The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Just got my Skyracer back from BUSA. It was nearly out of warranty and I sent it in because the minute counter hand (large one) did not point exactly on the marker at the passing of each 60 seconds but was approx. 10 seconds off. I did not regard this as a serious defect but in my opinion this is an expensive watch and Breitling is a company that touts itself as creating precise and technically superior chronographs. Therefore, it should be right on the money. So, I sent it in explaining the problem. Three weeks later I received the watch back and according to the receipt, it had received full service including polishing of the case and bracelet. Nice. However, the problem was not fixed! Now the minute counter is now off by at least 12 seconds. Further to my dismay, the bezel is screwed up. No longer does the slide rule zero out with the "0" on the bezel. A small matter really, but it wasn't that way before and they don't come that way when new.
Note to self: there is always a chance that when you send a watch in for repair, something else will get screwed up in the process.
Watch is going back again with a note from a unhappy customer .

Email BUSA and tell them about it and they should get it fixed.

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that sucks! the last step in the reapir process is to verify the repair. the watch should have never left the facility like that. Keep us updated

Has anyone had any experience with Stoll watch repair out of Dayton Ohio? I heard they are outstanding. I've never felt comfortable with sending my watches anywhere but BUSA but I may give them a shot.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but if Stoll is not an authorized Breitlign repair facility then you will probably get generic parts which I would assume affect accuracy and reliability

Isn't it possible to line the minute hand yourself? Just by pulling the crown out at 0 seconds and lining the minute hand to the minute?

I believe thats true of Quartz models, you can index the second hand round by depressing a pusher with the crown pulled out, but I don't think its possible with mechanicals. Could be wrong?

To the OP - If you keep turing slide rule bezel numerous turns you should be able to line up the zero's. Its geared something like 1.3:1.

Quartz chrono hands can be adjusted manually for the 'at rest' position, not mechanicals.

In terms of Stoll, as mr.clean says, if they are Breitling authorised then no problem, if they aren't then no OEM parts.

I don't entirely trust anyone that isn't authorized but I have a question.... if Breitling doesn't make their own parts; they buy them from suppliers, can other repair companies buy the same parts?

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

They make enough of their own parts for it to make a difference. For example, the hands are one-time use only and should not be replaced be anything but a set of genuine Breitling hands.

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

It's not even a case of whether they produce the parts themselves - contracts with suppliers prevent the supplier from selling the same part to someone else - they are Breitling exclusive SKUs.

That is a scary thought. What about limited edition pieces with hands only made for that edition?

They make plenty of spares for servicing.

Stoll is not listed as an aunthorized repair facility on the Breitling web site. If you don't want to use BUSA, there are other repair facilities listed by State. I wouldn't expect much of a price break (if any), but the turnaround time might be better.

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

Update - I spoke to BUSA Thursday and talked to the tech that "fixed" the watch. He said the watch was off by 10 seconds when they received it (as I had reported) and re-did the hands. They observed the watch for one hour and it was right on the money. They admit I was right when I first sent it in but now, somehow I am not seeing it correctly. Really!?
I will try to get a good pic of this and post this weekend.