The Breitling Watch Source Forums

There seems to be a little more chatter as of late regarding the B01, so I feel compelled to provide anyone who's interested with an update. After wearing my B01 for a couple months, I'm still in love with it. It's a fairly polarizing design- you either love it or hate it. I will admit I wasn't entirely hot on the bezel, with its gigantic numbers in an "alien" font. However, it's really grown on me. In regards to accuracy, I noted it was about +2 seconds/day after a few weeks of wear. After 2 months of continuous running, the watch is about +4 seconds/day. I'm hoping this trend will stop soon . . .

I am noticing some other things that are of concern though- both involve the chronograph. The chronograph second hand normally moves in 1/4 second increments. However, when it's between the 28 and 32 minute markers, it begins moving in 1/2 second increments. I didn't notice this until about 5 weeks into my ownership. I played around with the watch A LOT when I first got it and didn't notice this issue at all.

The second issue is with the hour totalizer. This issue developed around the same time I noticed the problem with the chronograph second hand outlined above. My understanding is the hour (or 1/2 hour) totalizer should move one notch forward when the minute totalizer reaches 30. I recollect it doing this flawlessly when I first got the watch. However, the hour totalizer will now "creep" ahead as the minute totalizer gets closer to 30. In fact, the hour totalizer has already completely advanced to the next 1/2 hour increment before the minute totalizer even reaches 30. This isn't good, right?

One potential reason for these issues could be my fault. This is my first mechanical watch and I didn't realize until very recently one could damage the movement by adjusting the date/time at certain periods of the day. I can't say I've ever messed with the watch between 8pm and 3am, but it is possible. However, after looking through my manual, it doesn't mention any type of restrictions about adjusting the date/time forwards or backwards. Are these restrictions only reserved for certain Bretling movements, or is the 8pm-3am thing consistent to all mechanical watches?

I've also included some better pics of the watch. The first ones I posted a couple months back were terrible.

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

I believe that one of the features of the B01 movement is the ability to change time or date at any time.

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-RJ

That was one of the big features of the B01. Love the pics!

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Men are from Mars, women are from Hell.

For the most part I like the watch, but it's the square on the dial I can't get past even more so than the bezel. That said, just having bought a watch that I had a real problem with the dial color, but have now grown to really like, I'm sure the square would be much the same way. I do have a BB so just couldn't justify the cost for the B-01 but I'd still like to own one!

RJRJRJ and the_whizzler, thanks for the confirmation about the B01 movement. It would have been great if the owner's manual or marketing material made that more clear though.

I'm really curious to hear opinions as to what would be causing the issues I described. It definitely has nothing to do with changing the date/time. I'm wondering if others have seen similar issues with their chronographs, or if people think this could be an issue reserved for the B01 movement. I'm just happy it's still under warranty.

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

Love the watch looks great. I cant wait to see other members get one with diff color configurations.

Lets see how long it takes for ..... to come in here and talk crap

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Chronomat BF w/ Pilot
Sky Land Avenger w/ Pro II
Tag Heuer SLR

I'm not sure that the hour totaliser jumps or sweeps, but I would get it checked by the AD. The 28 - 32 issue is likely just an adjustment.

I'm absolutely certain the hour totalizer should jump, at least it did when I first got the watch. With it's new sweeping action, it becomes very difficult to tell exactly which 1/2 hour it's at. In any case, I'm hoping you're correct about this issue and the 28-32 issue being a simple adjustment. My AD in Seattle is very good, so I have no doubt they'll take care of me. I was planning on getting it regulated anyway in hopes of reducing the +4 sec/day. I know it's still within COSC spec, but I'd like it to be as close to 0 sec/day as possible. I was just trying to get some opinions about my issues from this site prior to taking the watch to the AD.

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

(apart from dial colour. Which watch did you struggle with?)

I say take it to the AD. If you felt they were worth dealing with in the first place then they should be the kind of people who will take the time to look at it and make sure everything is perfect.

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Follow me through my Journalism degree