The Breitling Watch Source Forums

All ... Having an issue when trying to wind my 4 month old Chronomat. Daily wearer and rarely leaves wrist. Occasionally I'll run the chronograph and then after use give it a few winds. Notice recently a lot of tension on the crown prohibiting me from turning smoothly for more than a turn or two. At times unable to turn at all and then need to turn back in order to be able to turn again. Any ideas as to why this may be? I was under the assumption that you couldn't over wind the watch so I am surprised to feel resistance to say the least.

Something I am missing or should know ???

There was a time earlier on I was able to turn it freely for multiple turns with just normal like resistance.
Appreciate your replies.


Chronomat 44 GMT

You can't overwind an automatic.

Could be any number of things from the rotor not disengaging properly to an issue in the keyless works. Whatever the cause it needs to be checked out by Breitling as it's not going to fix itself.

Thanks. Was afraid of that. I work in NY where my AD is (Breitling Boitique). Is this something they can look at on site or a send away to BUSA you think?


Chronomat 44 GMT

It will likely have to go to the service centre.

Not an expert by any means but the first thing that pops to mind is;
When you wind the watch are you accidentally re-engaging the screw down crown by pushing inward while turning clockwise?



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_________________
Cheers
Brez

Aerospace
Airwolf CF-18 Limited Edition
TrancOcean Chronograph LE (mercury silver dial, brown croc, folding clasp)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

_________________
Cheers
Brez

Aerospace
Airwolf CF-18 Limited Edition
TrancOcean Chronograph LE (mercury silver dial, brown croc, folding clasp)

Roff ... Thanks as always.

Brez ... I wish that was the case, unfortunately this is one instance I can't blame my own stupidity.

I'll be heading to the AD today (watchmaker on site) for an evaluation before it most like is sent off to BUSA CT.

Oh well ... It was a good 4 month run while it lasted! Next question to everyone is should I settle for a repair @ 4 months or try and acquire a new replacement from the AD?




Chronomat 44 GMT

Your warranty entitles you to a repair, not a replacement.

So, follow up ... Went to NY boutique today and sat with watchmaker and described problem. He seemed not as concerned as I and thought the main spring may just be "wound tight". He kept watch for check/evaluation, but couldn't determine issue on spot. A little concerning as I mentioned at times the crown could not be wound with extreme resistance. But, he didn't seem to have the issue today when I showed him the watch.

We'll see what he comes up with next few days. I'm just bummed that it's only been 4 months and experiencing an issue so soon, if at all!




Chronomat 44 GMT

UPDATE! Spoke to AD today and was told that the watchmaker needed to fix the "reverse" ... Forgive me, but what the heck is that and why would it need to be fixed after 4 months of daily wear and use?

Thanks.


Watch being held until mid next week so he can check timing and performance before release.


Chronomat 44 GMT

Not a generally recognised horological term so no clue what he is referring to.

"reverse"....



Not being a horological expert, I can take a flyer: perhaps it's the mechanism that allows the crown to reverse during the back & forth winding procedure. Something like a ratchet mechanism.

On occasion, I've been accused of being over-wound - the repair is a nice glass of wine, or an interesting craft beer.

Desert Hiker

There's a click and click spring that holds the keyless works and ensures that the reserve stays in the mainspring, the crown and crown stem are reversed using a gear (that is similar to a ratchet) and slides over the crown stem and engages with the keyless works. Can't see how either of those would cause the winding itself to be stiffer - the most common cause would be the rotor not releasing which effectively means that the hand winding is also rotating the rotor.