The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am in the process of purchasing this watch that has been stored since new for over 10 years. I am a little nervous because the seller has not wound or started the watch so therefore I don't know if it actually works. As stated in your other thread it's actually a good thing that the vendor hasn't tried to wind it due to the potential additional damage that could occur as a result of the degradation of the oils. BUSA will get it going just fine once they service it. I plan to send it out for service immediately based on the sound advice received here on from my earlier post.

I have bought all my other ones new from an out of town AD recommended here. My questions and concerns are:

1. What is the best way to send it out? If you are going to send it direct to BUSA, then your best bet would be to give them a call for advice on how to send it in to them. BUK just suggest sending it in via Royal Mail Special Delivery (i.e. tracked, insured and signed for). It should be well packed, but not in the original Bakelite box as you probably wouldn't get it back. I send mine in the post-service zipped cases you sometime see for sale on eBay - that's how they'll send it back to you anyway - along with a ton of bubble-wrap and an outer cardboard box. You shouldn't send any of the original paperwork as the watch is 10 years old. If it was a warranty job you'd obviously have needed to send the warranty card but as this isn't then just send the watch and a covering letter with all your contact details and what you want doing, etc. But as I say, best bet would be to give BUSA a call first.

2. Should I go through local AD which I have done with one of my other ones or go through the out of town AD? I feel kind of guilty going to local AD as I have not bought from them, but I prefer the convenience and face to face interaction. I might feel a bit sheepish about sending to out of town AD. If you are going to use an AD, then use the local one. You don't owe them a thing, plus you've bought a 10 year old watch that they couldn't have sourced for you anyway. Of course, as I said above, you could also go direct to BUSA, which is what I do with BUK.

3. Can and/or should I send directly to service center and bypass AD? Covered above.

4. Do I need to concoct some story about old uncle Faust who lived in a tree and gifted the watch to me? Or simply tell the truth? Just tell the truth. There's no "Breitling law" against buying pre-owned watched, so just tell it like it is.

Thank you in advance for the good advice.

Thank you for the great information.