My 2¢ worth: Since joining the forum not that long ago, I have already seen a couple of vintage Breitlings that were sent for repair. One in particular allegedly claims to have sent his $13K vintage Breitling to a large repair facility in PA and was rewarded with a $4K watch when it was done. Unrelated, I have also seen posted vintage watches re-lumed using bright white luminescent material. I would have used old, yellowed radium to match the original lume material.
My pre-806 Navitimer only needed the sub-hands reattached, movement cleaned, crystal polished, and any loose detritus blown from between the crystal and dial. Unfortunately my watchmaker and friend passed away 2 years ago at 93 so I contacted the same PA company as well as one in NYC. Both started telling me what they thought my watch needed and dictating protocol with little interest in what I wanted done to the watch. Basically the deal was: send us your watch, we will determine what it needs, take approximately 6 months, cost you $600 - $1000, and return the watch to you. I don’t doubt they are great mechanics for modern watches, but for vintage pieces? And what about communication and my requirements? My feeling is: my watch, my money, my decision.
IMHO I would seek out a small, old school, well respected watchmaker that will work with you and perform what is required using original period matching parts if required with nothing you didn’t ask for. Several of the best Breitling minds are here on the forum. Follow the advice of the knowledgeable forum members (I have) and you won’t be disappointed. Several forum members seem to have good options in Europe. I have not found another private watchmaker here in the states yet so my Nav remains as is. Although others have had no issues, I hesitate to send expensive items overseas again as I had to have Interpol intervene to resolve an issue. My feeling is that you need a craftsman, not a mechanic. Best of luck to you.
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that's where Mark & Theresa live & have their small workshop