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Reliability of mechanical watches
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Author:  Carlos [ Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Reliability of mechanical watches
I’ve just responded to three posts which question the reliability of Breitling watches. These posts have come from places as diverse as Brisbane Australia and Texas USA - culturally two places much closer than geography may suggest!

Texans & northern Aussies – two peas in a pod, no doubt about it. But for all owners of high end mechanical watches, I wonder what the acceptable standard is?

I venture – and this is going off a non-official Rolex Submariner standard – that a high end mechanical watch should run for 50 years with 10 year servicing and minor parts replacement.

I may have no idea what I’m talking about – any ideas?
Author:  rebnah [ Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Reliability of mechanical watches
Good post!

I would like to know what or any problems people have had with their Breitlings?

How reliable are they?
Author:  Carlos [ Sat Apr 11, 2009 1:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Reliability of mechanical watches
I should clarify this post. I generally agree with a 5 year servicing for mechanical watches. BUT, I know of so many Rolex Subs & Omega Speedies that apparently keep rock’n after 20+ years without the caseback ever coming off, that I’m very sceptical about watches which don’t keep good time after less than five years out off the AD’s showroom.

We pay enough for these goodies to expect them to work without trouble for decades. As far as I’m concerned, any AD who prevaricates over replacing a new watch which is outside of 2x the COSC requirements is trying to rip off the consumer. Given the fact that most ADs don’t have a clue about how these things actually work, I wouldn’t be shy in insisting on some sort of decent service level.

I remember about a year ago when I took my GT into the AD to have the bracelet adjusted – the idiots didn’t properly screw in the links – my baby nearly fell off and landed on concrete as I walked down the street! When I went straight back to the AD, the goose just grinned – not even a proper apology!

Maybe buying a Ling is like buying a high end sports car when the salesman is a philistine who knows - and cares - as much about bulk selling kitchen tiles? I can’t stand the smug, ill-informed wankers, as watch enthusiasts, I think we should insist on better!
Author:  rebnah [ Sat Apr 11, 2009 2:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Reliability of mechanical watches
I think salesmen care more about their sales figures than they do about learning about what they are selling.
It would be nice to have some good old fashioned customer service back again where you go and buy from a place because they care and they also know something about what they are selling.
Not just trying to shift another expense from their display to the first person that enquires about a high-end time piece.
Author:  Jerome [ Sat Apr 11, 2009 3:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Reliability of mechanical watches
I purchased my SuperOcean Pro about 8 years ago and had to get the accurany adjusted once while under warranty and its been running bang on since. I have no intention on having it serviced for another couple of years.

I received my Super Avenger going on two years ago and noticed shortly thereafter that one of the chrono. sub dial (hours) wasnt resetting back to the 12 mark albeit barely noticeable, it actually needed magnification to notice. Had it adjusted by a local AD and both it and the SuperO is running well within COSC specification.

On the topic of reliability/durability I think its worth noting that my SuperOcean has had its fair share of being dropped, banged (played with by both my children 3 & 6) and its still keeping amazing time. :thumbsup:

Considering the number of SuperOcean and Super Avengers shipped worldwide and the share fact that these are mechanical devices I'm more than happy with my experience thus far :lingsrock:.
Author:  BahamaBob [ Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Reliability of mechanical watches
The only problem I ever had with any of my Breitlings was with my Superocean. I was winding it one day and I heard a snap inside the case and then an unraveling sound. AD said it was the mainspring. I'm a bit paranoid now, so if I put on a watch that has not been worn in a while, I will wear it for about a hour before I wind it, kind of warming it up, especially if its been sitting in my cold closet. This goes along with the cold metal being brittle theory. :? Again, maybe I'm just paranoid.
Author:  Roffensian [ Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Reliability of mechanical watches
With proper servicing when needed - i.e. when it can't keep time accurately a mechanical watch should last at least 100 years, and even then it's likely the case that breaks down.

However, it's naive in hte extreme to assume that a watch that has been sitting at an AD for 4 years is only half way through a service cycle. The watch wouldn't have been run - it's like leaving a car alone for 4 years and expecting everything to be fine. Mechanical watches have to be run - even the ones that I never wear will get a full wind once a month just to make sure that the oils don't break down, but ADs don't do that.
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