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Breitling B2 questions
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Author:  newbadboy [ Wed Jul 28, 2010 1:51 am ]
Post subject:  Breitling B2 questions
Hello.

Im just about buying a B2 watch but i have some questions. I will pay about 1700$ for it. The watch has ref nr A42362

1 This model was manufactored between 2000-2006. Is it possible to say specific what year?

2 If i don't use the watch often, lets say 4-5 days/month and don't use in water. Do i still need to send it to service every 4 years?

3 Is the price of 1700$ reasonable?

4 I live in Sweden and they say they have to send the watch to Switzerland for service and this is expensive. Is there any possibility to get the service done in Sweden or Denmark cheaper?

5 What happens with the watch if service is not done?
Author:  Marc-B1 [ Wed Jul 28, 2010 2:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling B2 questions
Im just about buying a B2 watch but i have some questions. I will pay about 1700$ for it. The watch has ref nr A42362

1 This model was manufactored between 2000-2006. Is it possible to say specific what year?

Possible you can find a number between the lugs - that number indicates the year of production.
2 If i don't use the watch often, lets say 4-5 days/month and don't use in water. Do i still need to send it to service every 4 years?

Difficult to say - see point 5
3 Is the price of 1700$ reasonable?

Yes, if in reasonable condition.

4 I live in Sweden and they say they have to send the watch to Switzerland for service and this is expensive. Is there any possibility to get the service done in Sweden or Denmark cheaper?

see point 5


5 What happens with the watch if service is not done?[/quote]

Go to a good watchmaker ( not a watchSELLER !!!! ): he will put the B2 on the WITCHI: depending on the results of the amplitude and the beat error, he can decide if a service is needed or not.

A good watchmaker can perfectly service your Breitling, IF nothing must be "replaced".
(gaskets etc.. is no problem ) Breitling does not deliver any pieces to anybody. :(

The B2 movement is very complicated, so service will be quite expensive.
Author:  Roffensian [ Wed Jul 28, 2010 5:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling B2 questions
Sorry, have to disagree here on a few points.

The week and year of manufacture should be between the 6 o'clock lugs - the first four digits are WWYY of manufacture.

Service intervals in modern watches are generally because the oil has broken down with age and can no longer provide lubrication - 5 to 7 years, that's got absolutely nothing to do with whether the watch is running or not.

Measuring beat and amplitude is a measure of accuracy, it's not a measure of whether a watch needs servicing. While a watch that cannot maintain accurate time will need servicing, there are also a number of other indicators that a timing machine won't measure - power reserve being an obvious one. Similarly, there are a lot of reasons for a watch to be out of beat / keeping bad time that do not require a service to address.

It's not possible to service a watch (properly) without replacing parts, Breitling hands are designed to be single use for a start and they are only available from Breitling.
Author:  Marc-B1 [ Wed Jul 28, 2010 6:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling B2 questions
Agree, but there is a (I don't know the right word in English ) "marge" between the amplitude rates and beat errors. Often when the amplitude is not 100% OK, the watchmaker can simply "adjust" it , so that no further service is needed. But when the amplitude numbers are really "bad", that's mostly a sign that other things became bad/old/.... so a service is needed.

I have an old and wise watchmaker who even has Breitling-parts ( crowns, even movements...) He has "collected" them during all the years of his work. So often I can go to him when for ex. a gold-plated ( in fact "rolled" gold ) must be replaced or so.

He can also perfectly service vintage Breitlings. He completely dismantels them, cleans all the parts ( yes even replace parts ) and re-asembles the watch.

I know there are few of this wachtmakers left, but they do exist ! :wink:

Of course, the best thing is to send the watch to Breitling. Not a big issue when you own 1 or 2 Breitlings. But most collectors have more, so this becomes quite an expensive operation. :wink:

Please excuse me for my rather "bad" English. I do my best, but normally I speak Flemish.
Author:  Marc-B1 [ Wed Jul 28, 2010 6:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling B2 questions
Some tech info:
=============

In a B2 is a so called "Dubois-Depraz" module, mounted on a 2892-2 movement.
For a good and experienced wachmaker is this almost a complete day to work in it. :roll: :bow:
Author:  newbadboy [ Wed Jul 28, 2010 8:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling B2 questions
Holy crap... so a B2 is not the most service friendly watch to own.. too bad. Ok have to think aboput what to do..

