The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Not long after I purchased my SO44, I decided to get the brushed ProII bracelet for it, which I picked up on another forum thanks to the help of buickrob. Unfortunately, I struggled to get it on because I don't have the correct springbars (perhaps complicated by a lack of dexterity on my end). After trying to source them a few different ways, I thought I would try to get them at Tourneau on 52nd. I had a meeting in the city today, so afterward I headed there. Quite politely was told that they couldn't help but that the Breitling store was only a few blocks away.

Headed uptown a little further to find the Breitling boutique, and I must say, I was not at all impressed. It had a very edgy feel to it but not in a good way. Today was the first chance I had to put my eyes directly on some of their new watches, which helped me understand better many people's frustrations on this board. I hadn't seen most of them when I was shopping in April and May. Anyway, some of their designs (e.g., the square feature on some of the faces, the new metal bezels) seem translated to the feel in the Breitling store IMO.

Upon entrance, I was greeted in a very friendly way, and explained what I was looking for. The woman brought me upstairs to the watchmaker, and told me to wait a moment because she had to find out how much they cost. She then proceeded, just a few steps away, to whisper with the watchmaker while both of them turned more than once to look me over. The woman stepped back toward me and asked if I had the watch with me, which I did not, and then she told me I'd need to bring it in for them to give them to me. Then she walked away and left me upstairs. I stood around for a few minutes and looked in the cases but no one spoke to me. Went downstairs and same thing. I understand that Breitling wants to keep their pets safe, and they also want to make sure I actually own the watch, but what the heck would I do with 2 spring bars???? Moreover, there was a complete lack of customer service. Not even, "I'm sorry, we need you to bring the watch in for us. Would you like to look at anything while you are here?"

So, overall, I can't say I was too impressed with my experience at Breitling, nor was I blown away by some of their new designs. Seeing them live was much different. I can say that the two Omega boutique experiences I had were hands-down a thousand times more personable and enjoyable.

I continue to love my SO44 but I had the new PO Chrono with the in-house 9300 movement on today and I must say it is beautiful in person. It also felt a lot better when the saleswoman was being friendly toward me.

Disappointing to hear that they would not just give you a couple of springbars for your bracelet. I am not going to get on a soap box here, but customer service is almost a dead concept these days. You see it occasionally, but more often than not you hear stories like the one you just told. And I am not just talking about watches....

They should have out candy dishes filled with springbars

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SHARKMAN

where do you come up with this stuff??? Haha

Curious to hear your thoughts on the new ceramic PO? What size spring bars do you need? 22mm?

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

One of the best ideas I have heard in a long time

cover the shipping and ill send em to you

I didn't stop in Breitling in NYC, but the other boutiques I stopped in had nice, accomodating people, a couple more than others, but generally good. As a matter of fact, I just got the hard-cover Breguet brochure/history book in the mail on Wednesday, and was given the Jaeger and the Glashutte at Wempe. I'm not much for brochures, but they very nicely wouldn't say no and these aren't your typical brochures. I just wish now that I hadn't been so dead-set against it at Blancpain, where I turned one down.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

Strange to say the least when I stop in the Breitling Boutique in Abu Dhabi I am welcomed everytime. When I have asked about springbars the question is how many do I want and never asked to pay.

That's what I am talking about...no reason the boutique could not (read should not) have just given them to him.

I understand that Breitling wants to keep their pets safe, and they also want to make sure I actually own the watch, but what the heck would I do with 2 spring bars???? Moreover, there was a complete lack of customer service. Not even, "I'm sorry, we need you to bring the watch in for us. Would you like to look at anything while you are here?"


Rude people are every where... and it is hard to believe that in a high end store like that the sellers are lacking customer service... but it happend to me also

My story

I took my Emergency Mission for its free maintenance in a official Breitling AD here in Serbia,they took my serial number and they told me they will contact me in a few days... That didnt happen - They probably didnt trust me bicose im an 18 year old whit a 5k watch... So I went again there and this is what happen.First I went to the store where the lady who was working didnt know what the Emergency is, and the watchmaker was very very unpleasant because the shipping to maintenance center was free(which he says it is not...)he basically told me: If this is your store would you send a watch and have a 250 euro expense? Whit a very harsh voice. Plus I contacted a man who is responsible for Emergency maintenance in Switzerland who told me the shipping for first and free maintenance is free in any AD in the whole world.So I went to Identico (where people know what I am talking about and where very nice) where i bought the watch(They where closed at the time when I was in the other rude store...)and it is currently on its first maintenance.Of course free of charge. And i saw the new Navi 01... beautiful

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Emergency Mission
B1

Just wanted to update this thread since I went back today. Was treated much differently this time. The atelier came right out to speak with me and gave me my spring bars, explaining the difference. Was also shown several watches afterward. Can't say my thoughts have changed on the overall techno-vibe in the store, but my feelings about the culture of the store did change.

I was there in July and was treated well. I bought a couple straps for my Steelfish and they didn't even ask for serial/model numbers like Tourneau does. Maybe the fact the I was wearing a Chronomat Evo helped.

TOURNEAU ASKS BECAUSE THE IDIOTS WHO WORK THERE ARENT SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT FITS ON WHAT

Yeah, I think that's part of the reason they ask, but at $9/hr or whatever I don't expect them to bring the product catalogs home and memorize them on their own time. Although, some of the Tourneau reps here in Chicago at Michigan Ave. store are extremely knowledgeable and true enthusiast.

BTW, the Breitling boutique charged me $175 for Diver Pro II strap with the tang buckle. That's quite a price increase over the $110 that BUSA in CT charged me last summer when my Skyland was in for service.

list is $150, are you sure? i doubt they charged OVER list

and don't underestimate what tourneau pays, i know PLENTY of people who make 6 figures there, just over paid idiots