The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Before I bought my Steelfish from a forum member, I went to a local AD to view one and try it on and see what kind of deal I could get (20% was the best that he'd do). I mentioned that I had seen the watch on the Internet (he assumed it was on a unauthorized dealer web site) so he started telling me how not only would I not get a warranty buying a watch from other than an AD, but also if I sent it in for repairs or service, I would pay more than if it were from an AD.

I chalked this up to salesman b.s. to help him close a sale, but I wonder... if Breitling really does try to keep us going to ADs, punishing us after the fact for not doing so would make many people think twice. Has anyone here heard this as well? Anyone know for a fact that it is true, that Breitling charges more for repairs and service if your watch was not purchased through an AD? Natch my question applies to the USA market, but I suppose it could apply world-wide if it is their policy.

Michael

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Breitling, Omega, Rolex... what can I say, I like Swiss watches.

Do not buy from a website! I made a huge mistake of doing so myself! I bought a watch from THE WATCHERY.com 8 months ago... 100% Real certificate and all! The watch had a slight problem I noticed a few months from the purchase date, so I sent it back. Did not see the watch for LITERALLY 6 months! They used there own jeweler (not breitling) to fix it, however, gave me the run-a-round trying to tell me Breitling has it overseas. I ending up finding out where it REALLY WAS... I was furious!

Bottom Line, DONT WASTE YOUR TIME WITH THE INTERNET AND ESPECIALLY "Thewatchery.com" it is all BS!

Don't make the same mistake I did, spend the extra 5% or so and guarantee your self an amazing watch like I did a few days back when I FINALLY received my refund after threatening Thewatchery with a lawsuit!

- MRC

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Past: BlackBird, Navi World, SA, Rolex DJII, IWC Yacht Club
Present: CE, DSSD
Future: Changes daily

Do you think the salesman was just referring to the fact that you wouldn't have a Breitling warranty and you'd be paying for service through Breitling during the initial warranty period if bought from an AD? I'm sure some of it was BSing.

This would probably a good question for Roff to answer.

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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

I'm glad someone brought this up, I was going to post a question along the same lines.

Both my Breitlings were bought from an AD; I have, however, purchased watches from the grey market in the past. I was told that Breitling would not service a watch bought on the grey market, period, serial number or not. I was further told that my AD registers my purchase with Breitling but, since a grey market seller can't do that, Breitling has no record of the sale and will not touch a watch bought that way.

Reading what's posted above seems to suggest that Breitling will still service a grey market watch but will not honor the initial 2 year warranty. Which is correct?

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NRA Life Member
NJKCA Honorary Member
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Chrono Avenger, Grey Dial, Pro II
Steelfish, Black Dial, Ocean Racer
Super Avenger, White Dial, Pro II
Casio GWG-1000-1A3 Mudmaster
Sinn UX

I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't clear.

In reference to buying a watch from other than an authorized dealer. What I was told was two things:

1) Breitling will not honor the warranty.
2) If the watch is sent to Breitling for service or repair, they will charge you more (maybe as much as twice as much) to perform the service.

And probably, like that steak you sent back to the kitchen, they will spit on it.

Anyway, I have no issue with #1. My question is, does anyone know for a fact that #2 is true?

Apologies for the confusing initial question. Hopefully I have done better this time.

Michael

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Breitling, Omega, Rolex... what can I say, I like Swiss watches.

Breitling (certainly Breitling UK anyway) WILL and indeed DO service watches bought on the grey market, providing the serial number is intact. FACT. You just have to pay for it (as opposed to having it done free of charge if it's under warranty from an AD), but you will still only pay exactly the same price as you would if your AD-purchased watch was out of warranty.

I have mates who own perfectly genuine grey market watches and they've never had a problem with servicing at Breitling. The thing is, a grey market watch with no warranty is indestinguishable to Breitling to a watch that has simply been sold on to someone else on the second hand market. For an AD to say Breitling won't touch a watch like that is utter rubbish. Watches change hands all the time and if they could never be serviced once they'd moved on from the original owner, there'd be uproar.

