The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi All,

A while ago (8-2011) I purchased a Navitimer 1461 LE, the best watch ever IMO . The last couple of weeks I noticed that it was running a bit slow. I got it to an Authorised Repairer and got a message saying that the following has to be serviced;
- Complete overhaul of time-mechanism which includes new hands, a new crown and gaskets (according to Breitling spec)
- The amplitude was just over the minumum requirement
- Stone-bearings are dry

I'm not a watch techie, and have absolutely no reason to doubt the AR, but just out of curiosity, why need the hands and crown need to be replaced? How long does an overhaul take and above all; is this 'normal' wear for a watch of less then 3 years old?

Like to hear your experience!

David

PS: I have a desk job, don't play golf (wich is very bad for a mechanical watch I understand) and have it in a watchwinder overnight (every night) and during holiday's (24/7).

Hands are one-time-use only as they are push-fit, and are therefore always replaced at a service. There's no reason for the crown to be replaced unless it was damaged in some way. In terms of length of time for servicing, warranty work gets priority, so a non-warranty service like this will take anywhere between 8 and 12 weeks : give Breitling a call and they'll give you a better estimate of time.

3 years is definitely the lower-end of the service window - more usual would be 5, but it depends when your watch was made as opposed to when you bought it. It's not usual for a watch to be made a couple of years before it is actually sold, so the oils inside the mechanism may be much older than 3 years... in which case it definitely would be time for a service.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

It's probably not 3 years old, you don't know how long it was sitting at the AD before being sold. Service intervals are driven by the aging of the oil which is predictable and occurs whether the watch is worn, sitting on a winder or laying in a drawer. Hands need replacing because they are friction fit single use and have to be removed for servicing (the movement can't be separated from the dial with the hands on).

You would have to ask about the crown, that's not a standard replacement part. Service times vary depending on the market / service centre and without a location it's impossible to guess.

Edit - Driver8 beat me to it.

There is something I don't like here.
If the watch is one of the older Navi 1461 models then fair enough, well due for a service.

Something however tells me that the OP is refering to the Navi 1461 LE 2011?

http://www.breitlingsource.com/watch_de ... d_233.html

That being the case, the watch was made in 2011 which means it is three years old at most since it left the Breitling factory.
Breitling should be ashamed to admit that a 3 year watch is in need of a full overhaul service and that the bearings are dry.

djvanas, is your Authorized Repairer authorized to work on the Cal 19 movements?
Not many of them are and if yours is not then the watch will most likely be sent to Switzerland for the overhaul.
Likewise if the AR is not authorized to work on cal 19 then I am not sure if they can give you a detailed assessment of the watch condition and repair needs.
I have had my Montbrillant 1461 Jours overhauled recently and no, my local AR is not authorized to work on the cal 19 movement and had to send the watch of to Switzerland for inspection before giving me a detailed quotation.
I may be wrong but my gut feeling tells me that someone just "sniffed" the watch and proclaimed that it needs an overhaul.
I would be asking the AR some challenging questions if it is indeed the 2011 Navi 1461 as this will set you back around $1,000 and I do believe that it is not reasonable for a 3 year old watch.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Tnx everyone for your help and compassion

It is indeed a 2011 LE (A19370) which I bought in Singapore at an AD on holiday. The watch could not have been at the AD for long as it was introduced in Basel early 2011.

Replacement of the hands sound logical, I will defenitely ask about the crown when I come to pick it up. I got to bring it direcly to the Breitling importer in The Netherlands through a business contact, so they will have the expertise to work on the B19 movements. I was quoted a litle shy of $800, (before discount) but will ask if the discount is Breitling's goodwill or due to the fact of our mutual contact.

With regards to the service times, I was actually refering to the actual service of the watch i.e how long will a watchmaker spend disassembling the movement? Anyone any idea/experience?

Could the very frequent usage of a watchwinder have caused the excessive wear?

Regards,

David

Watch winder use is irrelevant.

Time for servicing is a little difficult to say accurately because there are periods of the process where nothing is actually happening except measuring timing. Stripping, cleaning and reassembling the watch will likely be 2 - 3 hours for that movement, but that's only a part of it.

Has anyone had their Navi 1461 2011 model serviced in US? Just curious how long it took and price paid.

I agree with Wes here; a three year old watch ought not need an overhaul. I'd be pushing pretty hard for a hefty discount.


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