Watches - another OCD problem
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I never tire of this one! -
I've got a Breitling that was allegedly fitted with a chronometer grade ETA movement. I last had it serviced in 2010 or 2011, and the timekeeping has got steadily worse.
When I last checked it in the middle of last year it was losing nearly 15 seconds a day, and the spec for a chronometer is -4 / +6. I don't know what it is now, but it seemed to be worse.
It's currently back with Breitling for a full overhaul so I can sell it on. They dropped me an email the other day about there being scratches on the antireflection coating, and I mentioned my timekeeping woes. Their reply was that a watch needs regular servicing to perform correctly.
Given the watch was last back with them over timekeeping in 2011, and had a full overhaul in 2010, am I being out of line in demanding that they actually sort the thing out properly? Or are they being fair in their assessment?
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Given the cost of their watches and the cost of servicing their response is absolute bullshit! If I were you I would be smashing some heads. Call me old fashioned but in this case I believe that if you pay a premium price, you should expect some premium service in return!
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I agree that it's bs. I've heard that the typical recommended service interval is 4-5 years, but given the background on this, there's something wrong with your watch, and definitely something wrong with their response.
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Horseshit. My Omega Speedy is 8 years old and I've never serviced it, still keeps great time and has a great reserve.
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Given the watch was last back with them over timekeeping in 2011, and had a full overhaul in 2010, am I being out of line in demanding that they actually sort the thing out properly? Or are they being fair in their assessment?
I have a watch maker friend with me…...I just read your post out to him. He says you are not out of line, in fact far from it.
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Thanks. I'm not looking for a free service, or anything like that. I just want Breitling to have a look into the problem and fix it properly for once.
Incidentally, there's a video up about the Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic, which is probably going to be my next watch. If anyone is wondering why I like it so much…
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In the next 4-6 months i am planning on making a substantial watch purchase. I was completely convinced on getting a dateless submariner but, now have been looking at a Daytona. I also love the IWC Portuguese but, most likely to formal for everything.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. I would like 1 watch for all occasions.
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Daytonas are hard to beat. I like chronographs that are rugged and can be dressed up or down. So I have an Omega Speedmaster with a silver instead of the black dial, which makes it very versatile.
Daytona has an in house movement and is a classic design. I think you're on the right track if you want a watch for all occasions.
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Of the three, I think the Daytona is the best. I love the Portuguese, but I think you're right about it not being a perfect all occasions watch. It's just too pretty for hiking through the hills and mucking around in the back yard.
And if Paul Newman- one of the coolest men of all time- could wear his in the pits at the racetrack and on the red carpet at the Oscars, then I think it's probably going to work for mere mortals like us.
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If you can find a stainless steel Daytona get it. My friend has one. They are a bastard to get hold of in ss and are highly collectible. It will most certainly appreciate in value.
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Modern IWC are over-priced and over loved. That is not me talking, that is someone who really knows what he is talking about, has a collection of over 200 serious watches and makes a living buying, trading and making watches…
He's actually wearing one of these at the moment:
So he is no anti IWC bigot
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I'd agree with @Giles certainly about the IWC pilot watches. The current Mark XVII retails for £3600, and is an ETA movement wrapped up in an IWC case.
If I was @tmg then I'd go along to the next Watches of Knightsbridge auction, and pick up an early 1950s Mark XI. The first run lacked shock protection, since there were concerns that it would affect accuracy, but it was fitted to later models. The last one they sold went for £2500. Then I'd post it back to IWC's service department, and get it restored to an as-new condition. Total cost would probably be somewhere in the ballpark of a current Mark XVII, and it would hold its value better.
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@Graeme "Thanks. I'm not looking for a free service, or anything like that. I just want Breitling to have a look into the problem and fix it properly for once."
And you deserve that! Service isn't cheap but even outside of that, it isn't too much to expect a problem getting fixed. Good luck!
And about IWC, I echo the general sentiment. I wouldn't turn down a free one but I don't get the pricing or the love.
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I really like Glashutte Original. In house movements and a lot of them are cool designs and seem a decent value.
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I really like the Glashütte Original PanoInverse and PanoMaticInverse.
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For @Megatron1505 there's always the new Romain Jerome Batman DNA watch. Unfortunately it's $18,000, so I don't think that he'll buy it.
The dial glows blue in the dark though. That makes it worth the entry price.
Of course the watch snobs amongst us will moan that it's just got an ETA clone movement, so nothing to see here.
