Breitling contacts?
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Russell Talerman - two floors above the newsagents next to the Mason's Arms in Maddox Street, Mayfair are very very good - not cheap but they'll take a look at anything
Russell Talerman - Watch Repairs in London
Russell Talerman - Watch Repairs in London
Back to Breitling - owners stationed at the West Oxonian Covert Aerodrome might be interested to note that there is now a Breitling dealer in Witney again.
If you want a cheaper watch with a bit of history and character then I think this is a fair shout
How did Bulova break into Omega's NASA monopoly?
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NASA wasn't sure if mechanical watches would survive in space, so all the spacecraft clocks used Bulova Accutron mechanisms, which relied on electrically-sustained tuning forks. Bulova watches flew on a bunch of missions as main and backup watches.
I42: If you think a watch has more value because it's mechanical, fair enough but be aware that there's a bunch of expensive "swiss-made" stuff using movements that sell for less than $10.
I42: If you think a watch has more value because it's mechanical, fair enough but be aware that there's a bunch of expensive "swiss-made" stuff using movements that sell for less than $10.
I42,
David Scott took his own Bulova in his PPK (Personal Preference Kit). His Omega broke so he wore the Bulova for part of the mission. $812 looks good value compared to his....!!
Astronaut's watch worn on the moon sells for record $1.6 million | collectSPACE
David Scott took his own Bulova in his PPK (Personal Preference Kit). His Omega broke so he wore the Bulova for part of the mission. $812 looks good value compared to his....!!
Astronaut's watch worn on the moon sells for record $1.6 million | collectSPACE
I42: If you think a watch has more value because it's mechanical, fair enough but be aware that there's a bunch of expensive "swiss-made" stuff using movements that sell for less than $10.
I like mechanical watches for their interesting engineering, but as far as watches for flying go, I'm quite happy with my Seiko, which I bought based on a PPRuNe recommendation (Genghis I think).
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Actually, I was referring to mechanical movements. As long as 50% of the value is added in Switzerland, a watch can carry "Swiss Made". To be sure every single bit is made in Switzerland, you need to check out the Poincon de Geneve (which is a bit extreme: everything is made in the Canton and also has a bunch of quality-related standards that must be met).
I played with Watches Excalibur Spider | Roger Dubuis and RD101 | Roger Dubuis the other day. A bit out of my price range, but the latter was fun to listen to.
I played with Watches Excalibur Spider | Roger Dubuis and RD101 | Roger Dubuis the other day. A bit out of my price range, but the latter was fun to listen to.
Last edited by Bushfiva; 11th Dec 2016 at 00:34. Reason: Borked the URL
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Have two well worn wrist watches, the (72 yr) 'old' one, bought in Quetta for £600 in today's money from "The West End Watch Company", steel with Longines innards, and a (52 yr) 'new' one, a "Timex", a gift (say £20 ?). Both showing their age, unreliable and poor timekeepers. Put them into a local jeweller to clean and sort out.
Which left me watchless. Asked daughter to get me something cheap around a tenner. She did better than that. She brought home a new "Citron" quarz faux chronograph, looks the part with dinky little false hands for the subsidiary dials, stitched leather strap, presentation case, the lot. Keeps perfect time !
How much ? Five quid, Dad ! (had to produce bill to convince me). That's £4.17 if you strip out VAT.
All the way from sunny Guandong for that ! How is it done ?
Danny42C.
Which left me watchless. Asked daughter to get me something cheap around a tenner. She did better than that. She brought home a new "Citron" quarz faux chronograph, looks the part with dinky little false hands for the subsidiary dials, stitched leather strap, presentation case, the lot. Keeps perfect time !
How much ? Five quid, Dad ! (had to produce bill to convince me). That's £4.17 if you strip out VAT.
All the way from sunny Guandong for that ! How is it done ?
Danny42C.
Truly I cannot understand the urge to spend thousands on a watch - I recon a good store of upmarket wine is better value. Each to his own though.
People will always be prepared to pay more for something they see the beauty in, whether that is a car, motorbike, watch or fine wine.
