Breitling Aerospace Battery Replacement

[a***@adelphia.net]

Found an old thread here:
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.horology/browse_thread/thread/fa890477c17ceaf3/00a0bef0dfafed36?hl=en&lnk=st&q=breitling+aerospace+battery+replacement#00a0bef0dfafed36

Still great info. Just wanted to say I just changed out my Breitling
Aerospace battery for about $3. Breitling dealer wanted $150 (plus
tax and probably shipping) to send it to Connecticut, and said it
would have taken 8 weeks! Thanks everyone!

[dAz]

Post by a***@adelphia.net
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.horology/browse_thread/thread/fa890477c17ceaf3/00a0bef0dfafed36?hl=en&lnk=st&q=breitling+aerospace+battery+replacement#00a0bef0dfafed36
Still great info. Just wanted to say I just changed out my Breitling
Aerospace battery for about $3. Breitling dealer wanted $150 (plus
tax and probably shipping) to send it to Connecticut, and said it
would have taken 8 weeks! Thanks everyone!

while I do agree a $150 is total rip off for a battery swap, it would
still be worth say $25 for a battery pressure test which any good
watchmaker should be able to do, and it is irrelevant to say you don't
swim or shower with the watch (as one of the posters stated), seeing the
replacement value of the watch is substantial it is worth making sure it
can keep the water out, it is not just swimming, but the pressure from
the garden hose can get past the seals too.

I would love to know what you got for the $150, did the watch needed to
be recalibrated? or this include a service?(not likely), those citizen
prodive watches needed to go back to Citizen for a battery pressure test
and depth recalibration, otherwise you could leave yourself open for
being sued if the watch failed on a dive, these Aerospaces would not
have any issues like that?.

[Jack Denver]

Nah, there's nothing special about the watch, just "luxury" pricing to go
with a "luxury" watch. They figure if Rolex can charge $600 for a
mechanical service, $150 for a battery change and a pressure test (and
that's all it is) is cheap. Local jeweler keeps 1/2 and then you have
shipping costs both ways, etc. I think for that $ they do buff the watch a
bit too so it comes back looking nice.

I didn't realize they had snap backs on these - strange choice, no?

The OP overpaid for his battery - should have been under $1. I would have
used the savings to buy a new o-ring and some silicone grease.

Post by dAz

Post by a***@adelphia.net
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.horology/browse_thread/thread/fa890477c17ceaf3/00a0bef0dfafed36?hl=en&lnk=st&q=breitling+aerospace+battery+replacement#00a0bef0dfafed36
Still great info. Just wanted to say I just changed out my Breitling
Aerospace battery for about $3. Breitling dealer wanted $150 (plus
tax and probably shipping) to send it to Connecticut, and said it
would have taken 8 weeks! Thanks everyone!

while I do agree a $150 is total rip off for a battery swap, it would
still be worth say $25 for a battery pressure test which any good
watchmaker should be able to do, and it is irrelevant to say you don't
swim or shower with the watch (as one of the posters stated), seeing the
replacement value of the watch is substantial it is worth making sure it
can keep the water out, it is not just swimming, but the pressure from the
garden hose can get past the seals too.
I would love to know what you got for the $150, did the watch needed to be
recalibrated? or this include a service?(not likely), those citizen
prodive watches needed to go back to Citizen for a battery pressure test
and depth recalibration, otherwise you could leave yourself open for being
sued if the watch failed on a dive, these Aerospaces would not have any
issues like that?.

[Jar-Jar Binks]

My Aerospace is accurate to about 1.5 seconds per year because it has a
temperature compensated movement. What other non-radio-controlled watch will
provide that type of accuracy? I don't know of any and therefore the
Aerospace is special. I also wouldn't let any schmuck touch my Aerospace.
The schmuck that is changing watch batteries at Walmart was fired from
Mickey-Dees last week because he couldn't get the hand of flipping burgers.
You get what you pay for. I don't want scratches all over the back of my
watch!

