The Breitling Watch Source Forums

just curious how many of you actually change your own straps and how many of you bring it back to the AD to do. i personally would have to bring it in...as i know nothing about how to change them...hahah its pathetic i know. but i also do not own the tools to do it.

If you go to the homepage under straps or bracelets I think there a little video that goes over how to do it. The proper tool, Bergeron 6767F I think, is only like $25 or so.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

You're right, Bergeon 6767-F and you might be able to find it even cheaper. It's very simple to do, I don't take them to my AD, I've found that I am more careful than they are. The first few times it takes a little getting used to, but once you do it a few it becomes a piece of cake....bracelets are a little harder than straps tho and the video on here is helpful.

On a side note...I recently purchase a Swiss Army Microtechnician, also called a Minathor in UK, and it has Bergeon tools built into it for changing straps, bracelets, and it even has a spring bar adjuster. I got this idea from swiss1 who was selling an extremely rare Breitling Swiss Army Minathor (which I missed out on by a few minutes and was soooo pissed) so I just bought a non-breitling one and love it. http://www.wenger.ch/minathor-50-1-550-046-300

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

I change my own, as I am in the process of learning watchmaking (or at least watch repair) it wouldn't demonstrate much confidence in my abilities if I wasn't prepared to change my own straps

If you werent good at it by this point having yourself a PAM in the house will get you up to snuff like the rest of us around here!

Low blow, I know!

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

I change my straps on both my Breitlings myself and its VERY easy. Takes a little getting used to and can be a tad tedious at times, but you can do it no problem.....go to Home Depot and buy one of the multi tool interchangeable mini-screwdrivers. Usually has about 8-12 different attachments for very small projects (you'll want to use the smallest flat head screwdriver attachment), and it doesn't cost much at all.....that's all you need.

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Breitling SuperOcean Steelfish - Silver Dial
Breitling SuperOcean Heritage - Black Dial
Breitling Navitimer World - White Dial
Boschett Cave Dweller - Grey Dial
Casio G-Shock - Black Dial
H2O Kalmar - Yellow Dial

I am a complete and utter clutz, but even I can quickly remove a bracelet, adjust a bracelet, and swap out for straps without damaging case or bracelet. There are vidoes on removing the end links and sizing a bracelet here. Definitely need a Bergeon 6767F to remove the end link spring bar. Also the 1.6mm bergeon screwdriver that can be purchased individually works well for removing screws. You can also get multi sets on revolving base fairly cheap (less than bergeon sets). Just make sure you have replacement blades - they should be sharp.

Gosh, if I had to go to the AD every time I wanted to put a strap on or play with a bracelet to get it "just right," I'd be living on a cot near the safe.

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SHARKMAN

As many watches as you bought I'm sure they'd get you something nicer than a cot.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

If you use a screwdriver then it's only a matter of time before it slips and you scratch the watch.

For the sake of less than $20, get the right tool.

For those of you who want to learn how to change straps - I suggest you practice on a cheap or old watch for practicing, if you slip and scratch it - no big deal.

It's really easy, you just need to have proper tool and try few times.

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Chronomat :: Evolution Red | Evolution Frecce Tricolori | Longitude
Navitimer :: Montbrillant Eclipse | Old II | Current
Professional :: B-1 | B-2 w UTC
Colt :: GMT

I bought the Bergeon 6767F as advised by BS Forum members and must say i found it difficult to start with but once you have done it a few times it gets easier. Roff is right though without the tool i reckon you will scratch your watch. It only cost me £12 and considering how expensive Breitlings are the investment in the correct tool is a no brainer in my opinion .

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Cockpit MOP dial / Pilot bracelet

And just to add to what others have said, I find it's really helpful to put a 3 or 4 layers of selotape over the lugs right up up to the edge when changing straps. It just gives a little more protection should you slip.

Personally I'd never let an AD change the straps on my watches, as even my preferred (and generally extremely competent) AD managed to put some scratches on the underside of the lugs on my old blue dial Navi World. More damage in 20 seconds in the hands of an alleged professional than I'd done in well over a year of ownership!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Agreed drive. I have also wrapped the tool itself. You have to wrap tight for it to still go over the springbar though.

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle