The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hey guys,

New to this forum.. I have a navtimer SS that I bought in 2008. I was out sailing the other day, and after i finished i realized that there was condensation (a significant amount) under the crystal. I have worn my watch in the hot tub before with no problems and i beleive the watch is rated at 30m so I am curious as to why this would happen.

Anyway, i read through a couple of forums and some people had similar issues, and some times the condensation went away on its own. Therefore, taking some suggestions from online forums i wrapped my watch in a towel, placed it face down, and let it be for a few days. The watch still appears to be functioning, however,the condensation is still there.

I was wondering if I should wait this out or get it serviced. If the later option is the way to go, then does anyone have a suggestion on where to service the watch in the Chicagoland area? Also, any idea on how much this would cost?

Thanks!

The watch needs servicing as soon as possible.

Navitimers don't like the water - 30metres doesn't mean 30 metres - http://www.breitlingsource.com/articles ... ance.shtml

The likelohood is that water has not only got under the crystal, but also into the movement where it is doing more damage every day - not trying to sound melodramatic, the longer that moisture sits in there the more damage will be done.

You can take the watch to an AD to be sent to BUSA for servicing, or you can send it directly to BUSA yourself, which is what I would do. Contact details are here - http://www.breitlingsource.com/contact.shtml

A full service, which is what will be needed as the movement will have to be completely disassembled and cleaned is $560.

Never a truer word said.

Just as an aside - if you look back at the Navitimer's (and specifically the Cosmonaut's) history, the lack of water resistance is the main (and probably only) reason why the Omega Speedmaster, and not the Breitling Cosmonaut, became the official NASA "Moon Watch". The Cosmo failed in testing on splashdown when the astronauts got wet when they climbed out of the capsule in the sea. The Cosmo let water in while the Speedy kept the movement nice and dry.

Keep those Navi's dry folks!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Thanks guys!
Just spoke with The service rep and will send my watch in asap

Let us know how it comes back! Always good to hear about Breitling service.

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

As an aside here - the sailing jaunt may have been the straw that broke the cmel's back, but there is a good chance the multiple hot tubs forays allowed it to happen. The seals and gaskets of watches - even high W/R rated watches - are not meant to be subjected to such high temperature. The hot water weakens the seals and gaskets. Especially with a Navi which doesn't have the back up that higher rated watches have.

Man, when I saw Navitimer and "hot tub" iin the same post, I almost dropped the laptop.

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SHARKMAN

Ah yes good point. Kind of forgot to include that in my post. I also wasl ike OMG bad idea.

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

Yes yes yes I know! I really dropped the ball on that one. Any suggestions on a new "daily wear/hot tubbing" watch?

In terms of a daily wearer, then something with a less fine construction than a Navi and a better WR rating is all you'll really need. A Super Ocean Steelfish is many peoples choice as cheap(ish) daily wearer and it's rugged and not too big at 44mm.

HOWEVER, I'd personally not recommend ANY watch for wearing in a hot tub, as the life expectancy of the gaskets and seals will be reduced dramatically, which in turn will compromise your watch's water resistance. Heat and chlorine (if you're using a club or gym hot tub) are two of the worst things for rubber seals, so if I was you I'd just take your watch off before jumping in the tub. However, if you really MUST wear your watch in there, then just make sure you rinse it off thoroughly in fresh water afterwards, and get the seals checked at least every 2 years, but probably every year would be prudent.

Seems like a lot of hassle/risk to me for the sake of keeping your watch on, but that's just me.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

G-Shock, who cares if it breaks.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."