The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I received a Breitling Superocean Steelfish as an engagement present from the father of my fiance in May this year. I must say that I was exceptionally pleased with the watch when it was given to me as it is a really good looking time-piece. Unfortunately, the joy of having a Breitling has only lasted for 6 months and has now turned to absolute dismay.

On honeymoon earlier this month I decided to go swimming with the watch on for the first time. With the confidence that Breitling promised that the watch would function down to depths of 2000m I ventured into the water for a bit of snorkling to explore the waters around New Zealand. Imagine my dismay when later that day I look at my Breitling to see that it has stopped and there is condensation build-up on the inside of the glass face. Not even the Cqsio I had as a 13 year old boy had a problem with the depths of 2-3m that I experienced when snorkelling. If a 35 euro watch can manage this type of stress then why not a 2300 euro watch?

Imagine then my disbelief as I send it back to Breitling under warranty only for them to tell me that I will have to pay 685 euro to have it fixed and get it back!!!! Apparently it was my fault for not tightening the time adjustment knob properly. this is despite the fact that I tightened it as much as possible before entering the water to ensure that there would not be a problem. On mentioning this to Breitling I was told that this was not possible and that it was si,ply my fault and that there was nothing wrong with the watch. I informed them that I have a masters degree in mechanical engineering and have been a professional engineer for the past 9 years of my working life but apparently according to them I still do not know what I am talking about when it comes to how to tighten a screw.

All I can say is that despite being a beautiful watch - I would not recommend ANYONE to buy a Breitling watch. In my opinion, this is a company who use their name to charge astronomical prices for a watch that doesn`t even perform as well as a 35 euor Casio and then don`t even honour their warranty agreement hitw you nad provide you with ZERO service.

If you are reading this review before purchasing a Breitling then hopefully it will stop you from making that VERY BIG MISTAKE. If you have already purchased your Breitling then all I can say is - unlucky and don`t use it in the water.

Sorry to hear the tale.

If Breitling are saying that there is nothing wrong with the watch, and you feel that isn't the case then I would suggest that you get an independent opinion. If that can demonstrate that there is a fault with the gaskets then Breitling will have to stand behind the product.

There are a lot of people on here who can testify that the watches are waterproof to the depths claimed, but obviously, no manufacturing process is perfect and there are individual pieces that have problems.

hmmm, I' m having exactly the same prob with my old Breitling. Condensation build-up. I' m quite amazed at the amount they wanted to charge you, I didn' t think it would be that expensive. I hope fixing mine won' t cost as much

Unfortunate tale. I wear my SA in the shower and in the pool and it has been perfect.

Anyways, I am not sure this post be in the REVIEW section. Probably should be moved to the main Breitling Discussion page.

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Black Breitling Super Avenger - 2008 Batons Model,
Black Hamilton Khakhi X-Wind
Black Marathon Le Grand Plongeur

The problem here isn't that some watch might have had a defect...

The problem is that some of the Swiss appear to have the same nasty attitude as the Germans, when it comes to Customer Service.

In America, it would be unthinkable to treat the buyer of a very expensive product this way. Especially, since the cost to them is next to nothing, they got their stupid seals laying around by the dozen. Every American company would have immediately sent you a replacement watch and placed your watch in their returns service queue.

That they did what you describe even once, makes me think the only Breitlings one should ever buy are old ones that have no warranty to boot, and are appropriately discounted for not expecting any help from the Manufacturer.



Matter of fact, Rado gives a good example that SOME Swiss do know that giving good service is more important than being pedantic.

My Rado watch, being only water resistant to 100m to begin with, had lost its water resistance after a battery replacement. (done at the dealer I bought it from) So after swimming a few laps, I found it to be full of water, and very dead.

I took it to the dealer, the dealer said he had to send it in, with the result that Rado sent me back a new one inside of a week with an apology for my troubles. I know I got a new one, cause I had managed to scratch mine in a couple of places, and the watch I got had no scratches, and I had to adjust the bracelet again.


But I can just see the corporate culture at Breitling, just going by their designs and attention to detail: working away slow and deliberate, pedantic and slightly myopic, everything in their universe must have its perfect balance, and if they can't see themselves at fault for something, they sure as hell don't want to cover it, if it looses them reputation and goodwill, so be it in the name of exactness. Hell, some of their watches look like they could be a roman artifact from some archeological dig. (that's a compliment, I like their design)

I can't speak for the other guy's problems, but I notice you use the world "old" in your post Mark. If it is quite old, and you've never had the water resistance checked there is every possibility that the gaskets simply perished. Breitling recommend a WR check every 2 years or so to ensure things like this don't happen.

But yes they will charge a lot to fix it if water does get in the case. Nature of the beast I'm afraid - the more expensive the product, the more expensive the service / repairs unfortunately.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Well we are all entitled to our opinions, but members on here can also give you examples of exceptional customer service by Breitling or their ADs.

Bottom line is that there are good and bad examples of every company because people are involved and Breitling (or Rado) are no exception.

It is not valid to take one example and extrapolate it to the whole brand, it just doesn't make sense whether that is good or bad.

Sorry to hear about your steelfish......I would not blast all Breitlings.....I love all of mine and they love the water!







Good luck!

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YOU CAN'T HAVE A GREAT TIME WITHOUT A GREAT WATCH.........MAKE IT A BREITLING

Sorry to hear your story, friend. Having 3 Lings I can tell you only good CS output from Breitling - I live in the EU. I'm afraid you had that Monday morning product. Sometimes father-in-laws commit such sins. I can advise the same as posted earlier: have a 2nd opinion and act accordingly. I'm sure in the end your Ling shall turn to be your good companion.
Let us know how things are going on and good luck!
Robertus

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Chronomat 41 BEB, Steelfish Chrono BEB, 2x Grand Premier, Chrono Cockpit 39 mm, Aerospace Avantage 79362
IWC 3706, 3705, 376706, 371928
Sinn 103 plexy
For sale: Sinn 356 II, Porsche Design Titan Chrono Valjoux
Wanted: Breitling Blackbird 13353 on bracelet

I purchased my first B2 in Geneva in 2001.

It kept losing a few minutes a day.

I took it in to the repair centre in Sydney about four times to get it fixed. Each time they said it would be ok. It never was.

In the end they sent the watch back to Breitling in Geneva for a new movement.

The new movement fixed the problem and it has not been an issue since.

It is in for routine service at the moment.

I miss it.

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Breitling Navitimer
Breitling B2
Corum Golden Bridge
U-Boat

HOPE ALL WORKS OUT FOR YOU

I think this rant should be removed...at least from reviews...he didn't really review the watch as much as he did, bitch about a bad customer service experience...

beauty!

I think people are entitled to say their piece - good or bad - so this thread should stay IMO. However, I take your point about it not being a watch review, so I've moved it into the Feedback section. I think it belongs more there!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

The dude posts one bitch session and that has been all. Way to contribute.

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Chronomat, Steel/Gold, MOP Dial, 2-tone band (2008)
Super Avenger Black Baton Dial (2009)
Bentley B04 GMT Silver Dial (2013)
Avenger Blacksteel Baton Dial (2014)