The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I've had my Montbrillant 1903 for about 5 months now and will be sending it to Breitling to have it regulated. It hasn't kept accurate time from the beginning and is now something like +30 seconds per 24 hrs i.e. way outside COSC specifications. I've been timing it from the start and at its most accurate it was about +10 secs per 24 hours (I've also tried different positions i.e. flat, crown up etc ). It's actually a little annoying having to change a watch every week about 5 mins as you can all imagine.

For most of you this doesn't sound like a big deal as you can drop into your AD and have it regulated on the spot but here in Brisvegas it's more like a 6-8 weeks, quite some time for something as 'simple' as a regulation

I've also been thinking that it might be a good time to have it fully serviced (as it's going to be gone for that long anyway) and here is where my question comes in. Being a SE 100 year anniversary model produced in 2004, I assume that it's probably been sitting with the AD for that period of time without being serviced...or do Breitling service watches that have been on the shelf for that period of time? I realise that it probably hasn't been wound since that time, does that have an effect on the ageing?

I'm also genuinely curious as to whether anyone has any reasons why it shouldn't receive a full service now or is my thinking correct.

Thanks in advance, I hope you all have a wonderful Easter!

Brisvegas? You had me confused there for a moment.
I don't understand why your AD can't regulate in-shop. And is it possible for you to visit any other AD's in your neighbourhood who can regulate it on the spot? Breitling warranty is worldwide, so you can drop in at any AD for a service/regulation, not just the AD where you bought it.

Concerning the full service I'm not sure if it is necessary, since the case doesn't need polishing, water tightness should still be a-ok, and the piece should not have seen much wear and tear, since its been standing still from 2004-2008.
However, I'm not sure if that long period of inactivity might have caused your watch to be off, as perhaps the lubrication has been effected during that 4 year period of not moving.
Perhaps ask your AD for advise or give Breitling a call and see what they say.
A full service is still a bit pricy...

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Oh, and a sweet black arabics Super Avenger for the daily grind...

The watch certainly hasn't been serviced. It will have been sitting at the AD not running, which may have caused the oils to break down, which in turn may have led to the accuracy problems.

That said, I think I would try and get it regulated first to see what happens. As this is a Navitimer and water resistance isn't a huge issue I would consider taking it to a regular watchmaker with a timing machine to have it regulated. It might cost you a few bucks, but it'll be a quick test of whether it needs a full service.

Apologies about the Brisvegas comment Not the greatest place for slang

It is surprising but they really don't regulate Breitlings anywhere on-site where I'm from. The closest place is in Sydney which I'm considering flying into if they'll do it on-site, otherwise it's anywhere from 4-6 weeks to send it there.

Thanks for the great info on the full service. Definitely trying to avoid for now. I'll probably just get it regulated and see if that fixes it.



Thanks Roff, will look into that as well, sounds a lot more simple!

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

If you purchased the watch new 5 months ago from an AD, to my mind, the watch should still be subject to the Breitling 2 year warranty, and you should take advantage of that, and seek a full service.

The lubrication has no doubt deteriorated since 2004, but after only 5 months of use, it still shouldn’t need a full service just yet – although I understand from your comments that the watch has never kept sufficiently accurate time.

I know Brisvegas well – it’s not like you’ve paid 200 bucks for a Fossil piece of sh!t at the Indooroopillly mall, so you should expect first class service from the AD. Unfortunately, compared to 20 years ago when you could expect an AD to have a qualified watchmaker on board – maybe a kindly old Swiss/German/Italian immigrant who actually appreciates, and knows a few things about, mechanical watches – today, most ADs are staffed by clowns who’d have trouble setting up a Nintendo.

As per Roff’s advice – maybe try a watchmaker for some help. But be careful not to void any remaining warranty. There are a lot of 40 year old Breitlings out there which have had only a couple of full services and still keep great time – so, notwithstanding the vile summer humidity of the place, don’t let a Brisvegas AD rip you off!

You do know Brisbane well

The AD's I've met so far actually seem reasonably knowledgeable; they've also adjusted links without any fuss despite not purchasing the watch in their store (small I know but stil welcome) and are more than happy to send the watch to Breitling for me to have serviced/regulated. I'm sure they'd have it regulated on site if they had the capacity and capabilty to do so.

I'm going to call the Breitling maintenance centre in Sydney tomorrow and see what they say. Based on that conversation I'll either call a couple of watchmakers to see if they have a timing machine (thanks Roff for the suggestion) and are willing to do the work (careful of warranty of course) or next time I'm in Sydney I'll drop into Breitling and have it done on site (if I can). Will let you know the outcome.

Hopefully as you all say a regulation will be all that is required to keep it operating within specs until it's ready for a full service in a few years time. If the oils need replacing though happy to do it.

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

I would also, as others suggested, try to get it regulated first. Breitling will probably then see if any oils needs to be changed and should take care of it under warranty (as they don't want to restore/repair it later under warranty due to anything missed now).

If that's not possible and you for some reason need to pay, I'd go for a maintenance service instead of the full service. It's about half the cost of the full service. I use that on all my watches just before the warranty period expires - I get the watch looked over and taken care of, plus one additional year of warranty for the watch. Well worth the money IMO.

Good luck!

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