The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello everyone,

Forum newbie looking for some advice!

Last night I decided to put my SA on a leather strap, and proceeded to remove the bracelet. When I did so, I noticed the watch was a bit dirty between the lugs, so I washed it with a bit of soap at the bathroom sink. Before doing this, I made completely sure the crown was fully screwed in. After the wash, I dried the watch with a towel AND some soft toilet paper. After this, I unscrewed the crown to wind the watch and set the right time and date. All went well and my SA looked terrific on leather.

This morning, however, after wearing the watch out in the sun, I noticed condensation underneath the crystal! Needless to say my heart sank. The condensation actually formed in the shape of the chronographs and hands. The only way I can imagine water may have gotten into the watch is when, AFTER drying the watch with a towel AND toilet paper, I unscrewed the crown to set the time and date. Has this ever happened to enyone? I already called the Breitling service center in Brazil, as I imagine I should send them the watch ASAP, since the humidity may rust/damage the movement or other parts inside the case, right? My watch is still under warranty, by the way, as I bought it about one year ago.

I would really appreciate some thoughts from you experts.

You can't really see the condensation in the picture (the marks on the crystal are fingerprints), but what is a thread without pictures, right...

Thanks

It definitely needs to go for service immediately. Just FYI in terms of warranty coverage, Breitling will pressure test the watch and if passes then they may deny warranty coverage claiming misuse.

Thanks for the reply. Was there misuse on my part? I'm also trying to find out if I could have done anything wrong. After drying the watch, could water have remained in any part of the watch in a way that it got in later? Aren't there seals to prevent this from happening?! It is rated to 300m, after all. Edit: I understand the rating refers to the crown being fully screwed in, but the watch was NOT in contact with water when I unscrewed the crown, and had been dried!

Should I stop the movement by pulling out the crown while I still have the watch to prevent any damages?

It's more likely to be inadvertently pressing the pushers while the watch was submerged. I'm not suggesting misuse, just advising that Breitling may well claim that if the watch passes the pressure test. Stopping it won't make much difference at this point - just get it to service ASAP.

I see. I'll send it to Breitling and let you know the outcome. Thanks again.

yeah i was going to say that it sounds like you might have pushed the chrono buttons while washing it under water. hope all works out and they fix your watch for you.

welcome to the boards by the way

Thanks for the welcome, I wish it were under different circunstances... oh well, let's get this sorted out.

One other thing, because humidity obviously got into the case and appeared on the dial and crystal, is it necessary to have the hands and dial replaced or would a simple cleaning suffice? Are the markers in the SA white gold or SS? If dial and hands are not replaced, is there a chance of showing damage in the future?

Yes, moisture damages superluminova.

Understood. I'm taking the watch with its paperwork to the AD tommorrow, so they can send it to Breitling. I'll be sure to post the outcome. Fingers crossed.

My newly acquired Superocean also developed condensation following a quick dip in a swimming pool (see my thread in Help). Breitling UK have had it for four weeks so far but have confirmed they are replacing the dial as well - there did seem to be marks on it. The crown was firmly screwed down, but I was still worried that they would dispute this. My worries were unfounded as they have confirmed it is being done under warranty. Good luck with your watch - I feel your pain!

Hi, sorry to hear about this. I had a colt and same happened...

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Kiudog

Ouch- I send that to Ling asap

Hello,

I wanted to provide you with an update to this situation.

I sent my watch to Breitling through an AD an got back a report stating that warranty will not cover the damages as water got into the watch because the crown was unscrewed. Now, from all of the possibilities we had already discussed here on this thread, I find it extremely bizarre that this was their conclusion. I could even live with the possibility of having accidentally pressed the chrono pushers while the watch was being washed, but I am absolutely certain (having double checked that before putting it under the sink) that the crown was firmly screwed in. Thus, the only way water could have gotten in through the crown being unscrewed is, after I washed and dried the watch (both with a towel and soft toilet paper), I unscrewed the crown to set the time and date. I am left with the answer, from Breitling, that somehow water remained somewhere in the watch in a way that, upon unscrewing the crown, having dried the damn thing, it got into the case

The cost of repair is $650.

You should call up Breitling USA in CT, and explain the issue. Assuming the AD really sent it to Breitling in CT, Breitling can tell you if they can further help you on the matter.

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18k Rolex Datejust / Breitling Crosswind Special / Patek SS Nautilus / Bvlgari Diagono Chrono / Bvlgari Scuba / Omega Speedmaster Professional / 60s Omega Constellation

How old is the watch? (if you already said this I missed it)...I don't see how they can determine the crown was surely loose versus the pushers being engaged... The crown gaskets are wear items and they can go bad rather quickly with aquatic usage relative to other watch components (with rather being over a year but someones not quite two) but they usually last much longer, especially with normal usage. If it isn't a newer watch, was it up to date on the warranty work? (which includes gasket replacement)?

If the AD themselves tested it, call Breitling and ask what they did test-wise (they are real nice and they'll gladly let you talk to a techie). I've seen videos of watches passing one type of water resistance tests (one which is the primary type most jewelers have) and then fail another. I don't know enough about it as most people here but there is a vacuum and pressure dry test, followed by a wet test and checking for leakage/condensation after. From what I have read, most dealers do not have the equipment that service centers do and so they cannot perform all of the tests, and a compromised watch may pass one and fail another.