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HELP! New to Breitling
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Author:  jeffk30 [ Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:22 am ]
Post subject:  HELP! New to Breitling
I just inherited my father's approximately 20-25 year old Breitling chronograph (model B13047, two tone). I've done a lot of research on line, but still have a few questions.

1) I know modern Breitlings can not be "overwound," but what about this older model? It is a mechanical automatic. My feeling is that it is recent enough that it can not be overwound, but wanted to make sure.

2) My father did not save the box or users manual. Is there any way I can get a users manual for this watch? Even a PDF file if available would be very helpful. Since it's my first Breitling, I have NO owner's manuals to help me and can not find any references on line.

3) On the subdial at the 6 position the hand was pointing directly at 12, but now it is at 1 and seems to want to stay there. Any thoughts? I think I saw something about others having this problem on line too.

4) Finally, a very easy question. The little buttons that work the chrono functions also screw down like the crown, right? I have to unscrew them to use them and then screw them back in to keep the watch water resistent right?

Thanks to everyone for your help. This seems like a great forum. I'm already thinking about buying a new Breitling and starting a collection after eyeing them in the store for years.
Author:  Roffensian [ Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: HELP! New to Breitling
Welcome to BreitlingSource.

Whether a watch can be overwound has nothing to do with age, it's whether it is a manual wind or an automatic. Automatics cannot be overwound.

You can cntact an AD (authorised dealer) to see if they can get you a manual, but they may not have one for a watch this old. Basic rules are:

1. Unscrew the crown and the position that it is in will be for winding - turn it away from you to wind and about 40 turns is a full day, 30 turns will be about 24 hours worth
2. Pull the crown out to the first stop (seconds hand is still moving) to change the date. Do not change the date between 8pm and 3am, you can easily damage the watch
3. Pull the crown out to the second stop (seconds hand stops) to change the time. Do not wind time backwards in the 8pm - 3am window (forwards is fine)
4. Top pusher starts and stops the chronograph (stopwatch), bottom pusher resets it when it is stopped

The 6 o'clock subdial may not be lined up simply because the chronograph needs resetting - bottom pusher. If that doesn't reset it then it needs Breitling servicing - and servicing is recommended every 5 - 7 years anyway so if it hasn't been serviced in that time it needs it before you wear it regularly.

The pushers do screw down, but it doesn't affect water resistance. It simply prevents accidentally using the pushers underwater (which would allow water in) - the watch is just as water resistant with them unscrewed. However, if the service is needed I would do that before taking the watch into the water.
Author:  jeffk30 [ Sat Dec 10, 2011 10:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: HELP! New to Breitling
Thanks for the speedy reply

My AD could not get it for me, said it was too old.

The watch underwent a full overhaul less than two years ago. The good news is, you were exactly right and resetting the watch using the bottom pusher solved the problem. Simple The bad news is, although I don't have any trouble with using the crown, on this watch it is nearly impossible to tell whether or not the pushers are screwed down. They are very hard to turn unless you have tiny tiny fingers (perhaps why the design was changed for later chornomat models?). Do you just turn them? Do you have to push and turn them at the same time? I can tell the upper one is screwed down because when I push it it only moves a little and nothing happens, but the buttom pusher moves pretty far in, and since the watch is already all back to zero from pushing it the first time I can't tell if it is doing anything or not....although maybe from what you said it isn't crucial, because my hope is that the ONLY water exposre this will ever have will be from washing my hands and CAREFULLY washing dishes. No plans to swim or shower with it or anything

By the way, if I ever switch to an authentic breitling leather strap, will water exposure ruin it (I assume so, since it is leather, but I see a lot of the very waterproof watches come with them).

Thanks again for all the information!
Author:  Sharkmouth [ Sat Dec 10, 2011 10:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: HELP! New to Breitling
:welcome:

The Chronomat uses a modified ETA 7750 movement so although Breitling do not make their manuals available on line, any instruction book for the movement will have the basics laid out for you. (The example below also has a day display so just ignore that.)

http://www.ernstbenz.com/popups/inst_chronoscope.pdf
Author:  Roffensian [ Sat Dec 10, 2011 11:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: HELP! New to Breitling
jeffk30 wrote:
By the way, if I ever switch to an authentic breitling leather strap, will water exposure ruin it (I assume so, since it is leather, but I see a lot of the very waterproof watches come with them).



