Breitling watch servicing
Discussion
Used to take mine to Watches Of Switzerland in Brent Cross. N/W London and didn't seem too bad.
However, I have just used an independent jewellers in St Albans (Wharton's) for a new battery in an old Colt Ocean I have. The strap was damaged in transit to Breitling and although it was by no means perfect anyway (it's my scuffing about/sports watch) they put a new one on for free and gave it back in a smart Breitling neoprene case. So excellent service!
HTH!
However, I have just used an independent jewellers in St Albans (Wharton's) for a new battery in an old Colt Ocean I have. The strap was damaged in transit to Breitling and although it was by no means perfect anyway (it's my scuffing about/sports watch) they put a new one on for free and gave it back in a smart Breitling neoprene case. So excellent service!
HTH!
sleep envy said:
TBH I'd rather they turn it around within a week rather than send it off to Breitling and lose the watch for 2 months
My B1 has just had a holiday beck to Switzerland. Took 5 days all done. I'd speak to your local Breitling dealer & confirm the likely turnaround time, as apparently there have been changes at the factory to improve turnaround.
Hope that helps
Chris
deevee said:
However, I have just used an independent jewellers in St Albans (Wharton's) for a new battery in an old Colt Ocean I have. The strap was damaged in transit to Breitling and although it was by no means perfect anyway (it's my scuffing about/sports watch) they put a new one on for free and gave it back in a smart Breitling neoprene case. So excellent service!
HTH!
Mine went for a new battery and also returned with stap buffed up a small scratch in the glass buffed out and in the neopreen case.
I found these cases sold on ebay and I had 2 of them - So I sold them myself - one went for £16 and another a whopping £27 not bad for something you get 'free'.
sleep envy said:
Cheers Chris
How much was the service if you don't mind me asking
How much was the service if you don't mind me asking
I had a battery change which was £55 (they clean the case & put new seals in for that)
The "full" service which IIRC is a strip and full ultrasonic clean of all components in the watch & bracelet is £225
All prices from "Robert Gatward" in Ipswich (brilliant guys in there)
HTH
Chris
sleep envy said:
TBH I'd rather they turn it around within a week rather than send it off to Breitling and lose the watch for 2 months
My B1 goes to WoS but is serviced in house. Not sure about Brent Cross but I have used the New Bond Street and the Regent Street branches as I tend to follow my 'tame' salesman.
scimmy ben said:
sleep envy said:
TBH I'd rather they turn it around within a week rather than send it off to Breitling and lose the watch for 2 months
My B1 goes to WoS but is serviced in house. Not sure about Brent Cross but I have used the New Bond Street and the Regent Street branches as I tend to follow my 'tame' salesman.
I was told by the chaps at Robert Gatward that there were no authorised Breitling service centres in the UK, and that Breitling keeps records of every watch sent back to theire factory, so I thought that I should keep up the "Full Breitling Service History"
HTH
Chris
Dominic H said:
Good morning, which Breitling do you have? I have a watchmaker who is able to work on all Breitling...
Yes, but is he approved & certified by the factory? I can work on a Ferrari, but you probably don't want me & my socket set under the bonnet of your pride & joy
Chris (B1 btw)
chris.mapey said:
scimmy ben said:
sleep envy said:
TBH I'd rather they turn it around within a week rather than send it off to Breitling and lose the watch for 2 months
My B1 goes to WoS but is serviced in house. Not sure about Brent Cross but I have used the New Bond Street and the Regent Street branches as I tend to follow my 'tame' salesman.
I was told by the chaps at Robert Gatward that there were no authorised Breitling service centres in the UK, and that Breitling keeps records of every watch sent back to theire factory, so I thought that I should keep up the "Full Breitling Service History"
HTH
Chris
This information is incorrect. Breitling UK opened their Official Service Centre in Tunbridge Wells 3 years ago. The following is an excerpt from an article by Simon de Burton in The Financial Times on 30th March 2007...
"Yet persuading British buyers of mechanical watches that their timepieces occasionally need to be serviced is often an uphill struggle for retailers.
One brand that appears to be getting the message across, however, is Breitling, which opened its service and repair centre at Tunbridge Wells in Kent almost three years ago.
The architect-designed facility, based directly on Breitling’s headquarters in Grenchen, Switzerland, is kitted out with state of the art watchmaking and testing equipment and received more than 15,000 watches for servicing, repair, cleaning or adjustment last year alone."
Breitling also have a small number of carefully selected and highly experienced watchmakers who are able to service Breitling watches with Breitling UK supplied factory parts.
Some people with watches like cars, prefer to deal solely within the AD network, others are happy to receive a top quality service from an independant watchmaker/auto engineer.
I buy & sell many watches, and use both Authorised Service Centres and independant watchmakers whichever suits the particular circumstance.
I should have expanded a little more on my original post.
chris.mapey said:
Dominic H said:
Good morning, which Breitling do you have? I have a watchmaker who is able to work on all Breitling...
Yes, but is he approved & certified by the factory? I can work on a Ferrari, but you probably don't want me & my socket set under the bonnet of your pride & joy
Chris (B1 btw)
I'm not sure who would be more surprised/disappointed, you servicing my metaphorical Ferrari or me parallel parking yours... :-)
chris.mapey said:
Dominic H said:
Good morning, which Breitling do you have? I have a watchmaker who is able to work on all Breitling...
Yes, but is he approved & certified by the factory? I can work on a Ferrari, but you probably don't want me & my socket set under the bonnet of your pride & joy
Chris (B1 btw)
Unless its still under warranty why would that matter? The "approved and certified buy the factory bit" I mean I'm assuming he is actually competent to work on watches. Unless I'm mistaken Bretiling use mainly Valjoux 7750 movements which are not uncommon, so the Ferrari analogy is not quite apt.
tertius said:
chris.mapey said:
Dominic H said:
Good morning, which Breitling do you have? I have a watchmaker who is able to work on all Breitling...
Yes, but is he approved & certified by the factory? I can work on a Ferrari, but you probably don't want me & my socket set under the bonnet of your pride & joy
Chris (B1 btw)
Unless its still under warranty why would that matter? The "approved and certified buy the factory bit" I mean I'm assuming he is actually competent to work on watches. Unless I'm mistaken Bretiling use mainly Valjoux 7750 movements which are not uncommon, so the Ferrari analogy is not quite apt.
If it's not under warranty it wouldn't matter. Again, you have the choice of using the AD's service centre or using a competent, reputable independant watchmaker. You're spot on, Breitling do use (like a lot of competitors) the 7750, which is straight forward to service....
johnny said:
Anyone know how much it's going to cost me for a service/battery replacement for my Emergency? It started flashing at me a couple of days ago and I know it's going to hurt. I remember seeing POA on a price list, and some were listed well over £300 I seem to recall.
Cheers,
Johnny
Cheers,
Johnny
Try Tony Williams at Swiss Watch Services in Chiswick on 0208 994 4567. I use Tony, he was a Senior Watchmaker at Breitling UK for 6 years, and he an approved Breitling service agent. A cell replacement on the Emergency is relatively straight forward.
Edited by Dominic H on Sunday 29th April 20:20
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