Comments:
Christmas joy - and frustration
In November, I acquired this strikingly beautiful Breitling Navitimer from the current line. I really fell for the copper dial with the black subdials. ONly two or three weeks thereafter, I found something weird with the chronograph readings: they seemed not to match my subjective feeling of the times elapsed, but alsways showed considerably shorter times than I had assumed. Upon closer inspection and comparison with other stop watches, I found that the chronograph's minute counter sometimes stuck - in different positions, and always also influenced the hours counter. I could clearly observe the minute counter hand not moving when the stop second hand passed the 12.
Of course I was annoyed: a brand new watch and defect. Yet this was
nothing new to me, having experienced similar problems with several
other watches as well. However, it was the second time that a Breitling
calibre B01 was defective immediately after I purchased the watch. The
first one had to be sent in for warranty repair three times until it
functioned as it should. Not a good omen ....
So
I brought the Navitimer to the local Breitling boutique, complete with a
written report of the problem. It was sent to the national Breitling
service center, where it stayed for full six weeks, until I received the
phone call two days ago that I could pick it up at the Breitling boutique. I was overjoyed, since I wanted to wear the beauty during the holidays. The service center's repair note consisted of a one term: "switching lever"
I am sure you can second my massive disappointment, when during timing my first dog walk yesterday, once again I had that strange feeling: This can't be, we are walking for much longer than fifteen minutes! So I checked the Navitimer on wrist and then on the table, until it was clear the minutes and hours counters had stuck, as can be seen in this series of pictures. The changing positions of the stop second hand proves the chronograph function is engaged and running, but the counter hands are not moving; not even after more than fifteen hours elapsed since starting the chrono.
So: Two out of three Breitling B01 movements in my possession (four, if I count the Tudor chronograph as well) were either defective on delivery or after a very short while. And both of them needed several trips to the service center until really being repaired. With my first example, this procedure consumed two full years!
I have sincere doubts that the service watchmakers really checked my Navitimer thoroughly, since it repeated the same malfunction already on the first day after it was returned. Now I have to go the hassle again to claim another warranty repair and hope for the best.
Btw, the other defective Breitling, my Chronomat "Raven", too is at the service center since six weeks. During the effort to define the Navitimer's problem, I checked it against the Chronomat, which has been reliable ever since its final repair effort in 2017. Now I realized that - while both the chronograph second and minute counter hands worked properly, the hour counter was running far too fast, gaining no less than seven hours within a 24 hours interval. I was notified from Breitling that this watch is likely to stay for another month in the atelier. Apparently, the B01 movement is too complicated for the service staff? Or maybe they should let Tudor do the work, because my Pelagos chronograph is working perfectly - for now.
Marcus
This is disgusting. You can (or not) accept that a brand new watch has some issue. Supposedly there are quality control checks. Now, that they are unable
to properly fix it it’s impossible to explain. I only lived this situation once. It was with my CFB Manero peripheral. I had to send it back twice and now it works well but I have the sensation that the problem will reappear. Thanks for sharing.
That is very disappointing,Marcus!
I was lucky so far with three B01 movement watches and no issues at all,including also the newest generation Navitimer.
The problem is that nowadays many watches that need service are no longer sent to the manufacture but to third party service centers that have no quality control system at all!
In my case, I am well aware of the path the watch has taken to the service center.
The atelier is the national Breitling (and Zenith) SAV partner since decades and has a premium reputation. My suspicion is that (service) watchmakers consider non-watchmakers as unable to understand a watch movement and therefore completely ignore any description of flaws and defects coming from their non-watchmaker owners.
Marcus
Marcus
In my case with the CFB manero peripheral I was offered to send the watch to an atelier at Madrid. I didn’t accept it and, without resistance from CFB,
the watch was sent to Luzern. And I had to send it back a second time...
Sorry to hear your experience with Breitling, but you’re not alone.
My first high end watch was a Chronomat in 2007(still own it), with the 7750 movement, I sent it in for service two months ago, and after the second return is still not working properly, let alone after return the central chronograph hand is misaligned and the watch runs fast, so back to Breitling it went!
I would sell it in a heartbeat however is my first watch bought brand new so it’s sentimental, but I’ll definitely never ever will buy another one just for the poor after sale service and costumer service provided by the brand!
Hope yours gets sorted out at last…
I would sell it in a heartbeat however is my first watch bought brand new so it’s sentimental, but I’ll definitely never ever will buy another one just for the poor after sale service and costumer service provided by the brand!
