The Breitling Watch Source Forums

hi quick question , i wanted to know if it is simple to do or is it something that a watch dealer should do, and if it is simple how would i go about doing it, i dont want to damage the watch, i just wanna see the inside, the watches are a chrono colt and a navitimer montbrilliant.
I am asking as i have seen pictures on this forum and on the net with people showing the insides of their watches.
thanks for reading

I'm not certain of the exact method for removal of the caseback. Others may chime in and help you out there but if there is not a really good reason to do it I think I would advise against it.

Once you open the caseback you expose the internal workings of the watch to dust which over time can wear away at the intricate components within. You will also compromise the integrity of the seals, potentially allowing moisture in. The watch after reseating of the caseback would then need to be pressure tested to insure watertightness.

I would leave the opening to the experts - but that's just me.

I agree. I know a lot of watchmakers pop the back on watches quite frequently for repairs etc, but personally I'd rather leave my expensive pieces to those in the clean room ennvironments at Breitling. You'll also ideally need to change the gaskets to ensure a water-tight seal, and obviously you'll have no way of pressure testing them afterwards - not so much of a problem with the Monty, but more so with the Colt.

Opening the caseback is easy enough with either the right tool, or one of those soft rubber balls that you can buy on eBay for the job. Additionally you can also use carpet tape to get some purchase to do it, but I personally would strong advise against it if you are doing it purely out of curiosity.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Dear brother

its very easy if you have proper tools and you had done it before,if you have brietling case opner key then you can use it.

if you dont have special brietling tools then you can use normal tools like

http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/content/eb ... 0038_l.jpg
(this is the most useable tool for all the watches)(except rolex,baum marcier and some other watch case back which opens from knife)

but remember dont make any scratch on watch,use a cloth on the watch case and dont forget the watch to fix in watch stand so it will not move,
try it very slowly (with hard push)and you will be able to open it,but if you are not expert then better you go any watch shop and they will open it for you.
also remmber when you make the case little loose then open it with your hand very slowly(not with the tools)so it will not damage the rubber seal.

but as driver told,if you dont have any big problem then better you should go to a watch shop.

regards
Abbas.

As others have said - son't do it.

The Jaxa style case openers are the best (thought the cheap ones will do a better job of scratching your watch than opening the case), and the ball and tape also work. The probelm that you will have with the Colt in particular is that you can't pressure test it to ensure that you haven't compromised the water resistance.

The back will never come off of one of my watches unless it needs attention.

Out of curiosity, does removing the case back invalidate the warranty?

I would assume it would since there's no way it's down to Breitling if the watch was no longer water resistant.

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I also think that it would.

thanks for your advice guys, i have decided against it now, and it was out of curiosity, and as the saying goes curiosity killed the cat, so id rather not ruin my watches.il just google the images and have a look, and when i service the watch ill ask dealer if i can get a picture then.