Posted this on WUS last night, thought it might be helpful here too...
I got this B-1 today from sonyman, and let me say that I am just thrilled with Phil and his communication. The watch arrived as described, but the EOL was flashing when I opened the box. Bummer, but I'm up for a challenge!!
Okay guys...I'm gonna be the one to dispel the myth that the B-1 MUST go to Breitling to have the $2 battery changed, and document it online (Breitling...I'm a loyal customer, love the watches, and will send it in for overhaul someday, but a battery change for $125...c'mon...). Sorry in advance if I offend anyone, but this has to be one of the easiest batteries I've ever changed...I will say tho, that if this were an M1, there is NO WAY I would've done this.
Before anyone asks...I do have A LOT of watch tools, and I've been amaturely playing with and rebuilding watches for years, so having the right tools is a prerequisite...and they aren't expensive ones. I needed four tools-the case holder, a case opener, a mini common screwdriver, and a springbar tool.
The first pic here shows the caseback already off. It was a bit of a chore to get the tool positioned properly, but once I had it, it came off with ease. Notice how dirty it is inside...and this was taken after I cleaned the inside of the caseback. Many years of dust, grime, and some arm hair on the inner movement cover...
Before I get to the battery...take a closer look at the caseback. The slots are open to the world!! I didn't know this!! Would be the reason for all the dust and arm hairs entering...
Okay, on to the battery. This is the soon-to-be dead battery...easy access, huh!!??
Once I had the caseback off, I put the B-1 in to "BATT" mode to allow the time and date info to be stored in the capacitors. I was a bit nervous at this point because I didn't know exactly how many seconds I had of stored energy, but had heard 10-15 seconds. That's really a long time to pop one battery out, and put another in.
All done! New one in, old one out...
Caseback back on, and functions checked, it stored the date and time as it's supposed to. Pic taken with the caseback tool...
I guess if I get flamed out of existence for this by the B community, so be it. But I've long thought that the charge for a battery change was absolutely out of line, even with having them look it over (yes, I do know exactly what they do when it is sent in, and paying for someone to look at it is part of it...but then you may get dinged for an unexpected additional service, which is okay if you're okay with it, and knew it was a possibility, but if you refuse, they won't change the battery either). I would say with the 2-3 year battery life, that I would send it to BUSA every other time for overhaul, but this was just so stone simple that I had to put it out there.
Flame suit is on...
If I had been shopping for that watch and saw those slots; that might have been a deal breaker.
