no control and are informed opinion at best most of the time.

Edited by bobbymonks on Tuesday 25th October 12:47

Agree regarding the skill of mechanical over quartz, but Breilting superquartz are very deserved of there albeit different criteria for COSC, they have an accuracy of -+10 seconds a year, that's pretty impressive given that it doesn't update from any kind of time signal. I don't own one as I'm more in favour of mechanical watches but I still think they are pretty impressive none the less.

Not sure if any other manufacturer uses the same superquartz movement, they are ETA movements I believe.

Stef

[Murcielago_Boy]

Riff Raff said:

Did you get a breakdown of the bill? There was a link to the Breitling price list posted earlier, and a full service is £370 something (including a case and bracelet valet). I've just sent the two tone Chronomat I posted pics of earlier in the thread, and they've quoted me the £370 something, plus an optional £60 to have the chrono pushers replaced, as the gold plate on those is wearing a bit thin. £745 would make my eyes water a bit......

Anyway. Looking forward to getting the thing back around Xmas time.

Complete Service including new set of hands: £385
New Crown: £40
New Pushers (optional): £125
Extensive Refurbishment of case and bracelet (optional): £195


Total: £745

[Riff Raff]

Murcielago_Boy said:

Riff Raff said:

Did you get a breakdown of the bill? There was a link to the Breitling price list posted earlier, and a full service is £370 something (including a case and bracelet valet). I've just sent the two tone Chronomat I posted pics of earlier in the thread, and they've quoted me the £370 something, plus an optional £60 to have the chrono pushers replaced, as the gold plate on those is wearing a bit thin. £745 would make my eyes water a bit......

Anyway. Looking forward to getting the thing back around Xmas time.

Complete Service including new set of hands: £385
New Crown: £40
New Pushers (optional): £125
Extensive Refurbishment of case and bracelet (optional): £195


Total: £745

Thanks for that - looks like I got off lightly! But to be fair, the case on the Chronomat was in very good nick................

[robsco]

For when the lottery comes in, a Navitimer and a Montbrilliant would be the first two watches on the list. Stunning things - I wasn't aware they used an off-the-shelf movement though. Makes the cost a little more difficult to swallow.

[BigBen]

robsco said:

For when the lottery comes in, a Navitimer and a Montbrilliant would be the first two watches on the list. Stunning things - I wasn't aware they used an off-the-shelf movement though. Makes the cost a little more difficult to swallow.

I think they use their own movement these days. Even in the off the shelf days they were heavily modified as far as I know.

[tertius]

BigBen said:

I think they use their own movement these days. Even in the off the shelf days they were heavily modified as far as I know.

Only a very few models use the in-house movement. They are still mainly off the shelf from ETA. As for "modifications" I'm fairly sure this is all done by ETA - ie Breitling order the top spec movement with "Breitling" engraved on the rotor and that is how ETA will supply it.

This is the case for most ETA based watches, not just Breitling of course.

[NJH]

I believe the superquartz (thermoline?) versions of the ETA quartz movements are exclusive to Breitling, or rather Eddie Platts ISTR said as much a while back after he had requested such movements for use in a Timefactors project.

I have owned several Breitlings and currently have a 1 year old Aerospace, my overriding impression is one of outrageous new RRP but very good VFM secondhand. You need big wrists to carry off many of the models though.

[GC8]

Few current wristwatches appeal to me, but I do have a cracking 1/10th of a second stopwatch.

[Welshbeef]

£795 for an annual service.

That's a gnats chaff away from an Omega Seamaster every two years!!!

I know there are the chepo watches basic casio and the like then you have the branded watches and then you have the Uber brands. I'd love to have a nice platinum rolex or platinum bristling but just for the life of me cannot justify spending that much money on a watch. It is not a case of I cannot afford it as I most certainly can but let's cut to the chase one of those or a 964 or 911 996 c2 or even a 996 Turbo is within the same reach.

I guess there is being able to afford it and being very wealthy to the point it's small change. In which case if that's you good for you fill yer boots but I cannot imagine there are that many people who are in that fortunate situation. Possibly they are stretching or cutting back on other areas for purely self gratification. Ie if you have kids or a wife spending such amounts on yourself kind of seems very selfish.

View chaps? I think I'm being pretty Frank here assume most of you are the very comfortably off in which case it's a case of who cares it's our money can easily afford it and not missing out on anything else - but what about you folk who are a little lighter in the bank balance bulge??

[tertius]

Welshbeef said:

£795 for an annual service.

