Servicing Costs and thoughts...
So I had my Breitling sent in for servicing yesterday primarily as it was running slow (around - 10 to 15 sec/ day). The watch is around 10 -11 years old ( I'm the first owner). However it probably gets less than 10% wrist time since it's in rotation with my other watches. It also has not been on a winder during most of it's storage time. I was semi-surprised to get the quote for servicing indicating for a full service ( disassembly, etc.) vs a simpler maintenance quote ( which I was expecting since I did not expect there to be really that much wear and tear on the mechanism. Anyway I guess there is probably a policy that given that the watch is past the recommended period for basic maintenance, they just default to the servicing option. I am also maybe a bit surprised that there was no discussion first about what I wanted to be done. It was an online link for me to accept or reject the service quote. Would have appreciated a call back to check and explain. I've had better servicing feedback when sending in other items like camera lenses for repair.
This isn't so much of a complaint post as it is a sharing and also to hear back on what your servicing experiences (whether within or outside of warranty) have been. Do you all factor cost of servicing in when considering a purchase ( especially if it is used, out of warranty, or in house movement/ more complex complication) ? Do you always send back to the manufacturer or use a third party watchmaker?
Given the number of watches that some of us own, it's somewhat daunting how the costs for these add up.
"I'm not rich, I'm just fiscally irresponsible!"
If you bring it back to breitling they usually want to bring it back to close to new as possible (even if you don’t actually want that) and charge you accordingly. Also if you are the first owner and never had servicing done by them, they obviously know.
I have the issue they can’t service my watch in Asia and most local watch maker won’t touch it because of the complication, so if it’s not just a 3 hander I would suggest to get it done by a breitling service center.
Good points.
If I had known they ( Breitling) would default to full servicing, I might have just gone to a 3rd party watch maker that I used once for authentication.
However, now that the watch is already at Breitling, and I would have to make a longer distance trip to the other watchmaker, spend extra time , pay for the estimate charges, etc. , I decided to just bite the bullet this time. Also since this is rated for 10,000 ft WR, might as well get Breitling to ensure everything holds up though it's unlikely I would even use it in a few metres of water😂.
I don't think I would do my own internal servicing for a more expensive watch though.
My watch mechanic says Breitling parts are too hard to source so I will only consider Breitling models that have used non Breitling movements.
My watch mechanic says Breitling parts are too hard to source so I will only consider Breitling models that have used non Breitling movements.
Actually this model I sent in was using a chronometer grade ETA 2824 movement. I do appreciate in house movements but yes, the downside is that I will be limited to most likely manufacturer based servicing.. e.g. my Omegas...
Good points.
If I had known they ( Breitling) would default to full servicing, I might have just gone to a 3rd party watch maker that I used once for authentication.
However, now that the watch is already at Breitling, and I would have to make a longer distance trip to the other watchmaker, spend extra time , pay for the estimate charges, etc. , I decided to just bite the bullet this time. Also since this is rated for 10,000 ft WR, might as well get Breitling to ensure everything holds up though it's unlikely I would even use it in a few metres of water😂.
I don't think I would do my own internal servicing for a more expensive watch though.
AFAIK no manufacturer will perform anything less than a full service. This is the only way they can guarantee that the watch will perform as it should. Some will even refuse to replace the crystal unless you have the movement serviced as well.
Maybe they could have adjusted your watch by simply moving the regulator, but what will happen if your watch starts to lose 30s/day after 4 months? A chronometer losing 10-15s/day indicates it is overdue for a service, even if there is no wear and tear on the parts.
The YouTuber Average Joe recently made a video about getting his navitimer serviced, Breitling charge a fortune & I wouldn't recommend following this example. Go to an independent watchmaker instead.
https://youtu.be/DnOHcPGJ6nU?si=D-5EuDuvFFbSSa2W
It will come back as new. Plus if it's a Breitling In-House Movement, they will have to do it. If it's a Generic Movement then a Watchmaker will be able to do the Service. But remember when Breitling do a full Service, it is literally like a new watch. Expensive, yes, but great job none the less. Maybe if your Watch is not an In-House movement, get an interim mechanical service by a local Watchmaker.
Good luck which ever you choose.
Had my 2014 SM300 serviced last year (+ crown repair/replacement) cost £485 & 3 months. The wait was painful, but came back basically brand new and still only a few seconds out per week.
