done w/ breitling

[cleansocks]

I have three Breitlings and all three have developed problems with the crystal - either a scratch on the sapphire or warping of the antireflective coating.

Sent in almost brand new navitimer due to a (small) real scratch on the sapphire itself - $800 for a new crystal, plus they require full service. Refused, watch sent back, now the scratch is also surrounded by a section of the crystal whose sapphire coating is rubbed away as apparently they tried to remove the scratch with a polisher which wore away the antireflective coating. They denied doing this. So it's worse overall.

In 2021 I sent in my blackbird that was already fully serviced in the same year to get my dial swapped out for different color - 6 months later after the full service. They said the "watch was dried out" and required a full service. I refused citing full service 6mo prior. They agreed to just re-lube the movement since it was under warranty. Fast-forward to within the last couple months. Once again the anti-reflective coating is warped appearing with splotches so I sent it in the get the crystal changed out. $350 for a new crystal, and they report that the "movement is dried out" again and won't replace the crystal without a full service amounting to $1350. I refused citing service just a few years ago including re-lubrication and it's running fine and the movement shouldn't be dried out after just 3-4 years. They won't budge this time. They won't replace the crystal without full service. Refused and will receive back with another marred crystal.


I have an orbiter and the crystal has a giant scratch from a doorknob. I won't even bother this time.


I own several omegas and rolexes and this crystal damage issue is exclusive to Breitling, even with my omegas with antireflective coatings that overall I wear a lot more than the breitlings. The fact of the matter is Breitling is not Rolex and it's not the 90's anymore. They cannot pull this stuff without losing customer base. You can only sell to a dealer for 20% of their list price in many cases. So basically they're not even worth selling on.


The other little irritation is the bracelets I have that are non-microadjustable including the butterfly clasp on the navi and the pilot bracelet on blackbird are not comfortable or well-fitting. They're also extremely difficult to remove or add links oneself due to the 5-7 link design with the double screw heads.


All in all they're aesthetically very nice but enough is enough.