The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello all!

I have got myself my first Breitling!! Superocean Heritage Chrono 44mm..

It came with a mesh strap that I couldn't pull off so purchased a diver pro II strap and waited to change straps before wearing it for the first time..

Walked into Feldmar (AD in Beverly Hills) and they insisted on changing the strap for me for free even though I was willing to pay. Everything seemed good until I received my brand new watch back with horrible dings and scratches on the lugs!!

Extremely disappointed I called the store and asked for the manager and he said to bring it back and they would take care of it... I'm not sure I want to go back there again. Such a horrible feeling wearing my brand new watch for the first time with scratches..

Is this normal?

Whoever changed it obviously wasn't skilled enough to do it, may have been the first time or they were in a pinch. I would go to a store that has a certified watchmaker next time if you want it done perfectly.

As far as going back, give them a chance to make things right. After all, everyone makes mistakes.

What can they do to remedy the scratches and dings?

I don't exactly know what the process is in fixing this.

I'm more worried that it can get even worse than what it is now..

Its not normal but it does happen, and worse.

I think philmeyo is right though. As annoying as it is, give them a chance to make amends. I would insist that they tell all on exactly what they intend to do to remedy the situation first, before handing over my Ling.

If possible, I would want to watch what the technician does, in silence. I know that sounds unrealistic that they would allow you to watch, but its your very expensive watch and I think if they are prepared to make amends for the damage, then the least they can do is answer questions and allow you to see the process first hand. Does not hurt to ask.

I hope it all works out fine for you. Darned annoying though.

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Jim

"You have Control".

Scratches under the lugs are a personal hate of mine and as a result I always put a few layers of tape over the lugs whenever I change straps. It takes a couple of mins and prevents any scratches at all.

It sounds to me like your AD used a Bergeon tool (as opposed to the type of tool that looks kind of like a pair of pliers that compresses both sides of the spring bar at the same time and makes scratches far less likely) with very little care or skill.

I would ask the AD to polish the scratches and if they can't manage it properly, I'd aks them to send it to Breitling. There is no excuse for AD's to damage your watch.

That said, if you wanted to polish them out yourself, get hold of some Cape Cods and with a bit of elbow grease you should be able to remove them yourself (depending on how deep the scratches are).

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Well i took it back to the AD today and they said its normal for scratches to happen during strap change.

They said they would fix it by refinishing the watch and that they are experts doing this for 100 years and all that.

The manager treated me like a total idiot talking to me in a way like he knows everything and I am just being anal about nothing.

Well 30 minutes later i received my watchback and again he told me the scratches and dings that I see are normal because my sohc doesnt have end links like other watches.

Now my whole watch has these tiny scratches (looks like a bad polish job) and i am super irritated. Never going there again




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No excuse for the AD scratching your watch and you have a right to feel irritated.
On the other hand, give it two months and you will no longer see the tiny scratches because it will be covered in bigger ones

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Just be glad you didn't take it to Provident Jewelers in Ft Myers,Fl.

I took my A13352 and was told the bracelet was fake and my watch was also a reproduction. I told the representative I believed he was mistaken. This person then proceeded to pull out his IPhone and shows me pictures on a web link that explained how to differentiate a real Ling from a fake.
I just sent my watch to BUSA and can assure you it is very real /authentic. ( also confirmed by members of this board )
I utterly refuse to step foot in any of their establishments, and don't understand how they employ these people. The kicker here is the number one reason why my bracelet was deemed fake was due to pitting. According to Breitling is from being over polished which they did aprox 6 months ago....

The AD is talking absolute nonsense to say it's normal for scratches to happen during strap changes. Yes it can happen, but with a little care, it's extremely easy to avoid as well. If it were "normal" then every single watch that came off the production line would have scratches on the lugs as the strap obviously has to be fitted the first time. Funny how I have been changing straps on watches for close on 20 years and with a bit of care I manage to never put scratches on mine.

It sounds to me like a typical case of an AD being far too blasé about these fairly expensive watches, most probably on account of them handling them every day : too many of them seem to forget the cost of these things. I remember one AD spinning my watch around on his index finger in a store once. I set him straight on that in double-quick time.

Your AD sounds like an absolute disgrace. If I was you, I'd put in a formal complaint to BUSA. If BUSA are worth their salt, they will take action to both rectify your watch, and also give the AD a nice little wake up call.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I bought my Transocean Chrono 01 LE at an AD in Teaipei 101, ahh, in Taipei.
I had them changing it between black calf strap, mesh bracelet and the black croco for three hours as I could not decide what combination I wanted, never mind the fact that that this is the best part of the whole buying process
Anyway, not a single scratch or mark on the lugs from that ordeal that the TOC has been put through.
Yes, I did end up buying the watch.
Having said that, every change of strap to bracelet and back was done by their inhouse watchmaker at the back of the shop. Not a single scratch in the process.
I am changing straps/bracelets on my watches nearly as often as I change my socks.
Likewise, no scratches.
My simple conclusion is that the AD that changed the strap for you simply had no idea what they were doing.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

And clearly didn't care.

Many watches come from the manufacturer / distributor packaged as head only so AD staff have to put them on straps / bracelets for display and sale - pretty sure they would take care not to scratch those!

They pulled put their display watches and showed me the comparison. Every single breitling had scratches on the lugs..

Anyways i emailed breitlingusa about this and they told me to send it in for them to review..

Im debating if i should because i dont like to send things through mail thats valuable from past experiences.


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Anyways here is my wristshot!! My Rolex and Omega cannot compare..



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JINP84- I would recommend to ship Fed-Ex, I have sent several watches including one to BUSA and have not experienced any issues. They will only allow up to 1k ins so if that is a deal breaker you could always have a jewelry store ship for you. They have higher shipping ins levels than the average consumer off the street. Good luck and I will be looking forward go your update, I am curious to see how this plays out.

Regards. Jon

This just reinforces my belief that those clearly guys don't have a damn clue what they're doing. As Roff said, many watches arrive at the AD as head only, so those guys have been merrily scratching away at the lugs putting straps on. Unbelievable.

I cannot stress enough how easy it is to AVOID scratches with a tiny bit of care and/or forward planning in terms of putting a few layers of protective tape on the lugs before using the tool.

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Driver8

Site Moderator