The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice.

My 5 year old Chrono Superocean stopped 4 days ago, I wound it up manually (40 times) and it worked fine for a couple of days, it then stopped again. Once again the manual wind got it going but I fear it will stop in a day or 2.

I think this would suggest that the power reserve is not been topped-up when it is on my wrist. The watch is worn all the time, so there should be no problem if the auto wind was working okay.

Is it possible for the auto winding mechanism to stop working and for manual wind to still work.

As it's 5 years old, so I assume it is due a service

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi booker12,

Without actually seeing your watch, I would suggest you have it right on the money. There must be a disconnect between the auto winding rotor and the movement. It may have disengaged or perhaps come off the winding spindle. This is situation would still allow the watch to be powwered off the crown, as it is occuring for you now. Sometimes you can hear the rotor rotating inside the watch but with Breitlings thats very hard to tell. If its clunking around inside then possibly it has come away from its screw mount. Maybe. Be careful if it has, as it could do some damage inside the movement. Highly unlikely, but best to get it to a watch maker ASAP. You are out of warrantee, so anyone who you think who is competent to look at a Ling should be consulted. If you are putting in for a service, then an AD is always an option.

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Jim

"You have Control".

To maintain an optimal operating environment inside the watch, you do need to service them every 4-5 years, regardless of wear.

The oils & lubricants will break down over time & simply need to be cleaned & replaced. Parts do also wear from use - it is a mechanical item after all.

Call an AD & book her in!

& of course, be sure to report back!!!

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Montbrillant Datora
Chronomat
Superocean Steelfish
A number of strap / bracelet combo's

As said above, a service at Breitling will sort this out for you.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

It's certainly possible for automatic winding to fail, although very rarely as dramatic as "coming off the winding spindle", more a failure in the transference of energy from the rotor to the mainspring.

However, as noted oils break down and reduce lubrication which will increase friction and contribute to the reduction of the power reserve, as will the aging of the mainspring. That in turn will mean that the power reserve will be reduced, and if it ran for "a couple of days" after a full manual wind I suspect that is what is happening here. When new the power reserve was 42 hours and that will reduce as the watch ages so if you are still getting at or above that number the implication is that the rotor is still winding the watch and there simply isn't enough power reserve to maintain the watch at your activity / wearing routine.

As mentioned above a service will sort it all out.

True, may not be as dramatic as all that. But, I have seen them unscrew themselves in the past. From incorrect tensioning of the locating screw in the first place. When a rotor falls out of the watch when the back is removed, it’s not so difficult to understand. Finding the missing screw under the escapement wheel is more ponderable, and one experience that I would rate as dramatic.

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Jim

"You have Control".

Thank you for the quick and comprehensive replies, I will arrange a service in the next week and on return of the watch, let you know the outcome.