The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Howdy folks, I have a quick question about service on an original blackbird.

I've had the watch for a long time and I know it is well overdue for a service. I took it in to Torneau in NYC and they quoted me as follows:

Crown - $85
Tube - $69
Complete Service - $550

I expected to need a full service at around $500 so that one seems fine. However, they are telling me that they need to replace the tube/crown not because the parts are damaged but because merely performing the service requires replacement of those parts. I've never heard of anything like that before and I was hoping I could get some advice from you guys.

Also, if anyone has any advice regarding the quality of work done at Torneau (and whether I should just make them send it to Breitling) I'd love to hear that as well.

Thanks,
-Henry

Can't comment on Tourneau, though they don't seem too popular for sales.

It doesn't sound right to replace the crown and tube in servicing, I would send the watch directly to BUSA for servicing - they'll give you a quote of what's required before the work.

I think I will just go ahead and send it to BUSA. Is there some sort of procedure I need to follow with them? I can't find much info about their service aside from the BUSA address on the breitling website (and that neat video of the service procedure for an auto). Do I have to call them first so they expect the watch or include any particular information with the watch?

As for sales, Torneau is a joke. They offered me the wonderful price of full MSRP on anything I wanted, what a deal! They actually seemed offended I expected to pay less than MSRP.

Is 3-4 months a realistic period for me to expect to be without my watch?

Thanks,
-Henry

Call BUSA ahead of time just to check on the process they want and to let them know - it's not strictly necessary, but is a good idea in my opinion. Not sure on BUSA timelines right now, but likely more like 2 - 3 months.

Quick follow up. I sent my Blackbird into Breitling and they received it today. Just wondering from other people who have sent their watches in for service, will they contact me to confirm receipt or the logging of the watch into their system or should I not expect to hear anything until the estimate is ready?

Thanks,
-Henry

Quick update for anyone looking into service.

Breitling received my watch on Friday Feb 20. I called today, Monday Feb 23 just to make sure they had logged it in and had all my information. I was quite surprised when they told me they already had an estimate and had mailed it out to me. I asked them to email it to me as well and they did so immediately.

They quoted me $490 for a complete service, including polishing, and $65 for hand replacement. Add $25 for return shipping and the total is $580. A little over $600 if you include the $25 I spent to UPS the watch to them with full value insurance.

So basically $600 for a full service (and polish) from Breitling or $750 (because of tax in NY) for the same from Tourneau.

Also, Breitling made no mention of having to replace the crown or "tube" as Tourneau insisted was necessary.

Pretty clear choice here. Breitling said it will take 6-8 weeks to complete the service.

Maybe some of you will find this information useful.

-Henry

Torneau....the people working there has very little knowledge of the watches their selling. Was in NYC over a long weekend, walked through the doors of one of the Torneau´s in NY, asked one of the 20 or so salesmen behind the counter and asked to see a SA, he said of course, and gave me a SO steelfish, I was like " that´s not a SA but he still claimed that it was, until the guy next to him also told that he was wrong....well.... dindn´t buy anything. Not very good prices either.

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Breitling "pre" Chrono-Matic 1969
Omega Seamaster 300 1969
Rolex Submariner 16800 1982 (birthyear watch)
IWC Aquatimer 3548 2008

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