Hi all,
I’ve recently sent my Breitling B55 to their service centre after the small button that you press on the clasp to release fell out and lost whilst wearing the watch.
Extremely disappointing for a quality watch which is just 4 years old and has been worn only a few times a month since new.
The watch warranty was their standard 2 years so I was expecting some kind of repair cost but nothing anything like I received....
Replacement buckle £616.67
Add in the compulsory Maintenance service £116.65
And in the shipping cost £15.00
Add in the VAT £149.66
The grand total...... £897.98 !!!! For a replacement buckle!
I called their service centre and asked them to review bearing in mind that the watch is just 4 years old, not worn regularly, cost £6500 and surely anyone would expect a quality watch buckle to last longer than 4 years. I have had £20 watch buckles last longer.
I received a call back to be informed that they have reviewed but their quote stands as the damaged buckle is due to wear and tear!
Well my understanding of wear and tear is damage that naturally occurs as a result of normal wear or ageing!
How can that be after 4 years? Does this mean that I need to set aside £225 a year to replace my watch buckle for every year I wear (occasionally) the watch?
I appreciate the repair comes with a service which may appear reasonable but it’s their damn smart watch with limited moving parts and I’m quite happy not having it serviced every two years as they recommend.
The service is not optional. It should be any owners choice whether or when they have their watched serviced and given they are changing a buckle I see no reason why they need to even go near the watch unless i choose the option for them to do so.
I have spoken to a couple of reputable watch repairs that I have used in the past and both reported that Breitling make it difficult for them to purchase their parts to enable them to carry out repairs. Both referred me to Breitling service centre.
It appears that Breitling have their watch owners over a royally screwed barrel unless anyone can advise and help otherwise?
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