What you definitely never want to do however is use a grey market vendors own warranty, like mrcheatle unfortunately did. The grey market does not use Breitling service centres, so you run the risk of some guy who knows jack about your particular watch attempting to fix issues and all without access to genuine Breitling parts. The key thing to remember when buying on-line (from a reputable dealer) is to realise that the discount you are getting on the sticker price essentially covers the fact that you have no warranty (at least not one that's worth anything), and should anything go wrong with your watch you'll have to just suck it up and pay Breitling to fix it. It all depends if you consider that a risk you're willing to take.

While my watches all come from AD's, I have plenty of mates who buy on the grey market (hell, I've even bought online on behalf of mates of mine myself!), and provided you buy from a reputable source (Prestigetime.com, interwatches.com, etc) there is no problem at all IMO. You just need to be 100% certain that you know and understand what you are (and more importantly, what you aren't) getting for your money.

Armed with what I know about watch buying, I personally don't hold with the "direct from an AD is only way" mantra anymore.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I recently purchased SA from watchfinder,
.co.uk which came with warranty papers and AD stamp dated the day I purchased it, are you telling me that I do not have the Breitling warranty. How would breitling know I purchased it from the Internet and not directly from the AD as the warranty booklet states?

If the warranty booklet is stamped, dated and signed by an AD, then Breitling will honour the warranty. How would they know it wasn't bought for you as a present by your rich uncle or someone? The answer is they can't tell.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Cheers m8 that leads on to another question, although the booklet is stamped and dated it is not signed. Do I have to get a signature also, I don't think this will be a problem just can't check at the mo as I'm in Cancun on holiday for another week

The need for the signature is always a bone of contention. Some say you need it, others say you don't. Personally I've bought watches from AD's and they've forgotten to sign it, so I guess it's not that important. And even when they do it's little more than an indistinguishable squiggle. Personally I don't think it's a problem - the AD's stamp and date is the important part, and besides if the signature is little more than a squiggle in biro, who's to know who's done it.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Yeh that was my feeling also, as Im pretty sure Breitling don't keep copies of all AD employees signatures

BUSA has been difficult lately and there are a few stories about them refusing to service non BUSA watches (i.e. watches not originally distributed to a US AD), but I think that stopped pretty quickly as obviously there are a huge number of watches in the US that were bought from ADs, but not US ADs.

The idea of servicing charges being high is not true as Driver8 said - the whole point of not providing a warranty is to protect the AD who sells the watch to the grey market dealer and prevent Breitling from finding out whether a watch is grey market.

Breitling will of course refuse to service a watch where the serial number has been removed.

As for registering the watch with Breitling - Breitling know which distributor every watch was sent to, and the distributor (which in some countries is Breitling owned and in some countries independent) will know which AD gets the watch. The only watches that actuall have to be registered with end consumers are the Emergency / Emergency Mission, although of course the US baseball cap thing is all about ensuring that BUSA has the buyer's name and address.

Thanks for clearing all that up. I feel a little better about buying on the grey market - but my AD offers such good deals from time to time that I really don't have to go that route anymore.

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NRA Life Member
NJKCA Honorary Member
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Chrono Avenger, Grey Dial, Pro II
Steelfish, Black Dial, Ocean Racer
Super Avenger, White Dial, Pro II
Casio GWG-1000-1A3 Mudmaster
Sinn UX

Sorry to sound dull (Again ) But I assume they will not service or repair the watch as it may be stolen as well as just from a Grey dealer, but surely there is some other way to identify the watch internaly? Or is it just the case that has the identification numbers?

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"It's not how it's written it's how it's read"

I can't say for certainty with Breitling but many watches have serial numbers on the undersides of some bridges and plates. That won't be the same as the watch serial number but would presumably allow for identification. We would need someone familiar with a disassembled Breitling to speak to them specifically - I don't fell like taking any of mine apart right now

And yes, stolen watches might well have the serial number removed as well - I guess the argument is that there is no good reason why a serial would be removed.

Oh and by the way - no reason to think that you sound dull - if people didn't ask questions then this would be a pretty boring place! That's how we all learn.