Breitling superocean heritage - problem

Breitling superocean heritage - problem

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Discussion

Terzo123

Original Poster:

4,309 posts

207 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
Hi there, I'm looking for some advice.

A family member purchased a new Breitling Superocean Heritage whilst on holiday in Barbados. This was about 8 months ago. They noted pretty much straight away that the crown had to be tightened regularly.

The watch is now showing signs of water ingress. They took the watch to a UK AD who sent the watch away for inspection.

The result of this is that there is moisture in the watch due to the crown not sealing, and the dealer/warranty is willing to go 50/50 on the repair totaling 1400 quid.

The family member has authorised the repair, but I don't think they should be paying 700 pound and that it should be getting covered 100% under warranty.

Is this just wishful thinking on my part, and is there anything they can do?

Thanks in advance

T



FraMac

785 posts

216 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
Terzo123 said:
Hi there, I'm looking for some advice.

A family member purchased a new Breitling Superocean Heritage whilst on holiday in Barbados. This was about 8 months ago. They noted pretty much straight away that the crown had to be tightened regularly.

The watch is now showing signs of water ingress. They took the watch to a UK AD who sent the watch away for inspection.

The result of this is that there is moisture in the watch due to the crown not sealing, and the dealer/warranty is willing to go 50/50 on the repair totaling 1400 quid.

The family member has authorised the repair, but I don't think they should be paying 700 pound and that it should be getting covered 100% under warranty.

Is this just wishful thinking on my part, and is there anything they can do?

Thanks in advance

T
I cannot help you on the legal and contract side (apologies) however a few years ago I bought a brand new Breitling Emergence from an authorised dealer. Very soon I noticed some imperfection building up on the finish of the bezel, took it back to the dealer who returned it to Breitling UK for a quick and free replacement, within a week.No problem with any of the aspects since, it was serviced most recently earlier this year.

Off topic Breitling also provided an additional titanium link at no cost for me - I've found them to be great to deal with (personal opinion).

Hoping it works out ok.



mikeveal

4,557 posts

249 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
UK law wouldn't cover this transaction.

Poor show for Breitling not to offer a worldwide warranty (assuming that they don't, the dealer may be trying it on). I'd NOT authorise the repair and I'd get in touch with Breitling directly.

But, that horse has bolted. Relative has agreed to pay and authorised the work. Neither dealer nor Breitling are motivated to do anything for you now.

Terzo123

Original Poster:

4,309 posts

207 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies.

hilly10

7,076 posts

227 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
Same happened to my SOH after 8 months as far as I know it's a common problem. I sent it back to Brietling where they put a new shaft crown and thread.

FraMac

785 posts

216 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
hilly10 said:
Same happened to my SOH after 8 months as far as I know it's a common problem. I sent it back to Brietling where they put a new shaft crown and thread.
Interesting post so thanks. I have a Chronometre Superocean that I bought new last year that I've not had that problem with. Best I check it in case.

Thanks again.

hilly10

7,076 posts

227 months

Thursday 25th August 2016
quotequote all
The problem was documented on the Breitling watch forum. The thread in the winder shaft would strip. It used to take me a fair few times to get it to bite and tighten up,until it just failed

FraMac

785 posts

216 months

Thursday 25th August 2016
quotequote all
Many thanks, once I've had it looked at (not immediate) I will let you know the outcome.

hilly10

7,076 posts

227 months

Thursday 25th August 2016
quotequote all
Please do

JDiz

1,070 posts

243 months

Thursday 25th August 2016
quotequote all
They do provide a worldwide warranty, I have had to use it on a watch purchased in the Bahamas

subsea99

464 posts

172 months

Thursday 25th August 2016
quotequote all
I would be putting a post on breitling social media sites you will soon get it resolved

CardShark

4,190 posts

178 months

Thursday 25th August 2016
quotequote all
If the watch was faulty very soon after purchase yet no action was taken until the inevitable happened months later then, to be frank, the owner needs a bit of a slap. Did the owner tell Breitling that there was an issue straight after purchase when the watch was eventually sent to them? If they were made aware and could have rectified the fault under warranty before further, and more costly, damage occurred then perhaps 50/50 is actually quite fair.
No harm in asking Breitling to foot the entire bill - nothing ventured, nothing gained - though your relative may be left with a £700 lesson.

