
FAQS
ABOUT MY BREITLING
A reference number is associated to each watch model, like the Navitimer 1 BO1 Chronograph 43 in red gold (reference RB0120), or the Transocean Day & Date in steel (reference A45310).
You can find the reference number on the documents handed to you with the watch at purchase, like the International Warranty certificate, or on the case-back of your watch:
See all current models with their reference numbers HERE
Under: WATCHES > ALL THE WATCHES
The serial number is an identification number that allows you to identify your watch.
Since the year 2000, this number is unique for each Breitling watch. You can find it on the documents handed to you with the watch at purchase, like the International Warranty certificate, or on the case-back of your watch:
The movements of all current Breitling watches are certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres – COSC). To achieve this certification, the movement of a watch must successfully pass specific precision tests in different positions and at different temperatures, over a 15-day period. The standards set by the COSC allow a maximum average deviation of : -4 to +6 seconds per day for mechanical watches and +/- 0.07 seconds per day for quartz watches.
Watches produced before the year 2000 might in certain cases comply with these standards as well, especially if they have been serviced regularly - see our service recommendations
Under: SERVICE > USER TIPS AND MAINTENANCE > INTERVENTIONS
A chronograph is a watch with stopwatch functions, enabling the measurement of the duration of an event, using a specific hand or display that can be started, stopped and returned to zero.
A chronometer is a watch that has obtained a certification by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres – COSC). To achieve this certification, the movement of the watch must successfully pass specific precision tests in different positions and at different temperatures, over a 15-day period. The standards set by the COSC allow a maximum average deviation of : -4 to +6 seconds per day for mechanical watches and +/- 0.07 seconds per day for quartz watches. The movements of all current Breitling watches have earned this certification.
The movement of a quartz watch is powered by a battery; it is driven and regulated by a quartz crystal and an electronic oscillator.
The current Breitling quartz models are all fitted with a thermocompensated SUPERQUARTZ TM movement, containing a temperature gauge thus offering its user a precision of +/- 15 seconds a year; their integrated circuit contains no less than 8’000 components.
The movement of a mechanical watch is driven by a spring, called the mainspring, which needs to be wound. This can either be done manually, using the crown, or, in the case of an automatic mechanical watch, by using the kinetic energy provided by the wearer’s movements. All current Breitling watches are Chronometer certified and comply with the standard set by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres – COSC), which allows a maximum deviation of -4 to +6 seconds per day.
WARRANTY
All Breitling watches are covered by an international warranty valid for two years after purchase, except for watches with a mechanical manufacture movement, which are covered during 5 years (provided that water resistance tests are performed every 2 years following the date of purchase by an authorized Breitling service center).
The warranty coverage applies to any manufacturing defect, within the frame of the warranty conditions, and entails that Breitling will take any corrective action that is necessary to ensure the watch performs as per standard.
See the detailed warranty conditions HERE Under SERVICE > INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY Additionally, all work performed by an authorized Breitling service center, and mentioned on the corresponding invoice/delivery note, is under warranty during the amount of time mentioned on the invoice
All Breitling watches sold at our authorized stores are authentic. The Breitling boutiques and authorized retailers are listed HERE.
Beyond that, the safest way to identify an authentic Breitling is handing it to an expert, for example an authorized Breitling store or service center. Since the year 2000, all Breitling watches carry a unique identification number: their serial number, which can be checked within the Breitling network against the model reference of the watch.
Also see: What is a serial number? / What is a reference number?
SERVICE
The average delivery time is 4 weeks, plus the duration of the dispatch to and from the service center. These deadlines can vary, depending on the complexity of the intervention or the availability of spare parts.
If you have registered a service request on our service platform (provided this option is available in your country) under SERVICE > MY WATCH NEEDS A SERVICE > SEND. You can follow up on the status of the service HERE under SERVICE > SERVICE STATUS.
You also may directly contact the authorized service center where you dropped off your watch for service.
A maintenance service is recommended every 2 years and includes: checking movement parameters and watch functions, changing all seals, checking water resistance, cleaning the case and metal bracelet; changing the battery for quartz watches.
A complete service is recommended every 4 to 6 years and includes: disassembly, cleaning and replacing of standard movement parts, assembly, lubrication, adjustment and setting of movement function parameters; changing all seals, partial changing of hands and checking of water resistance; refurbishment* of the case and metal bracelet; changing the battery for quartz watches.
*Excludes models with black carbon surface treatments.
Regular maintenance, properly carried out, will allow your watch to maintain its performance and reliability in the long term. By respecting the service deadlines recommended by Breitling, and by ensuring that servicing is done by an authorized service center, you will extend the lifespan of your watch – and protect your investment.
