Are Breitling rubbish?
Discussion
My wife has one of these timepieces, wanted one for years, eventually dropped something loony like £4K on one.
15 months into ownership she took it back to the place she bought it from to have a new battery fitted.
This was going to cost something insane like £40 and take a week to fit.
The jeweller rang up to say that the battery had leaked and as such the internals were all corroded.
They blamed her for allowing the battery to leak too, claiming that the warranty didn't cover it, IMO leaking batteries was something that happened in the 1980's or with those obscure brands that you get with your TV remote control, alas they didn't share my point of view (ignoring the fact that 15 months of battery life is pretty poor, but maybe it had been in there a while before the watch was sold).
After much arguing they agreed to repair the watch at a discounted price, and fit a new battery.
To avoid a repeat of the problem my wife returned a year later to have a service and another battery fitted.
Obviously no surprise that she received another call informing her that the new battery had been leaking and the internals are shafted again!
Now that the watch is out of warranty they're wanting a small fortune to repair it.
Surely this sort of thing isn't the norm?
Casio FTW!
15 months into ownership she took it back to the place she bought it from to have a new battery fitted.
This was going to cost something insane like £40 and take a week to fit.
The jeweller rang up to say that the battery had leaked and as such the internals were all corroded.
They blamed her for allowing the battery to leak too, claiming that the warranty didn't cover it, IMO leaking batteries was something that happened in the 1980's or with those obscure brands that you get with your TV remote control, alas they didn't share my point of view (ignoring the fact that 15 months of battery life is pretty poor, but maybe it had been in there a while before the watch was sold).
After much arguing they agreed to repair the watch at a discounted price, and fit a new battery.
To avoid a repeat of the problem my wife returned a year later to have a service and another battery fitted.
Obviously no surprise that she received another call informing her that the new battery had been leaking and the internals are shafted again!
Now that the watch is out of warranty they're wanting a small fortune to repair it.
Surely this sort of thing isn't the norm?
Casio FTW!
I've had an Aerospace for the past 13 years.
It's on its 4th battery, none of which have ever leaked.
The bracelet scratches very easily but always comes back from Breitling looking like new (no scratches on face).
The green glowing dot at 12 o'clock hasn't been done properly and there was a speck of dust on one of the LCD displays.
Can't say I'm that disappointed with it, overall.
It's on its 4th battery, none of which have ever leaked.
The bracelet scratches very easily but always comes back from Breitling looking like new (no scratches on face).
The green glowing dot at 12 o'clock hasn't been done properly and there was a speck of dust on one of the LCD displays.
Can't say I'm that disappointed with it, overall.
I don't think that the OP was validating his choice of model watch.
To answer the original question, AFAIK, batteries are only supposed to leak when they get flat/old.
I do not claim to be an expert but to me the battery life sounds very short. I recently replaced a battery in a 3 year old Colt and was told that the old battery still had approx 3 years of life in it.
Sounds like there may be something wrong with that specific watch.
James
To answer the original question, AFAIK, batteries are only supposed to leak when they get flat/old.
I do not claim to be an expert but to me the battery life sounds very short. I recently replaced a battery in a 3 year old Colt and was told that the old battery still had approx 3 years of life in it.
Sounds like there may be something wrong with that specific watch.
James
Doesnt sound like a problem with the watch- it will have an ETA quartz movement which should be decent enough. I'd be inclined to guess that the watchmaker/whoever replaced the battery with old stock. Which Breitling is it, and how much are they charging to fix the internals, out of curiosity?
I'd agree on the battery-watch thing, when she bought I was amazed that it was electric.
It's this one:
http://www.breitling.com/en/#/models/aeromarine/co...
Still think it's poo that they have batteries that leak, you'd never get that on a Casio.
The jewellers send the watch off to Breitling, it's why it takes a week to have the battery changed.
It's this one:
http://www.breitling.com/en/#/models/aeromarine/co...
Still think it's poo that they have batteries that leak, you'd never get that on a Casio.
The jewellers send the watch off to Breitling, it's why it takes a week to have the battery changed.
Edited by qube_TA on Thursday 2nd July 18:17
Apparently, women don't give a toss about mechanical movements. They want it to tell the time and look pretty.
It sounds pretty bad for a "luxury" watch. Tell them it has put one person off buying a quartz Breitling, especially as they last only a year (I can't decide if that's just the battery or the entire watch has a year's life span).
It sounds pretty bad for a "luxury" watch. Tell them it has put one person off buying a quartz Breitling, especially as they last only a year (I can't decide if that's just the battery or the entire watch has a year's life span).
qube_TA said:
My wife has one of these timepieces, wanted one for years, eventually dropped something loony like £4K on one.
15 months into ownership she took it back to the place she bought it from to have a new battery fitted.
This was going to cost something insane like £40 and take a week to fit.
The jeweller rang up to say that the battery had leaked and as such the internals were all corroded.
They blamed her for allowing the battery to leak too, claiming that the warranty didn't cover it, IMO leaking batteries was something that happened in the 1980's or with those obscure brands that you get with your TV remote control, alas they didn't share my point of view (ignoring the fact that 15 months of battery life is pretty poor, but maybe it had been in there a while before the watch was sold).
After much arguing they agreed to repair the watch at a discounted price, and fit a new battery.
To avoid a repeat of the problem my wife returned a year later to have a service and another battery fitted.
Obviously no surprise that she received another call informing her that the new battery had been leaking and the internals are shafted again!
Now that the watch is out of warranty they're wanting a small fortune to repair it.
Surely this sort of thing isn't the norm?
Casio FTW!
