Breguet

Hi fellow Breguet lovers,

Not good news.

My Breguet marine Big Date 5817 has died....... again.

For those that do not know the history, this watch had a sticky rotor.

I sent it back earlier this year while still under warranty and it came back after almost 5 months, supposedly fixed.

I had asked for a repair report at the time and did not get one, and as the rotor still seemed to be sticking I sent off an email to the tech department at Breguet Switzerland to find out what they did and if the rotor was prone to sluggishness.

I got the good reply, that the watch had been completely dissembled and serviced and all worn parts were replaced and the case and deployment clasp were re-polished.

I smelt a bit of a rat that this might be a standard letter, as the watch came back looking like new, but the deployment clasp was certainly not polished or even cleaned.

It is my belief that clasps and bands are removed on watches sent overseas to minimize problems with customs on reimporting crocodile straps.

Breguet did state that as the power reserve increased there was additional resistance on the rotor.

I gave Breguet the benefit of the doubt, but as I do some work which is not compatible to wearing the 5817 full time for a sustained period, I had not the opportunity to see if the rotor was fully functional.

This week I went for a four day holiday and so I wound the watch on Sunday night and sure enough about 65 hours later at mid morning on Wednesday.... it stopped.

The rotor had been very much stuck every time I looked at it over that period.

Given I have several other crystal backed watches and they always seem to have a free rotor irrespective of power reserve I was not surprised to see it stop..... but disappointed.

Fortunately my holiday hotel was about 100 meters from my favorite AD and so I made the visit and expressed my thoughts.

He made the comment that "This is not good enough, certainly not from Breguet, and leave the watch and he would get back to me early next week"

I have pointed that I would not cherish waiting another 5 months for another attempt at repair.... I would not consider a watch being in service for 10 months of it's warranty period as a realistic conclusion..... so it will be interesting to see how good Breguet is at after sales service.

Given that I have my Breguet 5707 also in for repair under warranty ........ I would ask how many other Breguet owners have a Breguet watch in for repair?

Kindest regards to all,

Jack.

,,, It seems you got the watch serviced but not corrected,,, Did the AD stated the problem of the watch, in the first place? In a problem I had with a Paul Picot Atelier, a YG one, they changed completely the rotor and the screws and all went well....
I wish the best resolution...
Tassos

hi Tassos,

Thank you for your reply my cyber friend. Yes, the AD wrote on the service request that the problem was a sticking rotor.

I am not sure but I think the AD is trying to organize some serious rectification as it is a Breguet.... and I have also bought some half a dozen watches from him in the last couple of years.... so we will see what come to pass.

But thank you for your kind thoughts as you always considerate.

I am sure all things work out OK in the end.

I must admit that when I went away for my short holiday, I thought..... may be I should take a spare watch in case the Marine broke down.... then I thought that I was unsure of the security in the Hotel and did not.

So I found myself walking around on the last 2 days without a watch on my wrist...... that was an amazing feeling and I can tell you I could not count the amount of times I lifted my wrist to check the time.... only to look at nothing.

It is quiet remarkable how many times we unconsciously look at the time.

Kindest regards,

Jack

I will tell you honestly: a watch of dreams

I wish you the best of luck with both, Jack!

Marcelo

Hi Marcelo,

Yes it is a watch of dreams.... and recently when my 5817 was in service I had the opportunity to wear it for a long time.... it is a very nice watch to wear and enjoy.

kindest regards,

Jack

Hello Jack,

Sorry to hear about your experience with your 5817.    Hopefully they get it right so let us know what happens next week.

-MW

Hi MW,

Thanks for your reply.

I am sure they will.

Let's face it.... if Breguet can't get it right..... then what future do they, the industry... or us with our passion, have.

It seems that Martin Braun have done the right thing..... More about that latter when the watch is returned, but as I understand it is with Fedex at this time.

Kindest regards,

Jack.

Dear Jack: I too had a problem with my 5817, but thankfully my story has a happy ending.  A few years ago, shortly after the 5817 came out, I purchased one from an AD in Miami, FL.  After a couple of days I noticed that the watch would stop.  I tried manually winding it, and various other things, but within a week or so I knew I had a big problem.  So I took the watch back to my AD and they sent it in for repair.  About three months later the watch came back and I was told that Breguet had replace the entire winding mechansim or something to that effect.  Fortunately, what ever repairs were made seem to have worked because the watch keeps fabulous time.  I have never had that problem again, and I really love this particular watch.  I can only imagine how frustrated you must feel, but honestly I think it is simply the luck of the draw as to experiencing a problem.  I mean you can be a collector of a certain brand and own 5 or 6 watches and not have a lick of trouble, and someone else could make their first purchase and have a whole heap of problems.  I really see no rhyme or reason to it.  However, I am sorry for your problem, and I do hope Breguet can fix it for you.

Hi Mcuono,

Thanks for your reply.

I am sure this will have a happy ending... albeit a long one.

My 5817 is also an excellent time keeper to within a fraction of a second per day.

It is also my favorite watch and I enjoy every thing about it's simplicity and practicality.

kindest regards,

Jack

sorry to hear about this- it seems that you are quite unlucky about this watch.

I would hope that Breguet fixes it and renews your warranty as a courtesy- you should really point this out to them or rather demand it.

