The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I bought my husband a preowned BREITLING WINDRIDER CHRONOMAT EVOLUTION Mdl. C13356 last year for Valentines Day and a short while ago he looked down and one of the push pins was missing. He looked everywhere for it but it's nowhere to be found. The watch carried a one year warranty from the jewelry store I purchased it from but they said the missing push pin was not covered. It looks like it's just a matter of screwing a new one on but I don't know where to find one. Does anyone know where I can purchase a rose gold push pin short of having to take it in for $ervice? Also, does it look like a new one just needs to be screwed on like I think? I've attached pictures.

Thanks in advance...

It's not as simple as screwing a new one in.

The pusher needs to be attached to the movement and that means opening hte watch up. It's going to be a job for Breitling I'm afraid and it won't be cheap. A steel one cost me $150 last year.

Thanks for your quick reply. I appreciate it (even though it's not what I wanted to hear). How does it come off in the first place? It isn't even his everyday watch.

Generally they get caught on something - may be as simple as pulling your hand out of your pocket.

Ouch. Well I guess I know what he's getting for Valentines Day this year. And...there goes my "great deal".

BTW, they won't work in my case but I found a lot of Breitling 18k crowns for sale on eBay in case anyone is interested or in need.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330510939530

At best those are for vintage models, but I'm not convinced that they are genuine.

Hi, Roff. Dunno... Hard to imagine the chrono pusher and/or its screw down lock catching on something and becoming loose enough to simply fall off. Perhaps if the lock had been loosened completely and then suffered a hard blow such as knocking a door jam or dropping the watch onto a hard surface. Heck, even the earlier "onion" pushers on the Chronomat pieces were slightly recessed into the case and quite difficult to damage. As you know, the crown and its stem are typically more susceptible to damage than the chrono pushers but on an Evo the crown is a screwdown lock design as well to minimize potential damage. I could see a situation where a pocket could damage the crown if the crown were not screwed down but on the pushers the protective ring is slightly recessed even when it is unscrewed to release the pusher. I'm guessing the watch had been knocked (possibly before the sale by the jeweler) pretty hard and that is what lead to the pusher taking a hike....
Best,
Ron

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Here's what the jeweler said when I asked how this could have happened:

<<<"Probably just normal wear and tear, the crown and push buttons are the most fragile part of the watch, it is an over sized watch, and your husband probably just banged up against something accidentally, that's the most common cause. It only takes one small impact, so even if it is not his everyday watch, accidents do happen.">>>

The reason I asked the same question here is because I found it hard to believe it only takes "one small impact". First, I would think the pusher stem would have broken if there was an impact. Second, my husband and I both have much less expensive watches that we have worn day in and day out that this has never happened to. I admit it shakes me up to think only a "small impact" (one he wasn't even aware of) or "normal wear and tear" could end up breaking this quality watch.

So, how does Breitling repair work? Do I send it in directly to Breitling then they let me know the cost and we go from there? If so, what's the turn around time?

It's just bad luck - there are thousands of members here who will tell you that they have had no problems from multiple knocks.

You can either send it to Breitling directly (BUSA in CT in the US) or through any AD. They'll contact you with an estimate of cost and time. Probably 8 - 10 weeks.

Thank you.

BTW, your site was extremely helpful to me before making my purchase last year. I referred to it often.