The Breitling Watch Source Forums

So, I just had this watch repaired by a Breitling Authorized repair center, because the crown would no longer screw down (common problem with the Ti watches). When I sent it in, the finish on the crown matched the watch, brushed Ti, now it doesnt even look or feel like it has a finish on it. Its rough and dull. Can anyone tell me if this looks normal to them for a Chrono Avenger?

Doesn't look normal to me and not like the crown on the CA I owned. Two questions, firstly was this an official Breitling service centre? Some claim to be 'authorised' but they don't say by who! Secondly, is there some kind of protective film on the crown that needs to be removed? If you're not happy then it needs to go back.

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Breitling B-1 1999
Breitling Chrono Superocean 2004
Casio G Shock
Citizen Eco Drive AT4000-02E (for gardening)
Seiko 5 SNZG15J1
Hamilton X Wind LE

It doesn't look too bad in the photo. But that can be deceptive.

Would it make any difference if it were polished? By hand & not by machine. Perhaps if needs a little finishing to get it similar to the rest of the watch. Or do you believe it's so different that polishing would not do it?

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Jim

"You have Control".

I'm absolute that it was an Official Repair center, not the BUSA CT one, but a shop out west, I'm not mentioning it here yet, cause so many of you have spoke so highly of him.

I don't know if polishing would do it, and if it would, it would probably take a lot. It feels like bare raw metal, and looks like it doesn't belong.

Go back to the AD and explain them your problem. See what they say. Difficult to see on the pic IMO.

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I know exactly what you are referring to. My Chrono Avenger has been back to BUSA twice within the last year for this same issue. Both times it came back with a darker color crown. I didn't ask why, but it's tool watch for me and I am not bothered by it. I'm more concerned that this continues to happen.

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Chrono Avenger, Super Ocean Steelfish, (Super Ocean (Coral Dial), Super Avenger and Emergency- gone but not forgotten)

Pure speculation on my part, but......

Breitling has had issues with Titanium because it has always used Grade 2 which is softer than the usual alternative for watches, Grade 5.

Grade 2 is essentially pure, while Grade 5 is a titanium alloy, and I wonder whether Breitling g is now using Grade 5 crowns for added strength / damage resistance. That might explain a visual difference.

So, I've been in contact with JD, and Breitling USA today. JD did everything right as we would expect him to. BUSA on the other hand I've been less impressed with.

I'm well aware of the issues arising from the use of Grade 2 Ti, heck its why it needed a new crown and tube to begin with. According to BUSA, the new darker, sandblasted/raw metal crown is now the replacement part, the old part made of the grade 2 Titanium is NLA, so if your crown strips out and it will eventually, there is no choice but to "upgrade" to this new crown. At least this is the answer from the technical department.

At this point it's unknown if its possible to polish, ect this new crown so it has a matching finish to the watch. They are going to get back to me tomorrow.

Just curious if Breitling ever got back with you on this in regards to matching the replacement crown? Also, it has been my understanding that in order to replace a stripped crown on the Ti watches the entire "Middle Case" must be replaced. Was this the case with yours?

Interesting


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I guess. It all dependes where the threads are stripped.
If it's on the case/tube then you need new middle case. More expensive and I hope never happens to me.
If it's on he crown, you're lucky, only need new crown. It's a cheaper option.

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"It is just a matter of time!"