The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I have a 1966 24-hour Top Time, model 810-24, with the modified Venus 178 movement. My local watchmaker recently carried out a full restoration & service, and the timepiece and chrono sections both run fine, except for one strange glitch. I'm hoping that someone out there may have encountered it before.

When I wind the watch, the hand on the 12-hour register sometimes moves forward 1 or 2 hours, or sometimes twitches backwards a little, or sometimes doesn't move at all. If I start, stop and zero the chronograph, the hand resets back to zero as normal. My watchmaker is puzzled by this, saying that it should not happen because there is no physical connection between the winding mechanism and the 12-hour register. I wondered whether it might be due to magnetised parts?

I would welcome any ideas about the cause or possible cure.

BOB

that "wobbling" hour register is quite common w/ Venus 178s, had this w/ two of my watches and one that is currently w/ Craig, there are several possible causes that I'd rather not list here, Craig will chime in here if he wants to publicly discuss it or you might contact him by pm (member chronodeco).

Here is a list of potential causes of the hour counter spinning when it is being wound (second sweep stopped):
1) hour wheel brake (part no 8690) broken, missing or out of adjustment.
2) bent hammer (part no 8680)
3) bent or broken hour wheel release spring (part no 8710)
4) switch lid (part no 8660) bent or loose
5) pusher shank too long pushing in on the hour hammer
The hour advance wheel sits on top of the mainspring barrel arbor and if not fully dissengaged, it will spin when wound.
There may be other causes but these are the most common. Craig

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S. Craig Bergsma

I may be able to offer an opinion here, i had exactly the same fault with an 809 recently, My watchmaker wound the watch when complete and the hour subdial hand moved as you describe, he then removed the movement from the case and wound it again, no movement of the subdial hand. Then adjusted the reset pusher shank out a tiny bit, re assembled and it's been perfect since.
So Craigs last suggestion was my experience.

Hope this may help.

Just another addition to this issue. I had to install a new hour hammer on a 178 yesterday and as a factory part, it was out of spec and held the hour wheel brake open allowing the hour counter to spin when winding the movement. The adjustment to the hour hammer included removal of some metal with the Dremel tool. This is not that uncommon with old Venus new factory parts. Their quality control in those days leaves something to be desired!

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S. Craig Bergsma

Thanks to all for the helpful replies - I will pass them on to the technician.

BOB