The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Ok, I simplified the answer from BSWE slightly

The email was as follow (they had the watch approx. two months ago for an estimate):

"Hi.
This is the error description based on our previous investigation of the watch. Contact errors in the quarts movement. Dings and scratches on the case, bezel, chimney and antenna cap. Scratches in the anti-glare surface. Based on our previous estimate we need to upgrade the quarts to a completely new superquarts. This is the expensive part. Ordinary overhaul costs 510€.

Options:
Middle case
Turning ring
Crown
Glass

Price depending on options: 1060€ - 1500€

If you send us the watch, we will of course make a new estimate for you."

I intend to document the watch before and after the service and present the images on this forum for comparison. Would that be of interest?

The requirement for the superquartz upgrade implies that the problems with the movement make it not economically serviceable - that's not that uncommon and the watch will be worth more than with the reqular quartz, although you won't get all of the additional cost back in increased value.

It looks like the case and crystal work is optional so it really comes down to whether or not you are prepared to accept the additional cost for the improved look. I would personally replace a crown because that can rapidly go from optional replacement to completely broken.

Thanks Roff, I really appreciate your opinion. But I think I have to explain how I feel about the watch.

I'm prepared to go full monty on this one
Its been a long dream of mine, since early 90ies, to get my self a Breitling watch. Preferably an Emergency or a Cosmonaute! In the beginning of this year I had the opportunity to buy this one. I think I'm the third owner, and I bought the watch out of pure affection, not as an investment! Of course I care if the watch keeps its value, but regardless I intend to use and enjoy this watch on a daily basis. If I ever buy a second or a third Breitling, which I probably will now when I have taken the first step towards economic ruin (just kidding), I am still going to keep this watch!

Now, am I stupid to pay this amount of money for a complete overhaul?? I payed about 1750€ for the watch to begin with! I thought its was a good deal??? Any thoughts?

I have spent a bit of money on watches out of passion and a lot more money on passion
Even if you end up spending 3000 Euro on the watch in total and you get 10 years of joy out of it, it is about 5 Euro per week, a pint of beer.
No, you are not stupid.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Not stupid at all, paying for high-end servicing costs are part of the pain/pleasure of owning high-end things. It's a subjective thing: me, I would fret every single day if I thought my watch had had sub-optimal servicing, and it would detract from all the pleasure of owning it. Peace of mind costs money. Go for it, enjoy the afterglow - and as you say, inventory of costs and before/after shots would be interesting to many of us, yes.

Thanks guys!

I'll post before and after pictures in a new thread. BSWE told me to expect it to take 4-6 weeks. How can I survive that amount of time without my baby? I understand why people have two watches or more

Looking forward for the pictures


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Breitling Emergency Yellow Dial

Continuing this in a new thread

Emergency before and after service

I have a question about my emergency. I bought it second hand from an AD over the internet. The warranty booklet wasn't filled out with a date. I have had the watch for a year and took it to my AD in Tucson for the pressure test. They told my I had to send it in and there was a $50 shipping charge. I then asked about the first service being free to which the woman didn't seem to believe me. I wondered if the watch had ever been serviced before as the date was blank in the warranty booklet. My AD said they would send it in and call me once it was looked at. The woman also said it had to go to Switzerland. From all that I've read on this forum and the mention of BUSA, isn't there a Breitling facility in the US that services watches? When my AD called me back they told me it was a routine service and quoted me just shy of $500. I don't mind because I did buy the watch second hand and use it when I fly so I would like that piece of mind. Is it normal to have to ship it off for the pressure test? (I have a navitimer 01 that will be coming due for the 1 year pressure test) Is that the prescribed increment for the pressure test? Is it really necessary if I don't ever get my watches remotely close to water? Thanks for the help.

Love that logic, Wessa. I'm not sure my wife will be as convinced by it as i am.

Emergencies are sent to Switzerland for service because of the transmitter service. First service should be free, but just because that hasn't been entered in the booklet doesn't mean that it hasn't happened - watch could have been sent for service without the booklet.

For the Navitimer 01, if it was sold new on or after January 1st 2012 then you need the pressure test to keep the 5 year warranty, but any AD with a watchmaker on site should be able to test it. Not sure if the terms and conditions of the 5 year warranty require a test specifically at a maintenance centre though.

Every two years and at Authorized Breitling repair centre according to terms and conditions on Breitling web site (see the IMPORTANT note at the bottom of the 5 year warranty details.

http://www.breitling.com/en/service/int ... -warranty/

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Yeah, what I meant was does "Authorized Breitling Repair Centre" mean only one of the service centres on the service page, or an AD with a Breitling certified watchmaker? Wording seems to suggest the former, but that seems like a ton of extra work for the service centre.

Thanks Roff, you should change your profile name to watchgod!