The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Obviously they have some new method to engage the chrono seconds and they don't want to disclose what it is.

The comment about an integrated chronograph doesn't really say much - that simply means that they designed the watch as a chrono rather than as a base time only watch with modules added for complications.

The fact that it's integrated gives them a little more flexibility in how the chrono operates - it was conceived as a chrono rather than as a 'plug in', but it doesn't tell you how they do it.

That´s od? Last year at the introduction of the B01 to Scandinavian market the Breitling spokes person specifically talked about the modularity of the movement, it´s flexibility to different complications and how in the future there will be all sorts of fun variant. This was supposed to be the cornerstone in their plan to in time replace most of the top B models movements to different versions of B01. Is there some new information about this that I´ve missed?

At the time, the watchsmith who services B:S in Finland, confirmed that. Although he hadn´t seen one and just told what he was told at that point.

Bozman hope they´re up to their word and you get it back soon.

The B01 movement is an integrated chronograph movement like the 7750, as opposed to something like the ETA 2894 which is a modular chronograph comprised of a chronograph plate or module bolted on top of a 2892 base movement. In other words the B01 was always designed as a chronograph from the outset. However, Breitling have pointed out that the B01 will readily accept other modules to create different movements, such as for example a moon-phase or perhaps a semi-perpetual calendar etc. So in that respect it has options to be a modular unit, but the underlying chronograph itself is integrated.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Complications such as moon phase, calendar variations, etc. are all part of the motion works on the dial side. They have nothing to do with the operation of the basic movement. They all are essentially driven by the hour wheel. The only difference would possibly be a stronger mainspring to accommodate the extra load. The B01 movement, as designed, could easily be the engine for a variety of future models. I am, however, curious about the chrono engagement/disengagement design and operation.

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

I suspect that the future complications are (part of) the reason for a 70 hour power reserve now. Obviously you can't suddenly make the movement twin barrel. The other intriguing thing that I find is that the watch is designed to be tricompax or 6 / 9 / 12 chrono. Assuming that the crown remains at 3 that could be an interesting design in an integrated chrono as well.

If Breitling are saying that there is no intermediate gearing for the chrono wouldn't it have to to be some kind of pinion based mechanism, even if not a traditional tilting pinion design?

They might be using some type of friction clutch that is always being driven by the fourth wheel. The chrono pusher would engage/disengage the clutch. It would be more complicated to design and manufacture than the intermediate gear which is seen on many earlier chronographs that use the column wheel. That solution is quite simple compared to a clutch mechanism. A couple of different clutch designs come to mind, but both would certainly add complexity. It's about the only thing I can think of after eliminating the tilting pinion and intermediate gear!

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

There's always the chance the tech could have been completely lying to me as well. From reading the discussions, it seems like it only makes sense for the chrono to have a tilting wheel or intermediate gearing. If Breitling had done something else exotic to the chrono, you'd think they wouldn't be so hush-hush about it.

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

Ok, the lack of information sent me off on a research mission. Until now, I never gave the B01 a lot of thought because I knew I would never work on one. But, this discussion raised my curiosity to the point I had to try to find out what they are doing. There is a cursory explanation at http://www.watchtime.com/2009/04/breitl ... -movement/ which confirms my clutch theory. However, it doesn't go into any detail. At least we have the answer!

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

You sir are 'the man'

Thanks Marty!

That's a great article. Nice find!

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

Just did the test on my B01. No problem with the chronograph hand. But the 1/2 hour totalizer moves to the next notch when the chronograph hand is at the 58-59 second mark.

However, the 1/2 hour totalizer started moving forward, very slowly, as soon as the chronograph hand started going. By the time the chronograph had reached the 30 minute mark, the 1/2 hour hand was barely on where the 30-minute notch should have been (as it is missing because of the presence of the "2" of the 12). It kept going slowly and when the chronograph hand had finished its second revolution, the 1/2 hour hand was, barely, on the 1 hour notch. After the 3d revolution it was, again barely, on the 90-minute notch.

So, the 1/2 hour hand does not move forward as "abruptly" as the chronograph hand when a 60-second revolution is completed, it does not jump after every completed revolution, rather it starts moving forward slowly as soon as the chronograph is initiated and it keeps going on like that.

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

F14D_Tomcat,

Thanks for doing the test on your watch. It sounds like your chronograph works a little differently than mine. My 1/2 hour totalizer will be nearly to the 30 minute notch when the minute totalizer has only captured 20 minutes or so, and completely to the 30 minute notch as it nears 28 minutes. It sounds like your 1/2 totalizer isn't quite to the 30 minute mark even after capturing 30 minutes.

Regardless, I think this does confirm the 1/2 hour totalizer on the B01 moves with a more constant motion than the minute totalizer, which "snaps" to the next notch after every revolution of the sweeping chrono hand. Unfortunately, my sweeping chrono hand is still very messed up, so the watch is still headed back to BUSA. I'm interested to see if my chrono starts working like yours after I get it back.

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

That would make sense, it's the most common chrono arrangement.

Update: I received a phone call today from a watchmaker at Breitling. He's been in possession of my watch for two days now. In addition to developing his own hypothesis about my issue, he's also had several other watchmakers look at the watch as well. Apparently, they've reached a consensus. In regards to the sweeping chronograph hand, he believes the chronograph wheel is out of round. When it was serviced initially, this apparently wasn't caught and the same defective wheel was reinstalled. This is why the 1/4 sec to 1/2 sec issue has simply moved places on the dial and was not remedied. He's going to install a new one and see if it resolves the issue. I'll let you guys tell me if he's blowing smoke or not . . .

In regards to the 1/2 hour totalizer "creeping," he explained this is perfectly normal, which coincides with what others have said in this thread. I'm supposed to get another call tomorrow. I'll let you know if anything new arises.

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

Update 2: . . . to anyone who still cares about this thread.

I just got off the phone with a technical director at BUSA who advised my watch has been fixed and will be back to me on Friday. Here's how he explained what was wrong with my watch. Note that he explained this to me in layman terms, so don't expect a very technical regurgitation from me:

The chronograph on the B01 movement utilizes a vertical clutch, which consists of two wheels. When the chrono is engaged, the first wheel meshes with the second wheel and the sweeping hand moves around the dial. The movement in my watch did not have enough tension between these two wheels, so at a certain point, the sweeping hand would "flutter" due to the wheels meshing improperly. He did not mention the wheel being out of round like last week, so I'm unclear if the lack of tension and roundness have any correlation.

On another note, I did take the opportunity to tell him how disappointed I was with the 2010 Breitling lineup- especially with the B01 bezel being slapped on so many new offerings. He acknowledged the economy of the past couple years has had a great influence on the direction of the company, but did not directly address why they decided to proliferate the B01 bezel. We got to talking a little about the 70-hour power reserve and how it can increase the accuracy of a watch. I also mentioned it's good for adding other complications to a movement. Without directly saying it, he agreed and implied Breitling definitely has some other plans for the B01 movement. I followed up by saying I'd love to see the movement in a Navitimer World case, to which he said, "Just wait."

In addition to the non-definitive answers, I did receive some hard pieces of data from him. He advised Breitling produces between 150,000-200,000 watches per year and they are planning on 70,000-80,000 of them to contain the B01 movement in the near future. I believe these numbers are pretty in line with other posts that touch on this topic. He did speak about the whole Swatch discontinuing movements issue, but this isn't anything we didn't already know.

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000