Edited by CardShark on Thursday 25th August 22:20

Philemon

1,591 posts

195 months

Thursday 25th August 2016
quotequote all
hilly10 said:
Same happened to my SOH after 8 months as far as I know it's a common problem. I sent it back to Brietling where they put a new shaft crown and thread.
Mine too. Exactly the same. In the shop at the moment getting the hands reset. POS. Looks good but mechanical Breitlings are a waste of money. Never again.

My £400 Steinhart is substantially better built.

Edit - Spelling Steinhart (autotype error)

Edited by Philemon on Friday 26th August 11:31

hilly10

7,076 posts

227 months

Friday 26th August 2016
quotequote all
With mine I purchased it from Ernest Jones that's where I took for them to sort, which they did. But as said its a worldwide guarantee so Brietling should be doing it free of charge

marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Friday 26th August 2016
quotequote all
Presumably for £1400 they believe the water ingress has damaged the movement (It can't cost that much to replace a crown, stem and tube).

I guess the problem is that water ingress CAN be user error, so unless you can demonstrate a problem with the crown, it COULD be the owner simply forgot to tighten it down...

Poor show though, if it's a known issue.

M.

Edited by marcosgt on Friday 26th August 10:50

Terzo123

Original Poster:

4,309 posts

207 months

Friday 26th August 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for all the comments. I've passed much of it on.

1400 is a lot, so I can only imagine there is a fair bit of damage.

It turns out my relative has been dealing directly with Breitling and not through an AD.

I will update with the outcome.

scherzkeks

4,460 posts

133 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
quotequote all
Philemon said:
Mine too. Exactly the same. In the shop at the moment getting the hands reset. POS. Looks good but mechanical Breitlings are a waste of money. Never again.

My £400 Steinhart is substantially better built.

Edit - Spelling Steinhart (autotype error)

Edited by Philemon on Friday 26th August 11:31
Utter nonsense. Every mechanical watch can have issues. Once you have owned enough, this doesn't even need mentioning. The question is, when your Steinhart has an issue, will you even want to fix it?

Philemon

1,591 posts

195 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
quotequote all
scherzkeks said:
Utter nonsense. Every mechanical watch can have issues. Once you have owned enough, this doesn't even need mentioning. The question is, when your Steinhart has an issue, will you even want to fix it?
Utter nonsense? The Breitling has the same 2824-2 movement. The crown issue on the Breitling is not uncommon and is a poor design.

I own both.

scherzkeks

4,460 posts

133 months

Sunday 28th August 2016
quotequote all
Philemon said:
Utter nonsense? The Breitling has the same 2824-2 movement. The crown issue on the Breitling is not uncommon and is a poor design.

I own both.
My ETA-powered Sinn 856S has been back to Sinn twice for mvt. related issues and poor AR coating.. But I don't go around calling Sinn st. Sinn is leagues ahead of Steinhart, and Breitling is on another level entirely.

Philemon

1,591 posts

195 months

Sunday 28th August 2016
quotequote all
scherzkeks said:
My ETA-powered Sinn 856S has been back to Sinn twice for mvt. related issues and poor AR coating.. But I don't go around calling Sinn st. Sinn is leagues ahead of Steinhart, and Breitling is on another level entirely.
You are entitled to your opinion, of course. Clearly we have a difference and thankfully that's why there are so many different watch brands. I don't go around calling Breitling excrement, I just don't rate them above Steinhart. ETA supply ebauches to many brands and marketing is a very powerful tool.