The Breitling Watch Source Forums

So I just got a Blackbird and I want to make sure I understand correctly.

If the watch is "dead", you'll need to do the initial winding. After that it selfwinds does it through your arm movements or through a autowinder right?


Am I correct in this, or smoking crack?

Yep, and congratulations, nice watch.

If you use the search function on the top right of the screen you will find a load of information about winding, like this one on the link below. Look for posts by Roff he is one of the most knowledgeable on the site. 40 turns will fully wind your Blackbird then your arm takes over.

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=19601&p=145968&hilit

Ian.

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Aww shucks

I actually hate threads like that one that you linked to - the OP just stopped posting with no resolution - I want to know what happened darn it!



30 second overview of auto winding.........

There is a half moon shaped 'rotor' at the back of the movement (inside the caseback) that is weighted at the edges. As you move your wrist the rotor will always tend to stay at the bottom (because of gravity) and so it moves relative to the rest of the watch. Additionally it is free to swing so it tends to rock back and forth very easily. The motion of the rotor relative to the movement is translated through a series of gears into a winding of the mainspring that powers the watch. The mainspring barrel that houses the mainspring is rotated by the rotor exactly the same as when you wind the watch through the crown.

The rotor movement is much more gradual but in a 'normal' day of wearing the watch you transmit enough power to rewind the watch from when it is sitting overnight, and after the initial winding (40 turns clockwise of the crown) then it should never need winding as long as it is worn every day.

You only need to consider a winder if the watch is worn infrequently, and the cheapest winders are found at the end of each arm (just use the crown) if you don't want to buy a winder.

Cool. Thanks for the responses guys. I should be wearing it every day, but I might just pick up a winder for the occasions where I decide not to wear it to work for whatever reason.

Even if you don't wear it for a day the power reserve is like 42 hours so you should be good. That being said I also have a Blackbird and will be getting a winder just for the rest of the watches that I'm gonna wind up getting now.

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