The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Back in February I took my favourite old Breitling Colt with bracelet (A17035) in to my local dealer (Breitling, TAG, Rolex etc) for a full service. At the same time I ordered a short length 20mm leather strap for my Antares, having sometime last autumn ordered some spare 18mm spring bars for the colt bracelet (these are apparently on a long lead time and not expected until July).

I called to collect this afternoon and was dissapointed to find that my watch had been erroneously fitted with an 18mm leather strap and had the wrong hands fitted, now having dagger shaped hour and minute hands and a red square tipped second hand. When I questioned this the assistant assured me that Breitling spring bars are interchangeable between leather straps and bracelets (I have done this job for 7 years and never heard of that!) and proceeded to the back room to refit the bracelet. When she returned I was assured that the 'Watch Manager' agreed that the spring bars were the same for straps and bracelets. I was also dissapointed to see that she had fitted the bracelet incorrectly and there was a large gap where the spring bars had not engaged properly in the case.

Right now the joy of Breitling ownership has taken a bit of a knock. Am I being unreasonably fussy to expect a better standard of service for £300?

Sorry to hear about your experience. I don't think your being to fussy. Regarding the hands I had the reverse happen to me. I had my local AD overhaul my Colt A17035. It originally had the dagger hour and minute hands and the red square second hand. I always thought it looked unique because the other Colts I had seen had the wider minute and hour hands and the circle second hand. Anyway, when I got my watch back it looked like your watch in the before picture (except mine has a green face.) My watch just didn't look like my watch. I was told that the hands were ordered based upon the model number and that's what Breitling sent them. I was also told that the hands that were previously on my watch weren't proper and were probably put on by someone that didn't know better (bunk, Breitling knows better because the watch was bought with those hands.) I wasn't a happy camper. My choices at the time were to keep the current hands or have the horologist put the old hands back on. My understanding is that the hands should be one time use. Needless to say I've gotten used to the new hands. However, the next time I get my watch overhauled perhaps I can use your story and tell the AD the exact hands I want put on my watch. Again, I don't think your being to fussy.

Thanks for your post Chris and the moral support. I have calmed down a bit since week and I think, on reflection, that after the argument over spring bars and the bracelet fitting bodge up, the red mist was starting to descend before my eyes!

You are right about the hands though, my watch just did not look like my watch, simple as that!

I have not heard any more from the AD apart from a brief phone call of apology. I may summon up the courage to visit next week - I am hoping that the watch has gone back to BUK for rectification.

Let me know how it goes with your AD. I'm still at a loss as to why different style hands would be placed on a watch without letting the customer know beforehand. A customer is going to know immediately that something is different regarding their watch once they see it. I can understand if the hands aren't produced anymore or if the incorrect hands were received from Breitling by accident. But the AD should let the customer know before the hands are put on and provide an alternative. For example, "We received hands from Breitling that are different from the ones on your watch. We can send them back to Breiting and get the correct ones but there will be a delay in you receiving your watch from us or we can put on the hands that Breitling delivered. It's your choice." I guess I haven't quite gotten over my experience at my AD.
Again, please let me know how your AD handles the situation. Thanks.

Hi chaps,

Here's a similar post, and others have questioned how much stock of older hands Breitling Service Centers will carry.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12829&start=0

Ian

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Navitimer World, Callistino.
Omega Speedmaster Moon, Hamilton 992B, Steinhart BS LEII #2, B&R 01-92 Heritage

I think it has happened before to a coupla members here and it is due to parts availability and interchangeability.

I wouldn't like Breitling to change the hands without me knowing about it though, even if they gave me no choice about it. A piece like a watch may have sentimental value for the owner.

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

I am pleased to report that my beloved Colt is now back on my wrist and running nicely. The whole exercise did take 6 months though and communication from the AD was minimal.

Thanks for all your replies and shared experience.