The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I have a Superocean which I somehow scratched a line on the blueish glareproof tint on the crystal. Although the crystal is scratch proof I understand that the tint is not so much. I was cleaning it some sand was on the cloth. Does anyone have any familiarity with this problem and if it has to go back to Breitling for service how much should I expect to pay for a refinishing of the tint or a new crystal? The watch is three years old and could pass for new except for the scratch.

It'll be a new crystal.

The crystal can be refinished, but that would involve removal of the old AR coating, and then a reapplication of the AR, but Breitling find it more cost effective to simply replace the crystal. I don't know how much it'll cost, but I wouldn't be surprised if Breitling insisted on a full service at the same time. I'm guessing here but maybe £300 / $500? Something in that region.....

Your best bet will be to call your regional Breitling service centre and ask the question. Numbers are on the Breitling website.

Your other alternative (apart from just living with the scratch) is to remove the AR completely. You can do this with a mild polishing compound like Cape Cod cloths, but then you will obviously lose the AR properties.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Same problem here. Took it to my local AD, he sent it to
the Breitling service center in TO. 3 weeks and CA$225 later
I had a brand new crystal (on my SA...)
----It's like when a rock hits your windshield....-----

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Rolex DeepSea, GMT Master II TT, Pres 18038, DJ TT 16013
Breitling Chronomat 39mm (bullet+UTC), Starliner SS/MOP (wife)

back with ROLEX

That's MUCH cheaper than I expected. Nice one!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Thank you gentlemen! This AR scratch liability is the only complaint after three years of ownership but I wonder if Rolex SD is a better option because of no glareproof coating. It allows the hard scratchproof crystal to do its job and wont have film worn or scratched.

same thing happened on my datora, I love the AR coating too much though, I guess it's gotta go back to svitzerland

Personally I don't like the glare you get on non-AR coated watches, so AR is always preferable for me, but then as with anything in life, it's each to their own.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

[/quote]
That's MUCH cheaper than I expected. Nice one![/quote]

I had to bargain a little and pay in paper money
and complain a little.... and, and, and

_________________
Rolex DeepSea, GMT Master II TT, Pres 18038, DJ TT 16013
Breitling Chronomat 39mm (bullet+UTC), Starliner SS/MOP (wife)

back with ROLEX