I called Breitling USA yesterday.....small rant...........

[TimeOnTarget]

I am relatively new to this forum, but to set the record straight, I bought my first Breitling Jupiter Pilot back in 1993. I am now the proud owner of a B1 SQ. I say this so that you don't think that I am a Breitling Basher.

My problem lies in my experience with Breitling on the two occasions that I have called them. As some of you know, I am a military pilot and I spend extended periods of time in far away lands. I very well may spend over another year in one of those romantic desert locales very soon. There is no AD in Kandahar, Afghanistan which is why I wore a Solar G-Shock in combat.

I talked to the technical department yesterday at Breitling USA. I asked some specific questions about the the B1 movement. What size/type of battery does it use? What size caseback gasket? etc. The anwser that the "technical representative" gave me was "I don't know". That is BS! They don't want to give the information out. OK, fine just shoot me straight then.

I have the special caseback tool enroute right now. I will find out the battery and gasket size when I take the back off. I realize that many owners don't want to assume the risk of changing a battery themselves. I don't own a pressure tester, so I can't verify the seal. But this watch is not designed to be submerged anyway. I know how to properly lube gaskets, etc. My issue is that I don't want to be forced to send a watch away for a battery change. I am not advocating that every body should stop sending their watch to B-USA, but I don't like being ham strung when I pay several thousand dollars for a watch.

My rant is over. Thanks

[rbt]

Unfortunately, TOT, that is the party line with Breitling. They are very tight fisted with technical info. I have tried to get movement and calibre specifics from them and they won't budge. Maybe on some level that is a good practice to deter the fake makers maybe? But I agree that on some things they could be a little more forthcoming. Keep the shiny side up. Cheers, Bob

[TimeOnTarget]

Yes, I think you make a good point. I hate fakes!!!!! I certainly respect any company's right to protect their property rights.

It would be nice though if Breitling kept a record of legal owners and would treat us differently. My expectations may be unrealistic, but I lost a little, not all, faith in them yesterday.

[mr2blue]

Breitling service is definitely a pain in the arse. I received a Chrono Evolution for Christmas from my local AD as a christmas present from my wife. It had a red dial which I hated and should have exchanged right away, but i didn't want to hurt my wifes feelings. Long story short, it took 8 weeks to get approvel for a dial change, then once I got approvel they said another 8 weeks to complete. Its been there 3 weeks now.O|

[Zonehunter]

Breitling service is definitely a pain in the arse. I received a Chrono Evolution for Christmas from my local AD as a christmas present from my wife. It had a red dial which I hated and should have exchanged right away, but i didn't want to hurt my wifes feelings. Long story short, it took 8 weeks to get approvel for a dial change, then once I got approvel they said another 8 weeks to complete. Its been there 3 weeks now.O|

Perhaps each watch should have a unique id, and if you can provide that id with a corresponding code on the paper work then they should provide service to you.

[Trick]

Perhaps each watch should have a unique id, and if you can provide that id with a corresponding code on the paper work then they
should provide service to you.

Surely that is the purpose of a serial number ?

[TimeOnTarget]

Well, I’ve been thwarted again, at least temporarily. The case back tool that I ordered from Otto & Frei does not fit. It is supposed to fit, but it does not. The gods are laughing at me for the time being. I have to go back to the drawing board. LOL

[SnapIT]

Well, I’ve been thwarted again, at least temporarily. The case back tool that I ordered from Otto & Frei does not fit. It is supposed to fit, but it does not. The gods are laughing at me for the time being. I have to go back to the drawing board. LOL

Hi TOT,
I don't think a fifteen sided tool will just be a high volume item available out of the Snap-On catalogue :oops: . But its not such a dumb idea O&F doesn't have one that will do the job. Having been a commercial rep for Snap-On in the distant past I can say they have an amazing range. Maybe maybe but I wouldn't risk a quarter on a bet. On the O&F front why don't you send them the a 1:1 scan of the back with measurements to help them choose the right tool if its available from their catalogue.

[TimeOnTarget]

Very good idea. I have actually been to the Otto & Frei store several times. Does the term "No soup for you" ring a bell? It is an adventure for sure. I ordered this tool which stated that is was the correct size, but it wasn't. I am really not surprised. Getting any info out of them is hit and miss at best. They don't even kow what they have in stock.

