The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am contemplating buying a premium late model used watch with all boxes and papers. However, the re-seller says the warranty card was never competed by the original selling dealer. He said this may mean the watch was originally sold to an unauthorized dealer, or in some other manner inconsistent with the manufacturer's guidelines. What effect does this have on the value? Any other considerations?

thanks so much!

If it were grey market then it's more likely that there wouldn't be a warranty card provided at all. It's more likely that the AD was trying to 'help' the original buyer in case they had a problem after the warranty expired - just fill in a later sales date and magically the watch is back under warranty.

The watch brands are now wising up to this so will generally ask for additional proof of the date of sale or will check their own records to try and identify the sale date. No real impact on value although some sellers try to claim that it's a good thing, and once the warranty period has legitimately expired it becomes an irrelevance.

If the watch is no longer covered under warranty than it does not mean that much at all unless perhaps from a resale value perspective as having the warranty booklet does not imply immediately that it actually belongs to this watch. Some prospective buyers prefer all papers to be genuine and in order for completeness purposes.
If the watch is still suppoused to be under warranty there may be a problem as Breitling warranty conditions clearly stipulate a properly filled and dealer stamped warranty card. It will very much depend on the mood of the person at the service centre if you need it serviced under warranty.
Does any other proof of purchase come with the watch like the original receipt from the original AD that sold the watch in the first place?

Edit: Darn, I need to take a typing course. I will never beat Roff to it as long as keep on typing with one finger

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"It is just a matter of time!"

BTW, I'm actually contemplating a purchase of an early 2000s Crosswind with a dealer stamped but otherwise unfilled warranty booklet.
If I fill it in with a date of purchase say 2011 sometime, would it suddenly be under warranty? I don't think so. I'm checking with Breitling if the warranty actually even belongs to this watch and that would be my advice to you too GP_Pirate.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

As I said, if you can prove to Breitling that the watch was sold in 2011 then you are fine. If Breitling says, "odd, our records show that watch was shown in 2002" then be prepared for some interesting questions. I'm no legal expert, but I'm sure that Breitling could claim that a false date on the warranty card is an attempt to defraud them.

Don't worry Roff, it is not in my genes to cheat, my mother brought me up better than that
Even if it would be unique or fun to have say 2002 watch covered by a new watch warranty.
I'm just seeking the truth to see if the warranty belongs to that particular watch and that is what I'm advising the OP to do as well in order to avoid surprises later.
No arguments here either, agree 100% with all you say.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Thanks everyone. I'm not looking for any warranty coverage as I know its a used watch. Really only concerned with value on the secondary market should I ever decide to sell down the road where warrantly would not be an issue. I gather from that point of view, it doesn't really matter.

Thanks again for your input. I'm new here, but great forum!

Yes they might, but it wouldn't be straightforward for them. First obvious difficulty is that they would have to prove that the person making the warranty claim is the same person who filled in the incorrect date (or at least knew that something about the claim being submitted was not true).

Hard to see that it would be worth their while taking on a consumer, but they might do it to make a point.

I know that there have been several threads on this topic but I still do not get. I would never accept a watch if all papers were not completed. If the AD does not care about doing it, why the buyer does not insist on it ?

Would you accept to buy and accept an i-phone or a TV or a car if the warranty card or papers was not completed ? I guess not. So why a buyer reacts differently for a watch ?

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

People do and would every day, for exactly the same reason. Maybe not with a car, because there are too many othere ways to prove the date of sale (license / registration for example), but for any other good people will willingly accept an open warranty card so that they can extend their coverage if needed.

I have just put a deposit down on a whole kitchen's worth of new appliances and the store is planning to deliver August 31st but not complete the warranty until the kitchen is actually installed and the equipment is in use. They are relying on my honesty to give them that date.

Don't know how I missed that, but congrats on your new kitchen Roff, enjoy it in good health.

However, in my opinion, a kitchen appliance is not exactly the same thing as a watch. Jim's report has shown us that he had received much of his equippement sometime before he settled in due to the renovation process. It is logical therefore for the guarantee to be in effect a bit after delivery. But a watch, you put it immediately in use, even before going out of the store. And least in Switzerland, I haven't seen this practice. Maybe people are too naive over here to do or request something like that.

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.