Issues with my Bell & Ross BR03-92
Discussion
I got my BR03-92 in March 2010, so it has very recently passed out of it's 2 year warranty.
Last week I noticed that the watch had stopped while I was wearing it. I re-set the time and it seemed to work fine again.
This weekend it stopped again and this time would not restart.
I wear this and a vintage Rolex, generally swapping them every two days, I do not undertake any extreme sports or rugged actions, and wear the watch in my office and for everyday use. The watch has NEVER been dropped or mistreated in any way.
When I rang the dealer I purchased it from, she instantly barked at me that "it needs a service", then about seven sentances later contradicted hereslf by sayng that they adopt a "if it 'aint broke don't fix it" policy to servicing, and never recommend you get it done if there is nothing wrong with it.
I'm VERY surprised that a watch that cost me £2,000 should break down so quickly (a little over £1,00 a year !!!). Interestingly my 1965 (therefore 47 years old) Rolex continues to work perfectly.
Any thoughts / advice ?
Cheers,
Stu.
Last week I noticed that the watch had stopped while I was wearing it. I re-set the time and it seemed to work fine again.
This weekend it stopped again and this time would not restart.
I wear this and a vintage Rolex, generally swapping them every two days, I do not undertake any extreme sports or rugged actions, and wear the watch in my office and for everyday use. The watch has NEVER been dropped or mistreated in any way.
When I rang the dealer I purchased it from, she instantly barked at me that "it needs a service", then about seven sentances later contradicted hereslf by sayng that they adopt a "if it 'aint broke don't fix it" policy to servicing, and never recommend you get it done if there is nothing wrong with it.
I'm VERY surprised that a watch that cost me £2,000 should break down so quickly (a little over £1,00 a year !!!). Interestingly my 1965 (therefore 47 years old) Rolex continues to work perfectly.
Any thoughts / advice ?
Cheers,
Stu.
Sorry to hear this. Very annoying for these things to happen on any watch, let alone on a £2k watch like the BR-03. Irrespective of servicing, it's broke and their service centre (I believe there is one in the UK) should be able to sort it, I'd hope.
It is a shame, though. I would like to think this is a rare occurence, as I believe they use fairly ubiquitous ETA movements.
It is a shame, though. I would like to think this is a rare occurence, as I believe they use fairly ubiquitous ETA movements.
Winding it towards the direction of resistance (upwards) is winding the watch, the resistance you feel is the mainspring. Your watch is automatic, so you can give it as many winds as you want without fear of damaging the mainspring, though keep in mind that it wasn't designed with heavy winding in mind.
If you wind it, say twenty times, then wear it daily then it definitely shouldn't stop, but diagnosing it over the internet is impossible It could be wear in the reversers if you are particularly active, thus reducing the efficiency of the winding, it could be something as simple as a sticky/magnetised hairsping, or the watch may need a full service. Either way it sounds like a job for a watchmaker. Out of curiosity, what is the timekeeping like when it is working?
Personally, I wouldn't be too hard on B&R unless your (trusted!) watchmaker finds something that they've slipped up on. As reliable as modern movements are, they are still tiny mechanical devices running fine tolerances and requiring very little indeed to mess with their performance.
If you wind it, say twenty times, then wear it daily then it definitely shouldn't stop, but diagnosing it over the internet is impossible It could be wear in the reversers if you are particularly active, thus reducing the efficiency of the winding, it could be something as simple as a sticky/magnetised hairsping, or the watch may need a full service. Either way it sounds like a job for a watchmaker. Out of curiosity, what is the timekeeping like when it is working?
Personally, I wouldn't be too hard on B&R unless your (trusted!) watchmaker finds something that they've slipped up on. As reliable as modern movements are, they are still tiny mechanical devices running fine tolerances and requiring very little indeed to mess with their performance.
glazbagun said:
Winding it towards the direction of resistance (upwards) is winding the watch, the resistance you feel is the mainspring. Your watch is automatic, so you can give it as many winds as you want without fear of damaging the mainspring, though keep in mind that it wasn't designed with heavy winding in mind.
If you wind it, say twenty times, then wear it daily then it definitely shouldn't stop, but diagnosing it over the internet is impossible It could be wear in the reversers if you are particularly active, thus reducing the efficiency of the winding, it could be something as simple as a sticky/magnetised hairsping, or the watch may need a full service. Either way it sounds like a job for a watchmaker. Out of curiosity, what is the timekeeping like when it is working?
Personally, I wouldn't be too hard on B&R unless your (trusted!) watchmaker finds something that they've slipped up on. As reliable as modern movements are, they are still tiny mechanical devices running fine tolerances and requiring very little indeed to mess with their performance.
I concur. Give it a wind as described above and you'll probably find it's working fine. If you wind it, say twenty times, then wear it daily then it definitely shouldn't stop, but diagnosing it over the internet is impossible It could be wear in the reversers if you are particularly active, thus reducing the efficiency of the winding, it could be something as simple as a sticky/magnetised hairsping, or the watch may need a full service. Either way it sounds like a job for a watchmaker. Out of curiosity, what is the timekeeping like when it is working?
Personally, I wouldn't be too hard on B&R unless your (trusted!) watchmaker finds something that they've slipped up on. As reliable as modern movements are, they are still tiny mechanical devices running fine tolerances and requiring very little indeed to mess with their performance.
Without sounding to patronizing, it's like if your car runs out of petrol and you stick £5 worth of fuel in at a time. You'll constantly be back to the petrol station to fill it again.
Hi. Ok, so tried winding as suggested this morning, but alas still no movement. Looks like its bound for the service centre. Thanks for all your help on here. Must say, so far my experience with B&R (reliability of product, response from website query, attitude of "forum advisers" erc has left a very sour taste......)
Clydesdalestu said:
Hi. Ok, so tried winding as suggested this morning, but alas still no movement. Looks like its bound for the service centre. Thanks for all your help on here. Must say, so far my experience with B&R (reliability of product, response from website query, attitude of "forum advisers" erc has left a very sour taste......)
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