The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Not necessarily.

If it is regulated to within COSC specs and then can maintain that performance then it doesn't need servicing. If it is regulated but is then unable to maintain that level of performance then it's an indicator of a need for service.

If the watch is consistently -18 then it suggests a simple regulation.

I have checked it a few times and it seems to be about the same out each time, so my feelings are it need regulating. And I don't wear it every day sometimes it can be months between. I not worried but I like things to be right and as they should be. I sure the over haul will sort it out and if not it comes with a years warranty doesn't it?

Yes, all service work comes with a one-year warranty. If you're content to live with an 18 second loss per day, and there are no other signs the watch is in need of servicing immediately, then there's no reason you can't wait for the full service. Personally, I don't know that I'd be OK with that degree of loss. Getting the watch regulated is a fairly simple thing, and might even make it so you can put off an overhaul, depending on the age of the watch. Do you know how old the watch is?

Less than 15 seconds per year..... but it is a superquartz

Sorry

I know in theory the SQ movements are supposed to be significantly better than standard quartz, but my five-year-old, basic quartz TAG Link is only off by maybe one second a month, putting it in SQ range in terms of accuracy. I don't why it should perform that well, but it does. I'm continually impressed by how dead-on accurate it is, even if it is a rather boring, pedestrian watch.

My recently bought Superocean Professional (2002) was running -15/24h. I don't like watches running slow. The amplitude was still fine, so no service needed. The watchmaker regulated it for free while I was waiting, now it's runs constant +2/3 in 24h. I service when it can't maintain te COSC specs.

Greetz,

My watch will be 4 years old in Jan 2012. If I wore the watch more often and for longer periods of time it would bug me more. But I only wear it as a dress watch or if I'm out somewhere. Which at the moment isn't very often. So it might get worn for an evening every couple of months. The watch spends more time unwound than working. So losing as much time as it does over an evening isn't too much of an issue.

It won't be due for an overhaul for at least another year and a half, and probably longer, unless there is something really wrong with your watch. A normal service interval is five years, although as Roff has said elsewhere, "the simple answer is when it can no longer keep accurate time." If your watch's time loss is solved by a simple regulation, you may well be able to put off an expensive and time-consuming overhaul for another couple of years. Conversely, regulating it could tell you you need a servicing sooner than that. Unless there's a particular reason why you want to get it overhauled sooner than might otherwise be needed (e.g., polishing the case, etc.), regulating it seems like the most sensible approach at the current time. In the end, of course, it's your choice, and your money.

I thought overhauls were ever 4years. So I guess I was mistaken on the time span. It might be worth a call to BUK and ask about regulation. But depending on the costs it might be worth getting it serviced. It has already got a service stamp in the book. Will BUK have a record of what that was for? And can I get that info from them even if it wasn't me that authorised it?

Service interval is 5 - 7 years, but the clock doesn't start when the watch is sold - it starts when the watch was produced, which could be a long time before it was first sold. In a modern watch the service interval is really driven by the oils breaking down as they age and that has nothing to do with whether it is sitting in a showcase or worn on your wrist.

I believe that BUK does maintain details of watches sent for servicing, but don't know how much information they will provide.

It's not necessary to send it in to BUK for a regulation. Any qualified watchmaker can do that for a pretty reasonable cost, although I'm not sure how that affects the warranty. If it's a Breitling-approved watchmaker, it would probably be OK. Admittedly, I don't know too much about that end of things, but our local experts can probably provide insight.

Edit: Just remembered the watch isn't under warranty, which frees you up somewhat. If you know a good Breitling AD that has a watchmaker on site, that might be a good option.

I agree with your post Roff.

However, Hightower stated that his watch was due for a service next year. Since he bought the watch second hand, in doubt, and not having the complete history of the watch, personally, I would service it.

Hightower stated in a later post that his watch will be 4 years old in January. The question is will it be 4 years since production or since the day of purchase?

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

I stand by what I said, if it keeps time within COSC specs and maintains power reserve I really couldn't give two hoots how old it is, it doesn't need servicing.

5 - 7 years is a guideline, but it will vary based on the amount of oil used, how new the oil was, etc, etc, etc.

Chrono Cockpit 2 week avg +2/day
Superocean Heritage 46 2 week avg 1.7 sec/day

Really depends whether worn or not worn as well. I get the best accuracy when I wear the watch as opposed to putting it on a timer.

I am happy about the level of accuracy as long as it is within the COSC specs of +6 per day. The real advantage, especially with the Chrono, is that it can be a bit of a pain to set (have to be careful making sure the threads line up on the screw down crown) whereas the superocean is easy to set to the correct time. I reset when I get to +30 so the chrono only has to be set twice per month.

Interesting to see people's replies on performance.
So do you guys ever adjust the time on your watch, say after a month?

Like I said, I can be a bit OCD and I adjust it if it's a whole minute or more faster.

I tend to leave my watch on the side overnight, does this make the watch perform faster as opposed to leaving it on it's caseback?