Full disclaimer, I do not own any luxury brands. Love my micros too much.
But even if the brand offers a warranty, I use a local watchmaker for issues, regulation, servicing, cleaning, pressure testing. Mainly cuz I like supporting a local-ish business and I have found its cheaper.
I also own a lot of very easily worked on movements. YMMV.
Hmm, when it s time for service i take my timepiece to my local watchmaker so we can speak of the needings. So no prob on this side. For my russian beauties i got one near munich, very liable dude, not a ripper kind of guy. I send him my watch, he says wat will be need to be done and the fee, and send it serviced back to a fair price.
Sorry to hear of your expressions...
All my watches have standard movements. I don't really have the issue.
My watchmaker (in UK) can’t service most Breitling watches as Breitling won’t sell parts to independents, forcing you to send it to an official service centre.
I’ve had issues with sending one in to Breitling. Took 3 months and came back with only half the work I requested done and a huge bill. After that I wasn’t inclined to send it back again to have the work completed. Lovely watches but I doubt I’ll ever buy a Breitling again because of there servicing service.
I think when it comes to service I'm mostly going to side with a competent watchmaker that I can actually visit vs. shipping esp. overseas. Sometimes this is unavoidable (like if you have certain variations of the GS Spring Drive or a really rare or innovative movement). But in many countries there's going to be at least one or two master watchmakers (some who have their own brands) who might also offer servicing and would be more than capable of repairing or servicing most anything. But servicing some watches is never going to be cheap or convenient. Just the way it is . . . and I do factor that in my collecting plans.
I melted the seals in a hot spring so had to get the full service, they insisted on replacing the crown. Cost me 450 euros. It was also the first service after 11 years, if i hadnt mucked it up it would probably still be going strong today with no service. 2009 Colt 2 .
I had a favorite watchmaker who passed away during the pandemic. Used to take all my watches to him and we had a conversation about 8 years ago. He was complaining to me how most major manufacturers were getting rid of competent watchmakers and replacing them with people who were basically trained to just replace entire movements and not just parts. I don't know how much truth there was in what he was saying but I believe him. The last two watches I sent back to manufacturer (one a Hamilton, the other a Seiko), did the same thing. These were watches I did not wear much and both companies quoted me for a full on service of replacing entire movement. I guess its just become the norm now. If you want someone who will test and verify what parts may need replacing, you'll have to find someone local.
I have had 7 Breitlings serviced by the brand service centre here in Toronto, with the single exception of my Navitimer 1461 which was shipped to Switzerland for a full service as well as replacing the scratched crystal, feel the service charges are the price of the hobby. Since I always drop off the watch myself, there is a discussion, additionally I have a long time relationship with a few of the individuals who work there. I sold one older watch to a friend who isn’t comfortable buying new from an ad,after a few years he decided to service the watch, said his chat with a service agent was “scary” and super expensive. He brought the watch which is fitted with an ETA movement to a local watchmaker, price was a few hundred dollars cheaper than Breitling but in this particular instance the full service was inferior to what B would perform imo. Watches regardless of in house or off the self regulated other manufacture movements after service keep very accurate time, additionally since I prefer my watches to not appear scarred and worn out over years of wear do appreciate the refurbishing job that is performed. My general contractor is a bit of a watch enthusiast jokes that he wishes his customers prefer damaged walls and drywall surfaces to show original wear and tear, faults the same way some watch owners want to maintain scratches etcetera on their timepieces.
I had a favorite watchmaker who passed away during the pandemic. Used to take all my watches to him and we had a conversation about 8 years ago. He was complaining to me how most major manufacturers were getting rid of competent watchmakers and replacing them with people who were basically trained to just replace entire movements and not just parts. I don't know how much truth there was in what he was saying but I believe him. The last two watches I sent back to manufacturer (one a Hamilton, the other a Seiko), did the same thing. These were watches I did not wear much and both companies quoted me for a full on service of replacing entire movement. I guess its just become the norm now. If you want someone who will test and verify what parts may need replacing, you'll have to find someone local.
Thanks for the insights. Yup, I think part of the challenge is to find a good local watchmaker. I'm sorry to hear about your watchmaker. My friend had recommended a watchmaker a few years back, an elderly gentleman who had really reasonable rates. I had visited him for only a couple of simple jobs ( once the hands fell off my Victorinox....). My friend's concern was who he would go to in the future when this watchmaker eventually retires...