Jar-Jar

Post by Jack Denver
Nah, there's nothing special about the watch, just "luxury" pricing to go
with a "luxury" watch. They figure if Rolex can charge $600 for a
mechanical service, $150 for a battery change and a pressure test (and
that's all it is) is cheap. Local jeweler keeps 1/2 and then you have
shipping costs both ways, etc. I think for that $ they do buff the watch
a bit too so it comes back looking nice.
I didn't realize they had snap backs on these - strange choice, no?
The OP overpaid for his battery - should have been under $1. I would have
used the savings to buy a new o-ring and some silicone grease.

Post by dAz

Post by a***@adelphia.net
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.horology/browse_thread/thread/fa890477c17ceaf3/00a0bef0dfafed36?hl=en&lnk=st&q=breitling+aerospace+battery+replacement#00a0bef0dfafed36
Still great info. Just wanted to say I just changed out my Breitling
Aerospace battery for about $3. Breitling dealer wanted $150 (plus
tax and probably shipping) to send it to Connecticut, and said it
would have taken 8 weeks! Thanks everyone!

while I do agree a $150 is total rip off for a battery swap, it would
still be worth say $25 for a battery pressure test which any good
watchmaker should be able to do, and it is irrelevant to say you don't
swim or shower with the watch (as one of the posters stated), seeing the
replacement value of the watch is substantial it is worth making sure it
can keep the water out, it is not just swimming, but the pressure from
the garden hose can get past the seals too.
I would love to know what you got for the $150, did the watch needed to
be recalibrated? or this include a service?(not likely), those citizen
prodive watches needed to go back to Citizen for a battery pressure test
and depth recalibration, otherwise you could leave yourself open for
being sued if the watch failed on a dive, these Aerospaces would not have
any issues like that?.

[Jack Denver]

I don't blame you for not taking an Aerospace to Walmart - I wouldn't
either. If I didn't do my own battery changes, I'd find a reputable local
watchmaker. That way I wouldn't be without the watch for two weeks and I
would save maybe $100 or more - almost no independent I can think of would
dare charge $150 for a battery change & a pressure test. Most of the $150
you pay a dealer gets eaten up on 1) dealer profit (prob. 1/2) and 2)
shipping both directions. Someone who is skilled enough to work on
mechanical watches is certainly more than skilled enough to change a
battery.

Some people don't feel good about a purchase unless they overpay royally.
Your claimed accuracy of 1.5 secs/ year is about 10x what Breitling actually
claims for the movement. You could have better accuracy with a $25 RC
Casio, or about the same (20 secs/yr claimed - actual may be better) with a
Seiko perpetual for under $200:

http://www.skywatches.com.sg/watches/product_info.php?products_id=1471

BTW, unless you are doing space launches in your backyard, what earthly good
is a watch that is accurate to 15 secs/ year? I regulate all my mechanicals
to run slightly fast so worst case I'm a minute early for a meeting, even
though the watch is no better than a few secs/day.

Post by Jar-Jar Binks
My Aerospace is accurate to about 1.5 seconds per year because it has a
temperature compensated movement. What other non-radio-controlled watch
will provide that type of accuracy? I don't know of any and therefore the
Aerospace is special. I also wouldn't let any schmuck touch my Aerospace.
The schmuck that is changing watch batteries at Walmart was fired from
Mickey-Dees last week because he couldn't get the hand of flipping
burgers. You get what you pay for. I don't want scratches all over the
back of my watch!
Jar-Jar

Post by Jack Denver
Nah, there's nothing special about the watch, just "luxury" pricing to go
with a "luxury" watch. They figure if Rolex can charge $600 for a
mechanical service, $150 for a battery change and a pressure test (and
that's all it is) is cheap. Local jeweler keeps 1/2 and then you have
shipping costs both ways, etc. I think for that $ they do buff the
watch a bit too so it comes back looking nice.
I didn't realize they had snap backs on these - strange choice, no?
The OP overpaid for his battery - should have been under $1. I would
have used the savings to buy a new o-ring and some silicone grease.

