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Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World
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Author:  bonerp [ Mon Jan 27, 2014 2:18 am ]
Post subject:  Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World
Hi,
I went to a local authorised dealer at the weekend to view and ask many questions about this timepiece.

We had a discussion around servicing which they said would be every 3-5 years - evident by its timekeeping. He then went on to say because the watch is polished at the same time and any other components renewed at the same time, that the life of the watch would generally be 5 services.....!

Having invested £5000+ on a watch, I'd frankly expect it to last more than 20 years..

Is this because the world is an automatic mechanism and would I be better going for a manual mechanism watch? Does Breitling really see the world as a disposable commodity in 20 years? Does this mean Breitling only plans to be able to supply parts and service this model for a 20 year period?

Can owners provide experiences on life expectancy - what do you expect to get out of yours? I'd expect to be able to hand it down to my child as a family treasure....ok maybe a little OTT but I think you get what I'm saying?

I have watches I paid less than £500 for 15 years ago that still look like new and function perfectly. I'd expect Breitling to support their watches for life....is this unreasonable of me to expect watch life to be more than 20years?

I see many good examples of 60's and 70's Breitling watches on auction sites...

thanks
Author:  TomP [ Mon Jan 27, 2014 3:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World
It was either an innocent misunderstanding or he's talking gibberish. Just look at the vintage section of the forum for counter-evidence on the notional longevity of a good mechanical watch. It's most certainly an heirloom.
Author:  Driver8 [ Mon Jan 27, 2014 4:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World
TomP wrote:
he's talking gibberish.

:yeahthat Yet another AD salesperson not knowing what the hell they're on about.

The technology in mechanical watches hasn't fundamentally changed in a couple of hundred years, so someone somewhere will always be able to fabricate parts for a mechanical watch even if the manufacturer stops producing them. Breitling are committed to a 20 year availability of replacement parts for new models (such as dials, etc) but if you look after a watch, why would you ever need to replace the dial anyway? Additionally the movement in the Navi World is ETA based (Valjoux 7750) and there are literally millions of them in existence, so finding spares will not be an issue. If you look after a mechanical watch it will easily, EASILY, outlast you.
Author:  Roffensian [ Mon Jan 27, 2014 4:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World
And your children, and your children's children, and.....

My oldest piece is nearing 150 years old - still works.
Author:  bonerp [ Mon Jan 27, 2014 5:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World
thanks all - Maybe they were referring to the parts availability but didnt actually go as far as saying that.

What he did imply is that each time the watch is polished it flattens the metal....sounded like a nice round case would end up square or with holes in it lol
Author:  Roffensian [ Mon Jan 27, 2014 5:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World
bonerp wrote:
thanks all - Maybe they were referring to the parts availability but didnt actually go as far as saying that.

What he did imply is that each time the watch is polished it flattens the metal....sounded like a nice round case would end up square or with holes in it lol


Metal polishing is the process of removing the surface of the metal so technically there is a finite limit on case life. It's not 5 polishes, it's not 50 polishes, and you would have to work hard to make it 500 polishes.
Author:  MattC [ Mon Jan 27, 2014 3:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World
The only thing I can think he was trying to say was going more than 5 years without a service. And after that I am baffled.
Author:  philmeyo [ Mon Jan 27, 2014 4:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World
Yikes. Sounds like you should ask for someone who knows what they're talking about next time. Good luck, Navimtimer World is my next piece :)
Author:  Watch nut [ Mon Jan 27, 2014 5:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World
Great watch, own 2 myself
Author:  Phill_78 [ Mon Jan 27, 2014 6:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World
This is salesmen nonsense. Any high end watch is capable to last a lifetime if maintained properly. Most brands have a minimum commitment period to the watch/movement where they guarantee that it'll be serviced and parts replaced should be needed. I know Rolex has a minimum of 30 years commitment, for example.
Author:  TomP [ Tue Jan 28, 2014 2:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World
Phill_78 wrote:
This is salesmen nonsense.


Strange kind of sales pitch though, suggesting that a product won't last anywhere near as long as it actually will.
Author:  Roffensian [ Tue Jan 28, 2014 4:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World
TomP wrote:
Phill_78 wrote:
This is salesmen nonsense.


Strange kind of sales pitch though, suggesting that a product won't last anywhere near as long as it actually will.


Sales person was asked a question that they didn't know the answer to and didn't want to say "I don't know". Human nature at its finest.
Author:  Aadam [ Tue Jan 28, 2014 4:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World
Bloody hell, you had me worried for a milisecond then. Kinda hoping my World lasts longer than me.
Author:  bonerp [ Tue Feb 11, 2014 5:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World / now ordere
Well just wanted to say thanks for your support and help with a few Breitling NW questions, and for recommending the brilliant Andrew Michaels Jewellers.

I've just ordered the black face with choc brown croc strap and clasp.

With further forum searches I've ordered a Wolf winder that suits the watch. Should all be with me by the end of the week.

Excited? SLIGHTLY!!!! :lingsrock:
Author:  Roffensian [ Tue Feb 11, 2014 5:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Life Expectancy - Navitimer World
Congratulations - just make sure to wrap it in cotton wool when it arrives so that you don't destroy the case :wink:
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