The Breitling Watch Source Forums

ok i took my breitling super avenger out of the safe today to wear un screwed the crown to set the time pulled it out to stage 1 very softly and the whole crown came out!!!! aaaahhhhhhhh the watch still works though is this a big problem??? i am mega skint right now and hope this is not going to cost the earth! does anyone know if it need to go back to breitling and how much will it cost and is it serious?????

take it back to your AD and tell them what happened

i have it is out of warranty, they said it would start from 260 pounds minimum .... anyone go info on this problem

Not much choice other than to go to Breitling. Wouldn't want to risk unauthorised meddling, think of the implications if some meathead fouls it up. Breitling work is guaranteed for a year so peace of mind and your investment is protected.

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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

ouch! hope it's not as bad as it sounds. Let us know what the AD tells you.

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life's too short and you only live once

had a same problem.... sent it to the Ad.....

The good news is that it's only a single screw holding it in place, bad news is that the screw could be floating around in the movement causing all kinds of issues and it needs prompt attention.

you should prob. take the back off and stop the watch movement with a pencil so the screw doesnt mess anything up...lmao..

just joking!!

that sucks. send to breitling.

This happened to my U-Boat Classico years ago, it was still working fine but I was told it had to go back to be fixed and ensure that the water resistance seal wasn't compromised.

Yes, this same issue happened to me also. Mine is a more bazaar story. Took it back to the AD who sent it BUSA, came back all fixed and the AD called for pick up. I arrive to retrieve my watch, my AD goes to the safe and gets my watch and unboxes it from the original unsealed mailing box from BUSA. Pulls out my shiny watch, we go over the repair invoice ( no charge, I had only owned it 5 months ) and then he proudly unscrews the crown to wind and set the time for me and....... The crown pulls out right into his hand!! The look on his face was like the newscaster watching the rehabbed seal being eaten by the Great White Shark commercial.
AD and I both called BUSA and I got email images of my watch arriving, going through whole process of repair and packaging for return. It was fixed the second time but they were embarrassed to say the least. And no, I got no swag from BUSA or my AD for my trouble.
Matter of fact, I never have received any swag from an AD or BUSA ever. Have bought numerous watches and nothing. Former AD in my town only gave swag to professional athletes and rich foreign clients that frequented that store. They lost the line with opening of our Breitling Boutique.

The "AD" is taking money from you for nothing except a bit of postage. Breitling UK will repair, service and seal up the watch for £172 assuming it's a time-only automatic (quartzes are cheaper, chronos a little more). A good independent watchmaker will have the back off, locate the screw (if it's fallen out) and refit the crown and stem for you for very little money - although some will insist on a service. Either way, much less than £260 unless you don't shop anywhere other than central London!

Well it's a chrono so the pricing quoted is accurate for BUK. An independent will simply create higher costs downstream when it goes to BUK for regular servicing and they cry foul because a non authorised watchmaker has touched the watch.

Check out

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

It's even cheaper than I thought: £147 (including shipping) for an auto chrono. £260 is for a complete, bottom-up rebuild and refinish.

Service cost + hands + repairs - I have no issue with the cost. A full service for a chrono would be considerably more - GBP372 per that PDF.

If it is not an AD or Breitling service center, do not have anyone else open a modern Breitling, especially if a warranty issue could come into play. Not one watchmaker I know if not factory trained, will not even attempt to open any Breitling 2000 to present. And they shouldn't. You are opening a can of worms on that one. Breitling won't cry foul, they will say Game Over! Pay up!!