Breitling service advice please
Discussion
I have had a Colt for about 14 years. I know it's bottom of the range but I like it.
It started losing time recently so I took it to Golldsmiths to arrange a service. I had never bothered before.
The service fee of £375 wasn't unexpected and they did warn me that they would inform me if anything else needed doing.
A 3 month turn round was a bit of a shock though.
I had the following email from Goldsmiyhs on Saturday:
"Good Afternoon,
We have today heard from Breitling with regards to your watch and would like to submit the following estimate to restore it to full working order:
A complete service £375.00
Exchange of the bezel - existing is dented and suspected thread damage £515.00
Exchange of the crown - existing is scratched and dented £55.00
The work will take approximately ten weeks to complete."
Now, the watch is 14 years old and has been worn every day whether I'm in the office, in the garden or working on the car so I expect it to be scratched. And it will get scratched again, I guess, so I'm not convinced it's worth changing the crown or crystal.
The big shocker was the bezel, though. I hadn't realised that it had stopped rotating and assumed that there maybe a little grit/ dust in it, but I'm advised that it's £515 to replace. That strikes me as taking to the p...roverbial.
For the £1036 quoted and I can buy a second hand one or an Aerospace etc with a warranty from one of the on line watch dealers, or I could buy a couple of Tag, 3 X Seiko or a couple of Chritopher Ward.
I'm actually thinking of telling them to service the watch only and not bother with the bezel, crystal, crown.
Any thoughts?
Cheers.
It started losing time recently so I took it to Golldsmiths to arrange a service. I had never bothered before.
The service fee of £375 wasn't unexpected and they did warn me that they would inform me if anything else needed doing.
A 3 month turn round was a bit of a shock though.
I had the following email from Goldsmiyhs on Saturday:
"Good Afternoon,
We have today heard from Breitling with regards to your watch and would like to submit the following estimate to restore it to full working order:
A complete service £375.00
Exchange of the bezel - existing is dented and suspected thread damage £515.00
Exchange of the crown - existing is scratched and dented £55.00
- Exchange of the crystal - scratches notes on anti reflective coating £91.00
The work will take approximately ten weeks to complete."
Now, the watch is 14 years old and has been worn every day whether I'm in the office, in the garden or working on the car so I expect it to be scratched. And it will get scratched again, I guess, so I'm not convinced it's worth changing the crown or crystal.
The big shocker was the bezel, though. I hadn't realised that it had stopped rotating and assumed that there maybe a little grit/ dust in it, but I'm advised that it's £515 to replace. That strikes me as taking to the p...roverbial.
For the £1036 quoted and I can buy a second hand one or an Aerospace etc with a warranty from one of the on line watch dealers, or I could buy a couple of Tag, 3 X Seiko or a couple of Chritopher Ward.
I'm actually thinking of telling them to service the watch only and not bother with the bezel, crystal, crown.
Any thoughts?
Cheers.
I'm at a similar juncture with my Colt, it's almost the same age I would guess. Unfortunately my crown won't engage due to stripped threads (not uncommon as far as I've read) and the repair bill will be as significant as yours. I paid £980 brand new from an AD but not sure if I can happily part with that again to get it working 
Actually I did try in the summer but ended up blowing the repair fund on a Sinn UX...
I have (pretty much universally) read that the services are awesome, and you'll have almost a brand new watch if that makes it any better.
Actually I did try in the summer but ended up blowing the repair fund on a Sinn UX...
I have (pretty much universally) read that the services are awesome, and you'll have almost a brand new watch if that makes it any better.
Its a fair call on the crown, but i hadnt noticed a problem a problem with it. I think its just a slight dent in it from wear that can only be seen when looking for it.
The bezel is the kicker. Ithas always "crept" slightly but now its stuck solid at about 1400. I hadnt even noticed it. Im annoyed its stuck but it doesnt affect the working of the watch. Im even more annoyed about the cost to replace.
The bezel is the kicker. Ithas always "crept" slightly but now its stuck solid at about 1400. I hadnt even noticed it. Im annoyed its stuck but it doesnt affect the working of the watch. Im even more annoyed about the cost to replace.
West Watch Repairs 01634 660555 They have reduced their hours down and now only work part time but the important bit is that he set up Breitling's UK Service Centre in Tunbridge Wells, has very good contacts for spares and his son is currently apprenticed there. I've used them for years and they're straight, honest and fair.
Just to update, I have spoken to Variomatic and found him very helpful. As a result I have recovered my watch from Goldsmlths/ Breitling and will send it to Joe on Monday.
Joe' s forecast Service charge was significantly less than Breitlings, although the bezel repair can't be costed until seen.
In the mean time, I have spent some of the potential money saved on a Christopher Ward C7!
Joe' s forecast Service charge was significantly less than Breitlings, although the bezel repair can't be costed until seen.
In the mean time, I have spent some of the potential money saved on a Christopher Ward C7!
Another update, and a thank you to those that recommended "Variomatic" (Joe).
I received my watch back today. Cleaned, serviced, pressure tested and working fine. The bezel was freed by the simple expedient of ultrasonic cleaning and lubricated.
All for a very small % of the Breitling quote. Indeed with the cost of the service and the purchase of a Christopher Ward C7, I still had change from the original service estimate of £375, let alone the cost of the bezel replacement!
I do appreciate that Breitling polish and refurbish to a near new standard, however, I wasn't actually after that. I might have actually paid their price for the service, but the cost of replacing the bezel, which ultimately didn't need replacing, was the real issue, that I couldn't stomach, and I just think they were either taking the P or trying to get me to part ex for a new watch.
Anyway, very happy with Variomatic's service. Well recommended.
I received my watch back today. Cleaned, serviced, pressure tested and working fine. The bezel was freed by the simple expedient of ultrasonic cleaning and lubricated.
All for a very small % of the Breitling quote. Indeed with the cost of the service and the purchase of a Christopher Ward C7, I still had change from the original service estimate of £375, let alone the cost of the bezel replacement!
I do appreciate that Breitling polish and refurbish to a near new standard, however, I wasn't actually after that. I might have actually paid their price for the service, but the cost of replacing the bezel, which ultimately didn't need replacing, was the real issue, that I couldn't stomach, and I just think they were either taking the P or trying to get me to part ex for a new watch.
Anyway, very happy with Variomatic's service. Well recommended.
mel said:
West Watch Repairs 01634 660555 They have reduced their hours down and now only work part time but the important bit is that he set up Breitling's UK Service Centre in Tunbridge Wells, has very good contacts for spares and his son is currently apprenticed there. I've used them for years and they're straight, honest and fair.
Maybe his credentials are as you say, but he failed on 3 separate occasions to adjust the timekeeping on my Blackbird. He's enthusiastic - yes - but not capable of performing that supposedly simple task. Edited by Number 7 on Friday 9th December 12:09
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