The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Some of the big news in the watch world right now is that Rolex extended their warranty to 5 years and their recommended service interval to ten years (more than three times their old recommended service interval of 3 years). By my count their warranty now matches Breitling's (without the hassle of requiring a check up after 2 years like the warranty from Breitling) and their service interval is now about twice that of Breitling's (4-6 years).

Does this mean that the industry standard will likely change? Could it be that our beloved Breitlings do not need to be serviced as often as we are told they need to be?

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Breitling Navitimer 01 LE

There's been some clarification today from Rolex UK, to the effect that the ten-year service recommendation was for the first 10 years, and the normal c.5 (not 3) thereafter. (Don't ask me to explain the logic.)

5 year intervals! I've never believed it. Just me though.

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Jim

"You have Control".

Service intervals are driven by aging of oils which break down at a predictable rate (you don't have to believe me or Breitling, just look at Synt-a-Lube chemical specs) and after about 7 years offer virtually no lubrication. As watches become less reliant on oil through the use of innovative materials - silicon based are the most common examples, so service windows will extend. However, all the time watches rely on Synt-a-Lube, particularly in the running train, there will be a need for fairly regular service.

The only time I've had a Breitling serviced are: moisture in the case the first time, while the second time the piece physically stopped running. Of course magically in both instances those happened at almost precisely the five-year point, but I'll let that slide.

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Avenger Skyland
If I said I was good, you'd think I was bragging.
If I told you I wasn't, you'd know I was lying.

I was chatting to a company director not that long ago who's wife bought him a Valjoux powered Chronomat 20yrs ago, and although it's been worn daily with no mechanical services, it still runs well and keeps great time!

You would think today's oils were better quality than say that of oils made 20yrs ago?

It does make you wonder if the recommended service intervals are really needed!


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It makes me wonder what state the movement is in - viewtopic.php?f=6&t=25662

So it sounds like it's still early days to see how well the modern oils protect the movement, and he also mentions it's swings and roundabouts when it comes to having a regular service or running the movement into the ground cost wise!

Like he says it depends how the owner feels about the latter, for myself having a B01 powered Breitling I will have Breitling service the Watch after 6yrs, and I think if I had bought a Valjoux powered Watch I would service the Watch at similar intervals but may have looked into an independent Watchmaker carrying out the work with spare parts being easier to source!

That's just me though, I dropped my oil regular on my Harley because the thought of grinding parts would send my OCD into overdrive, where other bikers I know never do oil changes, just merely top up the chronically degraded oil as and when!


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In general vehicle oils are MUCH better now than they were even 10 years ago. Remember when we changed oil in our cars after 3,000 miles? Now the manufacturer recommends 15,000 miles on my latest vehicle purchase. My car runs harder and hotter than my watch, and is often put up wet.

It makes one wonder if watch oils aren't keeping up with the new technologies, or if watch manufacturers like the frequent service intervals they've cultured us to accept.

Desert Hiker

For obvious reasons there is less investment in improving watch oils than motor oils. A much smaller market and tiny amounts consumed. Synt-a-Lube publish the chemical analysis of their various oils that show breakdown / aging rates a d they are not part of the watch manufacturers who determine service intervals.

At the end of the day everyone is free to do what they want with their watches but to suggest that service intervals are some big conspiracy to get dollars out of consumers is just incorrect.

What a racket! Send it in when it stops working.

I agree, I would only service it when it needs it.