- Overview
- Your BREITLING chronometer
- Preparing the watch for use
- Special characteristics
- Maintenance
Overview
- Hour hand
- Minute hand
- Seconds hand
- Chronograph’s hours totalizer
- Chronograph’s minutes totalizer
- Chronograph’s seconds hand
- 24H Hand
- Day
- Month
- Leap year
- Date
- Seasons
- Moon phases
- Week indicator
- Pushpiece Start / Stop
- Pushpiece Reset
- Screw-locked crown
- Variable tachometer
- Bi-directional rotating bezel
- Moon phases corrector
- Day of the week corrector
- Date corrector
- Month corrector
- Seasons corrector
- Week corrector
Your BREITLING chronometer
A chronometer is a high-precision instrument that has successfully passed the entire battery of tests imposed by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), a neutral and independent body which individually tests each movement according to the prescriptions in force.
The certification test for wristwatches with sprung balance oscillators, according to the ISO 3159 norm, consists of observing each movement for 15 days and 15 nights, in 5 positions and at 3 different temperatures (8°, 23°C, 38°C). In order to earn the prestigious chronometer label, a movement’s performances must meet 7 very strict criteria, including a daily variation in rate ranging between only –4/+6 seconds.
The term “chronometer” should not be confused with that of “chronograph”, which is a complicated watch fitted with an additional mechanism enabling the measurement of the duration of an event. A chronograph is not necessarily chronometer-certified, but all BREITLING chronographs carry the much-coveted title of “chronometers”.
Winding - Time-setting
Nota bene: mechanical watches endowed with a date, day, month or moon-phase indicator are equipped with a complex mechanism that is set into motion between 8 pm and 3 am. It is therefore vital to avoid adjusting the calendar or moving the time backwards during this period.
- Unscrew the water-resistant crown in an anti-clockwise direction. Wind the watch by 40 clockwise turns of the crown.
- Pull the crown out to position 2. Then adjust the hour and the minute.
- Push the crown back to position 1. Press it gently, turning it gently in a clockwise direction, then tighten it again until you feel some resistance. Do not force!
Correcting and setting mechanical functions
Functions other than the time are effected by pressing with a slightly blunt point (like a ballpoint tip) on the watch’s recessed correctors as follows:
- Moonphases: Press on the D corrector to position the moon in its current phase.
- Date: Press on the F corrector and position the hand on the digit 1.
- Month and year: Press on the G corrector to adjust the month and, if necessary, the year. For example, for the year 2005, which follows a leap year (bissextile), the hand must be placed in the sector 1 of the year area.
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Season: Press on the H corrector to bring the season hand to the mark preceding the current season, then adjust the hand as follows:
January: 0 pressure February: 2 pressures March: 4 pressures April: 0 pressure May: 2 pressures June: 4 pressures July: 0 pressure August: 2 pressures September: 4 pressures October: 0 pressure November: 2 pressures December: 4 pressures - Date: Press on the F corrector to position the hand on the exact date.
- Day: Press on the F corrector to position the hand on the exact day.
- Week: Press on the I corrector to position the hand on the exact week.
If the watch is not worn on the wrist, it must absolutely be placed in its rewinding box so as to keep its various functions current.
Measuring a single short time
- Press pushpiece A to start the chronograph. Hand 3 shows the measurement in seconds.
- Stop the measurement by pressing pushpiece A once more. The measurement is done in hours (totalizer 1), minutes (totalizer 2), seconds and 1/4ths of a second (hand 3).
- Return the chronograph to zero by pressing pushpiece B.
Measuring an interrupted short time
- Press pushpiece A to start the chronograph. Hand 3 allows you to follow the measurement in seconds.
- To interrupt the measurement, press pushpiece A once more. To restart the time measurement, press pushpiece A. This procedure makes it possible to add several short times.
- The chronograph is reset to zero by pressing pushpiece B, once the final measurement has been stopped.
Variable tachometer
The variable tachometer enables one to determine an average speed whatever the distance covered, the time elapsed or the speed reached. It is however an approximate measurement device.
The variable tachometer is composed of a fixed scale (a) and a mobile scale or disc (b). The fixed scale is read off clockwise, and the mobile disc in the opposite direction. The graduations between two numbers represent tenths of units. To read off a result, the decimal point must be placed correctly. For example, the figure 3.2 may represent 0.32, 3.2, 32, 320, etc. The fixed scale comprises three reference marks:
- SECONDS (1) on the figure 3.6 (one hour equals 3,600 seconds);
- MINUTES (2) on the figure 6 (one hour equals 60 minutes);
- HOURS (3) on the figure 1 (one hour is the base unit for all calculations).
Variable tachometer - Mode of operation
Always place the distance covered opposite the reference mark serving as the basis for the calculation:
- on SECONDS if the interval is measured in seconds;
- on MINUTES if the interval is measured in minutes;
- on HOURS if the interval is measured in hours.
N.B. the time measured using the chronograph must be converted if necessary into seconds, minutes or hours to correspond to one of the three reference marks on the fixed scale. For example: 1 minute 20 seconds = 80 seconds; 1 hour 10 minutes = 70 minutes, etc.
