Breitling Aerospace woes
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: UK
Age: 67
Posts: 301
Breitling Aerospace woes
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...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....
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...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....
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Wor Yerm
Age: 62
Posts: 3,419
I had a similar error code two years ago. It went off to Breitling and the Full Monty service cost £325. On return, I noticed new hands and functions I'd never seen before. The service consisted of new hands and totally new guts. Mine went in via Northern Goldsmiths in Newcastle.
SkyGod
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Age: 61
Posts: 1,419
Had my Aerospace for 29 years with only 1 major service, about $400 in the US.
Changed battery probably 7-8 times, but never seen no error codes, it just keeps on ticking and can take a licking
Changed battery probably 7-8 times, but never seen no error codes, it just keeps on ticking and can take a licking
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: England
Posts: 588
Which country are you in?
I send mine directly to the UK service centre, not cheap but a fraction of the price asked by high street jewellers and faster turn around time.
They do not publish their address as far as I know and it and the envelopes are discreet.
I send mine directly to the UK service centre, not cheap but a fraction of the price asked by high street jewellers and faster turn around time.
They do not publish their address as far as I know and it and the envelopes are discreet.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: UK
Age: 67
Posts: 301
Miles...
Thanks. U.K.
Have had a lot of help on the forum elsewhere on PPRuNe recommended here..
One option is service by authorised Breitling service centre from whom I bought watch second user nearly 7 years ago.
And yes, seems it was returned from Breitling in 'test mode'. I know now how to reset. But now away with local jewellers who said they could but cannot, so cannot progress until watch comes back this week. So obviously they can't even do the test mode reset! Aaaagh!
Thanks. U.K.
Have had a lot of help on the forum elsewhere on PPRuNe recommended here..
One option is service by authorised Breitling service centre from whom I bought watch second user nearly 7 years ago.
And yes, seems it was returned from Breitling in 'test mode'. I know now how to reset. But now away with local jewellers who said they could but cannot, so cannot progress until watch comes back this week. So obviously they can't even do the test mode reset! Aaaagh!
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: The Deep South (Sussex)
Posts: 756
I have to question the wisdom of paying high prices for what are clearly badly built watches that need servicing frequently. Perhaps, as certain ladies used to say of RAF aircrew:
"Big watch, small p***s, pay by cheque...must be air force officer!"
I have a decades old Seiko and it still tells the time accurately with only the battery needing changing every few years.
"Big watch, small p***s, pay by cheque...must be air force officer!"
I have a decades old Seiko and it still tells the time accurately with only the battery needing changing every few years.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: UK
Age: 67
Posts: 301
Via another thread I came across a chap called Sean Yates who seems really to know his stuff and to whom the watch will go as and when I have any more problems. Meanwhile said Aerospace came back on 27 March from local jeweller's repair man, who said he could do nothing with it, in seeming perfect order, has kept perfect time since, and had 2 time zone resets as result of work trip to Canada: so curiouser and curiouser! Methinks perhaps somebody did a battery change and then forgot to put the dud one back in before returning the watch! I use my old Casio for swimming and sailing, so will not trust waterproofing 100% until after the next battery change.
Thanks to all for your help.
Thanks to all for your help.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: 1 mile north of 26
Posts: 6,302
I guess wearing a Breitling watch is all about people just making a statement. My Citizen eco drive watch, which is powered by the sun so doesn’t even need a battery, is around 6 or 7 years old. Running costs to date are zero. When it eventually dies I would never consider any watch that would require a battery change. Just seems like yesterday’s technology.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: CYYC (Calgary)
Posts: 4,196
I bought a $100 Seiko a few years ago, based on a recommendation by Genghis (I think).
I’ve been very happy with it and its performance is well within chronometer specs. For the last 18 months, it’s been gaining three seconds a month!
I’ve been very happy with it and its performance is well within chronometer specs. For the last 18 months, it’s been gaining three seconds a month!
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 11,404
Originally Posted by LTNman
I guess wearing a Breitling watch is all about people just making a statement. My Citizen eco drive watch, which is powered by the sun so doesn’t even need a battery, is around 6 or 7 years old. Running costs to date are zero. When it eventually dies I would never consider any watch that would require a battery change. Just seems like yesterday’s technology.
I keep my Breitling in my sock drawer; nice to look at but not so practical and too complicated for my liking.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Москва/Ташкент
Age: 48
Posts: 688
ShyTorque - why did you buy it then?!
Purchased back in 2006 a Tissot T-Touch (with bright Orange strap) for $800 US and was too scared to mark it and also had second thoughts about the Orange strap, couldn't return it as shops in Moscow rarely allow this (and if they do a huge fuss), ended up somehow in its box to the present day in my wardrobe, dead battery (I assume), somehow can't get myself to wear it, but can't bear to part with it.
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