The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am currently 4 years into my second Blackbird. The first watch was delivered from a local jeweler and it was inoperative. Nothing could be done to get it to work. It was returned and I received a second Blackbird. About a month and a half ago the watch stopped. I wear it continually and it has been around the globe and on several deployments. It restarted on its own and worked for about another week when it again stopped. I took out my manual and did a manual rewind. This worked and the watch would work for about 3 days then stop. I called around to find out any information about it and was told it was either damaged, the oils had congealed, or it was dry. I finally sent it in to Breitling USA through a local dealer and was told the repair would be $650.
Now I am just a lowly Military aviator and $650 is a shock. I paid $4000 for the watch 4 years ago after completing a rotation in the desert and this repair bill is disheartening. I called the company and they said they would see what they could do to lower the cost but to put it bluntly I am not happy with their product. If anyone would ask me to recommend Breitlings I guess I would unfortunately say no. I am planning a letter to Philippe Bonay to express my concerns and consternation.
I have always thought of Ling's as the zenith of professional aviator timepieces but that image has been tarnished.
Does anyone have any advice?

Birdog

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Birdog

Sorry to hear of the problems birdog.

To be honest, I don't think that the $650 is too bad for the actual repair cost. They will also do a thorough service at the same time which would have been due in another year or so anyway and would have cost in the $400 - $500 range.

The bigger issue maybe the fact that the repair is necessary at all - obviously the piece is out of warranty now, but given that you had problems with the original piece I would certainly push your AD to work with you on this. I'm not sure what lee way they have, but I'm sure they can do something to mitigate the cost.

Philippe Bonay is a great guy and I would go to the top as well. However, any automatic timepiece will or should require servicing every 3 to 5 years with 5 years being tops. The watch has oil that lubricates the mechanism and it does break down over time. Breitlings are many times subjected to tougher environments than other watches, and therefore may require more attention.

Actually $650 is not a bad price. The standard service kit for a COA is $490 without anything else. Tag Heuers with their quartz movements and $1000 to $2000 price tags can easily cost in the $400 to $600 range to service. Heck a $200 Seiko now runs $100 to $150 bucks to repair.

I know $650 is a ton of $$$ now days but the skill level to work on a high end piece is much greater than replacing a battery in a Casio. I guess the analogy of what it costs to repair or service any luxury product is going to be greater than the average product.

Good luck with Philipe, he is first class and took Panerai in the USA to a cult level...

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BC

This is not that uncommon. Automatic watches require regular service to prevent these things from happening.

I want to thank everyone for the replies.
I guess it is encouraging to hear that many of you think that it is not that bad of a price. It still is expensive to me but I will take your word that it is worth it.
I guess with my experience with the first watch and now this I am a tad disgruntled. I still plan a letter to Phillipe, who knows where that might go.

"Maintain thy airspeed lest the ground rise up and smite thee"

Birdog

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Birdog