MrDBM

does anyone know how these things are serviced, I vaguely remember the dealer saying they were sent back to HQ.

Anyone have any idea of cost?

Where's mr Yoza when you need him

PaulT00

From what I gather, a lot of dealers do just send them back to Breitling. However, I've had mine serviced by a couple of "local specialists" - it's an old Navitimer. The last time it went in, I was told that it would probably have to go back to HQ (which could take anything up to 6 months and might cost up to 600 quid) but in the end they got a local bod to look at it, it took 2 months and cost 200 quid.

Part of the reason why I was quoted up to 600 quid is that mine is old enough (about 30 years) to apparently be considered a "classic" model and they charge more for them. So if yours is recent it might be a bit less dosh.

The only other thing I will say is, make sure whoever touches it knows what they're doing. Many years ago mine was done by a local jeweller who obviously wasn't a specialist in chronographs, because 2 days after I got it back it stopped and wouldn't go again. It had to go off to a specialist to make it tick once more... That's probably why a lot of places seem to just go "we'll send it back to HQ".

Iwan

I was on the phone to Breitling asking about this just last week.

They have a main UK service centre where all UK work is carried out, if you take your watch into an official dealers then this is usually where they send it to be worked on.

Best thing is to ring them to discuss exactly what you want doing. Once you've spoken to them they'll give you an estimate price; and ask you to pack the watch up securely and send it (along with the service logbook and a covering letter) to the service centre via Royal Mail Special Delivery.

They do the service and will then call you to tell you the final bill, which you can pay over the phone. They'll then ship the watch back to you.

Breitling UK Service
01892 553620

TWG Distribution
PO Box 309
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN2 3YB

For a full service of my Breitling Avenger Seawolf I was quoted £210.

Top tip. When you send it back, don't send the box that it came in - wrap it securely in bubble wrap and put it in a cardboard box. When they send it back out to you they'll probably put it in a nice free cordura travel case (Breitling monogrammed).

ScooBStu

Why the hell do you need to service a watch??????

I have had my watch for about 5 years now, cost me £80 and it is fantastic - I think some people have too much money!!!!

Do they do **** oil procedures? I guess when you come to sell it you need a FBSH to get the best money!!!!!

Brendan Hughes

Who said anything about selling it?

ShyTot

Breitling ???? Should be BriteBLING!

Diablo

Similar reasons to why you service anything with lubricated moving parts.

mart360

do they have dodgy main bearings then?? fail under load...

these are sealed units... so dust and other poo dont get in....

old addage if it ant broke dont fix it...


M

MrDBM

Iwan, thanks for that, very useful info indeedy

TopBanana

You guys never heard of digital?

Iwan

No worries

Everyone else. Yes you could probably leave it for 20 years without being serviced/oiled and chances are it would still be working. Same as owning a car and not bothering to change the oil i suppose. That's a closed system too but it still gets an accumulation of metal fragments from the moving parts. Ok a watch is much smaller scale but it's still mechanical metal on metal action. I also assume the the lubricants degrade over time, same reason you normally have an oil change on a car based on mileage/time whichever comes sooner.

If you're happy with a digital then that's just fine, good for you.

yoza

www.thewatchlab.co.uk


As a matter of interest what model and year is your watch, also why have you decided to have it serviced..

MrDBM

take a look at www.breitling.com and see how these things are made - amazing

If cars were made as well as that, you'd seal it in a glass case, and just stare...

Diablo

To answer your question, in a way, yes. They have bearings, lubricated with very thin oils that degrade over time.

But don't take my word for it. They say a picture is worth a thousand words

Here's a few pictures (and some words)

http://people.timezone.com/mdisher/a...135/3135_1.htm

RichS

Just to add...

If you get a service done by Breitling, they will change the hands as part of the service. No choice apparently as it's to ensure a proper fit of the hands on re-assembly.
Seemingly removing hands for a service potentially damages them, so Breitling just replace them with new.
No problem if you have a current or recent model - you won't know the difference.
Unfortunately though, if it's a vintage model, the replacement hands *may* not be exactly the same.

Also, when mine came back from service, it was re-polished as part of the job and looked almost brand new.... which was nice

paulr

I'm just gonna leave mine until it starts losing time.I remember reading that IWC recommend not having a watch serviced if there's nothing wrong as taking it apart can cause as much damage as neglecting it.

Secondly you cant compare servicing a watch to a car,unless you serviced the engine by taking out the pistons.Servicing a watch (AFAIK) is more than adding a few drops of oil.