The Breitling Watch Source Forums

What are the advantages of having a chronograph serviced at Breitling USA over using a service center that is listed directly on the Breitling.com web site? My watch is a bit over ten years old, has been properly maintained, and keeps time just fine. I have contacted one of the gentlemen that is recommended on this forum, and his price seems better than what Breitling charges. He is listed as an authorized service center. There is another center listed that is two blocks from my office, in New York, as opposed to across the country where the recommended servicer is. Assuming that the price was EQUAL, which it isn't, tell me why I should send the watch to Breitling. Also, is it a mistake to take the watch to the local authorized center if I don't know anything about them? It's the only Breitling center in the state, so I assume there has been some vetting process done by Breitling. Thanks.
-Seth

Authorised service centres have to maintain a level of training and equipment to retain their status, and of course they are subject to inspection from Breitling, so theoretically no difference. On the other hand BUSA obviously has the capability to retain a larger inventory of parts so availability is easier (although often offset by wait times at BUSA).

List prices for servicing are the same whether you go AD or BUSA so I assume that the service centre is discounting.

Not sure about in the US, but in some locations ADs are prevented from completing some service / repair activities and the pieces have to go to the central service centre.

Cool, thanks. So, in theory, the quality of the work should be identical either way. At this point the only difference is the "customer experience" and possibly price. Is that right? Thanks again.

Theoretically yes.

Obviously different watchmakers, and you could argue that the ones at BUSA are more experienced / familiar with Breitling specifically (presumably at an AD they work on different brands) and more closely monitored. You could also argue that BUSA watchmakers have access to better equipment but as I say to be an authorised service centre the watchmakers have to meet Breitling standards and have a minimum level of specified equipment.

Perhaps true, but in the case of JD Watchworks, I believe he works on 2-3 brands, but having seen his shop, he seems to do mostly Breitling. And having met him, I'm completely confident in the quality of his work. He's also a lot more communicative than BUSA will be. You can call him or email him and know that you'll be talking to the person who is doing the work(I think he has a helper also that I've seen at the shop a couple times).

I've contacted Juliusz and he was very helpful. If I didn't have to ship the watch across country, he'd have my watch already. I guess my only real concern is if the watch gets lost in shipping. I haven't had an appraisal in over ten years on the watch, and have no idea how the typical insurance claims process goes for mail.

USPS Registered Insured is very safe. It is a federal crime to steal from the USPS and they take it seriously. The folks here can probably give you a sense of what it would cost to replace your watch.

I'm not particularly worried about actually losing the watch, but in getting paid to replace it. I'd assume that you can't just tell them "replacing this watch will cost me $4G. Cut me a check." I'd think that documentation, that I don't have, would be needed to "prove" the value. This is probably not a concern, but I am always the exception to any rule in statistics. I'm just lucky, I guess.

An AD might be able to provide you with said documentation. Just ask for an appraisal on their company's letterhead.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

My understanding is that Breitling also polish the watch to look like new - it this something an authorised service center would do? And would they be as meticulous about it as Breitling is?

That's with a full service, and is one reason why some service centres aren't allowed to do a full service. If the service centre is authorised for a full service then it should have the experience and equipment.

JD will do a full polish.

Whether I send it to Juliusz or Breitling, I plan on bypassing any AD. Given the problems in the other thread with the Bentley, I'd rather send it direct. It sounds like Breitling won't even talk to you if your AD sends the watch in, but are happy to talk if you do it yourself. As I type this, I suppose this makes sense. Others have said that Breitling charges your AD less than they charge you for an overhaul, thus building in a profit for the dealer. Given this transfer in gain, it makes sense that Breitling makes the dealer deal with any customer service. Whether that's a wise business decision in the longterm is debatable, but on that individual transaction it does make sense.

Getting an appraisal doesn't obligate you to get a service from the AD. It will be free and I'm sure is done frequently enough for insurance purposes. Others can confirm.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

The last time I use USPS Registered Mail I could declare any value I wanted, as long as I paid for the insurance. The package has to be completely wrapped in a tape that can be stamped to prevent tampering. It is signed for at every transfer point so there is a complete trail of the shipment process. I have sent watches worth nearly $20,000US without problems.

As far as authorized Brietling watchmakers, it is determined by training and sales. A friend of mine who is one of the finest watchmakers I know (trained for years in Switzerland) gave up his Brietling account because he could not afford to carry 30 or more Brietlings in his display case. He has a shop in a small town and his sales numbers did not meet the quota.

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