Parson, if you give us an idea of your revised budget we might be able throw some more ideas at you. As stated above, if you are currently serving then you might be able to get a very good deal on one of the project Bremonts.
Aynayda Pizaqvick,
No longer serving so I guess that's out the door...
Having looked into what you get for £1500 in the 'luxury' ranges (ie not a lot) have doubled the budget....
I don't need any fancy functions - ideally a dual time function would be nice but not essential.
No longer serving so I guess that's out the door...
Having looked into what you get for £1500 in the 'luxury' ranges (ie not a lot) have doubled the budget....
I don't need any fancy functions - ideally a dual time function would be nice but not essential.
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21 years with a Navitimer, never been serviced, never stopped though it does loose about a minute day now. I wear it every day, often in a workshop environment and there's not a mark on the crystal face, remarkable IMHO.
Regards,
White Bear.
Regards,
White Bear.
Anybody had this problem or know the solution, please?
My Aerospace kept perfect time and was seemingly fine until a few weeks ago when it showed classic signs of battery run down. Sort of died during coldish night, revived when worn again. And yes, 2.5 to 3 years since last battery change.
Sent off through well-known High Street jewellers to Breitling. Breitling insisted it needed a service, as last full service 6 years ago. Would not just do a battery change. Oh and 'recommended' options, along with service would take the bill from £510 to £810! Decided: to hell with the full service history, would get a local jeweller (who had a repair man who seemed to know it would need pressure testing) to do the job.
Watch came back from Breitling via Gold-plated High Street shop, all digital displays lit, top and bottom, and what seems to be an error code on top digital display.
Local jeweller cannot clear...
Call me paranoid, but is this some kind of 'maintenance mode' known only to Breitling workshops?
Any advice gratefully received....or updates on useful firms that might fix.
My Aerospace kept perfect time and was seemingly fine until a few weeks ago when it showed classic signs of battery run down. Sort of died during coldish night, revived when worn again. And yes, 2.5 to 3 years since last battery change.
Sent off through well-known High Street jewellers to Breitling. Breitling insisted it needed a service, as last full service 6 years ago. Would not just do a battery change. Oh and 'recommended' options, along with service would take the bill from £510 to £810! Decided: to hell with the full service history, would get a local jeweller (who had a repair man who seemed to know it would need pressure testing) to do the job.
Watch came back from Breitling via Gold-plated High Street shop, all digital displays lit, top and bottom, and what seems to be an error code on top digital display.
Local jeweller cannot clear...
Call me paranoid, but is this some kind of 'maintenance mode' known only to Breitling workshops?
Any advice gratefully received....or updates on useful firms that might fix.
More or less the same thing happened with mine, it was a fried movement. I think they tried to charge me a similar amount, so I argued that the repair cost was disproportionate to what I paid for the watch and they did a full service and replaced the movement for about £350. I'd give Andrew Michaels a call and see if he still has his ex-Breitling watchmaker; I think it is a relatively common ETA movement, so you could probably get a replacement for a lot less than Breitling will do it for you.
And yes, for all the naysayers, I'm sure there are loads of you that have old Casios/Timex/Seikos that are still running, but I also have several that aren't; the difference is you aren't going to bother asking a forum if your £10 F91W is fooked or not!
And yes, for all the naysayers, I'm sure there are loads of you that have old Casios/Timex/Seikos that are still running, but I also have several that aren't; the difference is you aren't going to bother asking a forum if your £10 F91W is fooked or not!
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Anybody had this problem or know the solution, please?
Watch came back from Breitling via Gold-plated High Street shop, all digital displays lit, top and bottom, and what seems to be an error code on top digital display.
Local jeweller cannot clear...
Call me paranoid, but is this some kind of 'maintenance mode' known only to Breitling workshops?
Any advice gratefully received....or updates on useful firms that might fix.
Watch came back from Breitling via Gold-plated High Street shop, all digital displays lit, top and bottom, and what seems to be an error code on top digital display.
Local jeweller cannot clear...
Call me paranoid, but is this some kind of 'maintenance mode' known only to Breitling workshops?
