The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am looking to buy a crown winder and was wondering if anyone had the Navi 01 LE crown diameter handy or does Breitling publish this anywhere? I don't have my manual here at work...

Until this thread I didn't even know there was such a thing.

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SHARKMAN

Yes I didn't know either, but http://www.esslinger.com/bergeoncrownwinders.aspx

Will save my fingers and thumb!

or a watch winder,

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SHARKMAN

Unless it's a manual (obviously not in this case, given that we're talking about a Navi). A tool like that looks like a halfway decent idea at first glance, but I wonder if it might end up being a bigger PITA than it's worth. Not to mention, my fingers won't strip or otherwise damage a crown or the surrounding case if they slip while winding.

Well seeing as it was a PM to me that made the OP aware of this I can provide some experience.......

Personally I don't like them, they work well as long as you get a good grip and hold the winder steady, but I feel that over time they can cause some damage and because of the length of them, if you don't have them perfectly centred you can be applying some stress to the crown stem.

In terms of diameter, my advice by PM was to measure it

He could also be talking about those electric winders that the guys use on their super high complication manual wind pieces. Although I dont know why he wouldnt just buy a regular winder for it. In any event, ive never used either, so I really have nothing to add.

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-RJ

I'd echo Roff's comment about the tool doing more harm than good. That's a long tool and will put a lot of torque in all the wrong places.

Plus, is it really that straining on your fingers to wind you watch?! I can think of much better things to spend 30 bucks on.

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

I will give the OP this much - the Navi 01 is a bit tough on the fingers to wind. The location and stiffness to the wind. So I put it on a winder and don't ever have to worry about it.

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SHARKMAN

The 01 movement combined with the Navitimer style crown is surprisingly tough.

When winding a watch by hand becomes too difficult it's time to turn in the "Man" card.

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Breitling Navitimer: Black Dial
OMEGA Speedmaster Professional
Steinhart Nav.B-Chrono II
Elgin-Hamilton 37500 (Aircraft Clock)