Post by dAz

Post by a***@adelphia.net
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.horology/browse_thread/thread/fa890477c17ceaf3/00a0bef0dfafed36?hl=en&lnk=st&q=breitling+aerospace+battery+replacement#00a0bef0dfafed36
Still great info. Just wanted to say I just changed out my Breitling
Aerospace battery for about $3. Breitling dealer wanted $150 (plus
tax and probably shipping) to send it to Connecticut, and said it
would have taken 8 weeks! Thanks everyone!

while I do agree a $150 is total rip off for a battery swap, it would
still be worth say $25 for a battery pressure test which any good
watchmaker should be able to do, and it is irrelevant to say you don't
swim or shower with the watch (as one of the posters stated), seeing the
replacement value of the watch is substantial it is worth making sure it
can keep the water out, it is not just swimming, but the pressure from
the garden hose can get past the seals too.
I would love to know what you got for the $150, did the watch needed to
be recalibrated? or this include a service?(not likely), those citizen
prodive watches needed to go back to Citizen for a battery pressure test
and depth recalibration, otherwise you could leave yourself open for
being sued if the watch failed on a dive, these Aerospaces would not
have any issues like that?.

[Norman M. Schwartz]

Post by Jack Denver
I don't blame you for not taking an Aerospace to Walmart - I wouldn't
either. If I didn't do my own battery changes, I'd find a reputable local
watchmaker. That way I wouldn't be without the watch for two weeks and I
would save maybe $100 or more - almost no independent I can think of would
dare charge $150 for a battery change & a pressure test. Most of the $150
you pay a dealer gets eaten up on 1) dealer profit (prob. 1/2) and 2)
shipping both directions. Someone who is skilled enough to work on
mechanical watches is certainly more than skilled enough to change a
battery.

Like most authorized Breitling dealers, mine offered free life time battery
replacements for my Aerospace (and a discount on the watch as well). I have
to make two trips driving some 35 miles back and forth to get it to him; of
course it could be shipped by the US Postal Service or FedEx. Nevertheless,
two such trips, a lot of time and costly gas, and it does end up taking 2-3
weeks to return the watch into my possession. Breitling watches are sent to
his watchmaker (who also overhauled my Navitimer) and as told to me, works
on watches sent to him by Breitling. I wouldn't trust my _cheap_ Mickey
Mouse watches to a "Walmart"-like facility. If an Aerospace's warranty were
still in effect, it certainly would no longer be so if a "Walmart" crapped
it up.

[Jack Denver]

I believe Breitlings have a 2 year warranty and most batteries last longer
than 2 years, so by the time it needs a battery it's usually out of warranty
anyway.

I'd probably avail myself of "free" battery changes if a dealer included
them in the price of the watch. Apparently the OP's dealer did not, and
wanted $150 for something your dealer gives away for free (and which, other
than minor labor, costs 25 cents for a battery). So I'll let others decide
whether $150 is really a fair price for this service.

I think "free" battery changes are a good marketing tool - not only do they
create goodwill and overcome a possible objection to the initial purchase
decision but they insure that the customer will be back in your store every
couple of years and maybe will buy something while he's there. I'll bet
that they don't even have to pay off on that many of them - either the
customer moves out of town or the watch breaks or is given away, etc. so
that the average watch would only come back a couple of times. Even if they
had to pay $20 wholesale for a battery service with pressure test (and I bet
they pay less than that) that's not much of a bite out of a $2000+ sale.

Post by Norman M. Schwartz

Post by Jack Denver
I don't blame you for not taking an Aerospace to Walmart - I wouldn't
either. If I didn't do my own battery changes, I'd find a reputable local
watchmaker. That way I wouldn't be without the watch for two weeks and I
would save maybe $100 or more - almost no independent I can think of
would dare charge $150 for a battery change & a pressure test. Most of the
$150 you pay a dealer gets eaten up on 1) dealer profit (prob. 1/2) and 2)
shipping both directions. Someone who is skilled enough to work on
mechanical watches is certainly more than skilled enough to change a
battery.

