The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Well I wore my ling golfing on the weekend and I noticed now when I turn the bezel it makes a soft grinding noise. I guess from the sand in the bunkers. Can anyone atest it being possible to get sand in there?

Did you play from the beach quite a bit (sand traps)?

Sorry to hear that. Do you have access to using an ultrasonic cleaner?

If not, try brushing with soapy water, and blowing with compressed air.

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

Bezels can be removed fairly easily with the correct tool, which may ultimately be the only answer. Obviously don't turn it until it is cleaned as you risk scoring the metal in places.

To expand a bit on what Mark said, If it's not a Navitimer, you should be able to remove the bezel really easily with a fine screwdriver... just unscrew all the screws around the bezel and it will come off. Then clean it.

Sorry Brian, but you can NEVER put a watchcase in the ultrasonic while the movement is in it! The lubrication in the jewels, would vibrate right out! So, that's a big no no!

Vanessa

Vanessa - I am new here so don't know you - are you a watchsmith/watchmaker?

Yes Mark, I am.
http://breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=22
This is my introduction.

Sincerely,
Vanessa

Gosh, I am most humble. I had not see your intro so very glad to meet you indeed. Why the move from Belgium to the US? It's my bedtime now but will continue this

its an emergency. So if i just take out the 4 screws on the bezel it should pop off and allow access to clean underneath it?

Ok i was able to get the bezel off and clean it but now when I put it back together with the gasket in and the screws back (almost lost one twice what a scare that was) but not its so tight to turn. I also noticed that they used locktite. should i use it? Should I lubricate it with something?

Anything i should know about putting it back together I would greatly appreciate it.

If I was you I would put all the parts in a little plastic sealable bag, and run to an AD with watchmaker....
But if you really want to try yourself: Yes, it does need grease under the bezel so it'll run smooth. We use a thick Fomblin (white in color).
And yes you should put some locktite on the screws, but a minimum amount of the blue or purple kind (I forgot the numbers).
Do this while you sit down at a table and put a thick rag underneath your hands and everything, that when a screw drops, it doesn't jump off the table. ood luck, keep us posted!

Vanessa

That might be a good idear! Since you bought it at an AD they wouldn't mind doing that for you. Don't use Red Loctite!

Watchmakeress, is the Fomblin a teflon based lubricant? I used a teflon based electronics lubricant that is also white in color for the external parts of the watch.

You know what, I don't know!
I just buy it from Rolex...
But I'm sure whatever grease you use is better than none at all, as long as you don't use to much so it'll come running out....
BTW, don't use green locktite either, only blue or purple!

Vanessa

Fomblin is a perfluoropolyether PFPE grease. Not sure what the hell that is but available from several places although you would need to know which one as there are lots of different versions. Seems to be readily available and from diving shops.

Here's one place that has it:

http://www.2spi.com/catalog/vac/fomblin ... eases.html

Ah.. its a Krytox based lubricant.