The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello All,

I am a newbie on here as this is my 1st post but have been reading through posts for the last week or so. I would like to thank all who have posted such valuable info.

I'm a professional helicopter pilot and have been thinking about getting a Emergency model for a while. I spend about 5 hours a day flying over various sometimes inhospitable terrain. I am familiar with the SARSAT changes and really for me, the Emergency still will have its merits.

I recently had the opportunity to purchase a used yellow face model but the deal started to get weird and I decided to pass as my gut feeling was it did not feel right. Now I am thinking maybe it is better to just get a new one.

Now for my questions...:

1. How much better or more desirable is the Superquartz 76 movement versus the 56 movement? (the used model I was going to purchase had the 56 movement) E5632110

2. What do you feel should be the maximum price paid for a used but mint watch with the 56 movement? Does the color of the dial make a difference?

3. I am aware that the watch has to go back to BUSA for movement battery swaps. If the owner of a used watch never sent the watch in for it's first service and the watch was purchased over 5 years ago would the 1st service still be free?

4. I see slight cosmetic differences between the Quartz versus the Superquartz models, dial, bezel...are there any others that make the later model much more desirable?

5. I am in the Los Angeles area and the best price I have found on a new Titanium band yellow face model is $4650.00. I am uneducated on possible Breitling discounts...Is this a good price from a AD or can I find better? Dealer recommendations?...

Thank you all in advance for your replies....!!!

Welcome to the forums!

I can't comment on price on these pieces, but try a search of completed items on eBay - that'll give you some idea what they are selling for.

As far as the other questions - jnelson3097 can hook you up with an out of state AD who will ship overnight to you and give a very good discount as well as exceptional service.

In terms of the SQ version, technically the difference is in the inclusion of a thermo-compensated element to the movement that keeps the SQ versions accurate to within 10 seconds a year - it's better, but a regular quartz version will be more accurate than a mechanical watch. Of course SQ also means that you will get a newer watch.

In terms of service, as I understand it the first service is free - period, I don't think that offer expires after a certain period, although you will need the original batteries - if an unauthorised repairer has changed batteries you may have problems.

As you say, the frequency change for satellite is irrelevant to these pieces, the signal isn't strong enough for satellite monitoring.

Good luck with the search!

Hi, be carefull if you buy an Emergency second hand. The maintenance of these pieces is VITAL ! Breitling AD's are not allowed to touch these watches for maintenance or even changing the batteries. Only skilled Breitling HQ technicians who followed a course given by Dassault (provider of the actual distress transmitter) are allowed to open and service an Emergency. Where I live (Belgium - Europe) this means you deliver it to your AD with the maintenance booklet and a copy of the form that proves Breitling knows that you are the (new) owner of this watch. Then they ship it to Breitling Switzerland. There the maintenance is carried out. Then they ship it back to your AD. First maintenance is free. After that +/- 350 Eur per maintenance no mather what has to be done to it. If a previous owner skipped these rules and had the batteries changed by anybody else than Breitling HQ you are in big trouble : they will simply refuse to service the watch without changing the complete transmitter unit... costs : about 2.000 euro's. Also make sure the seller provides you with the official form that allows you to transfer the name of the original owner to your own and send it to Breitling HQ. I would go for the superquartz model and make 100% sure the original Emergency briefcase with transmitter-tester comes with it. Without that the price should be no more than +/- 2.000 USD. Here is a link to one on sale on Ebay : http://cgi.benl.ebay.be/Mens-Titanium-B ... 240%3A1318
It has the coral dial which is rather sought after. I have that one with the UTC module. Now if you can find one like that you really are lucky. Quit a few members here have allready send me PM's asking me if I would be interested in selling it. I my opinion a very good sign

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BREITLING EMERGENCY + UTC CORAL DIALS
BREITLING AEROSPACE TITANIUM PROF (SOLD)
ROLEX SUBMARINER BI-COLOR BLUE DIAL
LOUIS VUITTON TAMBOUR DIVERS
PANERAI LUMINOR

@gert thats a nice emergency you have there..that colour is nice just like the yellow one...I want

must sell my breitling first before my wife me hahahaha

but back on topic...

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-Chrono Avenger ti-sold
-Blackbird-sold
Avenger m1-sold
Skyland
Seawolf

Aaah, the wives... will they ever change ? Naaah, they won't !

