The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi folks, new member here looking for some Breitling warranty help so I can join the club.

I'm usually over at the watchuseek forums and just posted the same question there.

I'm looking at a fairly new but used Steelfish but the fellow says there is no AD stamp or date, just a warranty certificate number embedded on the back of the card. He said it was a gift but was bought from an AD in Florida. Why wouldnt the AD stamp it? Would I be able to somehow use the warranty certificate number to find where and when it was bought?

The serial on registration card and COSC certificate all match. It says its an X-plus on the reg card, I thought they dropped that part of the name for newer models? He says it's only a few months old and the photos show it has the arrow tip.

Other than no AD stamp or date it looks good.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

The watch is probably already registered with BUSA and that is all that matters. The last page of the warranty book should have the name of the jeweler in perforations - that's how it leaves BUSA. When the watch is sold to someone - either the AD or buyer as the case may be - fills out the registration card. Ask the seller about the registration card.

It is more and more common place, at least at the ADs I frequent, that stamps just aren't used because the regiatration card gets sent to BUSA with all the info. One major AD here recently told me, "We don't even HAVE a stamp anymore."

If it is not registered, the jeweler identified on the warranty book ought to be able to give you the date of sale. I got that on a used watch I bought once. Just told them the model, serial#, etc...and they got it straight away.

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SHARKMAN

That's all true, but.......

Recently there have been some anecdotal reports about BUSA getting difficult with undated (not unstamped) warranty cards. ADs commonly leave the date off to try and 'help' the buyer if there is a problem a little more than two years after purchase - just add a later date of purchase and away you go.

I don't think that BUSA would push the issue and if their own records show that the watch was sent to the AD less than 2 years ago then there is obviously no issue.

Of course you could always fill a date in yourself, but I couldn't recommend that course of action

True as far as an actual ink stamp is concerned, but I believe the AD is supposed to either stamp or write by hand, the dealers name and signature on the page opposite the perforations.

The problem buying 2nd hand without being 100% certain is that a blank page might be completely fine or it could mean that you have no warranty. You only have the sellers word to go by.

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-RJ

It looks like the registration card is blank and was not sent. The photo of the card says: "Official Registration.... Register today to receive a pilots cap"

According to Breitling's site the AD should have been Torneau in Florida. I've asked him again to see if it says that on the warranty book.

Thanks.

Undated warranty cards are not a good thing in my opinion. A lot of sellers try using this as a selling point "the warranty card is undated so fill it whatever date you want and then you will have two years of warranty from that date" this is NOT true and I don't suggest it either. If you have any doubts about the watch just call BUSA, give them the seriel number, and they can tell you if it was ever registered or serviced.

Post a photo of the warranty card and certificate and we can all take a look at it for you. Not sure why the warranty card wouldn't have the dealer's name punched out, that's usually done at Breitling when the paperwork is sent to the AD.

Are you talking about the warranty card or registration card? They're two different things.

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

Registration card is no big deal. AD should have sent it, but if it was Tourneau, well

There was no photo of warranty card. There is a photo of a yellow card "Official Registration.... Register today to receive a pilots cap etc" and it is blank but has the model name/number and serial on it. Also a photo COSC certificate with matching serial and a punched out number on top left.

I've asked him to check again for the AD name on the warranty card/booklet so I'll wait to see what he has to say.

If you open the warranty book to the last page, the page on the right has the serial # and date of purchase either computer printed or handwritten, and the dealers name punched in perforated lettering. The page to the left of that is blank and has a space for the dealer to stamp with the store's stamp. Not all stores have or use a stamp, so in lieu of it they will usually just write their name and address and sign underneath it. Either way is acceptable. No info on that page doesnt necessarily mean its invalid however--only that you are at the mercy of the seller's info or that you have to do your own homework to get to the bottom of it.

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-RJ

I don't think he has the warranty book, sounds like just the cosc cert and the registration card. any chance it's a grey market purchase?

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

I am not trying to hijack the thread....but

How important is the signature on the warranty card?.

I have purchased two watches from a very highly regarded AD in these forums (hint: AD and person's name both start with the 7th letter of the alphabet), but there isn't a signature on either of my warranty cards. the rest of the information is appropriately filled out, dots and all.

Thanks,
Pete

If the date and the stamp / dealer name is there then you are fine.

I've asked again about any AD stamp on the warranty card but he has just ignored the question. He has re-posted the item on ebay today though. If he can't prove where and when he bought it I'm going to pass on it.

Thanks for all the quick replies, I guess I'm still on the hunt. Is there a Breitling "Favorite/Forum Authorized Dealer" that gives a good deal?

Contact member: FEAR, he is associated with provident jewelers and they're great. I just purchased a watch through him and in was very pleased.

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

Or jnelson3097 for Govberg - let's be fair to both our US sponsors.