Best to avoid leather / croc if you are planning to swim. Won't automatically ruin it, but won't do it any good.
Author:  jeffk30 [ Sun Dec 11, 2011 9:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: HELP! New to Breitling
Thanks. Any thoughts on the problem I had (above) with figuring out if the little pusher buttons are properly screwed in or not? Is it true that weather or not they are screwed in doesn't effect water resistence as long as you don't push them? I thought screwing in the crown was crucial for maintaining water resistence with respect to the crown?
Author:  Roffensian [ Sun Dec 11, 2011 9:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: HELP! New to Breitling
jeffk30 wrote:
Thanks. Any thoughts on the problem I had (above) with figuring out if the little pusher buttons are properly screwed in or not? Is it true that weather or not they are screwed in doesn't effect water resistence as long as you don't push them? I thought screwing in the crown was crucial for maintaining water resistence with respect to the crown?



As I already said, the pushers do not need to be screwed in to ensure water resistance. Screwing them down simply prevents accidental use underwater. The crown is different and does need to be screwed in.

In terms of whether the pushers are screwed in the two tests will be whether they can turn any further (without forcing) and whether the pusher can still be activated.
Author:  jeffk30 [ Sun Dec 11, 2011 10:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: HELP! New to Breitling
GOT IT, thanks. My problem is that the top one doesn't work after I screw it in, but the bottom one seems to push in pretty far, and since the watch has already been "zeroed," I can't tell if it is screwed in because I would expect it not to do anything when pressed anyway. The good news is, now that you have kindly explained all this to me it probably doesn't matter either way.....I don't plan to take it underwater, and if by accident it ended up there (tripped and fell out into a pool or something) I certainly wouldn't be pressing any buttons during the experience anyway.

THANK YOU AGAIN!
Author:  Roffensian [ Sun Dec 11, 2011 10:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: HELP! New to Breitling
jeffk30 wrote:
GOT IT, thanks. My problem is that the top one doesn't work after I screw it in, but the bottom one seems to push in pretty far, and since the watch has already been "zeroed," I can't tell if it is screwed in because I would expect it not to do anything when pressed anyway. The good news is, now that you have kindly explained all this to me it probably doesn't matter either way.....I don't plan to take it underwater, and if by accident it ended up there (tripped and fell out into a pool or something) I certainly wouldn't be pressing any buttons during the experience anyway.

THANK YOU AGAIN!



To test the bottom one.....

Unscrew the top one, then start and stop the chrono and try to reset it using the bottom one. That will soon tell you if it's screwed in.
Author:  jeffk30 [ Sun Dec 11, 2011 11:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: HELP! New to Breitling
That's pretty simple, should have thought of that myself. Push and turn or just turn?
Author:  Roffensian [ Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: HELP! New to Breitling
jeffk30 wrote:
That's pretty simple, should have thought of that myself. Push and turn or just turn?



Activating the pushers is just pushing, so if the bottom pusher won't reset then it's screwed down and you will have to unscrew to reset. If it does reset then it's obviously not screwed down and you will need to turn after resetting.
Author:  jeffk30 [ Sun Dec 11, 2011 1:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: HELP! New to Breitling
Actually I meant push it in and turn to screw it down, or just turn it?

I have learned more from you in a few brief exchanges than from the hour I spent speaking with my AD. They actually ddidn't seem that knowledgable about the watches themselves and how they work, which is a bit scary.
Author:  Roffensian [ Sun Dec 11, 2011 1:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: HELP! New to Breitling
Haven't handled one of these older ones for some time, sorry I don't recall.
Author:  jeffk30 [ Sun Dec 11, 2011 2:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: HELP! New to Breitling
Will play with it. Thanks again!
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