The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Just a word of warning to all out there investing in these lovely expensive watches... My Aerospace suffered water ingress during a recent Thai holiday - nothing unusual happened just a bit of splashing about with the kids in the sea. Took it back to my dealer WOS who last changed the battery in it and they told me it was 100% waterproof - even with the crown out. I got this in writing and was of course very puzzled and returned it to Breitling UK and they said exactly the same - 100% waterproof, now cough up £500 please.

Only course of action then was to contact Swiss HQ. We spoke, I wrote, they replied. They explained I must have fiddled with the crown underwater (as if...) and hence water got in. Nett result 1 ruined watch and I dont have £500 to have it fixed at the moment (ohh and its a quartz...).

I've kept the emotion out here, but this watch has been looked after only by them and has suffered no abuse or bl00dy playing with the crown underwater. In fact, if the crown gets nudged whilst its wet and this is accepted to potentially ruin a 100ATM waterproof watch what the heck is the waterproof thing worth anyway?

So you can guess my misery - this was a watch bought with the £1000 my grandad left me, and I often thought of him when looking at it I dont have the funds to take this on the chin at the moment or accept that I was to blame. The only thing I can do is seek your advice here in getting it fixed cheaper and never EVER buy Breitling again. I will also tell as many mates as I can not to buy Breitling, and if I get their corporation to miss out on two sales I guess we are financially even in our losses - that's karma...

Thanks for listening, and be careful with those crowns when washing your hands

D

That's a shame :-/ I hope you decide to get the watch fixed, even if you have to wait til you have the funds.

Just so you know, there is no such thing as waterproof. There are levels of water resistance.

http://www.usedjewelry.net/Images/watches_water_resistance_ch.gif

These ratings are based on static pressure but the truth is that dynamic pressures during use can be higher. Also, leaving the crown out or using the chrono pushers under water are common means of increasing the risk of water ingress.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

I dont know mate - I have a very bad taste in my mouth at the moment. Maybe that will pass, but I also fear that (especially after what you just say) the risk of ruining the watch by, say, a very dynamic splash from my 4yr old is completely unacceptable. Breitling shouldnt even be implying that they are in any way water reistant ors 100% safe to risk in water - they clearly arent - as I know to my cost.

Gutted.

D

Very sorry to hear of the problems. Aerospace is actually 10 ATM (!00 metres), not 100 ATM, but should still be fine for swimming / snorkelling so splashing shouldn't be a problem. I don't agree that it's just as water resistant with the crown out as in, that sounds an odd thing to say. Ask Breitling where the water got in, if it was through the caseback then Watches of Switzerland have some things to answer to from the battery change.

Water resistance is dependent on many things, including gaskets and the way that the case is resealed - the best watch in the world isn't going to be water resistant if not closed up properly.

a pressure test/leak test should be able to identify the source of the leak. If it was the seal, then they should cover it. I've had the same occurance with a Raymond Weil and I got stuck paying for the overhaul.

you could just look out for a tissot in poor condition as its the same movement in fact I sold one recently for around $125 then just get a watchmaker to fit it, A lot cheaper than sending it to BUSA movement is a ETA 988.333

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WOS and Breitling say there is NO LEAK - this despite the water being visible in it!!!

Breitling therefore say I must have operated the crown or swam with the crown out. I absolutely didnt.

WOS even pressure tested it with the crown OUT once it passed the dry and wet tests and continued to say it was waterproof.

Utterly baffling and utterly expensive.

D

how old is the watch and when was it serviced

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Mate, what part of 'its totally watertight' from 2 separate sources don't you get? No point fishing for technicalities or any sneaky get out clauses on a watch that has only had regular Breitling attention. Been there done that. D

Dude. Calm down. I know it sucks, but don't take it out on sonyman. He was just asking a common question. I'd be curious to know the answer too.

My vacuum cleaner sucks - this is a FAR WORSE malfunction I can assure you!!!! Maybe I used the wrong type of oil when lubricating the quartz? I'm done with BS, lies and pseudo technicality get-outs on a certified waterproof watch.

I'm sorry I cant be calm at the moment too mate. This is because I'm bloody gutted - esp for my grandfathers memory. My new Citizen Eco Drive is however doing the job so Breitling can shaft themselves instead. Never should such a push/pull crown fitted watch EVER have been deemed or sold as water resistant. IT JUST AINT.

D

I was actually trying to help him with speaking to BUK as i know quite a few people working there now and could help him speak to the right people but he can kiss that goodbye now, I dont need an attititude from someone i'm trying to help good luck mate maybe that attitude is whats stopping anyone helping you.

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Not sure why Sonyman and dhalem are the target of your frustration - pretty sure they didn't cause the leak. If the watch passes pressure tests crown in and crown out then I can understand why Breitling are asking you to cover the cost - not suggesting that you did anything wrong, so no need to attack me as well, just saying that I can understand their position.

I guess I'm not sure what could have caused a watch to become temporarily non water tight - temperature maybe. The pressure test itself could theoretically cause the back to reseat, but I doubt it. Not quite sure what else to say, it might be worth following up with your national Breitling body in writing in a calm and reasoned way. If you express your extreme disappointment then they may offer to cover the cost as a gesture of good faith - nothing to lose at least.

@sonyman - I think he could have used your help too - pretty sure that he is in the UK, so your BUK contacts would have helped him a heap.

Yes they would mate but after that outburst NO Thanks

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Listen mate, your last curt "how old is the watch and when was it serviced" (and that is all) didnt SEEM constructive, so forgive me if I got you wrong. Also why assume I'm in USA?

Just try and put yourself in my shoes for 5mins - maybe I'll calm down and get numb, but at the moment I am very upset - albeit obviously not with you personally, so sympathise/empathise maybe and dont hurt me more? I just didnt friggin push the buttons underwater FFS as the object of all our desires tell me.

Damn it hurts and feel so unfair.

D