The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi, new to Breitling watches. I've got an Avenger Chrono (Titanium) that was purchased in 2002 and sat unused until just recently. I was told that it should be serviced before I wear it because oils likely dried up.

Took it to an authorized dealer and they sent it out for an estimate. What came back rather surprised me.

They say it needs...

Movement Restoration Service (including necessary parts)
Maintenance Service Mechanical (Gaskets, External Clean, Adjust)
Hands Repair
Water Resistance Restoration Service

Now, I can understand that last item as they will have opened it up. I can see the second item as well. I'm not sure about the first one and definitely the third (Hands repair?). I mean this watch is brand new.

And finally....

$774.

Does any of this seem unreasonable?

Hands are meant for a one time use

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

Not sure I understand. What do you mean?

You have to remove the hands to remove the movement and they can't be reused because they are friction fit. Estimate seems reasonable to me, in the best if circumstances the oils were completely dried up six plus years ago and the residue needs to be thoroughly cleaned from the movement.

I bought a Navitimer 92 limited edition off ebay that wasn't running, sent it to Breitling where they completely replaced the complex DD chronograph movement and overhauled the watch to immaculate condition and the cost was slightly over $800. The cost on a mechanical watch is going to be about the same whether it runs or not. That's why I wait until the watch has a problem before I send it in. I have never had a watch returned to me by any of my watchmakers because they couldn't reuse the original hands. Breitling is Breitling and that's just what they do.

Excellent info Roff. Thanks for sharing. I didn't realise they couldn't reuse the hands.

I keep hearing people on here say that, but I've had 3 Breitlings go through an overhaul. 2 at Govberg and 1 at Breitling USA. Only for 1 was it recommended that the hands be replaced. It was an older Chronomat and the replacement was because the lume was flaking off. I asked both Govnerg and Breitling USA about the 1 time use thing and both said it was not true.

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Breitling Montbrillant Olympus
Breitling Navitimer World
Breitling Chronomat
Breitling Colt GMT
Omega Seamaster GMT "Great White"
Omega Speedmaster X-33
Rolex GMT Master IIc
Bremont ALT1-ZT

I think it's a "belt and braces" type of thing with Breitling. i.e. the hands ARE friction fit, so I guess removal could potentially enlarge the hole a little such that they aren't quite so secure if refitted, but I agree the chances of that are fairly slim as I've known plenty of other manufacturers who certainly don't insist on changing the handset each time. But as Vintage said, rightly or wrongly, it's just what Breitling do. (BUK certainly always have done for me in the past).

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Driver8

Site Moderator

$774 seems quite reasonable, relatively speaking of course, that is what a full overhaul costs per busa service menu. tho im not sure if that includes the hands.

before i decided on getting into a breitling i nearly threw up at the maintenance costs... i've made my peace since and am now swimming in the deep end, and loving the whole ownership experience.

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FW

Crosswind Special, White
Chronomat 44 B01 LE
Navi 01 LE, Vapor Silver

Spending $700 on preventative maintenance in order to delay the eventuality of spending $700 down the road when it actually stops working makes 0¢. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I would love to see a service estimate of $700 for a watch that has been run until it breaks!

My Colt Ocean had no service for 10 years until it suffered a lethal fall on a concrete floor.
Upon inspection by Breitling Service engineer I was shown bits of corrosion due to moisture.
Total repair cost - $350, four years ago.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

My point was more about the relative cost - preventive maintenance would be less than restorative maintenance - that $350 would have been lower had there not been corrosion (or a lethal fall).