Like most authorized Breitling dealers, mine offered free life time
battery replacements for my Aerospace (and a discount on the watch as
well). I have to make two trips driving some 35 miles back and forth to
get it to him; of course it could be shipped by the US Postal Service or
FedEx. Nevertheless, two such trips, a lot of time and costly gas, and it
does end up taking 2-3 weeks to return the watch into my possession.
Breitling watches are sent to his watchmaker (who also overhauled my
Navitimer) and as told to me, works on watches sent to him by Breitling. I
wouldn't trust my _cheap_ Mickey Mouse watches to a "Walmart"-like
facility. If an Aerospace's warranty were still in effect, it certainly
would no longer be so if a "Walmart" crapped it up.

[Jar-Jar Binks]

Jack,

I take my Aerospace to the Authorized Service Center in LA (Walter Gooden).
They change the battery while I wait and pressure test for $50.00 and they
also have a good reputation.

Jar-Jar

Post by Jack Denver
I don't blame you for not taking an Aerospace to Walmart - I wouldn't
either. If I didn't do my own battery changes, I'd find a reputable local
watchmaker. That way I wouldn't be without the watch for two weeks and I
would save maybe $100 or more - almost no independent I can think of would
dare charge $150 for a battery change & a pressure test. Most of the $150
you pay a dealer gets eaten up on 1) dealer profit (prob. 1/2) and 2)
shipping both directions. Someone who is skilled enough to work on
mechanical watches is certainly more than skilled enough to change a
battery.
Some people don't feel good about a purchase unless they overpay royally.
Your claimed accuracy of 1.5 secs/ year is about 10x what Breitling
actually claims for the movement. You could have better accuracy with a
$25 RC Casio, or about the same (20 secs/yr claimed - actual may be
http://www.skywatches.com.sg/watches/product_info.php?products_id=1471
BTW, unless you are doing space launches in your backyard, what earthly
good is a watch that is accurate to 15 secs/ year? I regulate all my
mechanicals to run slightly fast so worst case I'm a minute early for a
meeting, even though the watch is no better than a few secs/day.

Post by Jar-Jar Binks
My Aerospace is accurate to about 1.5 seconds per year because it has a
temperature compensated movement. What other non-radio-controlled watch
will provide that type of accuracy? I don't know of any and therefore the
Aerospace is special. I also wouldn't let any schmuck touch my Aerospace.
The schmuck that is changing watch batteries at Walmart was fired from
Mickey-Dees last week because he couldn't get the hand of flipping
burgers. You get what you pay for. I don't want scratches all over the
back of my watch!
Jar-Jar

Post by Jack Denver
Nah, there's nothing special about the watch, just "luxury" pricing to
go with a "luxury" watch. They figure if Rolex can charge $600 for a
mechanical service, $150 for a battery change and a pressure test (and
that's all it is) is cheap. Local jeweler keeps 1/2 and then you have
shipping costs both ways, etc. I think for that $ they do buff the
watch a bit too so it comes back looking nice.
I didn't realize they had snap backs on these - strange choice, no?
The OP overpaid for his battery - should have been under $1. I would
have used the savings to buy a new o-ring and some silicone grease.

Post by dAz

Post by a***@adelphia.net
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.horology/browse_thread/thread/fa890477c17ceaf3/00a0bef0dfafed36?hl=en&lnk=st&q=breitling+aerospace+battery+replacement#00a0bef0dfafed36
Still great info. Just wanted to say I just changed out my Breitling
Aerospace battery for about $3. Breitling dealer wanted $150 (plus
tax and probably shipping) to send it to Connecticut, and said it
would have taken 8 weeks! Thanks everyone!

while I do agree a $150 is total rip off for a battery swap, it would
still be worth say $25 for a battery pressure test which any good
watchmaker should be able to do, and it is irrelevant to say you don't
swim or shower with the watch (as one of the posters stated), seeing
the replacement value of the watch is substantial it is worth making
sure it can keep the water out, it is not just swimming, but the
pressure from the garden hose can get past the seals too.
I would love to know what you got for the $150, did the watch needed to
be recalibrated? or this include a service?(not likely), those citizen
prodive watches needed to go back to Citizen for a battery pressure
test and depth recalibration, otherwise you could leave yourself open
for being sued if the watch failed on a dive, these Aerospaces would
not have any issues like that?.