Every 2 years we recommend a maintenance service, which includes: checking movement parameters and watch functions, changing all seals, checking water resistance, cleaning of the case and metal bracelet; changing the battery for quartz watches.
Every 4 to 6 years, we recommend a complete service, which includes: disassembly, cleaning and replacing of standard movement parts, assembly, lubrication, adjustment and setting of movement function parameters; changing all seals, partial changing of hands and checking of water resistance; refurbishment* of the case and metal bracelet; changing the battery for quartz watches.
*Excludes models with black carbon surface treatments.
You will find further details on the maintenance of your watch HERE
Under: SERVICE > MY WATCH NEEDS A SERVICE > SERVICES
You are welcome to send your watch directly to one of our service centers or to drop it off at any authorized Breitling retailer.
All authorized Breitling service centers are listed HERE
Under: SERVICE
And the boutiques and retailers HERE
Under: STORES
IN COUNTRIES WHERE THIS SERVICE IS AVAILABLE:
If you register a service request on our service platform
under SERVICE > MY WATCH NEEDS A SERVICE > SEND , you can follow up on the status of the service HERE
under SERVICE > SERVICE STATUS
USER TIPS & MAINTENANCE
The movement of a mechanical watch is driven by a spring, called mainspring, which needs to be wound. This can either be done manually, using the crown, or, in the case of an automatic mechanical watch, by using the kinetic energy provided by the wearer’s movements.
However, we recommend fully winding your automatic watch as well, whenever it has stopped (for example if it hasn’t been worn during a few days) before putting it back on your wrist. Thereafter the energy provided by your movements will maintain the tension of the main spring that drives the mechanism.
To fully wind your watch, we recommend rotating the crown 40 times in a clockwise direction.
In order to wear a watch while swimming, it needs to be water resistant up to 5 bars (50 m / 165 ft) at least. For diving, snorkeling and water-skiing, for example, a water resistance up to 10 bars (100 m / 330 ft) would be required.
Moreover, Breitling strongly recommends that bracelets other than metal bracelets and rubber straps not be used in water.
See further information about water resistance HERE
Under: SERVICE > USER TIPS AND MAINTEANANCE > INFORMATION ON WATER RESISTANCE
The water resistance of your Breitling depends on the construction of its case. However your watch needs to be regularly serviced in order to keep its original level of water resistance: this is due to the fact that the gaskets sealing the watch-case naturally dry out over time, and therefore need to be replaced. Consequently your watch should undergo a water resistance test every year and a maintenance service every 2 years.
The degree of water resistance of your Breitling is described either in meters, or in bars (1 bar~10 m = approx. 33 ft). Note: these figures reflect a technical norm and do not represent the exact depth the watch can be immersed at, while being worn. “Water resistant up to X meters” means the watch can be exposed to the pressure that it would have to sustain, if it was placed at X meters depth in a completely static environment and position. However the wearer’s movements (diving, jumping, swimming, etc…) as well as the force of the water (shower jets, river currents, etc…) can considerably increase the pressure on your watch.
You will find a table listing the level of water resistance you can expect of your watch HERE
Under: SERVICE > USER TIPS AND MAINTEANANCE > INFORMATION ON WATER RESISTANCE
Every 2 years we recommend a maintenance service, which includes: checking movement parameters and watch functions, changing all seals, checking water resistance, cleaning of the case and metal bracelet; changing the battery for quartz watches.
Every 4 to 6 years, we recommend a complete service, which includes: disassembly, cleaning and replacing of standard movement parts, assembly, lubrication, adjustment and setting of movement function parameters; changing all seals, partial changing of hands and checking of water resistance; refurbishment* of the case and metal bracelet; changing the battery for quartz watches.
*Excludes models with black carbon surface treatments.
You will find further details on the maintenance of your watch HERE
Under: SERVICE > MY WATCH NEEDS A SERVICE > SERVICES
DOCUMENTS & AUTHENTICATION
Our authorized Breitling service centers do not assess the current value of your timepiece. For this kind of information, we suggest turning to an expert for second hand and vintage watches, for example at a specialized auction house.
The main facts concerning each current model display HERE
Under: WATCHES > ALL THE WATCHES pick the TYPE or COLLECTION, CASE, DIAL and/or REFERENCE NUMBER
Information about the service history of a watch, is only communicated to its owner. For watches purchased since the year 2000, this history can be tracked using the unique serial number of the watch.
Also see: What is a serial number?
The safest way to identify an authentic Breitling is handing it to an expert, for example an authorized Breitling store or service center. Since the year 2000, all Breitling watches carry a unique identification number: their serial number, which can be checked within the Breitling network against the model reference of the watch.
Also see: What is a serial number? / What is a reference number?