Any advice gratefully received....or updates on useful firms that might fix.
https://secure.eta.ch/CSP/DesktopMod...235&DocType=DT
Page 10 of this document describes the Sequential Test Mode:
Sequential test mode
Fit the battery with the crown pressed down. Then release the crown to enter test mode. Each time you press the crown, the test number rises by one. Each time you turn the crown, the function rises by one. As soon as the crown is pressed, "Test" and test number are displayed. When the crown is released, the test starts and the test mode or the expected test result is displayed (i.e. even or odd segments, LCD off...). Depressing the crown for more than 4 s will reinitialize the test (TESt 00).
Fit the battery with the crown pressed down. Then release the crown to enter test mode. Each time you press the crown, the test number rises by one. Each time you turn the crown, the function rises by one. As soon as the crown is pressed, "Test" and test number are displayed. When the crown is released, the test starts and the test mode or the expected test result is displayed (i.e. even or odd segments, LCD off...). Depressing the crown for more than 4 s will reinitialize the test (TESt 00).
End of test TESt 90
Test 9.0:
All LCD segments are visible. To quit the test mode, turn the crown. The watch is running.
Test 9.0:
All LCD segments are visible. To quit the test mode, turn the crown. The watch is running.
I would double check that the crown is not jammed in the pushed in position, sometimes one of the two O-rings gets worn and twists causing the pusher to jam. Then, I would have the jeweler remove the battery for a couple of minutes and reinstall it to see if the watch comes out of test mode.
Even though these ETA movements are used in many watches, it is possible that Breitling uses proprietary firmware so your jeweler can't work on the watch even with the proper manual.
A quartz watch needs very little maintenance compared to a mechanical watch so labels like Breitling and Omega have started hitting you up for an expensive periodic 'servicing' when all you really need is a battery change.
Anyway, take a look and see if the stuff on the screen of your Aerospace looks like the test mode in the service manual, hope it helps you figure out what to do next.
More or less the same thing happened with mine, it was a fried movement. I think they tried to charge me a similar amount, so I argued that the repair cost was disproportionate to what I paid for the watch and they did a full service and replaced the movement for about £350. I'd give Andrew Michaels a call and see if he still has his ex-Breitling watchmaker; I think it is a relatively common ETA movement, so you could probably get a replacement for a lot less than Breitling will do it for you.
And yes, for all the naysayers, I'm sure there are loads of you that have old Casios/Timex/Seikos that are still running, but I also have several that aren't; the difference is you aren't going to bother asking a forum if your £10 F91W is fooked or not!
And yes, for all the naysayers, I'm sure there are loads of you that have old Casios/Timex/Seikos that are still running, but I also have several that aren't; the difference is you aren't going to bother asking a forum if your £10 F91W is fooked or not!
Airbubba...
Many thanks. I'm getting the watch back from my indie local jewellers tomorrow and will try the steps you outline. If no-go I will try Anayda's suggestion.
I bought the aerospace second user 6 years ago from a reputable re-seller with original box and papers, including pre-purchase overhaul and new glass and bezel. I also have a Colt...purely mechanical* and Golds****s have sent that off to Breitling for 3 battery changes during its 17 year life...never a query re service and it still keeps perfect time.
edit: * of course I meant analogue!
Many thanks. I'm getting the watch back from my indie local jewellers tomorrow and will try the steps you outline. If no-go I will try Anayda's suggestion.
I bought the aerospace second user 6 years ago from a reputable re-seller with original box and papers, including pre-purchase overhaul and new glass and bezel. I also have a Colt...purely mechanical* and Golds****s have sent that off to Breitling for 3 battery changes during its 17 year life...never a query re service and it still keeps perfect time.
edit: * of course I meant analogue!
Last edited by idle stop; 25th Mar 2017 at 08:38.
I have a Seiko dive watch bought in 1981 for 70 pounds in Saudi.Lost it diving and found after six weeks at 20 metres still ticking!!Now a collectors item worth about $500.It was compared to a Rolex and the Rolex was found wanting!!Oh and its an "Automatic"