Breitling Reviews 325

Shocking customer service and a service department what takes 2 months to get a part from Switzerland

Watch sent for repair dead and only 18 month old, on 6/08 and returned October, DON'T BUY A BREITLING WATCH, alice s was nice and thought she had sorted my watch return out until there's an issue and now she's off sick again

I am writing to express my disappointment and frustration with the recent experience I had with Breitling Jewellers. I purchased an Avenger Seawolf watch from a store approximately 8 years ago for a significant amount of money, with the intention of it being a valuable asset for a rainy day. I should point out that this is a limited edition 26 Of 400.

Little did I know that the rainy day would turn into a typhoon named Parkinson's Complex Disease, which unfortunately is terminal.

So, to gain a figure for my assets I took the above watch Breitling Jewelers at the Causeway Bristol.

I am writing to express my utter disappointment and frustration with Breitling who have absolutely no respect or venerate towards its customer base, this is my third Breitling watch.

As my health deteriorated, I found myself in need of financial assistance to cover medical expenses and other unforeseen costs. I decided to reach out to Breitling Jewellers to inquire about the possibility of selling my watch back to them, as I believed it to be a high-end and valuable timepiece.

To my utter discussed brightly offered £800 as a buyback figure.

Not only did Breitling Jewellers offer me a fraction of the original purchase price for the watch, but they also tried to take advantage of my vulnerable situation by offering me a price that was well below market value. I felt as though I was being treated like a pawnbroker rather than a valued customer who had invested a significant amount of money into your brand.

I’m sharing my recent experience with Breitling in hopes of informing others before making a major purchase.

A few years ago, I purchased a certified pre-owned Breitling Navitimer (Ref: A3534012/B554) for around $5,000. It was a beautiful timepiece, and I wore it regularly in a professional setting—never exposed it to water or rough conditions. I wear a suit daily, and the watch was treated with care.

A few months ago, it suddenly stopped working. I sent it to Breitling for servicing, only to be told the internal movement was rusted due to water damage and that the only solution was a full movement replacement, costing $4,000.

I was shocked. This watch has never seen water beyond light splashes from handwashing. Despite this, Breitling stated that due to its 30m water resistance rating and design limitations (no screw-down crown), even rain or handwashing could cause internal damage—apparently unless the gaskets are serviced yearly.

To make matters worse, Breitling refused to take any responsibility or offer a meaningful resolution, apart from a minor discount. After multiple emails and appeals, I was met with a final decision and a reminder that the model is 15–20 years old—despite having been sold to me as certified just a few years ago.

I’ve now paid $5,000 for a watch that I either:

Spend another $4,000 to repair

Or leave as an expensive paperweight

I’ve asked for the watch to be returned without repair. After this experience, I will not be purchasing another Breitling, and I advise others to think twice—especially if you're buying pre-owned or certified models.

Extremely disappointed.

— A.Z.

The recent watches I have bought make me very dispapointed of Breitling... when their watches were solid a couple of year ago, their Navitimer and Avenger I bought and offered look like fake watches (counteifeint).
When I came to shops in Paris in order to show their defects (miscalculation of the hands, fragile and scratchable ice glass, leather of the bracelet that breaks...), they respond that they can do nothing and proposed me to buy a new model ! No thanks to the shop director of Paris at Rennes street who were arrogant and unfriendly when I tried to disccus with hom politely. A shame for a brand which wants to be luxury.
Is this the way that Breitling treat their clients??
I confirm what many other former Breitling clients say: avoid Breitling which is no longer a good watch brand and prefer others (Omega respect their clients for example). Breitling is not a luxury brand so their staff should not be as proud and even arrogant

Visited Breitling in Kingston to purchase a new strap. On both visits the service was excellent. Knowledgeable advice on the products available was very good.
On my second visit the staff offered refreshments for both me and my dog. They showed me the new strap and fitted it for me.
Excellent customer service all round.

I purchased a Breitling in Meloneras Gran Canaria last year, and another in Bangkok more recently.
Both experiences were exceptional. Impeccable service, exquisite watches,the price in Bangkok was a very pleasant surprise.

I received a response to the question I asked within a few hours, and it helped me solve my problem. Thank you very much for the quick support!

Spent £4000 on a Breirling watch for my Hisband’s 40th. The watch isn’t worn on a regular basis as he works from home, mostly worn at weekends or when on holiday.

Whilst setting the watch the crown fell off in his hand, Breitling wanting £1800 to fix, service etc.

Took to an independent watch specialist to be told they weren’t allowed to touch Breitlings or service (this only applies on the UK apparently).

So now stuck with a broken expensive watch as have no intention of spending nearly £2k to get it fixed and leaves Breitling a free rein to charge what they want.

I would seriously recommend that if you buy a luxury watch r that you avoid Breitling.