Hope yours gets sorted out at last…
I would get Georges Kern/leadership team email from Boutique and write them, and clearly ask for any final resolution you choose with your own time frame. Entirely unacceptable. Where does the buck stop? (Harry Truman reference!!)
How much is Kern's salary? Does he earn it? You shall quickly see if you do the above...
Just in case you need some additional argument to pressure Breitling. Accordingly to Mr Kern the defective watch is its favorite.
I can’t insert the video. It was recently reported at Time and Tide.
"Bon Voyage Motherfu**er!!"
Vincent Hannah to Neil McCauley in Heat. One of the best crime drama movies ever.
Shocking...
...to say the least. I don't get this "in house movement" frenzy and experiences like this one only give strength to my feelings.
Well, the third B01 watch, also a Chronomat purchased in 2017, is still in perfectly working order ....
so, confirming the positive experiences of many among you, it certainly IS possible to make a B01 doing what it should do. "Instrument for Professional".
And it is still highly accurate well within COSC specifications. When the troubles started with my Chronomat "Raven", a model released in 2014, the cal. B01 was still relatively new (launched in 2009), and I had no difficulties collecting quite a large amount of reports about glitcvhes and breakdowns. So I thought my watch to be part of a common process of a new - and complex - product needing time to ripe to perfection. However, in 2023 this process should have come to an end, I think. Which is making me disappointed even more. Additionally, the B01 did not incorporate any experimental technologies, neither in mechanics nor material-wise. So a watchmaker trained by Breitling should be able to locate a problem within the chronograph mechanism, and/or at least thoroughly test it, whenever he thinks to have solved the problem, just to make sure. Maybe they wanted to clean up their desks before Christmas and sent back the watch without any testing?
Funnily, during my original checks (before sending the watch to Breitling the first time), I noticed that the flaw of the sticking minute hand did not happen when the watch was resting in the dial up-position, but always when it was worn on the wrist. This I emphasized in my error report to the service, but I doubt it was read. Now the behaviour started the same, but eventually the stop minute hand won't move even after I placed the watch on its back, which is why I was able to take the series of pictures shown above.
Marcus
Bad story Marcus - I am sorry to hear! And indeed very discouraging after the pre story… 🙄 Well at least you do have other watches and for the year‘s end, you‘ve got to wear your UN anyway… 👍🏻😅
Only one of my Breitlings has the B01, a Premier. It worked fine until one day when I went to wind it manually and the crown wouldn't budge. It was totally locked up. Fortunately the
manager of the boutique has known me for years and knows I'm not a ham fisted geek with watches. It was repaired correctly in one visit to their service center and has not done it again. It's a beautiful watch but 30 minute
chronographs have very limited usefulness.. which I was aware of but fell for it's style. I probably should have bought the TWA Navitimer that I also liked instead! I have nothing but good things to say about the local
boutique and the service was done correctly the first time, but from a past experience (with a Blancpain) I have to agree with the assessment that sometimes they assume you know nothing about watches, do minimal testing, ignore any detailed description of the issue you sent it in for, say it's fine and send it right back! THAT is infuriating! Hopefully your Navi is done being a problem child.
Hmmmmm
Had to return my brand new Tudor FXD Chronograph as it was very stiff to wind and made a horrible clicking noise when winding. Hopefully back with me soon…will take a close look when it arrives!
After some prompting, Tudor just game me a new watch
Correct outcome I think although they should have offered day 1 without chasing.
About 2 months
The watch was initially taken to be fixed. I chased a few times asking for updates. Tudor said would be done ‘end January’. I told the retailer half way through February that I wanted a refund or new watch. Hey presto new watch.
I think it’s very poor Tudor didn’t offer that straight away as it’s obviously a QC issue - the watch shouldn’t have left the manufacture in that state.
I think it’s very poor Tudor didn’t offer that straight away as it’s obviously a QC issue - the watch shouldn’t have left the manufacture in that state.
Got the call from the Breitling boutique two days ago: My Navitimer is back from repair
I will pick it up on monday, and sincerely hope the problem has been finally resolved.
Marcus
Marcus
That is disappointing…
My non in-house movement based Navitimer never had a mechanical issue. I’d probably sell that watch after you get it back again.
Now back from repair
I got the call from the boutique last Thursday, and picked the Navitimer up today. The chronograph is running, and up to now it seems to be okay. We'll see. I absolutely love that copper dial variant, and will definitely keep it if it does not let me down now.
Marcus
Marcus
The repair report shows a lot of parts replaced ...
... and until now, the counters work as they should. Hope this stays, since I really like this watch. I switched from the standard steel bracelet to a gorgeous rubber strap in milanaise look, very comfortable.
Marcus