Also i have been looking at the Emergency model. Is this watch easier to service due to battery operation. Maybe it's even possible to change the battery myself?
Author:  Roffensian [ Wed Jul 28, 2010 8:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling B2 questions
newbadboy wrote:
Holy crap... so a B2 is not the most service friendly watch to own.. too bad. Ok have to think aboput what to do..

Also i have been looking at the Emergency model. Is this watch easier to service due to battery operation. Maybe it's even possible to change the battery myself?


Emergency is the hardest - has to be sent to Switzerland for servicing from anywhere because of the transmitter.

Any watch is going to need servicing, and Breitling control the parts for all non vintage pieces. I wouldn't use that as a deciding factor
Author:  HeadOffice [ Wed Jul 28, 2010 9:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling B2 questions
newbadboy wrote:
Holy crap... so a B2 is not the most service friendly watch to own.. too bad. Ok have to think aboput what to do..

But it's a great watch. I don't get my Breitlings based on the possible service cost but on the actual watch. If I enjoy wearing it and it's a reliable brand/model then I'll get it. Admittedly, having many watches makes serving expensive but that's a personal choice.

newbadboy wrote:
Also i have been looking at the Emergency model. Is this watch easier to service due to battery operation. Maybe it's even possible to change the battery myself?

Same goes here - you'll have to send it to Breitling for a service. NO watchmaker will service it - if they do you'll void your warranty and be up for an even bigger bill. If you want a watch you can 'service'/maintain/change batteries yourself it sounds like Breitling is not the brand for you.

If you only want one Breitling then get one good one that you can depend on for years. You'll enjoy receiving a freshly serviced watch back from Breitling and you'll appreciate the workmanship...
Author:  newbadboy [ Wed Jul 28, 2010 9:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling B2 questions
Hmm ok. I understand what you are saying.

I will only get one Breitling. I am most intressted in B2 as it is now. Is there any statistics/info on what models are most realible?
Author:  Roffensian [ Wed Jul 28, 2010 10:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling B2 questions
newbadboy wrote:
Hmm ok. I understand what you are saying.

I will only get one Breitling. I am most intressted in B2 as it is now. Is there any statistics/info on what models are most realible?


Not really.

They are all (with the exception of the new B01) based on well proven base movements that have been around for decades so there is no reason to be concerned about reliability, but watches will need servicing every 5 - 7 years.
Author:  RJRJRJ [ Wed Jul 28, 2010 1:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling B2 questions
newbadboy wrote:
Hmm ok. I understand what you are saying.

I will only get one Breitling. I am most intressted in B2 as it is now. Is there any statistics/info on what models are most realible?


ANY high-ish end mechanical swiss watch will require regular servicing, as Roff says every 5-7 years or so...sometimes more, sometimes less. 5-7 years is just an estimate and many people just get them serviced when they arent running up to snuff.
Author:  avers [ Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling B2 questions
Marc-B1 wrote:
Some tech info:
=============

In a B2 is a so called "Dubois-Depraz" module, mounted on a 2892-2 movement.
For a good and experienced wachmaker is this almost a complete day to work in it. :roll: :bow:



I understand that Breitling has fixed price for service of chronographs.

Am I correct in thinking that it will cost the same to service B-2 (with sophisticated Dubois-Depraz with 2892-2 movement) and say Evolution (with more basic 7750)?
Author:  Roffensian [ Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling B2 questions
avers wrote:
Marc-B1 wrote:
Some tech info:
=============

In a B2 is a so called "Dubois-Depraz" module, mounted on a 2892-2 movement.
For a good and experienced wachmaker is this almost a complete day to work in it. :roll: :bow:



I understand that Breitling has fixed price for service of chronographs.

Am I correct in thinking that it will cost the same to service B-2 (with sophisticated Dubois-Depraz with 2892-2 movement) and say Evolution (with more basic 7750)?


Generally speaking yes, there can be variances around parts replacement etc, but the general servicing cost is the same for modular and integrated chronographs.
Author:  newbadboy [ Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling B2 questions
Is there any pros/cons betwee advanced movement compared with the more basic ones?
Author:  Roffensian [ Thu Jul 29, 2010 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling B2 questions
newbadboy wrote:
Is there any pros/cons betwee advanced movement compared with the more basic ones?


I wouldn't say that a 2892-A2 with a DD is "advanced" vs. a 7750, it's just a different way to implement the functionality. 7750 was designed from the ground up as a chronograph, the 2892-A2 was designed as a time only base with the ability to add a number of different modules.

There is no significant functional difference or advantage of one over the other.
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