Breitling Chronomat 44

[antant]

I have just got to agree that Ryan is pretty much top dog. :woot:

As a Noob he was great to do business with.

I was paranoid from start to finish, and even asked Ryan to send more QC pics (one of them showed a reflection of his camera, but I just wanted to make sure it was not a mark). I looked over every detail - thanks to the forums guys as at least I knew what to look for even if I didn't spot any faults!

I approved QC pics on 22nd Jan, and after a really anxious wait over the weekend as it was pending UK customs clearance (I think I checked the status at least every hour!!) it was finally delivered yesterday afternoon.

And what a gem! It is lovely;

View attachment 14821

I can see what is said about the date wheel being recessed, but apart from that I think it looks perfect.

The bracelet is currently in baby oil, ready for re-sizing later on. Haven't checked the time accuracy yet, but hope it is close enough.

My only regret is buying the diver strap for an additional $80, I don't think I will swap straps to suit different occasions as I originally intended, but at least I have it as an option.

I must say Ryan was a dream to deal with, and I know once he is back open for business he will be inundated with orders.

Ant :thumbsup:

 

[set2374]

The B01 is a great looking watch. No worries about time keeping they are accurate. If this is going to be your daily watch. I do strongly recommend you have it serviced. They chronos are finicky so try hard not to play with them too much. I have two of these, black with sticks and silver subdials and MOP with sticks and silver subdials. I love them both.

 

[antant]

I do strongly recommend you have it serviced.

Thanks. Yes I do plan on using it as my daily watch, and no I will try not to push any of the other buttons

I love the watch, I am already paranoid about handling it, I have no idea how I would behave if I had paid £6000+ for it though!

I have looked through the forums, but still don't really get the politics of who to approach for servicing. Is there anyone in the UK equivalent to the TD's?

 

[davistorm]

There is noone in the UK at this moment in time 'known' to the forum for servicing, really frustrating as a fellow UK'er myself

There have been a few threads mentioning the idea but nothing that is concrete.....

Beautiful watch btw, i have a gen of the blackeye grey and absolutely love it!

 

[set2374]

Guys, honestly... the A7750 is a pretty much bog standard 1:1 copy of a 7750 and most of the parts are directly interchangeable. The anti-shock system is a little different but that about it from what I have been told. As far as automatic chronographs are concerned, these movements are in 80-90% of the self-winding chronographs on the market, from companies like Invicta and Hamilton all the way up to Breitling, IWC and Hublot. Any watch smith that can service an ETA 7750 can service a clone.

As we speak, I am having for of my A7750 powered watches serviced by a watch smith with a shop a half mile from my house. I just walked into his shop right off the street. I showed him my watch, told him it was a replica and explained the issue. His reaction: :Wow, that's an awesome looking copy. My cousin would love one of these. I have never seen one this good before." Me: "Sure mate, no problem I can him get one if he's really interested. Are you comfortable fixing this." Him: "Of course, let me write you up a ticket and I'll call you in a couple of days with an estimate." Done! He knows has four of my 7750's to service and I worked out a deal since I am giving him volume and I am giving him a partially disassembled Cartier 100 Chrono. Now, I am using him to do a service etc. If I were going to mod a watch, relume etc., I would definitely go with one of our TD's. That requires a certain knowledge of reps that a typical watchsmith likely doesn't have.

As for proper etiquette, don't bring the watch to an AD (obvious)! No problem though bringing it to any local, independent watch repair guy. Some may not be rep friendly, others will be and still others won't give a crap what it's cased in as long as you can pay for a service. It's tough times out there for independent jewelers. Getting a service in on a rep is straight money for them--all labor and no product cost. Most of them will be happy to do the work and the any smith that gives you an attitude can go piss off.