The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi folks,

I've just purchased a Windrider A13048 Chronomat from about 1994 but need some advice if possible as I don't have any manual.

Firstly, is there anything I need to know about using the chrongraph or is it just simply push and play? I've read about breaking water resistant seals but not sure if it applies to the A13048?

Also, should it have a serial number engraved on the back case? I've bought it from a reputable source who told me the serial number, but then I can't see it anywhere? After checking pics online, some seem to have it, some don't??

I've been browsing around on here for a while before my purchase so know there are plenty of experts out there to help

Thanks in advance

Post a picture or two. It is not uncommon for serial number to be polished off over time with over-polishing. The chrono is a normal 7750 - 2 pusher starts and stops the chrono, 4 pusher stops it. Be mindful of the 8-3 rule against reversing the hands or trying to change the date. You can have any decent equipped AD test the W/R for you. I would never swim in my Chronomats for fear of accidently activating a chrono pusher while the watch is submerged.

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SHARKMAN

Thanks Sharkman.

I'll get some pics up tomorrow, but the back is pretty shiny so maybe it's just polished off.

Regarding the chrono buttons, so they're water resistant unless you press them? On the new chronomats there's a locking nut isn't there so less risk.

Also, I read about the 8-3 rule but when I was setting the time the crown was in the wrong position and I changed the date by mistake (22:00 my time). This won't have totally broken it will it? I'm sure it's not good practice but please don't say I've ruined my watch with one mistake

Appreciate any more advice. Thanks

Hi
My serial nos are very faint although readable would Breitling re-engrave the numbers
if asked at next service
Cheers
Scotpuppy

You likely didn't damage the date gear but if you want some peace of mind, forward the time through and entire month or at least set the date a couple days before the date you did that and forward the time and see what happens.

Yeah the screw down pushers are more protective. On the other hand, I always found them a bit of a pain to unscrew to time something. Enjoy your older Chronomat. My two say hello.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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SHARKMAN

Thanks again.

I'll run through the calendar tomorrow - fingers crossed for me.

I've been having another look under proper light and I can now see the model and serial numbers, but they're really faint. I guess the watch is 20 years old.

The more i'm looking at this watch, it looks so beautifully made.
The dial has so much detail.

Pics coming tomorrow

So the dates are all good and the watch is working beautifully.

I do, however, have one tiny gripe and I wondered if anyone else had the same thing:

When the bezel is set with the dot at 12 o'clock the markers all line up with the watch face but 2, 3 and 4 are slightly off from the crown and pushers. The crown is the most annoying one, like it needs half a click anti-clockwise, but this would then knock out the other markers. it's weird and I only noticed it the other day.

Is it just me?

Anyway, here's a picture although you can't tell from this, it's just to show off the watch

Hi folks,

Does anyone know the rough cost to get a Windrider Chronomat bezel realigned?

When the triangle is on the 12 o'clock it all lines up with the dial markers but then looks off at the crown and the 2 pushers. I don't know if this is normal and just forget about it, or if it's fixable.

The problem is, I think, if the bezel was adjusted a half turn anti clockwise to line up with tbe crown it would throw the rest of the markers out???

Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks in advance

Let's merge this with the other thread where you just asked the same question to avoid confusion.

It's tough to see exactly what's happening but it may simly be a case of removing and cleaning the bezel and then putting it back which is a DIY job if you have the right size screwdriver to loosen the screws. However, if you don't know when the watch was last serviced then a service is a good idea and it can be addressed during that process.

Thanks Roff, and sorry for the double post, I thought people might not respond to this one.

It's weird, but after looking at it today I feel better about it, and I'm certainly not going to start meddling with the bezel myself - that way madness lies

It's literally a fraction of a mm so I can live with it

Might enquire abut a service in the new year though

With a mechanical chrono I would advise not using the chrono pushers in quick succession. Personally I would not push them within a few seconds of each other. I have read of problems when people use a mechanical chrono like a quartz chrono.

Nice watch, ware it well!

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Breanach78

A Few Breitlings.

Yikes...I've done this a few times. What is the risk due to? ...something with tension on the gears?

There's no logical reason not to do it. Engaging / disengaging chrono is effectively instant - wouldn't be much good as a timer otherwise!

That's good to know then as it would be difficult to convince was I was measuring to work on a slower start-stop cycle...I mean, I could try to convince computer calculations to run at a slower pace, but it would be a little counterproductive as I was measuring them to see if we could get them running faster. The speed the chrono engages and disengages and resets makes it a lot better suited for what I was doing than an iPhone

I would have thought using it in quick succession would not be advisable, especially in an older model.

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Breanach78

A Few Breitlings.