Example
If a vehicle covers 1.5km (or 1.5 miles) in 45 seconds, what is its average speed?
Solution: place the figure 1.5 (distance covered) on the SECONDS mark of the fixed scale, then read off the result opposite the figure 45 (interval measured); in this case 120 km/h (or 120 mph).
Variable tachometer - Multiplication
To multiply 3 x 18, place the figure 18 on the fixed scale or the mobile scale opposite the figure 3. The HOURS mark on the fixed scale and figure 1 on the mobile disc both indicate the result, which is 54.
Variable tachometer - Division
Division works in the opposite way to the "Multiplication" example. To divide 54 by 2, one need only place the figure 54 opposite the HOURS mark on the fixed scale or figure 1 on the mobile disc. The result is read off opposite figure 2 on one or other of the scales. This single operation produces a complete division table of the figure 54:
- 54 : 2 = 27
- 54 : 3 = 18
- 54 : 18 = 3, etc.
Variable tachometer - Rule of three
Both scales enable one to perform a multiplication and then a division in just one operation. For example, to determine the price of 6 meters of cable, if 1.5 meters costs £ 9, one places the number 9 opposite the figure 6. The result is shown opposite the figure 1.5; in this case £ 36.
Variable tachometer - Hourly production or consumption rate
Measuring a production rate or an hourly consumption rate follows the same principle as the measurement of an average speed. For example, if a machine produces 15 units in 45 seconds, what is its hourly production?
Solution: place the figure 15 (the quantity produced) on the SECONDS mark on the fixed scale, then read off the result opposite figure 45 (interval measured); in this case 1,200 units per hour.
Variable tachometer - Pulsometer
The pulsometer enables fast calculation of pulse rate. For example, if 27 beats are measured over a 24-second period, one need only place the figure 27 (number of heart - beats) opposite the MINUTES marker, and then read off the result opposite figure 24 (length of observation); in this case 67 beats per minute.
Sun compass
Your BREITLING chronometer may be used as a sun compass, thus enabling you to determine the Northerly-Southerly direction. For regions that have instated daylight saving time, subtract one hour when directing the watch.
In the Northern hemisphere
Point the hour hand precisely towards the sun. In relation to the watch dial, the point located midway between the current time and 12 o’clock indicates the South, the North being exactly opposite.
In the Southern hemisphere
Point the hour-marker located at 12 o’clock on the dial precisely towards the sun. In relation to the watch dial, the point located midway between the current time and 12 o’clock indicates the North, the South being exactly opposite.
Maintenance
Your Breitling chronometer is a sophisticated instrument that is constantly subjected to a wide variety of stresses and strains. Within a very small volume, a large number of components contribute to handling all the functions. Their mechanical action inevitably leads to a certain amount of wear and tear, which may be controlled by maintenance consisting of renewing the lubrication and replacing worn components. Like any precision measurement instrument, your watch must be regularly maintained in order to function at its highest level of potential: the frequency of this operation varies according to actual use. Breitling or your authorized dealer will be happy to handle the procedure.
Water-resistance
The movement of your chronometer is protected by a complex case fitted with gaskets to ensure its water-resistance. Under the influence of various external agents – perspiration, chlorinated or salt water, cosmetics, fragrances or dust – these gaskets gradually deteriorate. That is why water-resistance cannot be permanently guaranteed and the gaskets must be periodically replaced, ideally every two years. We recommend having annual water-resistance check conducted. This operation, which takes only a few minutes, may be conducted by a Breitling authorized maintenance center, or by an authorized dealer (www.breitling.com).
The complex construction of the case used for NAVITIMER models, featuring a design faithful to the vintage 1950s models, means they are not suited to aquatic activities. The crown, pushpieces and bezel must under no circumstances be activated when the watch is damp. The water-resistance indication, expressed in bars, must be considered a safety factor, protecting your chronometer from dust and splashing. Only watches that are water-resistant to 5 or more bars should be subjected to repeated immersions.
Useful tips
BREITLING genuine leather straps are crafted with the most refined materials and represent extremely high-quality products. Like all objects in natural skin (shoes, gloves, etc.), their length of life varies considerably, according to the conditions in which they are worn. In particular, water, cosmetics and perspiration accelerate the aging process. A metal or synthetic BREITLING bracelet is thus better suited to activities involving frequent contact with water or humidity.
BREITLING metal cases and bracelets are made from the finest alloys and guarantee sturdiness and wearer comfort. Regular cleaning by rinsing and brushing in clear water will keep your watch shiny. This operation is strongly recommended after each immersion in salty or chlorinated water. For watches fitted with a leather strap, proceed in the same manner, while avoiding getting the strap wet.
What to avoid
Like any valuable objects, BREITLING chronometers deserve special care. It is important to protect them from jarring and knocks by hard objects, and not to expose them to chemical products, solvents, dangerous gases, or magnetic fields. Moreover, your BREITLING chronometer is designed to run smoothly at temperatures ranging between 0°C and 50°C.