The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Does a polish come with a standard service or just with a complete overhaul?

Just the full service, not what Breitling calls 'basic'.

What's the difference between "basic" and "full"? Which is the one that runs $500 - $700?

Full service is the more expensive ($600 or so) one. It includes the case refinishing as established as well as a more comprehensive movement overhaul. Basic service is really an 'oil change' and replacement of parts deemed to be consumable - mainspring, balance, etc.

So full service is the one you want every 5 - 7 years?

Yes.

Well, my first one won't be very long after getting my hat, then.

Well....In life you usually get a kiss......Sometimes not even that...
You...Well, you got a hat

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"In the end there can be but one"

My understanding is that even on a battery change or 'basic' service, Breitling UK still clean the bracelet and watch head - it still looks like new when it comes back (the difference is that on an 'overhaul', the watch and bracelet are dismantled down to their individual components, all shiny metal is then polished and buffed up to a high finish again).

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TAG Professional (Silver/Gold) 2000 - still going strong and kept as spare when Wolf is away.
Breitling B1 (Blue) 2003 - 2008.
Breitling Airwolf (Black Sunburst) 2008 - Date.

Don't know about BUK, but that's never been my experience, and until they pulled the maintenance PDFs off of their site Breitling made it clear that basic did not include that.

heres the link to the video of services:

http://www.breitling.com/service/

heres the link for the prices:

http://www.breitling.com/multimedia/pdf ... v-1219.pdf

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2011 SKYLAND AVENGER
2011 AVENGER CODE YELLOW
2010 STEELFISH

Well here's the link to the BUK servicing guide/description and prices pdf:

http://www.breitling.com/multimedia/pdf/sav/sav-894.pdf

this is what it says for the basic service:

'Mechanical Watch:
Balance wheel and escapement cleaning and lubrication, checking of the movement and the watch
functions. Cleaning of case and metal bracelet, replacement of all gaskets and control of waterresistance.
Quartz Watch:
Battery replacement. Checking of all working parameters of the movement and the watch functions.
Cleaning of case and metal bracelet, replacement of all gaskets and water-resistance control.'

I hope this helps Roff.

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TAG Professional (Silver/Gold) 2000 - still going strong and kept as spare when Wolf is away.
Breitling B1 (Blue) 2003 - 2008.
Breitling Airwolf (Black Sunburst) 2008 - Date.

Both of my Headwinds are in BUK at the moment and I had this very discussion just last week.

They're doing some work to both as a 'good will' gesture and whilst they were in there they recommended the interim service be conducted at a price of £120. We discussed what I'd get for my money and it transpires that ultrasonic cleaning will be conducted to the head and bracelet. When I then mentioned that I had a few light scratches on the chimney and clasp that I'd like polished out, they wanted another £150 to polish the head and bracelet in full and wouldn't enter in to part polishing; in effect you're then getting into full service territory price wise.

In a nutshell - ultra sound cleaning conducted at both interim and full service - polishing only conducted at full service (and even then they only consider that a fairly light polishing - beyond that is damage repair).

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Breitling Chronomat - Black Dial / SS & 18k Case on Black Calf & Deployant
Breitling Headwind - Black Dial / SS Case on DPII & Deployant
Breitling Headwind - Gold Dial / SS & 18k Case on Brown Calf & Deployant
Panerai 359 on JV

That PDF reinforces what I said - basic service is a "cleaning", full service includes the polishing.

Only just seen this price list so I may be in for shock when the quote comes back but I have just taken my Superocean Chrono in to Goldsmith's to be sent off for a full monty and refurb, its 7 years old so its ready. They estimated around £350, confirmed that the case and bracelet would be fettled and said it should be back in 10-12 weeks!!! I asked if this was the normal length of time and the response was that this was the norm due to a shortage of watch technicians. Could be a career opportunity here....................

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Breitling B-1 1999
Breitling Chrono Superocean 2004
Casio G Shock
Citizen Eco Drive AT4000-02E (for gardening)
Seiko 5 SNZG15J1
Hamilton X Wind LE