_________________
BREITLING EMERGENCY + UTC CORAL DIALS
BREITLING AEROSPACE TITANIUM PROF (SOLD)
ROLEX SUBMARINER BI-COLOR BLUE DIAL
LOUIS VUITTON TAMBOUR DIVERS
PANERAI LUMINOR

Best bet is to buy new if you can. Discounts for new from an AD will be in the 30-32% range. If you are looking for an older analog UTC, you will have no choice but look for a used model.

With the Emergency there is an FCC document you sign and register with. Not really an issue on a used model as this info is transferable. The Emergencies first service is free. After that they cost about $500-ish every 3-4 years.

Welcome to the forums!

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So Gert, are you saying if I buy an Emergency from someone on a forum and send it in for service Breitling have to already know I am the new owner? As long as I'm paying for the service I wouldn't think that would pose a problem.

When I purchased my B2 I took it to the Breiling Service Center here in NY who sent it to BUSA for a full service.
I was charged $520 and got back a great watch with no questions as to why I was the owner (as their records would show a different owner for that serial number).

Anyone had any problems like this?

_________________
HeadOffice...
B1+UTC
B1+UTC
B2+UTC
Chronomatic 49
Emergency+UTC-Yellow
Emergency+UTC-Black
Emergency+UTC-Blue
Super Avenger
SuperOcean Heritage 46

-- Looking for B4B Le Mans

Your B2 doesn't have a Dassault transmitter strapped to it!

The Emergency and Emergency Mission have to have change of ownership registered with Breitling because of the need to accurately track the transmitters.

Agreed. So the question is how do you register change of ownership? My discussions with BUSA today resulted in them saying...
"We only register watches if they are purchased through our authorized dealers. If your watches were purchased outside the US or second-hand, we cannot register them under your name."

So what's the deal here?

_________________
HeadOffice...
B1+UTC
B1+UTC
B2+UTC
Chronomatic 49
Emergency+UTC-Yellow
Emergency+UTC-Black
Emergency+UTC-Blue
Super Avenger
SuperOcean Heritage 46

-- Looking for B4B Le Mans

I bought mine online from a very respected jeweller in the UK. The watch had been registered to the original buyer who never used the watch even once. They shipped me the watch and I took it to my Breitling AD. He knew I was going to buy it in the UK because he could not get a hold on the Coral version with UTC. He then took the registration papers out of the box of an Emergency he had in stock, filled them in and send them to Breitling for registration. It is impossible to get the Emergency serviced without those papers being in order and the watch securely put on your name. Maybe they are a little bit more easy going on Emergency owners to re-register the watch to the new owner just because you can not get them serviced without that ? Or maybe it's US policy ? I have no idea...

_________________
BREITLING EMERGENCY + UTC CORAL DIALS
BREITLING AEROSPACE TITANIUM PROF (SOLD)
ROLEX SUBMARINER BI-COLOR BLUE DIAL
LOUIS VUITTON TAMBOUR DIVERS
PANERAI LUMINOR

Just got this reply to my email from BUSA Service department...
The instructions just ask you to send the original warranty booklet and how to pack it.
Looks like the US is all OK with it.

_________________
HeadOffice...
B1+UTC
B1+UTC
B2+UTC
Chronomatic 49
Emergency+UTC-Yellow
Emergency+UTC-Black
Emergency+UTC-Blue
Super Avenger
SuperOcean Heritage 46

-- Looking for B4B Le Mans

BUSA are getting difficult about watches that aren't in their systems (i.e. originally sold in the US) to try and stop the grey market.

With an Emergency / Emergency Mission I imagine they will still handle it, if not get in touch with Breitling SA directly. As Gert says, usually it only needs a visit to an AD.

what happens if i move to the us and need to get my b's serviced their as they are purchased in the UK or US (as will buy some when there) am i gonna have issues?

Alex,
See my last post. If there's no issues when it's not even registered to you (as long as you provide paperwork etc.) then when you send it in I'd just drop a note saying moved from UK.

_________________
HeadOffice...
B1+UTC
B1+UTC
B2+UTC
Chronomatic 49
Emergency+UTC-Yellow
Emergency+UTC-Black
Emergency+UTC-Blue
Super Avenger
SuperOcean Heritage 46

-- Looking for B4B Le Mans

Isn't that a bit strange? Because if the watch gets a second owner and then the transmitter goes active - how would the first owner avoid to pay the rescue bill?

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid