The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi,

I was on holiday and managed to scratch the links on my Colt Automatic (not very badly but noticable on 4 links). I can't remember what the bracelets designated name is, but it's the one with 3 links with the middle link being brushed metal and the other links polished.

When I got my watch serviced last year they polished it, but said that they could not polish the brushed metal links. I took that to mean that they did not have the equipment to redo the brushed metal effect. Is this a case of 'send it back to Breitling' so they can redo the brushed metal effect or is it not possible?

TIA
Andrew

A fine grade scotchbrite pad will sort that for you if it's not too bad.

Use seloptape or similar to mask the polished links and gently rub over the scratched area(s) along the length of the bracelet.

Try it on the inner face first to judge how much is needed and also if you need to do all the matt links to make it match.

I do this with the Fighter bracelet on my B-1 and it's very effective. In fact I'm gonna do it now as I haven't done it for about 9 months. If possible I'll post some before and after shots.

Good luck - any questions just ask before you start if you're concerned at all.

_________________
Aerospace Titanium & Gold - Grey Face
B-1 on Fighter/Blue Shark - Blue Face
Emergency on Pro - Yellow Face

To complete the collection:
Navi 01 46/Black leather - Black/white
Montbrillant Datora/Navi - White face


LEARNING.......EVERY DAY

BB has given all the info you need, finite9. Those Scotchbrite pads work extremely well as long as you brush in the direction of the "grain" and go quite easy, especially when you start.

I'm a bit surprised though that a watch-repairer said they could do anything about the scratches on the brushed links when you had your watch serviced. It's quite a simply DIY job, so for a watch-repairer to say it's too tough is quite a surprise to me. Obviously I assume it wasn't a Breitling AD you went to?

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Driver8

Site Moderator

OK - I don't know how this will look on the photos but in the flesh it is a big difference.

I also did a bit of Cape Cod polishing on the outer links. But the whole thing took about 20-30 mins. As with anything, the more time you take the better the results.

So - Before:



During:



After:



Enjoy, it's great to give it a bit of a buff up.

_________________
Aerospace Titanium & Gold - Grey Face
B-1 on Fighter/Blue Shark - Blue Face
Emergency on Pro - Yellow Face

To complete the collection:
Navi 01 46/Black leather - Black/white
Montbrillant Datora/Navi - White face


LEARNING.......EVERY DAY

wow! after reading this technique over and over on this forum i have always wondered if it really looked good and factory after you were done? Well you proved that it not only looks AWESOME it looks perfect and factory as well! Great DIY job!

_________________
SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

How do you do that?

<-- Wishes he was Breitling Bloke's neighbor.......

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

Reverse of masking the outer links when buffing the middle links to restore the brushed finish.

Just mask the centre links with cut tape and polish the outers with a cape cod or sunshine cloth.

Here's an older thread with more info:

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=3772&hilit=cape+cod

If you want some cloths just put "cape cod" in the search box on ebay and look under watches and jewellery - loads there and they last a good while. 1 pack will do you ages.

_________________
Aerospace Titanium & Gold - Grey Face
B-1 on Fighter/Blue Shark - Blue Face
Emergency on Pro - Yellow Face

To complete the collection:
Navi 01 46/Black leather - Black/white
Montbrillant Datora/Navi - White face


LEARNING.......EVERY DAY

Nice work on that refurb there BB!

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

Cheers D8

Yes it looks OK and that was a real quick job.

Back on my wrist inside an hour. Didn't go mad as it's my daily wear as it will be bashed about a bit over the next few months.

Nice to have it shining again though.

_________________
Aerospace Titanium & Gold - Grey Face
B-1 on Fighter/Blue Shark - Blue Face
Emergency on Pro - Yellow Face

To complete the collection:
Navi 01 46/Black leather - Black/white
Montbrillant Datora/Navi - White face


LEARNING.......EVERY DAY

Very nice job! So my Chrono Avenger (titanium) needs some care. Any tip? Could I just use cape cod on titanium aswell?

Cheers

_________________
"Nice from a far, but far from nice"


Breitling "pre" Chrono-Matic 1969
Omega Seamaster 300 1969
Rolex Submariner 16800 1982 (birthyear watch)
IWC Aquatimer 3548 2008

+Misc

No. Cape cods are for mirror polishing.

My Ti Aerospace does not get the same wear and tear as my B-1 (or the Monty of course) but the clasp does need a quick buff with the scotchbrite from time to time. Still going with the grain as it were, it gives a resonable finish.

Again, try it on a hidden part first.

Obviously it works better on the bracelet but larger areas of the case can be refinished too - just need to see if it matches the original finish as going round fiddly bits can be difficult.

Take your time and a similar improvement can be achieved.

_________________
Aerospace Titanium & Gold - Grey Face
B-1 on Fighter/Blue Shark - Blue Face
Emergency on Pro - Yellow Face

To complete the collection:
Navi 01 46/Black leather - Black/white
Montbrillant Datora/Navi - White face


LEARNING.......EVERY DAY

thanks a lot for the tips and pics BB. I had no idea it could be so easy to do yourself, although i suspect it takes a bit of experience to get right, like anything else. I will definitely give this a go.