Breitling has done a good job keeping everything in house. Obviously, I don't want to damage my watch, and I am not an idiot, so I won't work without the correct tools. I have been through the Time Zone watch course, etc. This certainly does not make me an expert, but I can manage a battery change with the right tools for the job. I may have to have a tool made in my machine shop just as a matter of principle.

[Kurt Koerfgen]

I am relatively new to this forum, but to set the record straight, I bought my first Breitling Jupiter Pilot back in 1993. I am now the proud owner of a B1 SQ. I say this so that you don't think that I am a Breitling Basher.

My problem lies in my experience with Breitling on the two occasions that I have called them. As some of you know, I am a military pilot and I spend extended periods of time in far away lands. I very well may spend over another year in one of those romantic desert locales very soon. There is no AD in Kandahar, Afghanistan which is why I wore a Solar G-Shock in combat.

I talked to the technical department yesterday at Breitling USA. I asked some specific questions about the the B1 movement. What size/type of battery does it use? What size caseback gasket? etc. The anwser that the "technical representative" gave me was "I don't know". That is BS! They don't want to give the information out. OK, fine just shoot me straight then.

I have the special caseback tool enroute right now. I will find out the battery and gasket size when I take the back off. I realize that many owners don't want to assume the risk of changing a battery themselves. I don't own a pressure tester, so I can't verify the seal. But this watch is not designed to be submerged anyway. I know how to properly lube gaskets, etc. My issue is that I don't want to be forced to send a watch away for a battery change. I am not advocating that every body should stop sending their watch to B-USA, but I don't like being ham strung when I pay several thousand dollars for a watch.

My rant is over. Thanks




Breitling has always mentioned battery types in their Chronologs.
In case of a B1 it's a CR2320. You'll find it in the "Specifications" pages for each model range.

I find it actually understandable that Breitling does not want people to open Breitling watches who have not been trained to work on them.
I once had someone work on a 70's Breitling (when watches used to be fairly simple) who had come highly recommended and this person made a total mess out of a suposedly simple job of cleaning, oiling and adjusting the watch. That taught me a lesson to be careful with whom I let work on my watches in the future.

As far as a battery chnage goes, my authorized dealer does it for me and since their workshop is located somewhere else on town, it takes usually 48 hours before I have my watch back. No need for the watch to leave town.


If they should send you to Iraq or Afghanistan, you might get some R&R in one of the Gulf states and the AD's there should be able to do it for you.




Cheers,

[EJC]

Breitling has always mentioned battery types in their Chronologs.
In case of a B1 it's a CR2320. You'll find it in the "Specifications" pages for each model range.

I find it actually understandable that Breitling does not want people to open Breitling watches who have not been trained to work on them.
I once had someone work on a 70's Breitling (when watches used to be fairly simple) who had come highly recommended and this person made a total mess out of a suposedly simple job of cleaning, oiling and adjusting the watch. That taught me a lesson to be careful with whom I let work on my watches in the future.

As far as a battery chnage goes, my authorized dealer does it for me and since their workshop is located somewhere else on town, it takes usually 48 hours before I have my watch back. No need for the watch to leave town.


If they should send you to Iraq or Afghanistan, you might get some R&R in one of the Gulf states and the AD's there should be able to do it for you.




Cheers,

since a battery usually lasts somewhere between 2-4 yrs, another option is to have a fresh battery installed before you leave and you should be fine til you get back.

[thechief]

TOT, HOOOAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Didi you get your new Breitling through AFEES?

[TimeOnTarget]

Kurt, your point is well taken. I have also seen simple tasks gone bad by the untrained. I guess I am a bit stuborn or hard headed. It seems that I will have to send it in. I just don't like to give up my stuff. I am checking with the AD in Carmel now about their service department.

I purchased my watch in a slightly used 10 month old condition, so I figure it is about a year into its useful life right now. Of course battery life depends on alarm and backlight useage, etc.

Hi Chief. I did not know that AFEES carried Brietling. Where are you stationed?

