The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi,

I recently sent my Breitling B1 for an overhaul service. I was informed that the watch would require the worn clasp to be replaced. I wasn't overly aware that there was any issue with the clasp, however assuming that 'Breitling knows best' agreed for a replacement to be fitted. After waiting the best part of four months for it to return, the clasp has been replaced with that from a current Pilot strap, and not the correct clasp from a fighter strap.
On returning this to the authorised dealers, they agreed immediately that the watch should be returned to Breitling for fitment of the correct clasp.
Breitling has subsequently stated that the fighter clasp is now obsolete, they do not carry any New Old Stock, and would not change the clasp for the original!!!
Maybe I'm being anal about all of this, but I'm annoyed that Breitling has made the decision to change the clasp for an alternative without making me aware of this before hand?
I'm concerned that the watch is no longer in its original format and that it has subsequently been devalued.
Has anyone else shared a similar experience? What are the thoughts of other forum members?

Any advise greatly appreciated.

Did they return your original clasp with the watch?

If you didn't agree to having a different clasp installed, you might ask to return it for refund, if that's any help to you.

Breitling did not inform that they would be fitting a different clasp, so no I didn't agree for them to fit an alternative.
Also, they didn't return the original clasp with the watch and claim they no longer have it.
My concern is, even if they refund the cost of the clasp, what has this done to the overall value of the watch?

The authorised dealer have stated that they are not happy with the response from Breitling but state that there is nothing more they can do!

I don't think you're being anal, I think your response is altogether justified. Since they consulted you on its being replaced, it was strange not to add that the replacement wouldn't be, err, a replacement. It's not even a case of whether or not the watch has been devalued; it's enough that it's been stripped of a clasp that you happened to like. Some on here talk of Breitling returning replaced parts with the watch but that is clearly a regional and variable thing.

Very hard to see, though, that you can do much more than grumble loudly, either via the AD or directly and in writing. I'd do the latter. I suppose they might reimburse something. More widely it would be an achievement to get them to commit not to replace such parts with later ones without specifying that.

I appreciate the responses. I will ask Breitling (via the AD) to confirm in writing what has been declared verbally, and again request a replacement. It may well worth me asking for a valuation in the watch and see if this is still in line with the price offered by the AD last year following the proviso service.

Really unimpressed with the response from Breitling, they have been superb previously with both this watch and others.

I don't think that there's any impact on value - if anything it's gone up, but that's not really the point - they should certainly have told you that if you agreed to replacement then it would be a different model.

Since they didn't return the original, I'd be inclined to ask to return the replacement for refund, with reimbursement for the original. The Breitling USA attitude you describe seems a bit cavalier.

I just got my watch back from busa and they changed my clasp as well it looks the same but feels a little different. But it looks good and works fine so I couldn't be happier.

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Breitling for Bentley Motors black dial

Agreed. I still don't understand Breitling's insistence on not sending old parts back with the watch when replaced with newer parts; they do the same thing with a dial replacement. The fact is, the parts aren't Breitling's to keep. By dint of purchasing the watch, the owner owns the parts, not Breitling. It's not like Breitling is discounting the new parts as credit for keeping the old ones. It only makes matters worse when they do this without informing the owner that this is how it will be. I find this whole scenario off-putting.

I am sure if you read the fine print that when you agree to servicing work / dial change / etc you agree to not receiving the old parts.

I don't doubt it. I was looking at it more from a moral or ethical standpoint, rather than a legal one. If you refuse the terms, they refuse service. And since they won't supply parts to any non-certified watchmaker, in many instances, if you want the right kind of service, you have to go to Breitling. As far as I'm concerned, Breitling is taking advantage of their position by insisting on such terms.

I don't know that that's worth much, legally, but I don't expect anyone to take them to court.

Wow!!! This reinforces my choice to buy no more Brietlings.

A well made decision. Stick with the other big brands who return your spare parts when you get something replaced.

That'll teach em'!!

Any word on the outcome of this???





I'm in agreement 100%. My interaction with Breitling USA has been nothing but positive, but this stance seems wrong, especially since there is no discount for 'trading' them in. It also means if you have an older part in so/so condition you want to replace but would prefer to keep that part, then you either have live with the so/so product or outright replace it and lose the old. They make it very clear in that they put it on the estimate form you sign in bold font, but I still don't see the value in the policy...I doubt these parts ever get reused. But there is no other option if you want OEM Breitling parts...so why, on a watch you spent thousands on, and on a service you may have spent a grand or more on, can you not have the older parts that otherwise are useless to BUSA? BUSA's customer service, as a general rule, is spectacular and they go out of their way to deliver (which has also been my experience)...but if this is an attempt to keep OEM parts from getting on the market, I have to question if this policy is unintentionally putting branding above customers.