The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I need to rant, so please go to another thread if that's not your thing. About 6 months ago I bought a used white(silver) dial Skyracer and was assured it was in good working order and purchased originally by the seller. When I got it the chrono reset was clearly off. Otherwise a beautiful watch. Nicest white(silver) dial I've seen on a Breitling. I traced the watch through THREE other owners and hit a wall, just wanting the date of purchase. I turned the matter over to my AD, who it turns out must have gotten busy and sent it to BUSA as warranty work without checking the purchase date.

So 2 months have gone by. While at the AD today I had them check and BUSA claimed they had faxed an invoice to AD SIX WEEKS ago. This AD knows my name pretty well, so I doubt the fax got to them.

Turns out this watch was purchased in 2007 - ugh, no warranty. So BUSA faxes the quote to AD and of course they want to do an entire chrono service. The quote -$530!! And they have to replace the hands - another $100. Don't they usually replace the hands anyway or am I thinking of another brand??

And the time frame? Another 2 months! So no, I'm not exactly thrilled with my first BUSA repair experience.

This is pretty elemental to me now, but wasn't when I bought the watch - find out about the owner and get proof of the date of purchase. And get references! I'm so stupid all I did was get an address. And bank account number. Hmmmmm

Even after the repair cost the watch is still a good deal. But 4 months??? any way to nudge a repair job up the ladder?

Thanks for letting me share and completely wasting space here.

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SHARKMAN

I understand your frustration.. Ive been there with watches, cars, my wife's jewelry... you name it!

BUSA can be a royal pain in the @$$ to deal with.. They really are hit and miss when it comes to prompt service.

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Breitling Emergency Mission-- Breitling B01--
Chronomatic 24H-- Skyland Blacksteel-- Navitimer World--
Emergency Ti-- Chronomat Evo-- Airwolf-- Skyracer Raven
Bentley GMT-- Motors Speed

Sorry that sounds like a right royal pain!

Might I suggest that you send it to BUK? They seem to be top notch.

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

Yes, yes, my life is sooo hard! Time to don the bomber jacket and burn the pink boxer shorts in effigy!

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SHARKMAN

Sharky we all need a rant on occasion (me on many).

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

2 months will be about it at this time of year - summer holidays slowing things down (including parts supply) and warranty work still gets precedent.

In terms of the hands, they are designed to be single use so Breitling replaces them at service, but for reasons that I cannot fathom, they always quote them separately from the service cost.

Sorry it's been a bad experience sharkman, but think how much money it may save you in the future when buying a watch - it could have been a more expensive lesson.

i was happy with my busa experience...seems like watches under warranty tends to get the work done faster than ones that are oow. as for undated or "open" warranty card/papers...it should be mandatory for all ADs to stamp AND date them. that's a personal pet peeve of mine...an old navitimer advertised as AD stamped and warranty from Breitling since the booklet is not dated, are you kidding me?

One final thing - I did buy the watch from a BS listing. I did not nor do I intend to report the seller for 3 reasons - (1) I had no proof that he was aware of the chrono reset issue, (2) the price was so low I think I got what I paid for, and (3) I never asked for a return and the seller here was quick to provide the contact info for the person he bought it from.

Hey, in the end I get a fully serviced Skyracer for $2630! That seems pretty good to me!!! I'm just tired of waiting........

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SHARKMAN

So does this just further your thoughts that it is just easier to buy and sell before issues arrise?

I have been keeping my purchases to secondhand for the time being and cautionary tales like this are helpful in preparing for problems.

Not sure I understand the question.

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SHARKMAN

I thought I saw a post of yours that basically said that you rarely have to service your watches because they are traded or sold prior to needing it.

Poor wording choice.

I think selling before service is generally a good move. You won't get back out what you put into it in terms of a service cost most of the time. A recent service will increase the value, but only by a little bit.

From a pure financial standpoint I agree, but that does rather assume that watches are simply a commodity. I may be in the minority but the emotional connection has way more value than a few hundred bucks.

Agreed!

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

Not my post. I seem to sell them before the ink is dry on the appraisal.

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SHARKMAN