The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Cleaning my Colt GMT is an easy task - some soapy warm water, and very soft toothbrush, and have a go at it. When I'm done, I rinse away with warm water.

I've had my Navi World for about two months, and it's definitely in need of a cleaning. I have certainly read the countless posts on here about the fear getting a Navi anywhere near water, so I am petrified of cleaning this thing!

Any tips?

Thanks,
Keith

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Breitling Colt GMT
Breitling Navitimer World
IWC Portuguese Automatic
Breitling Transocean Chronograph LE

Same approach, but don't submerge.

I think there's a lot of scare-mongering about Navis and their inability to survive a little moisture. Roff is absolutely correct about not submerging it, but a bit of wettness is not going to harm it provided the bezel is reaonably tight. It's not going to instantly mist up if you sneeze on it.

I've regularly cleaned my Navitimers under a very slowly running tap (i.e. more than a drip so that it's constant, but nothing with any great force behind it) for years now with no ill effects at all. Obviously I try not to concentrate the flow on the crown or pushpieces, but that aside they've been absolutely fine.

As I said above, if your Navi has quite a loose bezel that will compromise the water resistance somewhat, so just be even more careful in those circumstances.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Thanks Roff.

I must admit, I'm a bit surprised - I didn't think that passing the watch under running water would be a good idea, but I'll give it a go (and certainly not with the faucet at full blast )

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Breitling Colt GMT
Breitling Navitimer World
IWC Portuguese Automatic
Breitling Transocean Chronograph LE

Thanks Driver.

Agreed about the scare-mongering! Nevermind cleaing the watch - it's raining in Boston today, and I was nervous wearing my Navi!

Good info about the bezel. I'm thinking that it won't be a problem - my bezel certainly doesn't move freely.

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Breitling Colt GMT
Breitling Navitimer World
IWC Portuguese Automatic
Breitling Transocean Chronograph LE

To eliminate the risk of getting any water in the watch case, why not just use a damp or wet cloth. Would save the worry. I use this method with all my watches that aren't water resistant.

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Lings:
Super Avenger Blacksteel
Airwolf Raven
18k Montbrillant Datora
B4B Complications 19

Is the navi really that sensitive to water?

I clean my navi world by submerging it in a bowl of hot water mixed with soap. I have it submerged 5-10 minuets just so the dirt can easily be brushed away with a soft brush. I do this maybe 2-3 times a month.

According to Breitling this watch should be able to withstand -+ 3 bars of pressure. In theory that equals a depth of 20 meters. I don't think that there is more pressure in that bowl of water than there is when I wear it. It sounds scary that ppl are afraid to wear their watches due to sweat that could potentially find it's way in to the watch. I haven't had any problems with moisture or humid on the inside of the crystal so far.

As long as you service the watch regularly it shouldn't be a problem right?

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Navitimer -05
Navitimer World -08

Actually 3 atmospheres is 30 metres, but the key is that it is static water pressure.

That means the pressure exerted at a depth of 30 metres by non moving water. When you add movement of the watch relative to water (or water relative to watch if you prefer) you can very easily exceed a pressure of 3 atmospheres under a running tap or shower.

Yes you are correct, were I live they have a pressure of 4-7 bars from the tap but since I clean my Navi in a bowl of still water it shouldn't be a problem. The watch shouldn't be exposed to more than 1,5 -2 bars MAX. Like I said so far I haven't had any problems with moisture.

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Navitimer -05
Navitimer World -08