The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I've been noticing that my Herc is not keeping it's reserve anywhere as long as my AS. Now my Herc is from 2002 and my AS is new, but they are both supposed to have a 42 hour reserve.
I figure the Herc is probably due for a service, and as I am still trying to learn more about watch movements and complications, I was wondering is what part of the watch movement would cause a lack of reserve time on a full wind? What degrades and contributes to this phenomena?
Thanks guys!

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Cheers,
Christopher

Currently...
Blackbird, Black Hercules, PAM 000
Down to a humble three...

I think this post from a couple of days back speaks to this fairly well...

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10346

regards
Mark

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"The biggest difference between time and space is that you can't reuse time". // {Merrick Furst}

Thanks Mark, I've read through that thread a little while ago. I was really wanting to figure out what specific mechanisms would cause a decline in reserve time. The watch keeps accurate time, just not holding reserve.
I figure it's probably due for an overhaul anyhow. I would just like to learn a little more about what is going on in this situation.

Thanks
Chris

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Cheers,
Christopher

Currently...
Blackbird, Black Hercules, PAM 000
Down to a humble three...

I guess this one's cue Roff.....



In the case of Breitlings the maximum reserve time is dictated by the main spring (same concept in all mechanicals, but some get a bit clever with multiple main springs). That will be able to store a finite amount of energy on a full wind. When the mainspring ages it weakens and therefore is incapable of storing the same amount of energy. It's possible that has happened, but I think it's more likely that the oils have broken down.

When the oils break down they provide less lubrication and hence friction is increased. This means that it takes fractionally more energy for each movement and given that the mainspring store is finite it will fractionally reduce the reserve time of he watch. Multiply that across 28,800 vibrations per hour and it's easy to see how the reserve can be eroded.

I think it´s just because the AS is the superior and all conquering Breitling... And I´m not just saying this because I have one... Seriously!

Hi folks,

Last time I checked power reserve on my Avenger Skyland was in December and it was around 45 hours (with chrono constantly functioning)...

Cheers,

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Magdalion

- tempus fugit -



Breitling Avenger Skyland
Rolex Submariner Date
Omega Seamaster Professional
Oris TT3 Day Date
Helvetia (1966)

Just to add something to this, I 'seem' to be having a similar issue with my Herc.

I wore it on Saturday, during the afternoon and evening. I took it off at about 11pm Saturday night and when I picked it up to put it on this morning, it had stopped at around 1am today. Now, obviously I'm not sure 10% that it was fully wound before, but I alternate my Herc and SOH quite a bit and when I'm not wearing one, it's in the winder. I've always assumed that I do enough to keep the not worn one wound up to a pretty good degree, as (probably sound like a saddo) I do keep a mental note of the wear that my watches have had/when I took them off/how long they've been in the winder for.

The Herc was last serviced last year and is just over 2.5 years old.

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Hercules

Another thing to consider is that the Herc uses a modular chrono movement, where the Dubois Depraz Chrono module is mounted on the ETA based movement. The SA is based on the 7750 which is arguably the most robust reliable chrono movement. I would guess that the modular movement would impose slightly more resistance or drag on the movement, causing it to stop just a bit sooner when not freshly lubed and serviced. My Herc was over 40 hours, and for me, thats all I need.

On my PO, the co-axial movement will stop when the power reserve is under 5 hours, and the chrono is running, as the chrono hand approaches 12 the resistance imposed by the jump minute counter will stop the movement. It doesn't take much to stop a movement a few hours early when the power reserve is getting low.

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