- Overview
- Your BREITLING chronometer
-
Preparing the watch for use
- Time setting
- Using the chronograph
- Special characteristics
- Maintenance
Overview
- Hour hand
- Minute hand
- Seconds hand
- Second timezone
- Chronograph’s hours totalizer
- Chronograph’s minutes totalizer
- Chronograph’s seconds hand
- Pushpiece Start / Stop
- Pushpiece Reset
- Screw-locked crown
- Date
- City disk
- 24H Dial
- Bi-directional rotating bezel
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”.
Setting home time
- Unscrew the watertight crown by turning it counterclockwise. Wind the watch by around 40 clockwise turns of the crown.
- Pull the crown all the way out to position 3. Position the red arrow-tipped hour hand C (24-hour display) on the current home time and then adjust the minute hand D.
- Push the crown back into position 2 and then turn the independent hour hand E to display the exact date which jumps at midnight. Then position this hand on the exact home time – the minute hand D does not move. Hand C and Hand E show identical hours.
- Push the crown back into position 1. Slightly press it while turning it gently in a clockwise direction, and then screw it back it until you feel a slight resistance. Do not force it!
Setting local time at destination
- Unscrew the crown by turning it counterclockwise.
- Pull the crown out to position 2. Turn the crown forwards or backwards to set the hour hand E to local time at destination. If the timezone difference entails a date change, this occurs automatically when the crown is rotated.
- Upon returning home, proceed in the same way: pull the crown out to position 2 and then turn the crown forwards or backwards to adjust the hour hand E to home time. If the timezone difference entails a date change, this occurs automatically when the crown is rotated.
- Push the crown back into position 1. Slightly press it while turning it gently in a clockwise direction, and then screw it back it until you feel a slight resistance. Do not force it!
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.
Second timezone
The second independent hour hand (C) makes a complete sweep of the dial in 24 hours and clearly indicates the time in a 2nd timezone around the dial rim.
Moreover, the mobile scale (disk) (4) enables instant readoff of the time in all timezones in relation to the 2nd timezone indicated by the 24-hour hand (C).
Example
It is 10:08 in Paris, local time. To check the time in the other timezones :
- Place the 24-hour hand (C) on number 10 on the 24-hour scale.
- Turn the disk (4) so that the 24-hour hand points to Paris.
The local time in each timezone is instantaneously indicated by the figure on the 24-hour scale (5) opposite the town concerned. For example, it is 18:08 in Tokyo and 2:08 in Denver.
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. If used intensively in water, we recommend having annual water-resistance check conducted. Whatever the case, such an appraisal will be done every two years. 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).
BREITLING models are water-resistant to varying degrees. The extent of the water-resistance, expressed in meters (M) is a standard value and does not indicate an absolute depth of immersion. The crown and pushpieces must not under any circumstances be operated under water or when the watch is wet. The table below indicates the conditions in which your watch may reasonably be used, according to its degree of water-resistance.
| Activities / degree of water-resistance | 3bars / 30M / 100FT | 5bars / 50M / 165FT | 10bars / 100M / 330FT | 50bars / 500M / 1650FT+ |
| Splashing | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Shower, swimming, surface water sports | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Water-skiing, dives, snorkeling | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Diving | ✔ |
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.