The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I'm new on the forum and I'm in the market for a Motors T or Motors T speed. I'm aware of the 25B movement with the COSC certification, but I've read several threads about issues with the movement and accuracy of the COSC movements aside from the issues with quartz.

I've noticed many Breitling enthusiasts on here have taken close measurements over time with excel sheets, and have recorded significant variations in accuracy. I'm just curious how many of you have noticed movement issues and whether the individuals who have noticed variations are simply the ones who pay close enough attention.

I'm prepared to pay the price for a magnificent watch but I just don't want to make such an investment when in the end it's going to cost me more to send it to get it repaired after the 2yr warranty expires.

Thanks.

Kevin

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Kevin

Welcome to BreitlingSource Kevin!

As you are aware the COSC for mechanical watches is -4 to +6 seconds a day. There will be variations based on how close to fully wound the mainspring is, what position the watch is kept in when not worn, etc. You also need to factor in a service every 5 years or so - say $500.

I haven't studied my watches that closely to analyse daily variation, but I am comfortable that ever watch that is supposed to be within COSC is. Also bear in mind that a lot of the threads here are members with new watches and they will take a few weeks to settle into the routine of being worn - accuracy will improve during the first month or so of use.

Good luck with the search!

Thanks Roffensian. I'm a huge fan of Breitlings and have been for many years. I appreciate the good points you make.

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Kevin

Roff summed it up nicely, but it's worth remembering that even if your watch turns out to be running outside of COSC specs when you buy it, the watch will be under warranty (if you buy new from an AD), so you can simply get in regulated free of charge. None of the movements that Breitling use have any problems adhering to COSC specs when adjusted/regulated properly, so you should have no problems at all.

Its worth remembering that it is the movement that is Chronometer tested, NOT the whole watch. Occasionally the deviations outside of COSC specs that people see on new watches is as a result of the casing up process. But as I say, a regulation is a very simple fix and won't cost you anything is you buy new.

That said, COSC specs are still -4/+6 seconds a day, so if that level of accuracy is not sufficient for you then you should probably consider quartz. However I'd suggest that for 99.9% of the population, running your life to a zero tolerance of timekeeping is one OCD step too far!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I would have to admit a bit of OCD, ha ha. I don't live my life that accurate but if I'm paying many thousands of dollars on a watch that is supposed to be, it better be.

What is the process for movement regulation and how invasive is it? Thanks again.

Kevin

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Kevin

If it's an error of just a few seconds per day, which is what we are talking about here then it's very simple. The watchmaker times the watch using a timing machine that extrapolates the 'beat' of the watch and then opens the caseback. There is a needle called the regulator whihc is attached to the balance spring - by moving the regulator to one side you effectively tighten or loosen the balance spring causing it to run faster or slower. After timing it again it's just a simple case of replacing the caseback and pressure testing for water resistance (if the watch has a decent water resistance rating). Overall it will take 10 - 20 minutes.

If the error rate is greater then the regulator isn't enough - you have to take the balance wheel out and adjust the screws - potentially adding or removing weight, but that's not what we are talking about here.

Thank you for the explanation. This forum has a wealth of knowledge and I appreciate the time and patience to explain it.

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Kevin