[O2AFAC67]

I am checking with the AD in Carmel now about their service department.there is an "authorized service center" for Breitling nearby. Here in the Houston area we have Han's Mueller at "Watches by Hans" who has done quite a bit of Breitling work for me. BUSA sometimes sends overflow work to Hans when they are slammed. I hope your AD's watchmaker has Breitling training. Remember, the B-1 has a "sleep" mode specifically programmed for the battery change operation which should be entered into before the back is removed. Some of our members are under the impression this is a battery life saving or retention mode but that is not the case. It is certainly a good question to ask your AD, anyway. :-)
Cheers,
Ron

[Frank Valentin]

When it comes to work on watches I can be quite hard headed too. Recently I wanted to regulate my Breitling Wings as it was a bit off. Having no original tool for the task I used my LG wrench (from Ofrei) for it. The watch was secured in a case holder and clamped into a watchmakers bench vice. The back of the Wings came off nicely! Of course extreme care was taken not to scratch the watch.

Sure enough I´d prefer the original tools for each watch and I already own a tool from Omega for my SMP. :-)

[googoo]

Kurt, your point is well taken. I have also seen simple tasks gone bad by the untrained. I guess I am a bit stuborn or hard headed. It seems that I will have to send it in. I just don't like to give up my stuff. I am checking with the AD in Carmel now about their service department.

I purchased my watch in a slightly used 10 month old condition, so I figure it is about a year into its useful life right now. Of course battery life depends on alarm and backlight useage, etc.

Hi Chief. I did not know that AFEES carried Brietling. Where are you stationed?

AAFES carries limited models of Breitling on its website. normally the evo, b1, soc, ca, but changes from time to time with other models. they are having great deal on the b1 at the moment (you can login and check out the sale price), and they sold out of several models already. watches come directly from BUSA.

your watch is still new for a SQ. also, depending on where you bought the watch, the ad probably has lifetime battery change, which is as easy as just going to the ad and having them replace the watch. at least, the ad's that i've bought from have lifetime battery replacement.

also, don't be afraid to wear your b1 in a combat area. heck, that is why i dumped money on a good, reliable watch. but that is just me. i don't have issues with draggin my watches through crap...or jello as it were.

[Philip]

AAFES carries limited models of Breitling on its website. normally the evo, b1, soc, ca, but changes from time to time with other models. they are having great deal on the b1 at the momentAs a UK civilian who is currently in the market for a B-1, I'm curious to know how good this deal is.

Are you willing to let me know (either on the forum, or by PM)?
--
Philip

[EJC]

As a UK civilian who is currently in the market for a B-1, I'm curious to know how good this deal is.

Are you willing to let me know (either on the forum, or by PM)?
--
Philip


So, what's the deal?

[thechief]

TOT I am in Ohio as a National Guard member. I have been active but that was a long time ago. Unfortunately I am not a pilot. Color perception is a slight problem.
AFEES currently has:
Chronomat
B1
Aeromarine Superocean.

[TimeOnTarget]

The AD in Carmel emailed me and said that they send their stuff to the ASC in L.A. So, I guess that is how it is going to pan out.

I agree that we should wear our watches, and I sold off almost all of my collection that was sitting in the safe.

I just checked the AAFES web page. They have the SQ B1 only in the blue dial. I don't know if I should say the price, but it is just a little less then what I have seen on several internet dealers. Of course, BUSA says that no internet sales are allowed. I don't understand how these other dealers obtain the watches in the first place.

Chief, I am in the Guard too. I am AGR now, but I was also on active duty from 90-94.

I think that B1 is a really awesome watch, and I feel that it has earned the name "Professional"

[peroddz]

Well, I’ve been thwarted again, at least temporarily. The case back tool that I ordered from Otto & Frei does not fit. It is supposed to fit, but it does not. The gods are laughing at me for the time being. I have to go back to the drawing board. LOL

Hi TOT, you can open B-1 with a nice shot glass and double sided 3M tape, I did. I found this advice some time ago on TZ.
Just make sure bottom of the glass and the caseback are degreased with alcohol pad. Good luck.

[EJC]

Hi TOT, you can open B-1 with a nice shot glass and double sided 3M tape, I did. I found this advice some time ago on TZ.
Just make sure bottom of the glass and the caseback are degreased with alcohol pad. Good luck.

Remember to drain the 2 fingers of scotch before inverting the shot glass.

[googoo]

I just checked the AAFES web page. They have the SQ B1 only in the blue dial. I don't know if I should say the price, but it is just a little less then what I have seen on several internet dealers. Of course, BUSA says that no internet sales are allowed. I don't understand how these other dealers obtain the watches in the first place.

only difference is that aafes is an AD, so you get full breitling warranty. before last week, they had several different models, but it looks like they sold fast.