The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi guys. I suppose this will qualify as a typical newbie post. I’ve been trying to educate myself recently, and correct the “error” of my past ways, but I’m interested in some feedback. Three years ago, I purchased a Chronomat Evo with Anthracite dial from Costco. This was before I was aware of the widespread problem with fakes, as well as the potential for problems with even genuine watches sold on the grey market; FWIW, I wouldn’t buy anywhere but from an AD today. Be that as it may, I bought it at Costco back then, and I still have it.

I have checked numerous sites and postings regarding fakes, and this passes every single smell test I know. There is no warranty card (except for Costco’s), but the COSC certificate was included, and the number on the certificate matches the serial number on the watch. The box and manual also came with the watch. As far as I can tell, all ticks on the dial and subdials are as they should be; the serial and model numbers are in place; date font is correct; caseback looks right. I’m not an expert, but given everything I have seen and read, if this is a fake, it is outstanding.

So what’s the problem? It is now consistently losing between 10 and 12 seconds a day, regardless of how it’s stored at night. (I typically keep it on an Orbita winder.) I’ve only had it three years, although the bracelet date says it was manufactured in ’06, so it might actually be a four-plus year old watch. I have taken good care of it, except for inadvertently trying to set the date during the danger zone a couple times when the watch had stopped for lack of winding. (The date still changes as it should, but I don’t know if my carelessness might have affected the watch’s ability to keep time.) Is it normal for a Chronomat to need an overhaul after three or four years? Could this be a sign it’s a fake, or possibly mishandled before purchase?

My thinking is I would send it to BUSA for an overhaul and a dial change, since I now find the Anthracite to be boring. Obviously they’ll tell me if it’s a fake, and if it isn’t, hopefully they can get it back into fighting shape. If it is a fake, I’ll take the watch back to Costco and see if they’ll make good on it.

Pics attached for reference. Comments welcomed. Thanks in advance.

First, you can relax - it's NOT a fake.

And yes, it's possible a watch made 4 years ago could require service. It's possible it's almost 5 years old now depending when it was made in 2006. You're approaching the lower end of the expected service interval. You can tell exactly when it was made by removing the bracelet and checking the date code between the 6 lugs.


So, nothing to worry about at all.

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SHARKMAN

If it consistently loses the same amount of time, it may just need a simple regulation. A decent watchmaker should be able to do that quickly and cheaply. Normally an overhaul isnt needed so soon, but its always a possibility. Changing the date in the danger zone would not affect timekeeping. If the date functions as it should, there is likely no damage.

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-RJ

and since it's not under Breitiling warranty you needn't worry about voiding a BUSA warranty by having a non-Breitling certified watch maker regulate it. Not sure what effect it would have on the Cosco warranty.

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SHARKMAN

Thanks for the quick replies, gentlemen. Good to know it's real, and that time loss isn't necessarily a sign that it's in need of an overhaul. The Costco warranty card doesn't say how long the warranty lasts, but I'd be surprised if it's still good, given that I bought it over three years ago. I guess the question facing me now is, do I have a hankering for a new dial so much that I'd be willing to shell out for it, plus a complete overhaul, as opposed to just taking it to a local watchmaker for service? Also, would having it serviced by a non-authorized site pose problems for when I eventually do send it into BUSA? I'm not thinking about the warranty, but rather if they would refuse to service it if they found out someone else had tinkered with it.

On a slightly related note, that same Costco has had a black/brushed BB on its shelves for well over a year now, selling for just over $5k. The dang thing calls my name each time I'm there. I'm trying hard to resist. I guess I've got the disease now.

BUSA will take care of it even if you have a local watchmaker regulate it now.

A BB at $5K sitting there for ayear?? I really must get a new Costco card.

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SHARKMAN

No doubt. I figure either times really are that hard, or people just don't know what they're looking at...or they're leery of the grey market, like me. It's the only Breitling on the shelf (and the only automatic, for that matter), sitting next to a few TAGs and Movados, and a load of Invictas, Tommy Bahamas and Swiss Army. I've thought a number of times about snagging it, but my reservations over the grey market have dissuaded me. With your vote of confidence in my other buy, I admit I'm reevaluating my position.

As already been stated, it's not a fake and simple regulation will solve your problem.

If you want a different dial then sell this and buy a different one. Breitling will charge you for a full service plus the cost of the dial and work to replace it - upwards of $1,000 all in.

As has been siad, start with a regulation, if it still can't maintain COSC specs then it likely needs servicign, but there's no point in you doing that if you intend to sell as you won't recover the cost of the servicing.

Or.... if you want, return the watch to costco for a full refund and get a brand new one. Once, I asked if omega will honor the warranty if I bought a watch there. Costco said omega will not but Costco will stand by their watches and I can even return it if I'm not satisfied - even if it's a few years later - no questions asked.

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Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

I was thinking about that, but the way I figured, given that I didn't buy it from an AD, and given that it has three years worth of wear on it (although it's in pretty darn good shape, imo), I'd be lucky to get even half of current retail. Assuming I wanted to replace the watch with another Chronomat with a different dial, I'd then have to shell out a few more grand. Wouldn't it just make more sense to pay for an overhaul and dial replacement? Of course, if I wanted a different model altogether, that's a different matter...the Blackbird is pretty sweet. I was actually dreaming about it last night. That's what I get for posting about it just before going to bed.


I'll have to ask about that. If I could get a full refund, that Blackbird could be mine for the cost of a dial replacement and overhaul alone. It seems like a long shot, but there's no harm in asking.

You aren't comparing apples to apples - if you buy another new watch then you'll pay more than a redial (but I doubt it will be a few grand - 25% off list at a US AD is doable), but you'll have a new watch. If you buy a 3 / 4 year old watch then you'll be far better off selling and buying.

I know it isn't an exact comparison. I was just thinking about the return for the money spent. For a grand or so, I could get my current watch back in (I think) nearly good-as-new condition, with a dial I'm happy with; I know the history of this watch, and know I've taken good care of it. Sure, I could get a new watch instead, but would it be worth the additional outlay, relative to overhauling my current one? As for a used watch, I dunno...what are the odds I could find the exact watch I'm looking for, and be sure it's been well cared for and/or isn't a fake?

Having said all that, I just checked my Costco warranty card, and they list the option of returning the watch for a full refund if I am not satisfied with it, as part of their "Customer Satisfaction Policy." They don't list any expiration, so maybe it's possible to still return it. That seems a little disingenuous on my part - sort of like leasing a car for three years for free - but if that's their policy, I'm playing by their rules.

OK, new question - if you were in my position, assuming you can return the watch for a full refund, would you:

(1) Return the Chronomat for a refund and buy the BB at Costco;
(2) Return the Chronomat for a refund and buy some other model at an AD;
(3) Ask Costco to regulate the Chronomat under warranty;
(4) Send the Chronomat into BUSA for an overhaul and dial change;
(5) Some other option?

I would do 2. #3 would be an absolute no-no. An independent watchmaker, sure - CostCo, never in a million years.

Do they hire hacks?