The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Did not want to hijack the last service thread.

For a mechanical watch is there much value in having the "basic" service performed if they just oil the escapment and replace the seals? Granted the escapement does most of the work, but the oil is supposed to last until the recommended full service, isn't it? Do many of you send your mechanical watches in for a basic service? If so, is it mainly to have the seal checked for water resistance? Does the basic service still take quite awhile to getthe watch back?

Personally I think it's unnecessary unless the watch is getting something else addressed anyway.

The issue with modern oils is breakdown and that's in the 5 - 7 year window anyway. If the escapement needs lubricating in the interim then either it wasn't done properly in the first place or the wrong oil was used. If a watchmaker is going into one of my watches then give me a new mainspring, give me a new balance complete, clean and re-oil everything, etc - in other words a full service.

I've even been told by Breitling Australia's service agents (DKSH) not to bother with a basic service & they handed the watch back to me!.

He essentially said that all they do is check and replace the seals!

Mind you, I have written before about how unprofessional I think they are..........

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=27989&hilit=dksh

Now I'm worried
I want to send in my Ti Seawolf for a service in Sydney. (Hope they dont polish it)
It also needs a new crystal,will this be replaced during a service (at extra cost) or does this require a complete overhaul?

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Time is everything.
Collection

Breitling Steel Superocean Heritage
Breitling Ti Seawolf
Breitling Ti Aerospace Le
Bulova Gold Accutron

The crystal replacement will be extra, I'm paying £200 to have the one on my CSO replaced as part of a full overhaul. I think they will replace as part of a service. You can ask for the watch not to be polished though they will finish the watch as it was when new i.e. brushed or polished finish but you can specify.

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Breitling B-1 1999
Breitling Chrono Superocean 2004
Casio G Shock
Citizen Eco Drive AT4000-02E (for gardening)
Seiko 5 SNZG15J1
Hamilton X Wind LE

They will replace the crystal as part of a full service. But, they will charge you for it.

Can you ask them not to?

Yes, I believe you can.
I dropped my navi off at my local dealer this morning to get a major service as it's now about 7 years old. I was told that any major replacements will be discussed before they go ahead.
Bought a g-shock to cheer myself up and tide me over till I get my navi back in about 10 weeks time.

Sent from my SK17i using Tapatalk 2

It depends.

Breitling classifies some items as required which means that they won't service the watch unless that work is included. A crystal would not usually fall into this category - it would just be recommended or optional, but if it is damaged to the point where it compromises the integrity of the watch - chipped / cracked / etc then they will require it.

When you take your piece for an overhaul, you will get a quotation for mandatory and optional repair items.
The overhaul price "package" does include some parts but not all.
If additional parts need to be replaced, these will be included in the mandatory list.
Mandatory means all work items required to be done in order to get the 12 months Breitling warranty but not necessarily included in the overhaul "package".
The optional items are typically of cosmetic nature and do not affect the watch function and/or performance that would affect the warranty.
Crystal replacement typically falls into the optional category unless it is really bad, for example cracked and affects the water resistance spec for that model, etc...
This is based on my experience at least, having overhauled three watches in recent months at the Breitling Authorized Service Center in Taipei.
They have one elderly gentleman doing all the work, even certified to work on the Cal 01 movements. I have been really pleased with his work.
Not sure what they gonna do when he (God forbids) drops off the perch.

... Edit: and that's what happens when you try to describe things in too many words. Roff beats you to it

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"It is just a matter of time!"