Keep or Return?

[enginerd]

So I picked up a Breitling for Bentley 6.75 (A4436212) and noticed some weird marks on the bezel slide rule. They almost appear to be water rings, or maybe a flaw under the finish that is making its way to the surface? Anyone seen anything like this before? My gut tells me that water (or moist air) got in. The seller is the original owner and has assured me that the watch has never seen water as he's had the crocodile strap on it since day one. However, it's a Florida watch and if the watch wasn't entirely waterproof, I could understand how humid air could wreak havoc.

The seller has agreed to a return for a full refund. I have the watch boxed up to go back, but I'm wondering how difficult it would be to have corrected. The seller has offered $250 to repair the watch. I don't think that's enough for the repair, but I think I got a good deal on the purchase.

More trouble than it's worth? I can't seem to find the bronze dial/croc strap combo very often which is exactly what I was looking for. The ones I find are priced way higher than I paid. I guess I'm hoping for someone to say, "oh that's a common flaw and costs $xxx to repair."

Any thoughts appreciated.

[mdavidson217]

Bring it back

[Fabrice M]

Return

[1Daytona]

Looks like some condensation that dried on the underside of the crystal. Obvious that water or humidity caused those spots. If you like the watch and want to keep it, I would first have Breitling or a trusted watchmaker remove the bezel and the crystal and clean the water marks off the underside of the crystal. If those marks are on the white surface of the slide rule, I would definitely return. Nice watch by the way...

[dysondiver]

if its water ,,, whats the movement like ,,,, return or full service at least.

[enginerd]

Spots are not on the crystal, but on the slide rule.

What's a full service run these days? Ugh, and then the down time and wondering if more damage occurred than originally thought...I think I'll return and restart the hunt.

Bummer, but I have to be logical, especially since seller is offering a full refund.

Thanks for the replies guys...threw my SD on today and it was like being reunited with an old friend.

[vitalsignsrn]

I'm in agreement about the return. I was interested in purchasing an older Breitling at one point so I called Breitling Canada to get an estimate for a specific portion of the watch I was certain needed repairing. She said that I couldnt order an "a la cart" type of service & that they would just perform a general servicing in the tune of about $5-700. I passed on the watch. For that & other reasons. If you have been searching for a long time for that particular reference & feel the effort to repair it outweighs a new search, then you should keep it. All the best. ;-)

[h999r]

Go to the watchmaker, they can get rid of that marks without open the watch.
It happened to my Hugh end watch too.

[superdog]

with those spots, i would wonder where else there might be issues that i can't see.

[enginerd]

Watch is en route back to seller.

[jjnd08]

Originally Posted by enginerd

Watch is en route back to seller.

Right call.

[Urosfan]

Good call that would drive me nuts

[h999r]

Your AD will fix it in 5 mnts without open the watch.

[Andad]

You have stated this twice.

I would like to know how a watchmaker can fix these blemishes without accessing the dial??

[Andad]

Originally Posted by h999r

Go to the watchmaker, they can get rid of that marks without open the watch.
It happened to my Hugh end watch too.

What is a Hugh end watch?

[johnbeth]

Originally Posted by directioneng

What is a Hugh end watch?

Hugh Hefner watch??

[sco]

Good call on the return, I would have done the same...

[2106]

i think you made the right call. could have been bigger issues lurking under there

[Rogdogg]

Originally Posted by enginerd

Watch is en route back to seller.

I think you did the right thing. When it comes to any type of possible moisture damage to the movement I wouldn't take any chances, especially since you just purchased it and the previous owner is offering a full refund. Keep up the good search and you will eventually find a nice one for sale again, or try contacting all of the trusted sellers to see if they can source one for you.

[hawkeye43]

Return was the right move!

[m j b]

Originally Posted by directioneng

You have stated this twice.

I would like to know how a watchmaker can fix these blemishes without accessing the dial??

Ditto.

The "999" user's comments and profile makes me think that they're nothing more than a troller.

[locutus49]

I don't know. Maybe he knows about some new laser spot remover technology that all ADs are issued.

Originally Posted by m j b

Ditto.

The "999" user's comments and profile makes me think that they're nothing more than a troller.