The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi guys

I have been regular here to read the great knowledge on Breitling you share among, but I think this is first time I'm posting a thread.

I aquired brand new Chronomat Evo rose gold bezel/steel case roman black dial on Nov 13th.
I've been running the chronograph ever since I purchased it. I like the chrono second sweeping on the dial.
I have always followed the proper procedure. Start, stopp, then reset, I may have operated maximum 30 times for the period of 9 days.
Except the time that I played with the chrono, mostly I let it run 24/7 days.
Today, I decided to stop then reset while shopping in a mall.
After I have reset, I noticed that the second and 30min hands are at 12 o'clock but the 12 hour hands were stopped at 2 o'clock position in the sub dial.
I decided to start then stop then reset again, but chonograph didn't start still I pushed the stop button to follow the sequence. When I reset, the 12 hour hand moved from 2 o'clock to 1 o'clock position in the sub dial.
I tried one last chronograph sequence attempt to reset to 12 o'clock, but that didn't do anything. 12 hour hand still at 1 o'clock.
What I observed when I push the start/stop button, I felt that the button is pushing something in start sequence but the second hand didn't move, and when I push it again to just go with chronograph operation sequence to stop even though second hand didn't move, I didn't feel anything. it seems that there is nothing to push if you know what I mean. And when I push the reset, I also didn't feel anything. Felt like empty button.
It is sunday and the AD is closed. so I decided not to play anymore and I'm writing to get some advise before I go to the AD to show the problem.


Just now which is about 2 hour later from the initial problem, I just pushed reset without start, stop sequence to see if that help one last time before tomorrow's visit to AD.
And I guess I fixed the problem... Just by pushing reset again (without pushing the other button first) moved the hour hand to 12 o'clock. All hands are now in 12 o'clock now and I just tested the chronograph sequence and chronograph is working now...

I like to know if I have done something wrong.
Am I suppose to let chronograph run all the time if I want and knowing that the gears will wear out faster and will need frequent service to check?
I didn't see any warning about running chronograph all day.
Should I visit AD and talk to watchmaker?
Or what I have done is regular procedure to remedy the issue?

Is it possible that the heart piece or the heart piece pusher is loose?

I haven't had a watch for a decade but I studied good before purchasing this one.
And this event was a supprise.

Thank you.

From what you describe it sounds odd. The top button should never feel like there is nothing to push against - you should always be able to start and stop it. Keep an eye on it, but if it even thinks about doing something odd it needs to go to the AD - that's what the warranty is for.

There is no issue with running the chrono constantly. Marginal wear increase, and reduction in power reserve, but nothing material.

I decided to go to AD tomorrow. I played with the chrono button again to make sure that it is pushing correctly but it is not behaving well.

When I tested the start and stop only, it seems that the start and stop sequence has problem.
I started chrono then stoped, then restarted then stopped then at last restart didn't work. I had to reset then I could start again.
I didn't do it fast, I gave at least 5 sec interval for each push.

I'm not playing with it any more before I show the problem to AD.

Thank you Roffensian for the quick reply.

I went to the AD on Nov 25 to show the problem to AD.
I bought it from Montreal downtown.
Like any other problem, the problem didn't occur in front of the dealer. This really is very typical behavior as cars doesn't show the problem when you bring it to garage.
But I asked him for credit to get the same watch but another one.
AD suggested to leave the watch and he said that he will send it to Toronto service center to look at first. I left watch as he suggested.
A week later, I went back to hear the story and get the watch back if the story made sense.
Toronto watch maker found no problem from the watch.
I was able to reproduce many times before I brought back to AD.
What watchmaker told AD is that I might have pushed start/stop button too quickly and didn't leave enough time for the cam to settle in next position. that is why I was feeling empty when I pushed button.
I thought that could have been the case if I had done it really fast.
But when I was testing the buttons, I pushed the start button and took my finger away from the button, then pushed again. This is a pure mecanical watch. There is no lag. Even if I do it really fast, as long as I release the button completely then push again, there should never been a empty push.

At that time, I was still going to accept the explaination and try for 1 week as AD suggested. But my wife checked the case back before leaving and the case back was destroyed. I only worn it for 14 days before I gave back my watch.

AD tried to convince me that it is just scratch from normal wear, rubbing with cloth. I compared with my wife's Colt GMT which I purchased the same time as chronomat. Colt case back had no scratch at all. Compare to Colt GMT, Chronomat case back was really beaten up.

I don't understand how they messed it up unless the case opener failed in the process. And I don't know if they actually opened the case back or not...

And I don't really understand how they just left those scratches without any polishing. When I left my watch, I even mentioned about horror stories on repaired watches with scratches and dust in watch.

At least AD accepted my rejection, I got credit and now I'm waiting for new one.

Good to hear you had credit. Seems like they have good service. Did you go on Ste-Catherines or on St-Laurent street.

I went to Paul H. on St-Laurent a couple of times and i really like the women in charge of the Breitling line, real professional.

_________________
Mat

Breitling Navitimer 01
Omega Seamaster 300mc
Omega Speedmaster Pro "Mitsukoshi Mod"
Seiko Prospek Orange Samurai

I bought from La Swiss on Ste-Catherine.
I'm really glad that I bought my watch from the AD even though they tried to brush me off on those little things that through me off on brand new watch. I cannot imagine myself in this situation with internet purchase.
AD offered me compatitive price and the service is exellent since they have accepted my complaint. They honoured their 15 days exchange, credit only no refund policy. I don't need a refund but I need a good which will stay with me for at least 20 years.

I'm sure I'm more picky than other people.
This is pretty serious for me since this was my biggest investment after house and car.

Be prepared to spend a lot more on diamonds should you ever decide on getting married:)

I got the replacement watch last friday and I have to confess that it was me who wasn't operating the chronograph properly.

AD was super nice, I have to say, accepting my request with out me going to much further.

My problem was that I wasn't pushing the start/stop button in full, leaving the cam in odd position where stop push didn't push anywhere and I had to push reset button to stop.

The very same problem occured to me with the second watch. The very first chronograph operation didnt' start.
This time the start button felt empty to start the chrono. Then I pushed reset button and that kick started the chronograph. Then I pushed the normal stop button to stop. Then reset button to reset.
I questioned myself if I was unlucky or is it how it supposed to work...

With series try, I found out that you have to push to button in full.

I finally understood that this is A mechanical watch that you have to push the button down to the bottom, to position the cam properly to go next phase. Moving chrono second hand with push of start buton didn't mean much on where the cam is positioned.

Glad that it's all sorted now, and sounds like a great AD!