I got a Breitling watch, but it needed fitting to my wrist. I went to their store in Copenhagen, but was told they did not have time at the moment. And asked if I could wait an hour and a half, and come back at 15:00. I reluctantly did only to find that they had closed the shop and left. Apparently luxury these days means that customer service is terrible and the customer is not important. Good luck with that approach.

Having not bought the watch directly I was concerned that I would not get much of a response to my request for a manual. I was so delighted to get an immediate reply with an attached PDF. It was also accompanied by a kind message which offered further assistance if needed. Very pleased.

This review is not about a Breitling product it is about the appalling level of service (complete lack of service) I received whilst visiting their Prague shop.
I have been a Breitling fan and customer for almost 20 years owning three Breitling wrist watches in that time.
I had decided that I would seek to buy a fourth watch whilst on holiday in the city of Prague and duly visited their shop only to be met by a locked door with a member of security on the other side of the door. With zero sense of urgency the guy opened the door, looked down his nose at me and advised that I could not enter as all of the sales staff were busy with customers. There was absolutely no one visible either staff or customers. There was no attempt by the 'Doorman' to offer an opportunity for me to browse whilst waiting for a member of staff to become available. Possibly the fact that I was wearing a tee shirt, shorts and sandals suggested to that gentleman (I may be giving him too much credit here) that I was not worthy of being a Breitling owner. What of course they don't know is that I can probably guarantee that I earn at least ten times their salary in any given year.
I left feeling completely pissed off.
Next day however I thought that I would try again only to be faced by a different 'Doorman' with exactly the same reception and again not a single customer or member of sales staff in sight.
If both of these individuals had received suitable and sufficient training in the provision of 'good customer service' they may well have noticed that on both occasions I was wearing one of my Breitling watches.
I do not lay the blame for this shameful level of service toward the Doormen, they have clearly been guided by Breitling management at a local level which suggests a pretty disgusting culture.
Until now I have never considered Breitling to be a 'SNOB' brand and have never faced any form of SNOBBERY even at their showcase Bond Street shop in London where if anywhere you may think there may be SNOBBERY.
Anyway, the end result was that within 30 minutes of my second rejection in Prague I visited an adjacent shop and became a happy and proud owner of a EURO 12,500 TAG HEUER Monaco wrist watch.
I used to be quite proud when I wore any of my Breitling watches as I know how long and how hard I have worked to be able to buy and own 'nice' things.
Breitling have not only lost a 'sale' they have lost a 'customer' and I now need to decide what I want to do with the Breitling watches I own as this experience has certainly taken the joy out of being a 'Breitling Owner'.
I don't know if anyone within the Breitling organisation will see this post but if they do I would urge them to forward it on to their customer service organisation as there is clearly a piss poor culture within parts of their organisation.
NB Apologies for the language but this experience has had a hugely negative impact on me and one which I will share with friends and family.

Excellent warranty and after sales experience. Had a slight issue with the movement which was sorted under warranty. They arranged all postage and costs. Later had some questions about the NFT and proof of ownership which the answered to my full satisfaction.
Caroline Wieczorek was amazing.

Phone customer service NOT GOOD.
Tried calling given 3 options of numbers to press but not the chance to hold and wait to speak to an agent.
Disgraceful approach of customer service. Saying all their representatives are busy (living in covid times). An embarrassment of a company to still be using this excuse.

Contacted for model information along with year of manufacture and the manual. All provided within 2 hours.
Great service thank you.

Serviced and refurbished my Breitling Crosswind, pricey but it came back like new. I have had the watch for 23 years and wear it most days. Dealt with Paris at Breitling Meadowhall Sheffield.

Breitling this is Best watch in the world 🌍 Thanks for the support anyway and anytime. Ruskevych Zachar from Israel 🇮🇱

Never again!!!

Bought a Breitling watch (not cheap!!) and purchased a new strap on line, unfortunately I ordered the wrong size and need to return it. Seems impossible to return anything. On their website it says call them or email them. I've called them a number of times over the last 3 days and not managed to get through to anyone, I've had to leave messages, I've also sent 3 emails and have been totally ignored. I've got 14 days to arrange a return, am I actually going to be able to return this or is this what they do?

Bought a brand new watch with alligator strap for £4000 and the strap sewing got loose and disconnected. asked Breathing to fix and they want £400 for a new strap. This is ridiculous for a new watch to be dealt like that. would have never happen in Rolex

It was my dream to own a Breitling watch, until after 2 years it stopped working. I sent it in for a $900 repair, and after waiting 2 months they sent it back unrepaired and with someone else's invoice. Now it's back with them and they tell me it will take another 6 WEEKS for them to return it to me. Absolutely unacceptable for something I spent $6,000 on. Buyers beware!

Highly recommendable service we experienced buying a deluxe watch from the Boutique in Kingston (KT1 1TR).
Very hospitable, knowledgeable and friendly staff who made us feel valued.
Thanks