The Breitling Watch Source Forums

To my disappointment I am writing for advice once again.

I picked up my watch from the boutique in London last Wednesday after an overhaul of the movement. The watch appeared to be working fine, they had repaired the chronograph as it wouldn't stop previously.

Now when running the chronograph the watch doesn't keep time correctly. I noticed yesterday morning after running the chronograph overnight that the watch was 5 hours off. I ran the chronograph for two hours today and the watch was 30 minutes slow. The watch will keep time normally if I don't run the chronograph.

I have had the watch serviced once in the US for a pusher that fell off, and once in the UK for the broken chronograph. Keep in mind that I bought the watch new in April 2015. I'm no expert but a Breitling shouldn't need servicing 3 times in 8 months

At what point should I ask for a new time piece? The watch has been away for service 2 of the 8 months I've owned it. Not a happy customer.

Breitling would also like to charge me S&H to send the watch to Tumbridge Wells to add insult to injury.

Anyone else had issues after a movement overhaul?


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I highly doubt it's losing time with the chrono running, that makes little sense. What is much more likely is that the watch is periodically stopping because the chrono is somehow fouling / causing issues in the running train. Either way it is a Breitling warranty issue. Entitlement to a replacement will come down to local laws, I doubt Breitling will offer it voluntarily.

Thanks for the help Roff, could you explain the interaction between the chrono & running train?

Wanting a new watch is far fetched, just annoyed it needs to serviced again.


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The Chronograph is a separate module!


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Sure.

When the chronograph is not running the watch runs by having the energy in the mainspring released through a series of gear wheels. Those wheels control the movement of the hands and form the running train. At the other end of the train from the mainspring is the escapement that controls the rate and creates the 'ticking'. Because the escapement controls the rate I find it highly unlikely that the watch runs significantly slower with the chronograph running.

When you activate the chronograph a separate set of gear wheels move to mesh with the running train so that the chronograph can be powered by the mainspring and regulated by the escapement. In a well functioning watch this will cause minimal extra drag in the running train and will impact the rate a fraction, but not to a noticeable degree. What seems to be happening is either the gears are fouling or a problem in the chronograph gears is creating more resistance than the energy in the mainspring can overcome causing the watch to stop for a period. It may restart through movement, a change in position, etc.

I believe under the new Consumer Rights Act which was introduced on October 1st 2015, you would be entitled to a replacement.

The law brings into play a 'Remedy System' whereby, if you have had an item for longer than 30 days and up to 6 months, you have to give the retailer one attempt to repair a faulty good.
If this is unsuccessful, the new law states that you are entitled to ask for a refund or a price reduction.