The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I purchased a bueatiful Navitimer Heritage 2005 with white face. I purchased it outside of ebay from a reputable ebay seller through paypal.

The watch arrived in amazing cosmetic shape. However, the second hand on the stopwatch never resets to 12:00... it resets to 11:57. It works fine and rotates normally, just never resets to the 1200 mark

Also, the date seems to be just a little bit off center. I can see a tiny tiny bit of the digit of the next day.

Thirdly... The watch looks like it was dinged against something because the bezel has the tiniest tiniest dent in it that I couldnt actually see untill I knew it was there. This has caused the sealent around the crystal/glass part to deteriorate near the dent.

So heres my questions.

1- how can i fix the second hand issue and have it reset to the 12:00 mark. How much will it cost? I was told by a watch maker that they will have to replace the seconds hand.

2- The watch needs a new sealant around the glass/crystal part. The watchmaker guy says that breitling will most likely want to replace the whole bezel instead. How much will a bezel set me back? how much will a sealant set me back?

3- The guy says its ok to return it. I payed 3100 for it and I think its a great deal. I am wondering if its just better to go ahead and try to fix it.

4- The date issue.... probably needs servicing right? how much?

5- I am guessing the watch will need a complete servi ing/cleaning. How much will I expect to pay?

Just looking for ballpark figures. Trying to figure out if I should keep the watch or return it and risk that the guy might just keep the watch and not refund me my money.

Thanks,

Kenan

Welcome to BreitlingSource.

I don't want to worry you, but there are fakes of the Navi Heritage so you may want to post photos just to be sure...

In terms of your questions:

1) As it always resets to the same place the hand can be adjusted, it's a quick and easy fix although the movement has to be removed from the case. Technically the hands are single use which is why the watchmaker said that a replacement hand would be needed. The cost should be under $50, but if you get the watch serviced (and it's due) then that will be addressed as aprt of the service.

2) Tough call without seeing it, Breitling don't tend to recommend replacment work that isn't necessary, and with the ding in the bezel that may be the best bet - probably $200 or so. They won't replace the seal outside of a service - full service will be about $500.

3) That's your call, no one can tell you what to do.

4) As I said a full service is $500 or so. It could be a damaged date wheel which will marginally add to the cost (a few bucks).

5) Already answered.

Ok I decided to keep the watch. It comes with all papers and a box. Although the box was falling apart and is missing the letter B from the top REITLING logo.

I know the watch isnt fake because I own two fake breitlings. I purchased them last week. I figured that would be the best way to learn about fakes. I know that I am supporting the fake industry by purchasing two of them but I guess its a decision I made. I did take them to a jewler and he had no idea they were fake. But now I can tell easily as some things cant be duplicated.

I took teh watch under an industrial microscope. The ding does not affect the shape of the bezel so I doubt breitling will want to replace it. I also noticed that the silicon seal was only broken at the surface at about a mm of length. So it does not affect the water resistance or anything like that.

So all thats left is the issue with the seconds not resetting to 12 and also the calendar issue. I called breitling and a full service on the navi heritage is 650 dollars... OUCH... I will wait a year or so probably before getting that done. According to the seller the watch was just serviced by his jewlery where the gaskets were replaced and the watch was lubricated. I am not sure if I can trust his jewler. If I can trust him ill wait a few years before sending it to breitling... otherwise ill probably just send it in the next year or so.

Kenan
I happened to go into a local Jewerly /Pawn Shop in town a day ago, and browsed his previously loved Breitlings. (He had some very beautiful pieces, but I was really just window shopping)

While there, I asked if he's come across many fakes.

He told me about a customer that brought in a Breitling that needed service. The store owner sent it to an authorized Breitling dealer, who checked it out and said that it needed some parts, which he (the A.D.) would go ahead and order.

When the parts arrived, they wouldn't fit! Turned out that the Breitling was a fake! It was such a good fake, even the Authorized Dealer was fooled, and only became aware that it was fake after seeing that the parts wouldn't fit! Could be a b.s. story, but I don't see any reason the owner would have to lie about this.

My advice... for what it's worth.... spend a few $$$ and have the watch checked out by Tourneau, or some other authorized Dealer while you can still get a refund!

You wouldn't want to have the watch for several months, a year, and THEN discover that it's a fake. The peace of mind has got to be worth the few bucks it should cost to confirm it's authenticity.

There are AMAZINGLY accurate copies of some Breitling watches floating around!

Just a suggestion.

At the very least, post some pictures and we can comment on the authenticity.....

http://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=453

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

I spent a couple months looking at fakes at replica-watches-guide dot com and got very familiar with the fakes...

Navitimers are pretty easy to spot. The date is not flush with the face... I know.. I have two of them.

The fakes or replicas that are difficult to spot are called "super reps" For breitling theres only two or three models you have to be careful about.

The SOH


The super Avenger


Kenan



edited by Roff - links to replica sites removed.

No problem! Just offering to help Sounds like you have it under control.

I'd send that bad boy in for a service. Sounds like more than a few niggling things that would annoy me. How well is it keeping time?

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

If the seller stated that the watch was just gone over by a jeweler before he sold it and failed to acknowledge these problems, I would definitely get your money back. The price you paid for the watch is definitely not bad at all but you can get one in excellent condition for about $500 more. If you don't plan on having the watch serviced soon you always run the risk of something serious happening and costing you more money down the road. How did you pay for the purchase? If your worried that the seller would keep your watch and fail to return funds paid, I would definitely hope you paid with a credit card. Paypal can be iffy with purchases outside of eBay, however your credit card company should be obliged to protect their customer base and assist you with a refund if the seller fails to issue one. Just my two cents, and whatever you decide to do good luck!

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What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know, it's what we know for sure that just ain't so.