4K 15 months ago!? I think the dealer saw you coming, the RRP was ony £3,335 15 months ago, and £40 seems awfully cheap for a Breitling UK battery change/service, are you sure the jeweller is actually sending it back to Breitling?15 months into ownership she took it back to the place she bought it from to have a new battery fitted.
This was going to cost something insane like £40 and take a week to fit.
The jeweller rang up to say that the battery had leaked and as such the internals were all corroded.
They blamed her for allowing the battery to leak too, claiming that the warranty didn't cover it, IMO leaking batteries was something that happened in the 1980's or with those obscure brands that you get with your TV remote control, alas they didn't share my point of view (ignoring the fact that 15 months of battery life is pretty poor, but maybe it had been in there a while before the watch was sold).
After much arguing they agreed to repair the watch at a discounted price, and fit a new battery.
To avoid a repeat of the problem my wife returned a year later to have a service and another battery fitted.
Obviously no surprise that she received another call informing her that the new battery had been leaking and the internals are shafted again!
Now that the watch is out of warranty they're wanting a small fortune to repair it.
Surely this sort of thing isn't the norm?
Casio FTW!
Stef
ISTR the invoice for a battery change on my Aerospace including sealing and seal test was about £40, and yes work done by Breitling UK.
I doubt Breitling make their own batteries, surely this is just some generic battery. As said above probably left too long or replaced with a duff one which leaked.
As I side note I am fairly sure that way back in the day when the Swiss got serious about quartz the high end quartz watches from Omega and Rolex where very very expensive. Also perhaps the most uniquely Breitling models are the quartz ones such as the Aerospace and the B-1.
I doubt Breitling make their own batteries, surely this is just some generic battery. As said above probably left too long or replaced with a duff one which leaked.
As I side note I am fairly sure that way back in the day when the Swiss got serious about quartz the high end quartz watches from Omega and Rolex where very very expensive. Also perhaps the most uniquely Breitling models are the quartz ones such as the Aerospace and the B-1.
NJH said:
ISTR the invoice for a battery change on my Aerospace including sealing and seal test was about £40, and yes work done by Breitling UK.
I doubt Breitling make their own batteries, surely this is just some generic battery. As said above probably left too long or replaced with a duff one which leaked.
As I side note I am fairly sure that way back in the day when the Swiss got serious about quartz the high end quartz watches from Omega and Rolex where very very expensive. Also perhaps the most uniquely Breitling models are the quartz ones such as the Aerospace and the B-1.
Don't forget Longines with their VHP quartz! Was it definitely sent to Breitling UK, or did they just send it to their local watch bod?I doubt Breitling make their own batteries, surely this is just some generic battery. As said above probably left too long or replaced with a duff one which leaked.
As I side note I am fairly sure that way back in the day when the Swiss got serious about quartz the high end quartz watches from Omega and Rolex where very very expensive. Also perhaps the most uniquely Breitling models are the quartz ones such as the Aerospace and the B-1.
Stefan SRT8 said:
4K 15 months ago!? I think the dealer saw you coming, the RRP was ony £3,335 15 months ago, and £40 seems awfully cheap for a Breitling UK battery change/service, are you sure the jeweller is actually sending it back to Breitling?
Stef
A year & 15 months.Stef
I don't know the exact amount she paid but it was the best part of £4000 IIRC, it's the one with the diamond bezel.
The £40 was for battery only not service, service is £120, she's awaiting a quote from Breitling to determine how much the damage due to the 2nd leaky battery will cost to repair.
andy tims said:
£4k on a quartz, that is just totally 
However the point of the thread is that is it acceptable to have such a short life expectancy of a battery and to have it leak every other year when you wouldn't have that sort of problem with a cheapo Timex.
Sounds a lot like poor quality jeweller to me. Back when I had Rolex's I had my GMT serviced and about 15 months later was sitting at a football match, glanced at the time and the watch was going very fast. sweep hand was completing a cycle in about 20 seconds instead of 60. Back to the jewellers, no woriies they said we'll send it back to Rolex in Bexley or Bexleyheath, whichever one it is to fix. No there won't be a charge it's only a few months out of the 12 month warranty.
I think more complaining about the whole sequence of events with Breitling is called for. They shouldn't want to have those sort of problems associated with their brand.
I think more complaining about the whole sequence of events with Breitling is called for. They shouldn't want to have those sort of problems associated with their brand.
glazbagun said:
NJH said:
ISTR the invoice for a battery change on my Aerospace including sealing and seal test was about £40, and yes work done by Breitling UK.
I doubt Breitling make their own batteries, surely this is just some generic battery. As said above probably left too long or replaced with a duff one which leaked.
As I side note I am fairly sure that way back in the day when the Swiss got serious about quartz the high end quartz watches from Omega and Rolex where very very expensive. Also perhaps the most uniquely Breitling models are the quartz ones such as the Aerospace and the B-1.
Don't forget Longines with their VHP quartz! Was it definitely sent to Breitling UK, or did they just send it to their local watch bod?I doubt Breitling make their own batteries, surely this is just some generic battery. As said above probably left too long or replaced with a duff one which leaked.
As I side note I am fairly sure that way back in the day when the Swiss got serious about quartz the high end quartz watches from Omega and Rolex where very very expensive. Also perhaps the most uniquely Breitling models are the quartz ones such as the Aerospace and the B-1.
Bat + seal £34 + VAT,
registered delivery £10 + VAT
Grand total including VAT £51
Invoice is from Breitling UK.
Oh and how could I forget Longines, wow they made some seriously cool stuff in the past. Its a bit of fascination for me the megaquartz era, something like a steel oysterquartz or Omega's marine chronometer would be a fantastic grail find.
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