The Breitling Watch Source Forums

So when I recently purchased my Galactic 41 from my local AD (love the watch by the way, in spite of its not-entirely-classic-Breitling styling), I was originally looking at Navitimer models. Two different sales people discouraged me from getting one. I never bath or swim with my watch on (or submerge it under water in any way), but my job requires me to wash my hands at least 30-40 times a day. They were both concerned that since the Navitimer is among the least water resistant Breitlings, that over time the occasional splashing that might occur could be risky. However, the information on this site suggests that occasional splashing or even briefly submerging a Navitimer would be ok. So, I know many people here own them, what's the experience been? I tend to be careful not to get my watches wet, but occasional minor splashing is bound to occur daily. Is it still safe? I almost didn't get a leather band for the same reason, but so far I haven't noticed it to be a huge problem. Obviously, I would NEVER be pressing any of the buttons or using the crown if water was present at all. I'd still love to get one.

I've had a couple of Navis over the years and I currently have a Navi World, and I've had no problems at all with WR when washing my hands. I don't submerge my Navi at all, but I do clean it under a very very slow trickle under the tap, and I've never had an issue.

This is just my personal experience and other people's may vary (so don't take this as confirmation that it's always safe), but as long at the bezel is a good tight fit to the case, washing hands shouldn't be a problem.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

WR simply comes down to pressure - not the number of times that the watch is exposed to water (unless we are talking about salt water) so the number of times that you wash your hands shouldn't be an issue at all. I never worry about washing my hands with a (modern) Navi.

I've learned more about watches from this site in the past two weeks than in the rest of my life. Thanks!

So, it sounds like I could have gone with my first choice after all. Now I guess I have an even bigger problem.....how to convince my wife I should go out and buy another watch when I just bought a brand new one 2 weeks ago!

Not what a marriage councillor would advise but you could always claim that it's a cheap fake

I'm glad I'm not a marriage councillor

Wessa

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Exactly my experience/pattern too. I make sure the crown and pushers are facing away from the flow of the water when I wash it up/rinse it off. Never had a problem.

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SHARKMAN

On one hand I have had a shower with my Navitimer. On the other hand I have had water damage in my Colt Ocean Automatic which is rated at 500 meters.
My simple lesson learned - if you can avoid water exposure than do so.
A $100 quarz job is what I wear when I go swimming.
Correct me if I'm wrong but as far as I understand it once the watch is out of warranty, the owner pays for the water damage repair even if the WR rating is 1000 meters.

Wessa.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Correct!

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SHARKMAN

This is the main reason I do not consider getting a Navitimer or any watch rated less than 100m...
And just to clarify the newbies, a watch rated at whatever depth, is NOT meant to be submerged in the water at that said depth. A watch rated at 30m can barely be washed under running water.

But some Navis are so beautiful...

Well to be technically correct it can be exposed to 3 atmospheres of pressure, so it depends on the pressure of the running water - a trickling tap is running water, so is Niagara Falls, only one exceeds 3 atmospheres.

Off Topic:

When I die, I hope my better half doesn't sell my toy's for the prices I told her I paid for it !!

On Topic:

Going overboard once I took my Breitling Heritage for an unexpected swim without ill effects
I now have no reservations against going swimming with a REGULARLY serviced modern Navitimer, I do however strongly advice against going overboard with or without watch, period ! .

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"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

Well my AD was really careful when talking about the real life resistance to water, he even gave me a manual (made by Breitling Japan) specifically dealing with that subject, and it says that even the tap water can reach 3atm of pressure:

It can indeed, which is why everyone here is saying that they use a slowly running tap, not one running full blast. My home's water is supplied by a well so I control the pressure. My system is currently set to 56psi which is the equivalent of about 3.8 atmospheres, but that is simply the maximum delivered pressure - I can still fill a glass of water without it spraying everywhere, and I have no qualms washing my hands with a navitimer on.

No, unfortunately my wife knows me too well. She knows I would never buy a fake. Maybe I will have to tell her I found it on ebay and no one else bid and it was only $1000.....dishonest, but slightly more believable

As many of you know here by now, I have the sunburst Airwolf . It is rated at 5 bar (50 metres) and IMO one of the drawbacks of this watch in that I wish it had a higher bar but - beggars can't be choosers . I periodically give mine the soapy water wash and gentle brush followed by the fresh water rinse from the tap (not on full belt though ). On the odd occasion that I go swimming, it has been with me but I wouldn't dare dive into the water with it on (nor would I depress the buttons or rotate the crown). It has also accompanied me while I have a sauna or go in a steam room followed by the obligatory plunge pool jump . The point I am making? It's been fine. .

Oh, the same applies for my previous B1 too .

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TAG Professional (Silver/Gold) 2000 - still going strong and kept as spare when Wolf is away.
Breitling B1 (Blue) 2003 - 2008.
Breitling Airwolf (Black Sunburst) 2008 - Date.