The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I just read the thread regarding the chap that inherited his dads watch and had a similar question regarding my watch. I love my watch the way it is. looks good, runs good. the only changes i would make are maybe a strap instead of the bracelet just for a change occasionally. However, I would like to add a cyclops to the date window only because i cannot see it. That is something that can be added easily and economical, would that be a real problem

I would imagine that would be a problem of the highest order. I'd be surprised if you would be able to "add" a cyclops to the original crystal, so you'd have to get one made....... and as you can imagine there aren't likely to be too many manufacturers out there making custom sapphire crystal parts.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Cyclops type magnifiers are available and can be added. They are available at Jules Borrel as well as other watch supply houses. I was concerned about the status of the Breitling watch not the actual adding of the magnefier, i have done that before on different watches.

Well if they're available to be purchased as you say I shouldn't imagine getting one added would be a big problem. I guess you know more about this than the rest of us.......

All I will say is that Breitling definitely won't fit it for you, and it will also definitely invalidate any Breitling warranty you have left. Breitling may also choose not to even service your watch as such a mod would have required the movement to be taken out and they get very twitchy about that kind of thing.

Additionally whoever fits it will probably have to remove the AR coating on the side it's going to be added to, so you might need to bear that in mind.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

They are added from the outside and resemble the Rolex, But you bring up an important issue i did not think about - the ar coating - is the ar coating on the outside as well?

Yes on Breitlings the AR coating is on both sides of the crystal.

You can also add them on the inside of the crystal as Panerai have used this method for many years. Personally I prefer the Panerai method as it keeps the outside surface nice and smooth. I guess you just need to be careful of clearance with the hands with that method.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Thank you so much for the info, i did not want to take the watch apart [ for warranty reasons ] i was thinking of just adding the magnefier on the outside but i do not want to ruin the coating as they are glued on and the glue would destroy the coating, you have helped me a great deal, guess i'l just have to get the reading glasses out

No probs at all!

And I've learnt something too as I didn't know you could buy aftermarket cyclopses!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

If you want to do it then the best way would be to get a replacement crystal and have the cyclops installed on that - that's easy (heck I can do that much!!) and cheap. You'll then have to find someone who can apply an AR to that - not so easy.

Finally, you'll have to find a friendly watchmaker who can swap crystals out for you so that Breitling don't get annoyed when you send it in for service.

Thank you but i think i'll just use the reading glasses, if it was a simple glue on a magnefier i would do it , don't want to ruin the ar coating and for swapping crystals, i am a firm believer if it ain't broke don't 'fool' with it.

Hello,

i just thought of a new question along this line and thought i would just add it on.
The a/r coating added to the outside of the crystal, doesn't that defeat the principal of the sapphire crystal, i mean won't the a/r coating scratch easily?

It scratches easier than the crystal, hence why some companies only put it under the crystal, but is still pretty tough - and double a/r is very effective.

Replacing the crystal is not difficult, but removing the original crystal without damaging it would be a real challenge. Again, something that is not ordinarily done. Most crystal replacements are done as part of servicing the watch, so preserving the old one is of little concern. The magnifier is installed after the watch has been cased so it can be cemented in the correct location.

I haven't tried UV cement on an AR coated crystal, so it would be an experiment. I don't know how the AR coating would like the UV cement. The worst that could happen is you would have to replace the crystal.

I doubt that adding the magnifier would void the waranty if it is done externally. However, it would probably come back from the service center with a new crystal without the magnifier.

If it were my watch, I would leave it as is.

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

That sums up my thoughts pretty well too.

But I'd be interested to see pics if Timebandit goes ahead.

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Driver8

Site Moderator