[dAz]

Post by Jar-Jar Binks
Jack,
I take my Aerospace to the Authorized Service Center in LA (Walter Gooden).
They change the battery while I wait and pressure test for $50.00 and they
also have a good reputation.

do they strip down the case and clean it, clean and grease or replace
and grease the gaskets?

looks like the movement is a 9 ¾''' x 11 ½''' ETA 988.352 or Breitling
cal.79

cannot find the tech info on the movement but the ETA988.333 looks the
same but without the thermal compensation, it uses a 370 or 399 battery
which cost me about a $1

thing is if they do the battery while you wait, I would hope they do a
consumption test on the movement, but it is basically back off, check
the battery, check the terminals to make sure they are clean and free of
electrolyte, fit new battery, maybe pop the crown out and grease the
seal, grease the back seal, fit the back, in the pressure tester, if it
passes they set the time then hand it to you.

$50 ..... hmmmm, I suppose they have to get the money back somehow for
those pricey pressure testers ;)

[Jack Denver]

Excellent article on thermocompensation here:

http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=2087

In the context of "high end" watches, $50 for a battery change seems cheap
even if there is $40+ profit in it.

Post by Jar-Jar Binks
Jack,
I take my Aerospace to the Authorized Service Center in LA (Walter
Gooden). They change the battery while I wait and pressure test for
$50.00 and they also have a good reputation.

do they strip down the case and clean it, clean and grease or replace and
grease the gaskets?
looks like the movement is a 9 Ÿ''' x 11 œ''' ETA 988.352 or Breitling
cal.79
cannot find the tech info on the movement but the ETA988.333 looks the
same but without the thermal compensation, it uses a 370 or 399 battery
which cost me about a $1
thing is if they do the battery while you wait, I would hope they do a
consumption test on the movement, but it is basically back off, check the
battery, check the terminals to make sure they are clean and free of
electrolyte, fit new battery, maybe pop the crown out and grease the seal,
grease the back seal, fit the back, in the pressure tester, if it passes
they set the time then hand it to you.
$50 ..... hmmmm, I suppose they have to get the money back somehow for
those pricey pressure testers ;)

[Jack Denver]

Speaking of the ETA 988.333, here is a watch with that movement that offers
many of the features of the Breitling for a very modest price (a little more
than a Breitling battery change, maybe 1/10th the cost of a Titanium
Aerospace):

http://chonstore.com/product_info.php?language=en&currency=USD&products_id=10863


Tissot PR50 Titanium Seven T34.7.487.62 ... $230

To me one of the amazing things about Swatch (and the Swiss industry in
general) is that they will sell you essentially the same watch over and over
again at vastly differing price points...it's really up to you and your
fragile ego if you want to vastly overpay in order to show your friends what
big cojones you have. The Tissot may be essentially the same watch but it
doesn't bear the same "emotion" that the Breitling does. Last night I was
listening on the radio to an interview with someone from Benneton, the
Italian clothes chain... there it was again ... the interviewee frankly
stated something to the effect of "everyone sells essentially the same
clothes... the difference is the emotional spin we give our clothes thru our
marketing." So when you buy a Benneton sweater or Breitling watch, you are
not really buying a physical product (or the physical product represents
only a small fraction of the price) - mostly you are buying an ad campaign.

Post by Jar-Jar Binks
Jack,
I take my Aerospace to the Authorized Service Center in LA (Walter
Gooden). They change the battery while I wait and pressure test for
$50.00 and they also have a good reputation.

do they strip down the case and clean it, clean and grease or replace and
grease the gaskets?
looks like the movement is a 9 Ÿ''' x 11 œ''' ETA 988.352 or Breitling
cal.79
cannot find the tech info on the movement but the ETA988.333 looks the
same but without the thermal compensation, it uses a 370 or 399 battery
which cost me about a $1
thing is if they do the battery while you wait, I would hope they do a
consumption test on the movement, but it is basically back off, check the
battery, check the terminals to make sure they are clean and free of
electrolyte, fit new battery, maybe pop the crown out and grease the seal,
grease the back seal, fit the back, in the pressure tester, if it passes
they set the time then hand it to you.
$50 ..... hmmmm, I suppose they have to get the money back somehow for
those pricey pressure testers ;)

[Norman M. Schwartz]

Post by Jack Denver
Speaking of the ETA 988.333, here is a watch with that movement that
offers many of the features of the Breitling for a very modest price (a
little more than a Breitling battery change, maybe 1/10th the cost of a
http://chonstore.com/product_info.php?language=en&currency=USD&products_id=10863

"Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

[Jack Denver]

Your point is well taken... the Tissot does seem to lack "sex appeal". But
if you are talking purely about function, it does basically the same thing
as the Breitling.

Post by Norman M. Schwartz

Post by Jack Denver
Speaking of the ETA 988.333, here is a watch with that movement that
offers many of the features of the Breitling for a very modest price (a
little more than a Breitling battery change, maybe 1/10th the cost of a
http://chonstore.com/product_info.php?language=en&currency=USD&products_id=10863

"Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

[Olaf Peuss]

Post by Jar-Jar Binks
My Aerospace is accurate to about 1.5 seconds per year because it has a
temperature compensated movement. What other non-radio-controlled watch will
provide that type of accuracy? I don't know of any and therefore the
Aerospace is special.

Any watch with a thermo-compensated movement by ETA - same type that
Britebling uses - will perform equally. The Sinn UX has got that type of
movement, too. There are a couple of other watches that use
thermo-compensated ETA movements, so in that respect, your Aerospace is
not unique.

Best regards,
OP

[Jack Denver]

Here is a list of some high accuracy watches:

http://watchescorner.blogspot.com/2007/08/high-accuracy-timepieces.html

Oddly enough, Breitling claims 15 secs/ yr while ETA claims 10 secs. /yr
for all other thermolines.

The outstanding bargain in high accuracy watches are the Seiko perpetuals,
with a claimed 20 secs/ yr (which is not significantly worse than 15 - one
is 4/100ths secs/day, the other is 5/100) for a couple of hundred $. And
they throw in a perpetual calendar to boot.

Post by Olaf Peuss

Post by Jar-Jar Binks
My Aerospace is accurate to about 1.5 seconds per year because it has a
temperature compensated movement. What other non-radio-controlled watch
will provide that type of accuracy? I don't know of any and therefore the
Aerospace is special.

Any watch with a thermo-compensated movement by ETA - same type that
Britebling uses - will perform equally. The Sinn UX has got that type of
movement, too. There are a couple of other watches that use
thermo-compensated ETA movements, so in that respect, your Aerospace is
not unique.
Best regards,
OP

[f***@gmail.com]

Post by a***@adelphia.net
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.horology/browse_thread/thread/fa890477c17ceaf3/00a0bef0dfafed36?hl=en&lnk=st&q=breitling+aerospace+battery+replacement#00a0bef0dfafed36
Still great info. Just wanted to say I just changed out my Breitling
Aerospace battery for about $3. Breitling dealer wanted $150 (plus
tax and probably shipping) to send it to Connecticut, and said it
would have taken 8 weeks! Thanks everyone!

Had my Breitling battery changed at a watch shop in Sacramento and was charged a wopping $5.00 Last time was about 6 years ago and was told they had to ship my watch back to Switzerland. I was charged $800! They said half of that was "insurance". The gentleman that changed my battery for $5.00 told me whoever did the last change put in a Japan battery, not a Swiss battery! I somehow feel like I was ripped off!!!!!