That's a gnats chaff away from an Omega Seamaster every two years!!!

Firstly its not annual. Possibly every 5 years or even less often.

Secondly its only so expensive if you go to an AD. It would be a fraction of the price at an independent watchmaker/repairer. I cannot understand the fascination with going back to companies like Tag/Breitling/Omega for basic servicing. If its under warranty or something very unusual/high-end/in-house then conceivably but for a stock ETA movement ... madness. Its like using an OPC for an oil change on a 996.

As for your other questions, well I'll let others answer that, but on the same lines should we all be driving a Kia?

[andy_s]

Welshbeef said:

£795 for an annual service.

That's a gnats chaff away from an Omega Seamaster every two years!!!

I know there are the chepo watches basic casio and the like then you have the branded watches and then you have the Uber brands. I'd love to have a nice platinum rolex or platinum bristling but just for the life of me cannot justify spending that much money on a watch. It is not a case of I cannot afford it as I most certainly can but let's cut to the chase one of those or a 964 or 911 996 c2 or even a 996 Turbo is within the same reach.

I guess there is being able to afford it and being very wealthy to the point it's small change. In which case if that's you good for you fill yer boots but I cannot imagine there are that many people who are in that fortunate situation. Possibly they are stretching or cutting back on other areas for purely self gratification. Ie if you have kids or a wife spending such amounts on yourself kind of seems very selfish.

View chaps? I think I'm being pretty Frank here assume most of you are the very comfortably off in which case it's a case of who cares it's our money can easily afford it and not missing out on anything else - but what about you folk who are a little lighter in the bank balance bulge??

I think you'll find that most here don't have bulging wallets - and in a lot of ways there is as much delight to be had with a £50 Seiko (in-house movement, day/date, display back etc) as any other watch further up the financial spectrum. For some it's almost a hobby, for others it's buying a watch that they hope will last a lifetime that is a quality item. Many gravitate towards the high street brands and are very satisfied, some search out the lesser known brands that perhaps offer more for less or offer a peculiarity that appeals to them personaly. Others look back at older watches, buying second-hand or vintage - this offers a fairly stable resale value and only ties up capital rather than losing it on depreciation - a factor they take into account as some sell/trade quite often.
If I sold all mine today I'd probably break even at worst, on a good day I'd be a few hundred ahead, so really it hasn't cost me much and it's given me the chance to own and handle watches that, after far too much research, I've decided suit my tastes.

Equal pleasure can be derived at all price points, anyone who is really into their watches tends to be unsnobish anyway I think, you know enough not to be distracted by marketing and hype, know what features you like and don't like, understand that everyones tastes are different and can be canny about what to pay.

Watches don't have to be expensive - I'd look with far more interest at an old Squale or BWC than a new platinum whatever to be honest, although that doesn't mean the platinum whatever is less interesting to the wearer...

As pointed out above, servicing an ETA powered standard watch which is out of warranty should be done quite satisfactoraly at a specialist rather than the main dealer; just like cars in some respects. I would also say that servicing every two years is OTT, and would probably do it once every 5 years, but in practice have seen watches survive decades without being opened at all.

[GC8]

GC8 said:

Few current wristwatches appeal to me, but I do have a cracking 1/10th of a second stopwatch.

I now have a matched pair, complete with alloy dashboard mounting plate.

[Grey Ghost]

Riff Raff said:

Grey Ghost said:

My 2003 Blackbird is currently at Breitling in Tunbridge wells having a "factory fresh" overhaul. Cost is £360ish as per PDF link in this thread and I was told it would take up to 8 weeks.........only 4 more to go and I get to visit the place again (well worth it) and put it back on my wrist

You know, looking at that, I think I might try and find one of those. With a UTC..............

Please post some pics when you get it back, as I'd like to see what the 'restored' brushed finish looks like.

I'll try to get some pics up in the next week or so as the invoice arrived yesterday confirming my watch was ready for collection.

Total bill is £372 for a complete overhaul which is listed as follows: dismantling, cleaning and checking all components, replacement of worn movement parts, exchange of hands, assembly, oiling, various adjustments, best possible refurbishment of the case and metal bracelet, replacement of all gaskets and water resistance checks.

I'm going to enjoy collecting it and having a little nose around the place which is fantastic

[Riff Raff]

tertius said:

Secondly its only so expensive if you go to an AD. It would be a fraction of the price at an independent watchmaker/repairer. I cannot understand the fascination with going back to companies like Tag/Breitling/Omega for basic servicing. If its under warranty or something very unusual/high-end/in-house then conceivably but for a stock ETA movement ... madness. Its like using an OPC for an oil change on a 996.

