The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi There!

In order to get an accurate quote I need to send it to B in Australia which is my closest Breitling location. I bought it from the US originally should I send it to the USA instead?

Cheers

Your choice, it doesn't impact the work.

Hi,
Was the service places listed as Authorized by B on their website? if not, you are in trouble. Suggest you
try to deal with a B main office or something. Look it up on the website. Find a contact in that country office, email the photos front and back and the present offer for repairs. See what they say.
I got screwd in Budapest, but the Austrian B office was correct with me.
Your watch, Even without warranty, sounds like a lot if you have SQ. And all things consider, Australia is closer to NZ, not only on the map...
Try to find same kind if support, ONLY Breitling.
Good luck and Mxmas.
Theo

_________________
Tempus fugit, for sure!

Thanks for the help.

Originally I had the battery replaced by Watches of Switzerland in Auckland, NZ, they sell Breitling and they in turn sent it to Mansors Jewelers in Auckland who is apparently an Authorized Service Centre for B.

After the fault reoccurred I called WOS and they said call Mansors, who said it had this issue most likely and likely impossible a battery was flat again so soon.

I got suspicious and called B in Sydney Australia who informed me they had never seen my watch so Mansors had replaced the battery without authoirzation as they AREN'T an Authorized Service Centre only an agent. They said it's likely Mansors have damaged it, but of course Mansors got very upset saying they changed 5 Breitling watches a week and have never had an issue.

Either way it needs to go back to Australia, but if B determine it's been damaged, I will need to get costs from Watches of Switzerland/Mansors.

Hell complicated really.

I'll send it to Brietling in Australia (Since I am here on Holiday) and wait for the report.
Happy to pay for a service, but not thrilled I might be up for $1k+ in repairs potentially.

Regards

Seems to me WOS is on the hook if they agreed to forward it to an authorized service center for the work.

Sounds like a good strategy. As I thought, you got screwed by a false service center.
It's false representation, you need to get Breitling to analyze the watch before they're fix it. Battery and all. Lawsuits are not worth it and will get you pissed with the watch if you lose. Consumer watch agencies complaints, BBB and emails to the companies they represent (probably Omega, Rolex) etc, may convince them to refund your costs and get rid of you.
Don't give up and good luck.
Theo

_________________
Tempus fugit, for sure!

Finally, Breitling needs to get their act together so all B buyers and owners know NOT to use ANY centers not listed on their Website. I mean, you buy anything today and you are pushed from 15 directions to Register, etc. In the end B must change their policy to better support the owners. Take note guys!
Theo

_________________
Tempus fugit, for sure!

I believe that you may have mentioned that several hundred times.

Can you buy the E79362 new ? I am trying to find one to get a value for shipping insurance? Is there a newer version now?

Thanks in advance?

It's still a current model.

Hmm alright. Anyone know an international shipper that will provide shipping from NZ to Australia and include insurance? I have tried NZPOST, DHL and Fedex who refused.

Response from B Australia:


Sydney, 13th January 2012

Watch Description: Breitling Aerospace Avantage
Ref: E79362 / 1042827

After having attentively examined your watch and to insure the optimal condition of its
functions, we are submitting an estimate of the necessary work to be done:



Job Required: Complete service A$420.00

(Battery clamp was incorrectly fitted; circuit needs replacement.
Finger prints all over movement.)

Replace Circuit at cost A$346.00

Delivery time: 8 weeks upon receipt of your confirmation

Complete Service includes: Complete dismantling of the mechanism, cleaning, replacement of worn-out components, assembling, lubrication and adjustment of functions and daily rate. Exchange of battery on quartz watches. Refurbishing of case and bracelet, replacement of all gaskets and water resistance control.

This estimate is valid for 1 month.

Kindly give us your Go-Ahead instruction at your convenience.



There are a couple of things here from my perspective...

1) Original watch battery replacement was clearly at fault. I will contact those people and claim from them the repair and freight costs.
2) I am happy to pay the service fee. Whilst it was unexpected, it's documented and as a % of the cost of the watch and the fact they are saying every 6-8 years it seems reasonable.
3) My biggest issue is that of the timeframe to get it back to me. 8 weeks to be missing a watch I have already been without for 4 weeks, seems a lot. They are saying parts to come from Switzerland, but it's hard to see 8 weeks to ship a tiny component worth < $300. Anyone know what the component in question is and if there is perhaps a closer source of the part?

Anyone have anything to add?

Cheers

8 weeks is perfectly normal - yours isn't the only watch that they are working on.

Ok well the brown sticky stuff hit the blowing thing..

WOS have denied they did the damage, saying it could have been done by the original Breitling retailer because the watch could have sat around in their shop for years and run flat and the original retailer did it by changing the battery. They also assert that incorrectly fitting the battery cover and leaving fingerprints on the movement couldn't have caused the fault and these watches are known for this exact fault (proven incorrect earlier in this thread). They are refusing to pay.

I am about to lodge a claim with the disputes tribunal to claim against them.