The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I dropped off my 2007 Navi World at the Breitling Boutique in Manhattan for servicing because it was losing 4 seconds per day. The estimate they sent me included not only the overhaul but additional "required" services including replacing the crown ($72.00) and "Hands Navitimer World, Rhodie, Rec Rhodie" ($102.80). My question is are these services included from a boiler plate mold or are they actually required as per the "master watchmaker". To my knowledge the crown and hands were fine.

My second problem, which adds to my thought that it is a boiler plate estimate (without comprehensively looking at the watch) comes from the watch condition section. The the description says that the bracelet, crystal, bezel, pusher and case are scratched; the crown is dented and scratched; and the movement is dry. As someone who spends a significant amount of time examining the cosmetics of the watch, I don't think that the cosmetic issues noted here are apparent. Are these issues on every single service invoice or are they actually required for my watch based on its condition?

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Breitling Navitimer 01 LE

The invoice is not boilerplate, although obviously there is standard wording for different elements.

The hands are single use friction fit so they are replaced at every service, but the crown is not replaced unless damaged, which matches what they are saying in the invoice. Can't comment on how that reconciles with your own observations.

the watch itself appears like new with the exception of a few small scratches on one lug and light swirling on the bottom of the bracelet. Is it normal for the hand replacement to be billed in addition to the complete overhaul instead of being included with it?

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Breitling Navitimer 01 LE

Yes.

Living in a different time zone I have just read your experience, so this response is probably all too late. But here are some things to think about.

Servicing like this is all too common these days. As a consumer, you have some rights on what work is carried out and you should exercise those rights by marching with your feet if you are unhappy. If the Boutique has given you a reasonable explanation on each item, then it’s up to you as to what you wish to agree to, with caveats. If you are unhappy, try another Servicing business. That may not be convenient and the next place may have the same regime in place to no advantage to you.

I share your concern on items that have no bearing on any warrantee they offer on the servicing work. Essential replacements (the caveat bit), or nice to have for accurate operation, that protect everyone in warrantee claims are reasonable. So one would expect replacements within the movement or for operational reasons, pushers, stems etc. Items like hands or the crown are completely over the top unless they are significantly damaged to appoint of being unserviceable. It is not necessary to replace these items on a whim and without a reasonable explanation. To say that this is customary, is in itself tantamount to saying these items don’t last that long. Which is absurd. If the watch is older and there is deterioration of lume or there is damage on the hands, etc, then maybe. But I stress, it’s a maybe. I would not accept that the customary charge to your bill is a something you have to roll over on every time.

This happened to me at another brands AD a few years back. I won’t mention names, but a very good quality watch brand. In fact it’s one of the reasons I won’t put any of my watches in the hands of authorised serving agents anymore, unless I am forced to. That’s my experience here in Australia at least, but I can’t speak for other locations in the world. I assume we are all living on planet earth and the experience would be similar elsewhere. I wanted them to replace the balance complete, a simple enough process and I thought I would let them have a go at it as they were convenient to me. The quote that came back was full of over servicing charges, for things like (wait for it), replacement of the case. I wonder if anyone would ever actually agree to that, as I certainly did not. It has no relationship to the part that makes the watch go.

The point is, you have some say in what work is carried out on your watch. The agent’s responsibility is to explain fully the work required, and to answer your enquiries to your satisfaction. Don’t roll; over on items you are unsure of, or are completely illogical to replace.

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Jim

"You have Control".

Hands are single use - they are friction fit and once removed they are never going to fit properly.

I thought that might be the case actually, but was confident in my mind that Breitling would not be going down that path. So the single shot disposable hands are at a lower price for that reasoning, not.

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Jim

"You have Control".