The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello guys,
I just bought a brand new Transocean Chronograph Unitime from my AD here in California. I walked out of the store with it like a kid with the best newest toy in the whole wide world. I got to my office and started typing away at my desk, and a coworker stops by. I talk to them for a few minutes and made some hand gestures while talking. And that's when I heard the watch winding itself and making louder sounds than I have ever heard an automatic watch make.
I thought to myself, this can't be right. I own many automatic watches and this sounded way too loud to me. So I went back to the dealer and compared it with another T.O. Unitime there (a display model). There is a noticeable difference in the sounds the watches make. The one I purchased was a special order because I never buy the display model. One of the owners of the store gets involved and adamantly says there is no difference in the sounds and the watch is fine. I call my salesperson over, the other owners son, and he confirms there is a difference in sound. Not only is the watch I bought louder in terms of the internal noise it makes while automatically winding, it is also much louder when manually winding the crown. So I say to them, this is not right I am not happy. The sales person says: I'll call Breitling tomorrow and see what they say. I know what they will say: send the watch in. i left the watch thereand angrily left the store.
My question is, does anyone out there own a T.O. Unitime and have they noticed the issue I am mentioning? In my mind it can't be normal because of the comparison I made with another Unitime they had there, which is a display model. I really don't want this particular piece they sold me, but since it was a special order there are no returns or exchanges, and I am so pissed at the thought of having to send a brand new watch to Breitling for check up or service. I could compare it to buying a new car and having the check engine light come on the same day. You go to the car dealer to have it checked and the sales guy says: I'll send it back to the manufacturer to check it out. No, give me a different car, or in my case, send this lemon watch back amd give me a properly functioning one.
Does anyone have any advice for me on how to proceed with this?

I also forgot to mention that when setting the date, the number starts to transition to the next number well before midnight, almost at 23:15 hours the date starts to change. Shouldn't it change much closer to midnight?

Btw, the noise the watch is making sounds like something is just not tight inside, like the automatic wherl is loose or something. But that doesn't explain why when winding it manually with the crown it is so much louder than the other piece in their store. So pissed right now.....

Go to another AD and try same model there and see if it is different.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

You say you don't want the 'display model' but it's not as if it's any different from any other watch that just happens to be out - if that one's in mint condition and you prefer the way it behaves why not just exchange them?

Nothing wrong with the date change.

There are many things that could cause noisy automatic winding, most of them easy fixes - may simply be tightening a screw. However, the watch does need service attention because it needs to be fixed properly, and that's not something that the AD would do.

Hi TomP, I guess I am opposed to the display model because I know that it has been handled by a lot of people, pressing chrono pushers, pulling crown in and out, etc. And I am just a little paranoid about that.

Hi wessa, I suppose I could find another AD and check a third watch to hear the sound but when I listened to the display model it was significantly quieter which makes me believe something is wrong with mine.

Hi Roff, thanks for responding and glad to see you agree it needs service. However, should I really accept the fact that a brand new watch needs service? And the AD won't acknowledge that there is a significant difference in sound and feel of the rotation of the inner mechanism. Well, one person acknowledged that there was some difference in sound but he is not the owner. I just hate to think I am spending all this money and now it has to be broken down and serviced before I have even enjoyed it or worn it. What is a good way for me to go about getting the AD to give me a different watch?

I don't see that you should get a different watch to be honest. You made the AD special order a watch with the understanding that it was non returnable. The watch has a minor issue which needs to be addressed - unfortunate, but it happens, and Breitling will address it. It sounds as though at least one person at the AD agrees that there is an issue and you have a warranty - if necessary bypass the AD and send it directly to the service centre.

I've had to send a new watch in under warranty 2 times. It sucks, but when it comes back all perfect and is back on your wrist you will quickly forget about the minor blip that occurred at the beginning of your ownership and you can hopefully still enjoy the watch.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

Ok thanks guys. I guess I will have to see what they say today when the AD calls me back. Worst case I'll send it back for service. Really disappointing though. Maybe it's this whole "in house movement" thing now with all the watch manufacturers.

Also Roff, I only found out that the AD's return and exchange policy was such that they did not offer exchanges or returns when I looked at the back of the receipt after I paid for everything. There was no disclosure from the AD prior to ordering it or after I paid for it. It still falls on my shoulders for not asking I guess though. Or does it?

Bear in mind that warranty work is prioritised so it might be away for less long than you fear.

This is just one of those things unfortunately. With the best will in the world, manufacturing issues do occur (with pretty much anything that is produced in significant numbers) and they do occasionally get through the QC in-net.

However, the quality of a company IMO is how well it deals with issues, and as others have said, you have the Breitling warranty, so aside from the hassle of sending it in, it shouldn't cost you a penny, and your watch will be perfect in no time. (Well, almost no time!)

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Ok guys, again, thank you for all your input. I will have to grin and bear it I guess, unless I can talk the AD into getting me a new one or something. I will let you know the outcome!