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What is the expected lifespan for a pilot bracelet? Do the links get loose (for the lack of a better description) etc

I tend to store my chronomat with pilot in its original box and as I have a 6.75-7" wrist the bracelet is as a result reasonably tight on the leather insert that goes into the leather case. Is this bad for the bracelet?

In terms of your concerns, the lifespan is infinite, since properly cared for it will outlast any life in being.

...there won't be the same degree of stretching that some of the early Pro I bracelets tend to suffer from.

Roffensian wrote:

...there won't be the same degree of stretching that some of the early Pro I bracelets tend to suffer from.

What about the Pro II? I'm considering a CSO, and I have an issue similar to that of the OP, but with my Orbita winder. Even with the smaller rubber cushion, the watch still fits on there pretty snugly, given that the bracelet is sized to my 6.5" wrist. And for those who know the Orbita cushions, you know those things have a lot of spring in them. I've never worried about it before, but that's only because I never thought about it. Is there reason for concern?

Roffensian wrote:

...there won't be the same degree of stretching that some of the early Pro I bracelets tend to suffer from.

JacksonStone wrote:

Roffensian wrote:

...there won't be the same degree of stretching that some of the early Pro I bracelets tend to suffer from.

I'm glad you asked this! I too was thinking "what about the Pro II?" Jackson, I love my CSO as mentioned in other posts, I wear it everyday, from t-shirt and jeans to business casual to ... a suit, although sometimes it is a bit tough to slip under the cuffs. For that reason I usually slip on my Rado. In any case, I would highly recommend the CSO!

I must say, it is one watch I haven't had any shirt sleeve problems with.

In any case, I would highly recommend the CSO!

sco wrote:

In any case, I would highly recommend the CSO!

I just went from considering to decided. The CSO is incoming, and should be here next week.

JacksonStone wrote:

sco wrote:

In any case, I would highly recommend the CSO!

I just went from considering to decided. The CSO is incoming, and should be here next week.

Sweet.

Nice, what dial and strap did you choose?

sco wrote:

Nice, what dial and strap did you choose?

Black dial, Pro II bracelet. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but it's what I like. :lingsrock:

Author:	tubs [ Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:34 pm ]
Post subject:	Pilot bracelet lifespan
What is the expected lifespan for a pilot bracelet? Do the links get loose (for the lack of a better description) etc I tend to store my chronomat with pilot in its original box and as I have a 6.75-7" wrist the bracelet is as a result reasonably tight on the leather insert that goes into the leather case. Is this bad for the bracelet?

Author:	mfserge [ Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:49 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Pilot bracelet lifespan
tubs wrote: What is the expected lifespan for a pilot bracelet? Do the links get loose (for the lack of a better description) etc I tend to store my chronomat with pilot in its original box and as I have a 6.75-7" wrist the bracelet is as a result reasonably tight on the leather insert that goes into the leather case. Is this bad for the bracelet? If the bracelet is too tight on the leather insert it won't harm the bracelet but it may slightly bend the deployment clasp if it's TOO tight. Just be careful with that, don't use any force to secure the deployment around the leather pillow, and you'll be fine. The pilot bracelets have a very long lifespan. The links won't get loose; breitling uses screw in pins to secure the links; they're made to last a very long time.

Author:	sharkman [ Tue Dec 28, 2010 1:00 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Pilot bracelet lifespan
In terms of your concerns, the lifespan is infinite, since properly cared for it will outlast any life in being.

Author:	Roffensian [ Tue Dec 28, 2010 1:36 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Pilot bracelet lifespan
sharkman wrote: In terms of your concerns, the lifespan is infinite, since properly cared for it will outlast any life in being. Well maybe not quite. Like any object where metal rubs metal there will be microscopic wear, but the links are very well made and there won't be the same degree of stretching that some of the early Pro I bracelets tend to suffer from. I would expect 20+ years of daily use.

Author:	JacksonStone [ Wed Dec 29, 2010 10:13 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Pilot bracelet lifespan
Roffensian wrote: ...there won't be the same degree of stretching that some of the early Pro I bracelets tend to suffer from. What about the Pro II? I'm considering a CSO, and I have an issue similar to that of the OP, but with my Orbita winder. Even with the smaller rubber cushion, the watch still fits on there pretty snugly, given that the bracelet is sized to my 6.5" wrist. And for those who know the Orbita cushions, you know those things have a lot of spring in them. I've never worried about it before, but that's only because I never thought about it. Is there reason for concern?

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Author:	charlieH [ Thu Dec 30, 2010 2:27 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Pilot bracelet lifespan
Get yourself one of the new style Breitling travel cases, (the cube shape one) with the foam insert. It's where my Evo sits when not in use and the foam conforms to the watch, cutting out any undue stresses to the Pilot Bracelet. I also leave the clasp undone which further reduces any possible "strain". That should set your mind at rest. The Pilot bracelet is truly a work of art, imo. Nick

Author:	Roffensian [ Thu Dec 30, 2010 7:22 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Pilot bracelet lifespan
JacksonStone wrote: Roffensian wrote: ...there won't be the same degree of stretching that some of the early Pro I bracelets tend to suffer from. What about the Pro II? I'm considering a CSO, and I have an issue similar to that of the OP, but with my Orbita winder. Even with the smaller rubber cushion, the watch still fits on there pretty snugly, given that the bracelet is sized to my 6.5" wrist. And for those who know the Orbita cushions, you know those things have a lot of spring in them. I've never worried about it before, but that's only because I never thought about it. Is there reason for concern? Pro II will stretch marginally more than the Pilot because there are fewr links to distribute the strain across but I wouldn't worry about it in a practical sense.

Author:	sco [ Thu Dec 30, 2010 7:48 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Pilot bracelet lifespan
JacksonStone wrote: Roffensian wrote: ...there won't be the same degree of stretching that some of the early Pro I bracelets tend to suffer from. What about the Pro II? I'm considering a CSO, and I have an issue similar to that of the OP, but with my Orbita winder. Even with the smaller rubber cushion, the watch still fits on there pretty snugly, given that the bracelet is sized to my 6.5" wrist. And for those who know the Orbita cushions, you know those things have a lot of spring in them. I've never worried about it before, but that's only because I never thought about it. Is there reason for concern? I'm glad you asked this! I too was thinking "what about the Pro II?" Jackson, I love my CSO as mentioned in other posts, I wear it everyday, from t-shirt and jeans to business casual to ... a suit, although sometimes it is a bit tough to slip under the cuffs. For that reason I usually slip on my Rado. In any case, I would highly recommend the CSO!

Author:	sharkman [ Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:03 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Pilot bracelet lifespan
sco wrote: JacksonStone wrote: Roffensian wrote: ...there won't be the same degree of stretching that some of the early Pro I bracelets tend to suffer from. What about the Pro II? I'm considering a CSO, and I have an issue similar to that of the OP, but with my Orbita winder. Even with the smaller rubber cushion, the watch still fits on there pretty snugly, given that the bracelet is sized to my 6.5" wrist. And for those who know the Orbita cushions, you know those things have a lot of spring in them. I've never worried about it before, but that's only because I never thought about it. Is there reason for concern? I'm glad you asked this! I too was thinking "what about the Pro II?" Jackson, I love my CSO as mentioned in other posts, I wear it everyday, from t-shirt and jeans to business casual to ... a suit, although sometimes it is a bit tough to slip under the cuffs. For that reason I usually slip on my Rado. In any case, I would highly recommend the CSO! I traded my black dial CSO for a black dial Defy Elite power reserve months ago. I regretted it and bought a new black dial CSO from Fear/Provident. Glad I did. I wear it mainly on a brown croco, sometimes a black croco. When I get around to it I will order a Pro II for it as well. I must say, it is one watch I haven't had any shirt sleeve problems with. And I agree it is very versatile. It is a highly underrated watch IMO - evidently suffering from SA envy or something. I really like the prominent guilloche on the dial.

Author:	JacksonStone [ Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:16 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Pilot bracelet lifespan
sharkman wrote: I must say, it is one watch I haven't had any shirt sleeve problems with. My Chronomat (Evo) wouldn't fit under French cuffs, but it fit under barrel cuffs just fine. Since the CSO is 2mm slimmer than the Chronomat, I wouldn't think I'd have any trouble getting it to fit under barrel cuffs, either, although French cuffs might still be a problem. But I almost never wear French cuffs anymore anyway, so no big deal.

Author:	JacksonStone [ Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:04 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Pilot bracelet lifespan
sco wrote: In any case, I would highly recommend the CSO! I just went from considering to decided. The CSO is incoming, and should be here next week.

Author:	sharkman [ Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:43 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Pilot bracelet lifespan
JacksonStone wrote: sco wrote: In any case, I would highly recommend the CSO! I just went from considering to decided. The CSO is incoming, and should be here next week. Sweet.

Author:	sco [ Fri Dec 31, 2010 1:42 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Pilot bracelet lifespan
sharkman wrote: JacksonStone wrote: sco wrote: In any case, I would highly recommend the CSO! I just went from considering to decided. The CSO is incoming, and should be here next week. Sweet. Nice, what dial and strap did you choose?

Author:	JacksonStone [ Fri Dec 31, 2010 1:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Pilot bracelet lifespan
sco wrote: Nice, what dial and strap did you choose? Black dial, Pro II bracelet. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but it's what I like.

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Author:	sco [ Fri Dec 31, 2010 3:19 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Pilot bracelet lifespan
JacksonStone wrote: sco wrote: Nice, what dial and strap did you choose? Black dial, Pro II bracelet. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but it's what I like. I was torn between white and black. I chose white which looks really sharp on brown croc, but I think the black looks better on the pro II. Congrats!