The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I stumble upon this servicing video: http://www.breitling.com/service-chrono" target="_blank" target="_blank.

Gotta love what these people do....

I am just wondering if the technicians are this good at Breitling Canada because the last time I
spoke to someone at GRIGOROS (Breitling distributor in Canada ) they made a bad impression on me.
Will they take care of my watch like the technicians on the video, or is this a fairy tale that only takes place only in Switzerland?

BTW GRIGOROS translated to Greek means FAST

Grigoros is an interesting company, or maybe more accurately, I should say that it's owned by an interesting character, but they have got some very good watchmakers.

I've never seen the servicing facilities, although I know where they are in Toronto, but they have to meet certain standards to be authorised by Breitling to do servicing work - both in terms of environment and skills of the watchmakers.

I've used Grigoros several times and have been very happy with the work. I haven't sent them a Breitling yet, but wouldn't hesitate to do so if required. What I like about them is that they only do what is needed. When my Bentley was running a tad fast, I called and spoke with the head guy and he said they would regulate, gasket and test it for $150-200, assuming thats all that was required. Take a Bentley into an AD and see what they tell you? Guaranteed to be alot more.

They seem like a good shop.

As for your question about the video, somehow I doubt they do that full monty treatment there, but I may be wrong.

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I dont get it, Grigoros does the servicing for Breitling Canada?

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-RJ

Yes, and many others.

http://www.watchrepairscanada.com/index.html

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I had my B2 overhauled there. They cosmetically refinished it, which from what i read here is typiclly part of an overhaul everytime. My B2 has a brushed case. Whatever they used to refresh that brushed appearance was waaaay to agressive in my opinion. I didnt have any dents or dings that they would have been trying to get out. I don't know the best way to describe this, but they rounded of some previously distinct character lines (chamfers?). It pi$$ed me off, because it looks a little different to me now. Where things came to sharp edges, they are now just slightly rounded (very very slightly, they didn't 'total' it or anything). Picture the changing angles on the top surface of the lugs on a Navi getting smoothed out... I always use a fibreglass pen to refinish it, and it always looked perfect, and that technique would take about 50 years to remove the metal they took off. i'm sure it was an automated finishing tool of some kind. anyway, before i got the B2 back, my SA ended up there due to another nightmare situation with my AD. They are overhauling the SA while they wait for a replacement case-back for it. I'm less worried about the SA though since it has a polished finish, i'm hoping the worst they'll touch it with is a buffing wheel and compound. still, they next time i need servicing, i'm sending it to BUSA (from my brother or sister's home, both living in US). I get the feeling they are more closely connected to Breitling, and maybe more factory trained? I appologise in advance if any of that offends anyone, i have no basis for these assumptions, but i've had $hit luck with both my canadian AD, and Grig, so I'm trying something else. Also, they re-brushed the case back of the B2 using the same (apparently) approach, and now the serial number is much less readable. before i could have photographed it easily, now, while totally readble with close inspection, its been brushed, and is much less readable. Either way, I'm bitching about it, but if i was taking care of someone's watch, like if i had that job, I'd make sure i maintained the important characteristics of the watch. my 2 cents.

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Super Avenger
Chronomat Evolution
B2

Thank you for sharing your experience. I have heard other stories similar to yours.

There's no such thing as Breitling Canada. Grigoros are the Breitling authorised distributor / repair centre for Canada (and also own the largest AD).

Generally the people that look after the cosmetic work won't be the watchmakers, and I don't have any experience with treatment to brushed coatings, but I do get complimentary polishings every now and then and have been very happy.

That said, I'll freely admit that being in Toronto helps as you can have a direct conversation, and I may not be a typical customer. While I don't like the idea that I may get 'better' treatment than anyone else who buys a Breitling, it is possible.

Heals,
Firstly I am sorry to hear of your experience, Have you thought about popping over to Time and Gold on Georgia as they do Breitling servicing on site and from my experience are very attentive and skilled. The have a workshop above the store and are authorised to service Breitlings amongs others!
Sorry to all on the forum who have read my posts, it must sound like I have shares in T&G, I don't I just believe in extolling virtues when they have earned extolling!

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All the best.
Ian

Thanks. I've seen your positive notes on them before. I've been meaning to check them out. I live right down town... I'll let you know when I'm in there. Right now my B2 and SA are recently overhauled, and my Evo is still quite new. So I won't likely need to try out their service dept for a while (knock on wood). Either way, I'm done with the other, so whatever i need, T&G it is. thanks man.

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Super Avenger
Chronomat Evolution
B2

Another downtown resident! No worries, I hope you like it in there, they are great people and have a good selection of watches! You have two great watches BTW!

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All the best.
Ian