The Breitling Watch Source Forums

This is my first post so please be gentle.

I have an Aerospace that I purchased new in 1995. I have had no problems with this watch othere than the normal battery replacement every 5 years and some loose pins on the band. I do love this watch.

A few months ago the battery again needed replacing so I took it to a jeweler for this. About a week later the digital display went crazy flashing non readable characters. I took it back to the dealer I had purchased it from and they sent it to Breitling for a repair quote. The dealer called today to tell me to get it working again would be $1,385. If I wanted the crystal replaced and full cosmetic restoration it would be $1,850. I declined so I will be out $60 for the shipping, insurance, and estimate.

Does this sound reasonable? I paid $1,800 for it new! I don't think my dealer is an AD anymore and may be marking up the repair quote.

Is this a common problem with these watches. I expected this watch to last the rest of my lifetime but am now dissapointed. Being retired now I can't afford to replace it.

Any suggestions on alternative repair options?

Thanks,
Ike

If the only work that it's had has been battery replacement then that quote doesn't surprise me at all. The watch needs servicing every 5 - 7 years at $550 or so a pop, so a 16 year old watch is in the window of a 3rd service now.

Breitling isn't in the habit of charging for work that isn't needed so I would believe the numbers. Your only other option is non authorised service which means non Breitling parts and the watch could never go back to Breitling again unless you were prepared to pay for Breitling to undo the unauthorised work on top of everything else.

I guess you could try to sell the watch with full disclosure of the issues, but with numbers like that it's not really worth anything.

Sorry.

Roff....Thanks for the quick response.

I guess I come from the "If it aint broke don't fix it" mindset. When the dealer changed the battery they never said anything about additional service being needed.

So I now have a pretty titanium paperweight. Sigh.....

I have a spare movement if you want to sell it

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Greetings Again,
I thought I would post the "rest of the story" on my watch so others might learn from my experiences....

As I stated earlier my dealer had quoted me repair prices of $1395 for "required" work and $1895 for "required + optional" repair. I decided to call Breitling to ask why the quotes were so high. The very nice lady there said the numbers did sound high but for a direct quote I would need to send the watch back myself. I did and they responded with the following: "required" repair = $487 and "required + optional" = $1201.

I opted for the "required + optional" which included full cosmetic restoration and a new titanium band. I received the watch today and could not be more pleased! And for icing on the cake they sent back the old band fully refinished also. Needless to say I will NEVER set foot in the dealer I bought the watch from again.

From now on battery changes will only be made by Breitling....I have learned my lesson.

Now should I keep the old band or sell it on eBay to recover part of my expense?

Thanks,
Ike

There is a online price guide for Breitling service costs on the official site.
US prices only as far as I can see.

There is a PDF for each country, not just US. It's visble as a link after you identify which country you are in.

Here is the link, choose the Breitling centre according to your country and town:
http://www.breitling.com/en/maintenance/

I have My breitling a68362 on service Full service plus an replacement of the eletricblock. It will cost me 1333 us dollar. The watch is from year 2000 ;(

Hey Ike, sounds like you got a good deal.. I Am still working on getting 2 watches like yours fixed in Europe... See my post yesterday...works only 10 years?

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Tempus fugit, for sure!

Nope have not seen your post, i have to check it out

I have the same watch. Two of them as mentioned. Problems were mechanical. After spending a week on this site and talkingt to B, I am upgrading one to Superquartz and hanging the other one on the wall... They know that fixing the old quartz is not a solution... Try to get a deal, if it does not work, you have no other choice, the 1200$ is about the right price for the upgrade and the watch should be perfect for a long time. Service every 5 years. No Service without checking center on the Breitling website!
Have a good holiday!

_________________
Tempus fugit, for sure!

This is what you need


ETA 988.333

http://www.ebay.de/itm/ETA-988-333-Brei ... 639wt_1185




9 3/4 " * 11 1/2"
d = 22.00 mm
y = 25.50 mm
h = 3.25 mm
7 jewels
date
HYB
D
TM
T2
CHR
ALM
EOL