The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi,

Can anybody tell me if Bushman 80% DEET insect repellant has any effects on the seal of my Breitling watch.

N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide is the chemical name of the product, all other repellants have a maximum of 50% though Bushman uses a 80% solution.

It is known DEET wil solve plastics but will it affect my seals and gaskets ?

I've allready contacted BSA and they'll inform me ASAP.


Jack

I'm not sure if I'd worry too much about DEET leaching plastisizers from the rubber seals/gaskets. Unless you bathe in the stuff (which I, and the EPA don't recommend) you should be OK. I'd give the watch a rinse after finishing your mosquito repelling.

I'd be more concerned with the solvent used (the other 20% of the formula). Is it an alcohol or some other organic solvent?

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

Except the DEET there's no other solvent present.


Jack

WELL IF ITS 80% DEET, WHATS THE OTHER 20? HOPES AND DREAMS?

I'd have to agree with FEAR here

Has to add up to 100%

_________________
“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

I remember when a bottle of Muskol spilled in my trunk and it ate the black paint off the spare tire rim. Personally I keep any repellants away from my watch and in fact I don't use them anymore on my skin as I don't believe they are a healthy alternative (Just my opinion, no debate required). I spray the repellant on clothing only or I wear a bug jacket instead (and yes, I know mosquitos, live in the woods of Canada). I assume you have washed the watch well with soap and water, and maybe a soft toothbrush? I think you have a valid concern about the seals. I'm curious to hear Breitlings response.
Mark

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Not coming from any particularly knowledgeable position here, but I wouldn't want DEET anywhere near my watches. Years ago I read a book by a professional landscape photographer who said he had a Nikon F3 which had his fingerprint etched on the shutter button because of DEET. Every time I think of DEET I'm reminded of that.

I wear a Boccia Titanium watch with a rubber strap when I'm in the woods camping or hiking. Bug spray leaves a permanent speckled residue all over the strap. It's been sprayed so much, that it now looks like that's how the strap is supposed to be. No amount of rinsing removes it. Surface is smooth, not pitted at all, and only looks different. I usually use OFF deep woods, or OFF active sport.

So, my recommendation would be to leave the nice watches at home when in these conditions.

If anyone has a torn or broken Breitling rubber strap, can you do a bug spray / DEET test?

Move to Arizona - no mosquitos.

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SHARKMAN

You're worried about this stuff eating away the seals and gaskets on your watch, are you concerned about it effects on your skin?

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

A kind of gel , non toxic or solvent and sun cream.
This product is the only containing 80% DEET, the fact it is also a sun cream is a big plus



I absolutely believe that, but is absolutely neccessary to use in some areas.



Yes, I do but this product is a real repellant for about all disease carrying insects.


Mosquitoes, Sandflies, Ticks, Leeches, Sand Fleas, No-See-Ums, Marchflies, Horse flies, Bird Lice, Stableflies, Blackflies, Gnats Fleas ,Deer Flies, Scottish Midges

Malaria, Ross River Fever, Dengue Fever, West Nile Fever and Eastern Equine Encephalitis aren't really the disease to play around with. Vaccinate when possible but not everything is covered with vaccination.

We're planning to go to the Northern Amazon for six weeks next september so I don't want to take bigger risks then absolutely neccessary.
But my watch is a must, if something might happen it could be a life saver. It can function as a compass and warns you about the (very fast) change to dark in the evening.
Also impregnated mosquito nets and other precautions are coming but you know, better safe then sorry.



Jack

Breitling SA will get back with results in about 5 weeks,


Jack

Use the DEET it works real well. When I backpacked in Alaska the Mosquitoes were so bad we would have been in sorry shape with out it. I found it worked well sprayed on our clothing and we used it sparingly on our exposed skin.

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Breitling SS Avenger Seawolf
Breitling Colt Military PVD

Dear Mr Hunswijk,



Following our email of yesterday, it is with pleasure that we get back to you concerning your question.



Regarding the seals of your Breitling: if you have performed a maintenance service within the last two years, your watch will remain waterproof during your trip. If not, we would recommend to have a maintenance service performed before you leave. Please find attached a short presentation of maintenance service and explanatory videos on our website under : www.breitling.com/service. On our website you will also find the list of the closest retailers and maintenance centers.



Regarding your bracelet we generally recommend rubber-bands for the use you intend to make. If you wish more information on this matter please turn to your closest retailer, who will be able to support you. If you do not wish to use a rubber-bracelet, we would recommend to have your steel band put on your watch by an official Breitling retailer or maintenance center. Your leather band is probably not appropriate for the kind of trip you plan.



We hope this information will be useful for you and wish you to wear your Breitling with pleasure for many more years to come.



Best regards,



Anita Flamand
CUSTOMER RELATION

BREITLING SA
P.O. Box 1132
Schlachthausstrasse 2
2540 GRENCHEN
Switzerland

Phone : +41 32 654 54 54
Fax : +41 32 654 54 02
E-mail customer.relation@breitling.com
Check our website at www.breitling.com

This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system.





De : Breitling Customer Relation
Envoyé : lundi, 16. août 2010 17:31
À : 'Jack Hunswijk'
Objet : Breitling Chronomat Longitude Ref. A20348 / SN 319216



Dear Mr Hunswijk,



We would like to thank you for having taken the time to send us your question in detail and for having had the patience to wait till the end of our company holiday.

We have transferred your request to the responsible specialists today and will probably be able to answer within the next few days.



My colleague of the Customer Service has also informed me about your phonecall of today.



We will get back to you with the required information as soon as possible and remain at your disposal for any further question in the meanwhile.



Best regards,



Anita Flamand
CUSTOMER RELATION

BREITLING SA
P.O. Box 1132
Schlachthausstrasse 2
2540 GRENCHEN
Switzerland

Phone : +41 32 654 54 54
Fax : +41 32 654 54 02
E-mail customer.relation@breitling.com
Check our website at www.breitling.com

This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system.











De : Jack Hunswijk [mailto:jack.hunswijk@yahoo.com]
Envoyé : vendredi, 16. juillet 2010 12:13
À : Breitling Customer Relation
Objet : To ms. Flemand



Dear ms. Flemand,



As we have spoken on the telefone today 16 july.



I would like to know if the DEET formula has effects on the seals of my watch.



It is this product http://www.bushman-repellent.com/products.htm , and then the 80% solution plus sunscreen.



For more chemical information about DEET : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEET , and also a warning for effect on materials



My watch is an A20348, Chronomat Longitude, serial 319216. Sold in the Netherlands in 2002 and completely overhauled in 2006. Recently tested waterproof.



The insect repellant is a must but also is a watch during a trip thru the Northern Amazon, Breitling preferred above my Rolex Explorer2, because of the better Lumi and more comfortable bracelet..



Thanks very much in advance.





Yours sincerely





Jack Hunswijk

Delightfully vague, but they seem to imply there shouldn't be an issue.

_________________
“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein