The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I have a Superocean steelfish with the prof II band. Originally the AD took off four links (two from each side) moved the adjustment pin on the clasp to the last hole. The watch felt OK at the AD, but now it seems too tight. I know from other postings, the sizing is more personal than anything else. With mine, it is tight to the point where it is leaving a mark on my wrist when I remove it. Also, it stays put on wrist. There is no play in it at all. And because the adjustment pin on the clasp is all the way to the end, I can't let it out.

I feel like right now the watch band is balanced because I have two links removed from each side. If I go back to the AD and have them add one link back in, which side of the band is it best to do that? Is it normal to have an odd number of links removed? I thought if they added one link and moved the clasp pin up one or two notches, I would be able to make minor adjustments on my own as the weather changes, etc. I love this watch and perhaps I"m being too picky. I just don't know what it will do to add one link and the overall look and balance are important to me.

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SuperOcean Steelfish

To be honest, the most comfortable fit with Breitling bracelets can be achieved with the clasp being slightly off-set as the "hinge" end is curved upwards slightly. This means that that end can quite easily fit slightly further round your wrist - i.e. on the side with less links.

In my experience it's always better to have an additional link and the fine adjustment set on the nearest hole (so allowing the maximum fine adjustment) rather than having fewer links and the fine adjustment on the end hole as you seem to have.

Sizing is a very personal thing - some people like the bracelet to be loose and flap around a bit : others (like myself) like it to be a more snug fit. There is no right or wrong way of wearing it - just whatever works for you.

(Just a thought, but it might be worth investing in a small set of watch-making screwdrivers so you can make bracelet changes yourself. Just an a thought....)

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Driver,

Thanks for the quick reply. The AD originally was going to take one link from each side and move the adjustment spring up to the first hole, but I nixed that idea because I didn't want the band getting scratched from rubbing against the clasp. I guess I should have listened to him. To make matters worse, there is no Breitling AD in Wichita KS. I have to go to Kansas City or Oklahoma. I have a Tag Heuer and the watch band is a little looser on it and it doesn't turn on my wrist, but will slide down a bit if I give my wrist a quick shake. The Breitling sits up a little higher on my arm and when I flick my wrist, it doesn't budge. If I add one link back in, which side of the bracelet should I add it to? As there are no Breitling dealers here, I'll probably go the Rolex AD and have them adjust it for me. I just want to be specific on the instructions for them.

Thanks for the recommendation regarding the tool kit. I'll look into that.

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SuperOcean Steelfish

I'd suggest putting the link in the side that is attached to the bottom of the watch (i.e. the 6), as this will move the hinge part round the wrist a little which is fine as the clasp is more curved there. (Jeez this is hard to explain without diagrams! )

I actually used to think the same as you about scratching the links with the clasp, but it is honestly OK. And at the end of the day, if your watch isn't comfortable you just won't enjoy wearing it.

As for tools, have a quick look on eBay - they have plenty (of varying quality), but most are perfectly serviceable for bracelet adjustments.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

The sizing of the bracelet is indeed personal... I like it the opposite way compared to Driver. If you have on link less on one side, I prefer to have that at the "6 o'clock"-side. When I do this, any gliding movement on the bracelet makes it tilt towards myself. The other way around (have a shorter "12 o'clock"-side) makes my watch tilt away from me, which I don't like.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

Sizing is indeed a personal thing... but, as a general rule, you should try and have the "bridge" balanced as shown in my super crappy pic. That will give you a good starting point. If you look carefully, you can see that to acheive this balance with my watch, I have one more link on the clasp side than on the other. I would also try and adjust it to fit with the fine adjustment in the middle of the clasp - I know you said that you are worried about scratching the links, and it will happen, but that gives you the most freedom to make quick adjustments later.

I have the exact setup as you, a Steely on Pro II. The bracelet is really easy to adjust, all you need is a precision screwdriver, something you can get at Sears (if you end up buying one or a set, buy quality tools like Craftsman instead of the cheaper Companion line. You will be much happier down the line). Just unscrew the 2 screws in the link and pull the link apart, that's it. A bent paperclip will work to remove the spring pin in a pinch, but you should invest in a Bergeron tool anyway.

It may be daunting to some to adjust their own bracelet, I was like that with my first Breitling, took it to the AD for adjustment. The thing is, my wrist is so small that the fit is critical, no room for error. So, instead of taking it back, I just ended up doing it myself and was amazed at how easy it is.

The pin holding the bracelet to the watch case is another matter, though - I put a big scratch on my Skyland even before I got a chance to wear it. I learned a hard lesson with that one

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NRA Life Member
NJKCA Honorary Member
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Chrono Avenger, Grey Dial, Pro II
Steelfish, Black Dial, Ocean Racer
Super Avenger, White Dial, Pro II
Casio GWG-1000-1A3 Mudmaster
Sinn UX

I am with Ross on this one, except i just balance the whole clasp... but when the bridge is balanced, so is the whole clasp. Check out the article here:
http://www.breitlingsource.com/articles_bias.shtml

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BreitlingSource Admin
http://www.breitlingsource.com - http://blog.breitlingsource.com

I think Ross made a perfect picture of what I tried to say...

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

And that article is pretty much what I was trying to say too!

"So when you have your bracelet open, it should look like this.. much longer on the top-side." - i.e. shorter on the bottom (attached to the "6" side).

But as we all agree it's a personal thing anyway.

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Driver8

Site Moderator