The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Has anyone else had an experience where a new watch had to be returned for service very soon after purchase?

My dad recently purchased a two-toned Breitling Galactic 36 for my mom. After one week, the watch stopped running, despite regular wear. Even after a full winding, it would only run for about half an hour, then stop. My dad took the watch back to the dealer and the watch was sent back to Breitling for inspection. It turns out the watch was manufactured in 2012 (confirmed by the date stamp between the lugs) and the lubricants in the movement had dried and coagulated, probably from sitting in the dealer's display or vault for two years!

I realize the turnover on some of these models is fairly low, but if dealers are going to hang on to inventory that long, they should ensure the watches are wound regularly and properly maintained. To spend that kind of money only to have it need service after one week is disgraceful.

Best,
Dave

Regular winding is not going to have made any difference in this situation. Winding may prevent the oils from migrating but they have absolutely no impact on aging / loss of lubrication. If a watch manufactured in 2012 is suffering from oil degradation then it is because whoever assembled the watch used old oils when lubricating the movement - a Breitling issue, not a dealer issue.

Interesting, thanks. Is there any reason to be concerned about purchasing a watch that's been sitting unwound in a display for an extended period of time (1 year+)?

Thanks,
Dave

Not really, it's inevitable in many cases anyway.

@the OP - I assume this service is being done free of charge under warranty? It certainly should be!

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

Absolutely, no charge. To Breitling's credit, they made it a rush job and had it done in a month.

On a related note, when I got my B1 years ago (from a different AD), within a few days it began flashing the low battery warning. The AD sold me a watch with a low battery. Thankfully they had another in stock and just exchanged it.

Dave