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Cleaning & maintenance
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Author:  vstarkwell [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:47 am ]
Post subject:  Cleaning & maintenance
I have a Colt Ocean circa 1999 and recently it started gaining time over the past few weeks, I brought it to the authorized jeweler I bought from and they sent it out to see why it was doing what it was doing. I got a call back today telling me it needs to be cleaned and have some maintenance done on it at the cost of $475 :? .

My question is do I have to have this done by an authorized Breitling repair person or could I have some one else do it? also does the amount quoted seem a bit excessive? atthe time I purchased it i spent about a grand on it. it doesn't make sense.

TIA,

V :lingsrock:
Author:  Roffensian [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning & maintenance
It's a little high for a non chrono full service, but then it's 11 years old and services are recommended every 5 - 7 years so it's certainly not out of line.

If you don't used an authorised Breitling service centre then the watch can't be serviced using genuine Breitling parts and you are lowering the quality of the watch. They will also reuse the hands which are designed to be single use and won't fit so well after being replaced.
Author:  vstarkwell [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning & maintenance
Thanks Roff, I'll have to think about it right now it's more of an annoyance and not sure if I want to plunk down close to $500 on that right now.

If I don't get it cleaned will that potentially make things worse?
Author:  Roffensian [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning & maintenance
vstarkwell wrote:
Thanks Roff, I'll have to think about it right now it's more of an annoyance and not sure if I want to plunk down close to $500 on that right now.

If I don't get it cleaned will that potentially make things worse?


If it's no longer keeping time then the oils have broken down and the movement isn't receiving the lubrication that it needs. If you continue to use the watch in that condition then it can cause excessive wear and you could be looking at a larger servicing / repair bill down the road.
Author:  vstarkwell [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning & maintenance
Thanks for the advice, I didn't think of that. Better safe then sorry huh?
Author:  Roffensian [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 3:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning & maintenance
vstarkwell wrote:
Thanks for the advice, I didn't think of that. Better safe then sorry huh?


Yeah, especially as it is at least 4 years overdue already.
Author:  onewatchnut [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning & maintenance
The posted overhaul price for BUSA is $320. Of course, there is a disclaimer at the bottom stating "Any spare parts required for the repair of the watch which are not listed under “Maintenance Service” or
“Complete Overhaul”, are subject to additional charges."

You might inquire about the additional charges, but the bottom line is you will have to pay the price if you want it fixed. They know how old it is and are going to get their money one way or the other. If you wait ten years instead of sending it to them after five years, they will up the price to recover some of the money.
Author:  bnewbie [ Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning & maintenance
onewatchnut wrote:
They know how old it is and are going to get their money one way or the other. If you wait ten years instead of sending it to them after five years, they will up the price to recover some of the money.

Exactly, and that is sleazy.
Author:  enezdez [ Sun Mar 21, 2010 2:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning & maintenance
Hi!

Another option is to trade the watch for another - still have to put money down but you get a new watch regardless if it is pre-owned - it is still new to you!

Know what I mean!!! :poke:

Best Regards,

Enezdez
Author:  mr.clean [ Sun Mar 21, 2010 4:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning & maintenance
onewatchnut wrote:
The posted overhaul price for BUSA is $320. Of course, there is a disclaimer at the bottom stating "Any spare parts required for the repair of the watch which are not listed under “Maintenance Service” or
“Complete Overhaul”, are subject to additional charges."

You might inquire about the additional charges, but the bottom line is you will have to pay the price if you want it fixed. They know how old it is and are going to get their money one way or the other. If you wait ten years instead of sending it to them after five years, they will up the price to recover some of the money.


I have to disagree with that. If the watch is overdue by 5+ years then there is probably oil breakdown causing wear on components that may not have had wear if the watch was overhauled as scheduled. The only bad part is that we have to take their word for it was we are not there when it is disassemble and evaluated. If someone went 2-3 times over the distance for oil changes in their car repeatedly then they could expect a larger price to fix their car down the road as the broken down oils did not lubricate properly causing engine damage.
Author:  vstarkwell [ Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning & maintenance
enezdez wrote:
Hi!

Another option is to trade the watch for another - still have to put money down but you get a new watch regardless if it is pre-owned - it is still new to you!

Know what I mean!!! :poke:

Best Regards,

Enezdez


Good idea, I'm gonna look into that option.

Thanks!!!!!
Author:  onewatchnut [ Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning & maintenance
mr.clean wrote:

I have to disagree with that. If the watch is overdue by 5+ years then there is probably oil breakdown causing wear on components that may not have had wear if the watch was overhauled as scheduled. The only bad part is that we have to take their word for it was we are not there when it is disassemble and evaluated. If someone went 2-3 times over the distance for oil changes in their car repeatedly then they could expect a larger price to fix their car down the road as the broken down oils did not lubricate properly causing engine damage.


That's why I suggested asking about the additional charges. It could very well be that additional parts are required that are beyond those replaced during the normal overhaul.

When you get your car repaired do you ask for the old parts when the say that something needs to be replaced? That usually limits the gouging at the repair shop, although there's no way to tell they didn't pull an old one from the trash bin. If you're savvy enough you can spot that.

Try asking Breitling for the old parts. Even if they sent them to you, would you know what you were looking at? My point is: no one really knows what they do at the service center except the people that work there. When they say it's going to cost $XXX, you are going to pay it because you want your watch back and you'll never know if you got gouged a little or not.

If you bring your watch to me and I gouge you, you'll take it somewhere else next time while badmouthing me along the way. A few instances of that and I'll be out of business. Conversely, Breitling has a monopoly on servicing their watches and you have to pay whatever they charge. You can badmouth them all you want, but you'll still send the watch to them the next time it needs service.
Author:  Iantheklutz [ Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning & maintenance
For some reason, I doubt that Breitling is nickel and diming people to death on services. 300 $ - 500$ for a service cannot represent a large profit for the actual amount of skilled labor that goes into an overhaul. Breitling is not insideously plotting to sqeeze every penny from you.

In the end, you get what you pay for. I'd bite the bullet and feel comfortable with the fact that your watch has been overhauled with genuine Breitling parts and will run smoothly for the next 5-10 years.
Author:  bnewbie [ Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning & maintenance
Iantheklutz wrote:
For some reason, I doubt that Breitling is nickel and diming people to death on services.

Yes, if the service is after 4-5 years.
If you ask for service after 10 years, they'll have you on the parts.
Author:  vstarkwell [ Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning & maintenance
Might I have some recourse if I never was notified that I needed a 5 yr service? I'm pretty sure they never contacted me about that.
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