The Breitling Watch Source Forums

This story needs some back ground, apologises for the long winded approach.

I own a Titanium Navitimer which was purchased in 1995. I love the watch and have been very protective of it, wearing it only for the most part, as a dress watch. As a result it has had little abuse. In June 2009, I took it to our local Mayor Jewellers to have the battery replaced, [this would have been the 5th or 6th battery change]. While there I was persuaded by the attending sales person to have the watch serviced, explaining "if I had never done so then I should and the watch comes back as new". I agreed. The cost for this service was $440 USD.

Some time passed and the watch was returned supposedly "as new", however I noticed that the Titanium had been sand blasted loosing its fine patina and as I had sent it without its titanium bracelet [but with a leather one] it now does not match the bracelet. It was explained that the sand blasting was indeed part of the process [which I later confirmed online]. I reluctantly accepted the watch and left.

My everyday watch which suits my professional activities is a Suunto Yachtsman, which is always on my wrist, relegating my Breitling for special events. About 5 months ago I was returning from an evening out and as I took my watch off the back of the case separated from the watch body exposing the internal works. Unhappily I took it back to Mayors and voiced great concern and disappointment. Mayors in their defence, offered to do whatever they could to help and sent it to Breitling Service US...long story short, after a long period of deliberation and a busy travel schedule and unable to collect my watch, Breitling USA say that I now need a new case at a cost of $700 + USD...Mayors again to their credit are willing to share some of the replacement cost leaving me with a bill around $600 USD.

I feel that this is wrong and a steep price to pay for what started off as a simple battery replacement...who can I contact to help resolve this?
MC

I would start by calling BUSA in CT and discussing it with them - http://www.breitlingsource.com/contact.shtml

The service will have come with a one year warranty so depending on how long after the service the problem occurred you may be covered there.

Incidentally, service is recommended every 5 - 7 years, so while it shouldn't be directly relevant to the problem that you had, don't be surprised if Breitling point out the 14 years before the first service.

Thanks, will do...Yes, I admit the age of the watch could be a contributing factor. However, this obvious fact should had been clearly spelled out, with the possible consequences either at Mayors or by B USA before the service, don't you think? For BUSA to now say that the watch is too old, only 2 years after the service seems somewhat disingenuous.
MC