Normally I'd use an independent. It is however a bit tricky with Breitlings, as BUK won't release parts to independents, so, if you know that bits are going to need changing, you have Hobson's choice - it has to go back to BUK, unless of course you are happy for generic parts to be used. That's why one of mine is with BUK at the moment. I knew it needed the chrono pushers replaced, and using generic parts would have changed the whole look and feel of the watch.

[Mazdarese]

Welshbeef said:

View chaps? I think I'm being pretty Frank here assume most of you are the very comfortably off in which case it's a case of who cares it's our money can easily afford it and not missing out on anything else - but what about you folk who are a little lighter in the bank balance bulge??

Hmm. I'm by no means rich, and if I was to go ahead and purchase the Navitimer that I want then it would have been the 3rd most expensive thing I've ever purchased (after house & car). However, I was trying to view it as primarily a beautiful watch that I've wanted to own for years, and secondly an investment and something that I could hand down if I ever am fortunate enough to have children.

I even considered selling my car and buying a snotter so that I could get a Navitimer!

However, since starting this thread I've decided to upgrade my car instead so the Navitimer has slid back down the list

I'm currently looking for a 'cool' Casio digital

[Podie]

Welshbeef said:

I think I'm being pretty Frank here assume most of you are the very comfortably off in which case it's a case of who cares it's our money can easily afford it and not missing out on anything else - but what about you folk who are a little lighter in the bank balance bulge??

Horses for courses. My car cost me £8k, yours was £10k more than that.

In fact, your profile states:

Welshbeef said:

Bought for £18,450 in January 2010 at 63,700 miles. Now worth about £13,200 at 85,000 miles.

So your car has depreciated more than a Navitimer cost. You pays your money, you makes your choices.

Edited by Podie on Monday 31st October 11:41

[Murcielago_Boy]

Welshbeef said:

£795 for an annual service.

That's a gnats chaff away from an Omega Seamaster every two years!!!

I know there are the chepo watches basic casio and the like then you have the branded watches and then you have the Uber brands. I'd love to have a nice platinum rolex or platinum bristling but just for the life of me cannot justify spending that much money on a watch. It is not a case of I cannot afford it as I most certainly can but let's cut to the chase one of those or a 964 or 911 996 c2 or even a 996 Turbo is within the same reach.

I guess there is being able to afford it and being very wealthy to the point it's small change. In which case if that's you good for you fill yer boots but I cannot imagine there are that many people who are in that fortunate situation. Possibly they are stretching or cutting back on other areas for purely self gratification. Ie if you have kids or a wife spending such amounts on yourself kind of seems very selfish.

View chaps? I think I'm being pretty Frank here assume most of you are the very comfortably off in which case it's a case of who cares it's our money can easily afford it and not missing out on anything else - but what about you folk who are a little lighter in the bank balance bulge??

Make no mistake, the £745 paid for the service of my Breitling is a mahoosive amount of dough - no question but the watch occupies a special place in my heart - a gift from my dad worn every day for 6 years. I've got a fluorescent yellow-dialed Tag (quartz movment) my dad bought me when I was a boy in 1994 and I spent £145 getting that serviced too.
They mean so much to me so frankly, spending £745 to get it running and looking NEW is worth it.

However, I'm a watch man so my values are quite skewed. My two Patek Philippe's cost about the same as my old Ferrari 430 Spider would have cost me today, but the watches are worth every penny, truly MAGNIFICENTLY made and special and just endlessly gorgeous to look at - quality products of the likes of which are not made by anyone anymore - a brief glance and you can see where the money has gone.
Whereas the piece of st Ferrari hosed money, broke down and couldn't even stop properly (crappy non ceramic brakes) and worst of all, it was made, like anything coming out of Italy like dog-st. Finally the Pateks are likely to at least hold their list price over time - todays Ferraris will probably be scrapped 20 years from now.

You pays your money and takes your choice. The new Patek 5270 I'm waitlisted for is meant to be £118,000 - I'd rather have that than a 997 Turbo. Against a 993 Turbo S? Hmmm, get's more complicated.

Edited by Murcielago_Boy on Monday 31st October 13:21

[neilbauer]

Love my aerospace, wanted one for years paid £1995 about 6 years ago and have just watched the price of a new one rise ever since