Please let us know what happens

Cheers

Hi Jack,

As others, I am sorry to hear about your trouble.

I have myself a Marine chronograph, the big sister of your Marine big date.

The purchase is relatively recent, so the data point may not speak for much.

Accuracy is not as good as yours (around +5 sec/day - but I wear it all the time).  So far, I was lucky enough that the rotor works ok. 

My watch right now, as I speak, is now almost fully wound, and the rotor seems to rotate ok in both directions.  Possibly with slightly more resistance than not wound at all, however still rotates with gravity as I move the watch slowly in a vertical plane around a central horizontal axis, both clock- and counter-clockwise.

I'm no expert, but I guess the failure to wind automatically may be due to the shape of the rotor (e.g. friction agaisnt the saphire caseback?), or perhaps the link between the rotor and the barrel-winding mechanism.  Regardless, it should be something fixeable by Breguet.

I'm concerned about this case, and can only hope that it will be resolved properly.  My 5827 (BA) is one of my all-time favourites due to its elegance and mix of Breguet classic styling (very pretty hands and guilloché) with sporty/sturdy nature.  So I would hope that it can work properly for as long as possible.

Best wishes and keep us informed.

Jon.

 

Hi john,

I agree that the 5817 model and it's variations are a great watch.

I particularly agree with your comments about classical and style.

As mentioned, of all my watches, this is my pick, and I especially like the generous deployment clasp which adds a touch of ruggedness to the watches elegant simplicity.

The 5817 is still fine enough to grace formal wear and it fits in excellently with any casual occasion.

I thank you for your info about the rotor movement....what you describe is virtually true of all my other watches.

As to rubbing against the case back..... No this is not happening..... in fact careful inspection by me with a loop can see no signs of contact on any part of the movement of case.

I think it is an internal locking.... but I am confident it will be rectified, one way or the other.

Kindest regards,

Jack

I am expecting Breguet to make a speedy and thorough resolution to this problem that has plagued you for so many months already.

Best of luck!

Hi Patrick,

It's a worry.... but I expect they will get it right ... Sooon.... I hope.

Kindest regards,

Jack

Sorry to that your 5817 has failed again. Hope Breguet get it fixed this time!

As you may recall, I had my 5707 sent for repair. The hour hand didn't "click" when adjusting it for setting the date. I finally got the watch back earlier this month after 10+ months of repair work. Like your 5817, my 5707 didn't come back with a full report. My AD gave me the repair the order which reads (looks like a standard repair order):
1. Complete Maintenance Service (non-water resistant) - dismantling of movement, cleaning, oiling, assembling, timing, and control of the functions; repair or replacement of worn or damaged movement parts (except damage due to an accident); replacement of gaskets; the exterior case-parts, that are changed in the complete overhaul are invoiced separately; cleaning of the case; verification of the power reserve and final control.
2. Reconditioning of the case (bars screws).

So I wrote to ask what the problem was, and received the following reply "In this precise case, one wheel of the time zone mechanism was worn-out and needed to be replaced. In order to do this, the movement had to be dismantled and, at this occasion, we exchanged the complete gear train. In addition, each component of the movement was cleaned and re-oiled (where required)."

Thus far, the watch is running perfectly. Apart from the long period of repair, I am satisfied with every bit of the repair work. There is one thing which bothers me though - at the bottom of the repair order, it reads "water resistance cannot be guaranteed when the crown and push-pieces are not replaced". Is this a standard statement or is this a real issue? I presume the crown and push-pieces in my watch are not replaced as I have not received a separate invoice.

Regards,
Vince

Thanks for your reply.... and openness.

There seems a hesitancy by owners of high end watches to talk about problems they experience with their watch when things go wrong.

Almost like buyers remorse..... I know of two owners of high end watches who regularly post here, and both have problems at the moment, and neither have publicly discussed them.

A pity, because this is what forums like this should be about... the good and the bad.

As to your questions about the crown and push piece, I am not sure if the printed document you speak of is the Breguet document or the AD's document.

It could be a standard phrase, but one would think if it went back to Breguet and was away for 10 months then it should come back as new.... and it should not be your worry to assess if they, should or should not have, changed those parts.

A phone call to your AD would possibly clear this up.

One point you mention worries me a little, and that is that they made the statement that "one wheel was worn out".

I would have thought that the 5707, which from memory was released in 2003, has not been around long enough to have a "Wheel worn out"..... I mean, what is the life of these watches.

Even if you bought it on the first day the model was released, and wore it full time as your daily watch.... it seems a point of concern.

Makes me wonder how some of my Omega and Rolex watches had toiled away tirelessly for 15 years as full time wearers doing every job thrown at them.
and never ever died.

While our 5707s are certainly in the dress watch category, and are not sport watches as the 5817 Marine is marketed as, here seems to be a question rising in my mind which asks.... "Are some of the so called new sport high end watches by notable makers only good for "bedroom.... or bathroom sports".

Because if these watches are breaking or wearing out with minimum normal use.... it is a worry.... at my age about the most exercise my left wrist gets is holding a scotch glass.

We live in interesting times... that is, if you have a watch that tells the time.

Kindest regards,

Jack

I know this must be a absolute pain! Hopefully it springs back to action

Hi Ces,

That would put a smile on my dial, and wind up my problems, all in a split second

kindest regards,

Jack