The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I'm less experienced in these matters than many here, but I had been under the impression that a complete overhaul had to be done by Breitling USA. I called my AD today, and was told that they can do a complete overhaul. Is this correct, or advisable?

The authorized service centres are listed on the Breitling website. If your AD is on the list then they can do it, but I almost guarantee that they won't be. They are trying to make more money by using their in house watchmaker and banking on it being a regular service that won't need any restricted parts that they can't order.

They are not on the list. I made it very clear that I want a complete overhaul.

There was a dealer around here that used to sell Breitlings. When I was younger I went in and they told me (as if this is a better selling point which it isn't) that they do all their Breitling work in-house. I thought it was sketchy as they bragged it was "quicker and cheaper than going through Breitling"...I asked if they had every single part stocked that is used with the overhaul and they wouldn't give me an answer. I know they would charge about $250 for an 'overhaul'...given what the process entails, I am not sure if I believe their overhaul has the same procedure as Breitling's. Needless to say, this dealer no longer has Breitling (or Rolex, or Panerai) and I assume this was partially why. Perhaps it isn't as much a worry with the ETA base calibers but I imagine it could turn into a nightmare with the B01 and having a non-Breitling Certified person picking it apart.

All in house pieces have to go to maintenance centres for even basi work. It's actually a bigger issue for ETA based pieces because standard ETA pieces are so easy to obtain. So any watchmaker can do the work and your expensively modified ETA based Breitling has just become a bog standard ETA.

I meant in terms of complexity that a non-Breitling watchmaker would probably be less likely to screw up the ETA based movement rather than the B01 given the ETA bases are so common. I'm not saying it is or isn't good, or that they will even do an overhaul that you pay for.

I wouldn't have a complete overhaul - Full Chrono Service - done by my AD's certified Breitling watchmaker, but I would just about anything short of that. They do it faster, charge me less and get all the parts from BUSA. Did some nice work on both pre-owned Chronomats, including one that needed the movement replaced due to water damage. Better than BUSA would have charged me after I got a nice discount on the quote.


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SHARKMAN

Right now I'm leaning towards Breitling USA for the overhaul on my World. I simply don't know enough about my AD, though I find the time factor for Breitling USA somewhat annoying.

Also, it would be easier to trust my AD if the woman with whom I spoke had not tried to make me think that the AD overhaul would be the same as Breitling USA's, and if she had brought up and explained the difference in who would warranty the work.

But they are Breitling Certified...that means they can get OEM parts and have had Breitling-specific training. There are ADs that are authorized to sell but not authorized to service providing services on these watches.

I assume there's a reason, and a difference, for an AD not being an authorized Breitling maintenance center, even if they claim to have a Breitling certified watchmaker.

That was exactly my point, Nick. I'm all for my AD's work. But if am getting full overhaul, will likely go BUSA and get the one year service warranty.


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SHARKMAN

I decided to do that, but will take my wife's advice to wait a week or two for the NE to get back closer to normal.

Remember BUSA closes for about month over the Holidays.


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SHARKMAN

Thanks for mentioning that.