user manual

Overview

• Hour hand
• Minute hand
• Crown
• Rider-tab bezel
• Sapphire-protected tritium dot
• Minute marker
• Digital display hour-minute-second
• Digital display second-date
• Display day-date
• Countdown timer TM
• Display of second timezone T2
• Chronograph hour-minute-second-1/100th second CHR
• Alarm AL

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 wristwatch chronographs with quartz oscillators consists in observing each movement for 11 days and 11 nights, in several positions and at 3 different temperatures (8°C, 23°C, 38°C). To earn the prestigious chronometer label, a movement’s performances must meet 7 very strict criteria, including a daily variation in rate of within ±0.07 seconds, corresponding to an annual precision of ±25 seconds. The variation in rate of the SUPERQUARTZ™ caliber fitted in your BREITLING watch far and above exceeds these demands, achieving a rate of ±15 seconds a year.

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”.

General handling principle

The different functions are selected by rotating the crown. The latter has two axial positions:

neutral

and pulled out.

In the neutral, fast rotation of the crown enables you to move from one function to another. The crown may be turned forwards (clockwise) or backwards (counter-clockwise).

Slow rotation of the crown lights up the two digital displays for around 6 seconds. The light goes out when the alarm, the timer or the minute repeater strike.

N.B. This type of lighting is NVG-compatible (i.e. with night vision goggles).

In the second position, rotating the crown enables you to set the functions.

A brief push in neutral position actions the functions.

12H/24H Display

You can choose between two display modes for the time of day:

24H: military style

2x12H periods: a.m. and p.m.

1. Select the T2 (2nd timezone) function by rotating the crown.
2. Press once on the crown: if the letter A or P is displayed, the time readout is in the 2x12H mode.
   Note: when the timer readout is in the 2x12H mode, a small P appears next to the hour figure between noon and midnight.
3. If no letter is visible, the time readout is in the 24h mode.
4. To change the time display mode, press on the crown twice.

Setting the watch to the correct time

Put the watch in the 24H time readout mode (see 12H/24H Display).

1. Select and display local time.
2. Pull the crown out: the hour and minute digits flash on and off.
3. Set the watch to the correct time by rotating the crown: rapid rotation moves the hands forward or backward by a full hour while slow rotation moves them in either direction by one minute.
4. Push the crown back against the case.

If desired, return the watch to the 2x12H mode.

Adjusting the seconds

If the watch loses or gains a few seconds, after some time on the wrist for instance or following setting operations, it is easily reset to the exact second.

1. Select and display local time.
2. Pull the crown out: the hour and minute digits flash on and off.
3. Push the crown back in. The minute digits flash on and off for 1 minute.
4. While the seconds digits flash, push the crown back in precisely at an observatory time signal or when a reference time source marks the exact minute: this will return the seconds digits to zero.

Check that the minute display corresponds to the exact time; if it does not, add or substract a minute (see Setting the watch to the correct time).

Correcting the date and the month

Note: the calendar is programmed to provide the exact date during a full leap-year cycle of four years, thus requiring a correction every February 29 only.

1. Select the second-date function display.
2. Pull the crown out: next to the date, the seconds digits are replaced by the month digit(s), with all digits flashing.
3. Rotate the crown forward or backward: if rotated rapidly, the month will change; if rotated slowly, the date will change.
4. Push the crown back in: the seconds digits replace the month.

Leap-year adjustments: the calendar is programmed to switch automatically from February 28 to March 1; it will therefore have to be adjusted manually every February 29 by moving the date back by one day, from March 1 to February 29.

Please note: although the watch does not normally display the month, the latter must of course be correctly set to enable the perpetual calendar to function normally.

Correcting the day

1. Select the day-date function display.
2. Pull the crown out: the date is replaced by a letter corresponding to the language in which the name of the day can be displayed: E for english, F for french, D for german, S for Spanish, while the day indication flashes.
3. Rotate the crown forward or backward to set the exact day in the language desired.
4. Push the crown back in: the date replaces the letter.

Synchronizing the analog and digital time displays

After a battery replacement or, exceptionally, a manipulation error, it may be necessary to synchronize the time shown by the hands with that displayed by the digital readout.

