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| overhauling navitmr https://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32984 |
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| Author: | nichos [ Sat Aug 27, 2011 11:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | overhauling navitmr |
Bought this new in the 60s, had hard use in cropspraying, deserts & jangles for 25 yrs. Do you know of an authentic Breitling vintage navitimer repairer in Europe?. Do Breitling Co. repair vintage ones?. There is an excelent looking one in USA but is too far. I am in the UK. I do not need decorative cosmetic work, only sound mechanical restoration with authentic parts needing replacement. ......thanx .....nick   
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| Author: | Roffensian [ Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: overhauling navitmr |
I believe that Breitling UK is one of the few Breitling divisions that will do it, but not recommended due to cost. No experience, but this guys has been recommended before if you want UK: http://www.rytetimewatchrepairs.co.uk/ Stephen Burrage P.O.Box 8362 Leicester LE7 4WX Phone: 0116 267 7673 Email: info@rytetimewatchrepairs.co.uk We also have a US based member here who is highly recommended. |
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| Author: | nichos [ Sun Aug 28, 2011 2:27 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: overhauling navitmr |
Thanx Roff, I read about overhauling a vintage with conflicting prices like examples below , but what I ponder about is whether authentic replacement parts are still available for a 60s Navitimer & whether these would be used by the repairer. I tried the Breitling web site but there is no indications that they carry out oldie's overhauls. I feel that they would have been the most reliable source. Anybody knows if they do & how to contact the factory?. The forums show of watches with non aunthentic spares fitted to them, which really spoils the piece & in my opinion would be much better left unrepaired with the proper bits in it even if they don't work. |
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| Author: | WatchFred [ Sun Aug 28, 2011 3:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: overhauling navitmr |
my recommendation would be to contact member chronodeco. his pricing is more than fair and you will have a perfectly restored piece. even if you use courier service to the US and back if you are afraid of parcelforce you will save a lot of money compared to BUK restoration. |
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| Author: | Roffensian [ Sun Aug 28, 2011 4:59 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: overhauling navitmr |
Not sure why you would think that Breitling would be the best bet - it's a different company than produced your watch remember, and they don't have parts / tools / etc. They just bought the rights to the name from the 1978 liquidation. In terms of 'genuine Breitling parts', these movements never had Breitling parts, they are (or at least this is) a Venus movement and Venus parts are readily available to watchmakers. |
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| Author: | nichos [ Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:11 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: overhauling navitmr |
Roff, I am shattered & showed my ignorace, liquidation?, 1978?, Venus?....... & was always dreaming of a mighty whole Swiss Co. ..... am speechless, the whole thing is a fraud...... Anyway now that I picked myself off the floor, what is this "chronodeco", I have just found the site of Mr. Heist's HOROLOGICAL SERVICES and got me blowed away with his very impressive setup & qualifications. Sounds the real macoy thing for genuine servicing of your beloved vintage. its alright polishing the outside well, I use my buffer in the shed often but, how about the insides?. And would like to see to my two Aviation antiques as below, where would be best to go for them too? Thanx .....nick The Elgin Aviation Chrono & the Waltham:-    
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| Author: | Roffensian [ Sun Aug 28, 2011 10:27 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: overhauling navitmr |
chronodeco (Craig) is a member here. You can either PM him through his profile - memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=1961 or contact him through his website - http://www.chronodeco.com. Mark Heist's work is very good, but Craig can help you out getting this back to running order. Not sure whether he works on aviation clocks as well (no harm in asking), and the value of them isn't as much so cost vs. value becomes an issue. There are many, many satisfied customers of Craig here. |
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| Author: | nichos [ Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: overhauling navitmr |
Thanx again Roff, something tells me that may be what am looking for in this sentence but, cant quite get the meaning of:- "......and the value of them isn't as much so cost vs. value becomes an issue........" Please elaborate. .......nick |
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| Author: | Roffensian [ Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: overhauling navitmr |
nichos wrote: Thanx again Roff, something tells me that may be what am looking for in this sentence but, cant quite get the meaning of:- "......and the value of them isn't as much so cost vs. value becomes an issue........" Please elaborate. .......nick You could end up paying $250 to refurbish an aircraft timer that's worth $200. |
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| Author: | nichos [ Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: overhauling navitmr |
Thanx, I considered that & am wondering if the asking prices of similar to mine, arount $2,500.00 to $3,500.00 are realistic. If so then spending $500.00 to $1,000.00 on repairs it would be worth it as my siblings (45yrs old now) in the far future would benefit if the need arose. Instead of leaving them that money when I die (80+ now) |
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| Author: | Roffensian [ Sun Aug 28, 2011 2:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: overhauling navitmr |
nichos wrote: Thanx, I considered that & am wondering if the asking prices of similar to mine, arount $2,500.00 to $3,500.00 are realistic. If so then spending $500.00 to $1,000.00 on repairs it would be worth it as my siblings (45yrs old now) in the far future would benefit if the need arose. Instead of leaving them that money when I die (80+ now) For the Navitimer it's aboslutely worth it. For the aircraft timers, not so much. |
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| Author: | nichos [ Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: overhauling navitmr |
And as a second thought, if the Navitimer was left as it is, would in the future be desirable to collectors? & what would be worth judging from todays price for the unrestored. From your experiense what is it worth today unrestored do you think. |
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| Author: | Dracha [ Mon Aug 29, 2011 12:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: overhauling navitmr |
nichos wrote: And as a second thought, if the Navitimer was left as it is, would in the future be desirable to collectors? Yes, its collectable and will stay collectable. Prices have steadily increased on Ebay and will probably continue to do so nichos wrote: & what would be worth judging from todays price for the unrestored. From your experiense what is it worth today unrestored do you think. Having watched prices for a few years , a bad example with a very damaged dial and non original hands just fetched over $2000 on EBay good examples typically go higher ($3000-$3500) |
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| Author: | nichos [ Mon Aug 29, 2011 12:13 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: overhauling navitmr |
So now the dilemma is go to which reputable, the $500.00 or the $200.00 for movement only overhaul? What a difference!. |
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| Author: | WatchFred [ Mon Aug 29, 2011 12:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: overhauling navitmr |
many of us trust Craig (chronodeco), I can only repeat my suggestion. send the watch to him and let him tell you what options he sees, i.e. just service the movement or proceed with subtle case restoration. then make up your mind. whatever you decide, you will be treated fairly. |
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