2002 Colt chrono quartz 1st major service experience

[ehagerty]

All,
Just a curious about experiences with Breitling servicing. I have a originally owned Colt chrono quartz that I sent in to BUSA for a battery change by Diamonds Direct. The estimate is $499.89!

History on watch is I have had the battery replaced 1 time previously at the service center and it has been packed in storage for the last 5yrs so has seen limited use.

The preliminary description is it needs a full service and new hands due to its age (illuminate fade?), and a battery. I have asked for a complete explanation but that seems like a huge investment for such limited wear time.

So watch came back, looks good but I have a question. All I got was a black booklet explaining why I should do maintenance and a receipt from Diamonds Direct. I was surprised the did not stamp anything proving certification and/or a work order print out explaining that they performed and replaced for the $538.

I inquired about this and was told BUSA tracks the watch history by the s/n. I found this kind of odd.

I planned to sell the watch before I wear it again

Eric

[Scott D]

Wear doesn't have a lot to do with when a watch needs serviced. It may save some time between service, but if it sits long enough it will still need serviced. And not wearing a watch could cause more harm than wearing, especially a quartz if the battery goes dead and leaks.

So I'm not sure on your exact question since you didn't actually ask one, but a couple comments.

The price is about inline with a full service & parts replacement. Maybe a little high, but not overly so. Part of that is probably Diamond Directs markup. Whatever Breitling charged they almost certainly added on their cut, sometimes 20 or even 30%. That's why I always send my watch directly to the brand, never thru a dealer. The dealer will want to make money for handling it, which I have no issue with. But they don't tell you how much, and usually they mark it up far more than the value of their work. The fact you didn't get the Breitling work order reenforces this to me.

Breitling does track, as does most major brands, service by SN. But they always supply a completed work order with a repair. But again, if you used a middle man they probably removed it, added in a mark up, then gave you their own receipt.

Next time you service a 'major' brand watch, send it directly to the brand. Yes, it's a little more work as you'll have to box it up and go to the post office, but you'll almost always save money and/or get it back faster.


The other option, and one I use, is to find a reputable 3rd party servicer. A third party person who's authorized to work on Breitling will almost always be less expensive than the brand themselves. And the work just as good if you do your homework looking for someone.

[N2FHL]

I can only speak for the one Breitling Authorized Retailer that I know. When they send a watch in to BUSA, they get 2 estimates. One page shows the retail price that they charge and this is given to the customer. It itemizes all work done and parts used. The other shows 2 prices, the retail and the discounted price that the retailer pays (about 30% off although not all items are discounted). The retailer keeps this estimate for his records.

This way, dealing through an Authorized retailer, the customer pays the same as though he sent it to them himself. Shipping charges are sometimes added by the retailer although many will do it as a courtesy if the watch was bought from them.

Steve