The Breitling Watch Source Forums

THIS IS LONG BUT I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR OPINION...

This is my first post here on this forum but I have been a long time reader of this wonderful website and look forward to continuing my Breitling education.

Here is my situation. I recently took my 1994 10th Anniv. Chronomat to get serviced at a reputable local Jewelry store who sells a ton of high end watches. They are not an AD, but I recently lost My Omega Speedmaster in the mail while being serviced by Omega Service Center sent via Tourneau, and it was a nightmare. So I wanted to take this watch somewhere that it did not have to be mailed just hand delivered.

When I got the watch back (which was 24hrs after I approved the $400 service) I was skeptical since he did it so quickly, but the watch looked great and the movement seemed to be smooth. However, I noticed that he pressure tested the watch at 1 bar for 30 sec. and thats it, and when I brought it to the store owners attention he just shrugged me off and was like well you have a 1 yr warranty. So I took the watch to Tourneau to be checked and the movement was running perfectly within COSC specs, but when they pressure tested it FACE UP it failed at .5 bar, but when they tested it FACE DOWN it passed up to 3 bar. I can only assume that there was air trapped in the bezel upon the first test and that is why it failed, but the service lady said it may be that the crystal gasket was no sealed properly?? I would think that the pressure in the tester would be applied the same throughout the watch case no matter the position.

Anyway, the owner of the Jewerly store that did the service did not make me feel very comfortable to have him recheck all the seals. I wore it after the service during the hot summer months here in South Florida and the movement ran flawlessly and I did not see any crystal fogging or anything (with the himidity and constant cold to hot temperature changes I thought would bring some moisture in the watch).

SO.... is my watch sealed or not? I dont want to swim in it. I just do not want to worry about a rain storm or washing my hands.

Thank you for reading all that and your opinions in advance,

Quilvio

It's not sealed.

It failed a pressure test, end of story.

The watch was serviced by a non Breitling watchmaker who didn't have access to the correct seals, they therefore used the closest that they could find and it likely isn't a perfect fit. Additionally, they clearly don't care very much about the watch - it's physically impossible to service and regulate a watch properly in 24 hours, there isn't enough time to observe the watch properly and ensure proper regulation.

I would ask if they actually replaced the case seals. If they run a wet test on it they can see where it is leaking.

As far as the quick turnaround, the OP didn't state how long they actually had the watch. A lot of times they will tear it down and inspect it prior to providing the estimate. If there was not much going on the day the estimate was approved, it would have been easy enough to clean, lube and reassemble it the same day. I agree a few minutes on the timing machine is not enough, but some shops figure it will keep time good enough for most customers and the other ones will return it under warranty. I usually make several runs on the timing machine after the watch has been running a few days.

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

Thank you for your insight.

Roff: I do agree that the non authorized service center was not by best decision, just a rash one after my horrible experience with Omega and most likely the watchmaker did not use authorized breitling seals or parts for that matter.

I will eventually (sooner than later) get another service once I can stomach the fact that a spent $400 to be unhappy, but will a Breitling Authorized Service Center work on my watch even though the last service was performed by an non authorized watchmaker??

onewatchnut: The watch was in the watch makers possesion for 1 week prior to getting the estimate and still to this day 5 months later it is running within COSC specs and not showing any signs of water or humidity in the case (I have not submerged the watch, just worn it normally)

The way I know that they had to of atleast changed the seals in some way is because prior to taking it in for the service I had it time and pressure tested. At that time it was running about 2 min slow a day and the seals were completely shot. Then after the service I had the same tests done and that is when Tourneau did the test face up (failed) and face down (passed to 3bar), and time test which stated +5 sec\day.

I guess it comes down to how worried you are about it.

There are some pretty sophisticated pressure testers on the market these days. Some of them might be able to locate the leak. Most watchmakers don't have those because the are quite expensive. The only other way to tell where the leak is located is to do a wet test. The watch is placed in a chamber with water at the bottom. The chamber is pressurized. The watch is lowered into the water and the pressure is released. Bubbles will appear where the leak is located. Water will not invade the watch as long as you remove it when you find the leak. The pressure inside the case is greater than the water pressure, so air will escape and no water will get in.

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

Thank you once again for taking the time to read and respond to my thread.

In conclusion, I took the watch to be pressure tested again at a different Tourneau store and it passed up to 3bar without a problem. My only guess at this point regarding the FACE UP vs. FACE DOWN test done previously is that 1st pressure test (face up) must have set the seals in place therefore all the following tests have passed.

So I must say that the watchmaker did do a fine job on my watch since it is running within COSC specs and is confirmed water resistant.

I hope you all have a Wonderful Holiday and a Happy New Year!!!