The Breitling Watch Source Forums

OK, I am bl**dy irritated!

This morning I just thought I'd try the tungsten bracelet on my Lum Tec M25 to see how it looked and felt as I'm loving the tungsten case on this model. The tungsten bracelet that comes with the M25 as an extra is a really nice looking thing (except the clasp which seems a little under-engineered for the weight of the bracelet) so I thought I'd give it a try.

I was also looking forward to seeing what it looked like as the delivery of this watch series was delayed while Lum Tec "had the end links re-designed to ensure the optimum fit". All very admirable you might think......... with one tiny exception. Thoughout all of their end-link redesigning, they somehow managed to overlook the simple fact of MAKING SURE THE DAMN HOLES IN THE END-LINKS ACTUALLY LINE UP WITH THE HOLES IN THE LUGS!!!!!

Yep, that's right, the bracelet is totally unusable due to it being impossible to get the spring bars to seat in the lug-holes.

To start with I thought it was me when the spring bars kept coming out, but after a few mins I broke out the x5 loupe and it was obvious that the holes are offset by about a mm. This in itself is annoying enough, but I also managed to break my 6767F, plus a 1.2mm screwdriver and a pin-link pusher, both of which I used to try to coax (i.e. bend!) the spring bar ends into the holes. All to no avail.

So thanks Lum-Tec - I really appreciate it!

One saving grace though, is that I can confirm that tungsten carbide is a FANTASTIC material to make watch cases from. Dispite slipping a couple of times with both the 6767F and a screwdriver due to the force I was applying to try to get the bracelet to fit, there is not a single mark on the case. I am usually incredibly careful when changing straps, but annoyance got the better of me here so I ended up slipping with the tools. Any steel watch would've had seriously scratched lugs as a result, but the M25 is totally unmarked.

So, full marks to Lum Tec for their choice of case material, but ZERO for attention detail by making the bracelet unusable. (Oh and a couple of replacement tools would be nice too! )

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Driver8

Site Moderator

sorry to hear that, but I can relate to getting overly fiesty with the tools (I'm much better these days ).

Mis-drilled holes in the lugs?? That's a new one for me anyway.

I can offer you a lovely Xezo and the bracelet fits.

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SHARKMAN

Cheers Sharkman. I'm not sure if it's mis-drilled holes in the lugs as straps fit perfectly, or just poor design. Either way it's a pain in the backside.

Thanks for the Xezo offer, but I only want to own one beater...... and the M25 (ON A STRAP, AND ONLY A STRAP! ) is it.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

That's a little bizarre, you would think that would be on the list of 'basic things that we have to get right or people will think that we're incompetent'

Never heard of anything like this - sorry for the frustration Driver8.

I tried putting the bracelet on my M25 the day I received it and I noticed immediately that the holes don't line up. I tried bending the spring bar..that didn't work, then I broke the tip of my 6767F. I shipped it right back for a full refund; I had the watch in my possession for about 30 minutes...but the tungsten case is awesome!!

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

First time I've heard of that, how strange Sounds as though it might be time to send it back....good to hear about the Tungsten case, at least that works.

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

While I sympathize with the frustration, enjoy the Tungsten. The wedding band I had was made of it, not a single scratch on it and I never took it off, often work with my hands. One time I even threw it across the room onto a concrete floor by accident, not a scratch. Thought it is certainly hard to work with, the results are amazing.

I would love to see a Ling LE in Tungsten. I love the grey/black semi-gloss of it as well. Sign me up!

While I'm sorry you broke your 6767F as well Sergio, it's interesting to see I'm not the only one with a non-fitting bracelet! Like I said when I first got the M25, I was always planning to keep it primarily on a strap anyway so I'm not going for a refund myself as I really like the watch........, but it sure would've been nice to at least TRY the bracelet.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I bought mine to wear on the bracelet because i love tungsten and when it didnt fit i was furious....i tried to smash it with a hammer but the thing is indestructible!!!!!!!!!!

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

thanks to you guys i discovered this brad, i will buy asap one!

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Breitling Antares B10047
Breitling Chronomat B13050
Breitling Chronomat A13050.1 - pilot bracelet
Breitling Chronomat Blackbird A13050.1 - serie spéciale
Breitling Avenger Seawolf E17370
Breitling Chronomat EVO A13356 - pilot bracelet

A hammer.. ?!?!

That's pretty disappointing to say the least. It's not the end of the world considering the sum of money, but getting shoddy workmanship at any price is no fun at all. You're certainly owed a functional bracelet from the gang at Lum-Tec.

It looks great on that custom strap if it's any consolation!

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

Granted it wasn't a lot of cash......, but I still expect something to work if it's in the box.


Cheers!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

where did you buy lüm tec watches, here: http://www.lum-tec.com.sg/

or here: http://www.lum-tec.com/

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Breitling Antares B10047
Breitling Chronomat B13050
Breitling Chronomat A13050.1 - pilot bracelet
Breitling Chronomat Blackbird A13050.1 - serie spéciale
Breitling Avenger Seawolf E17370
Breitling Chronomat EVO A13356 - pilot bracelet

I bought from the Lum Tec official European distributor - http://www.toptime.eu/

They are excellent to deal with.

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Driver8

Site Moderator