The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I had an interesting conversation with the owner of my Breitling AD today. He just got back from 2 weeks in Switzerland on Bretiling's tab. Got to fly in the jets and had a several day extensive tour of their updated facilities.
I never really thought much about how Breitling colors their dials. I suppose I just assumed it was some sort of enamel. Now if you are a chemist, engineer or PhD level WUS, stop reading because you already know this.

Turns out all the dials are dipped in the same anodized solution. It all depends how long the dial is in the solution. For demonstration purposes they had a technician hold a dial in the solution for a designated time and it came out pink. Put the same dial in for another designated time and the pink dial becomes brown. Still more and the brown dial is gray. Then black. Blue is somewhere in there. Shades are accomplished by varying time of course.

Like I said above, I found this interesting and thought I may as well let other equally less educated sorts in on the secret.

And I left with the 2011 Calendar and chocolate box - much nicer than the 2007 I have. And the box was filled with chocolates. CHOCOLATES!!! At last.

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SHARKMAN

I know for a fact that anodizing fades....therefore how do they stop the dials from fading in sunlight then? That's the question

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Past: BlackBird, Navi World, SA, Rolex DJII, IWC Yacht Club
Present: CE, DSSD
Future: Changes daily

Already back at the watch dealer, huh?

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-RJ

Each dial is subjected to an intense UV exposrure meant to approximate several 1000 hours of sunlight UV exposure. And the technique obviously has some tweeking to it. And I would specualte the AR may have some UV protection abilities.

But I have read threads before where a guy with a brown or bronze dial notes it is turning pink - that is, fading from brown. so there are degrees of quality and processes involved - just like anything else.



They had a gift for me! I haven't joined a monestary.

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SHARKMAN

Mmmmmmmm...Truffles!

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SHARKMAN

Superb chocolate and an amazing looking calendar!

thats a cool piece of info sharkman. i always thought they were just painted.

edit - i have to say the AD's in the states give you guys some awesome swag. The best thing that I have gotten is a few caps. Anyone else from Canada ever get any other cool stuff?

Huh, I never knew that. I just assumed they were painted or something. Never really gave it much thought actually. Nice box by the way.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

huh, didnt know that.

chocolates were good this year too. i like last years box with the glass top better, i use it to keep straps in

love the calendar, dont know where to put it yet.

I love little snippets of info like this. Some may consider them nerdy, but helps maintain my interest in watches

Thanks for sharing Sharkman

Thanks for sharing Tom.

My AD has some serious explaining to do

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.