Breitling screw-in crown trouble, advice please!

Breitling screw-in crown trouble, advice please!

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thornettj

Original Poster:

125 posts

222 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
Hello watch experts.
I am lucky enough to have a Breitling Chrono avenger, (titanium), which I love.

It is around 4 years old.

Approx two years after I bought it (but crucially just inside the 2 year warranty period) I found that the crown would not screw back in after adjusting the time. To be honest it had deteriorated over a period of a few months where it became more difficult to screw in, the crown just screwed round and round, without getting any 'purchase'. Breitling repaired under warranty.

Fast forward to this year an I notice that the same thing is happening again, i.e. it is getting more difficult to get the crown to get any purchase on the thread, to lock itself down. Over a few months it became impossible. I had thought maybe dirt had got into the thread whch was stopping it threading on, but this was not the case. I dropped the watch into the place I purchased it from and they said they would send into Breitling who would investigate.

I have heard today that Breitling will charge me for repair, as the watch is long out of guarantee, and the original repair only had one year warranty on it, which is passed. Their quote states:

"To put your crown in order requires a routine complete overhaul including: dismantling, cleaning & checking all components, replacement of worn parts, assembly, oiling, Various adjustments. Refurbishing the case & bracelet , replacement of all gaskets & water resistance test. £400.00
  • Exchange of hands included in above £0.00
  • Exchange of crown- existing will not screw down £99.21"
I guess I just want your thoughts on this. Am I asking too much for a quality watch not to need a replacement crown every two years? I treat it VERY gently, and screw it in with great care not to damage the thread, max once every two weeks....

thornettj

Original Poster:

125 posts

222 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
Thank you Bry

thornettj

Original Poster:

125 posts

222 months

Wednesday 31st May 2017
quotequote all
Weirdly just found my old post from 6 years ago when searching the forum because, you guessed it, Breitlng titanium crown will not thread on again. THis is the 3rd or 4th time in 9 years. Clearly a design fault - I don it over tighten the crown.

Does anyone have any ideas?

James