1. Select the neutral position.
2. Pull the crown out: the digitally displayed time is not the same as the time shown by the hands.
3. Rotate the crown backward or forward until the hands show exaclty the same time as the display (rapid rotation of the crown will cause the hands to move in either direction by a complete hour).
4. Push the crown back in.
5. Return the watch to the display of local time and reset the hands precisely (see Setting the watch to the correct time).

Changing timezones/to or from summer time

When travelling to another timezone or adjusting the watch to or from summer (daylight saving) time, the hands can be moved forward or backward by one or more complete hours without affecting the indications of the minute and seconds.

1. Select and display local time.
2. Pull the crown out: the hour and minute digits will flash.
3. Rotate the crown backward or forward quickly, causing the hands to move in either direction by a full hour with each rotation.
4. Push the crown back in.

Please remember not to rotate the crown slowly after rotating it rapidly to change timezones.

Using the countdown timer

1. Select the TM (timer) function.
2. Pull the crown out: the hours and minutes will flash.
3. Set the desired time span by rotating the crown forward or backward (rapid rotation changes the hour readout, slow rotation changes the minute readout).
4. Push the crown back in: counting down begins and the watch will buzz at the end of the preset time span.
5. Press on the crown to end the buzzing.

To cancel an ongoing countdown operation:

1. Select the TM (timer) function.
2. Press on the crown during more than two seconds: the timer will return to zero.

Displaying a second timezone

This watch is designed to display, if desired, another timezone in addition to local time.

1. Select the T2 (2nd timezone) function.
2. Pull the crown out: the digits corresponding to the 2nd timezone begin flashing.
3. Rotate the crown forward or backward.
4. Push the crown back in.

Note: the minute and the seconds readouts cannot be changed and always remain on local time.

Remember to take into account the watch’s time mode (2x12H or 24H) when selecting and displaying a second timezone (see 12H/24H display).

Using the chronograph

1. Select the CHR (chronograph) function.
2. Press on the crown to start the chronograph.
3. Press the crown again to stop the chronograph.
4. A further press on the crown will restart the chronograph, allowing a series of short times to be measured and added together.
5. Return the chronograph to zero by pressing on the crown for more than two seconds.

While the chronograph is in use, any other function of the watch can be selected and used. However, the watch must be returned to the CHR (chronograph) mode for stopping and reading chronograph times and returning this function to zero.

The chronograph mechanism will stop automatically after 48 hours. Times shorter than 1 hour are expressed in minutes, seconds and hundredths of a second. Times longer than 1 hour are measured in hours, minutes and seconds.

Using the alarm function

1. Select the AL (alarm) function.
2. Pull the crown out: the digits will flash.
3. Display the desired alarm time by rotating the crown forward or backward (rapid rotation changes the hour readout, slow rotation changes the minute readout).
4. Push the crown back in. AL appears, confirming that the alarm function is running.
5. When the alarm sounds, press on the crown to end the buzzing.

To set or reset the alarm, press on the crown after selecting the AL (alarm) function.

1. AL displayed: alarm on.
2. OF displayed: alarm off.
3. To test the alarm function, press on the crown during more than two seconds after selecting the AL (alarm) function: the buzzer will sound.

Note: remember to take into account the watch’s time mode (2x12H or 24H) when setting the alarm to the desired time (see 12H/24H display).

Minute repeater

The minute repeater is a device that provides a sonic indication of the hours and minutes simply by pressing on the crown when the latter is in the neutral, local-time, seconds-date or day-date position.

Four different sonic codes correspond respectively to:

1. hours
2. quarter hours
3. 5 minutes
4. minutes

1 hr 16 min. = 1 hr + 1 quarter hour + 1 min.

15hrs 42min. = 3 hrs + 2 quarter hours + 2x5 min. + 2 min.

Conversion scale for weights and measures used in aviation

The scale engraved on the back of your watch allows you to convert five of the weight and measurement units most commonly used in aviation. Combined with the slide rule, it is a handy way of preparing a flight plan.

Example: multiply the number of UK gallons by 1.20 to determine the equivalent value in US gallons, or by 3.65 to obtain the mass or weight in kg of such a volume.

* Important note: liquid to weight measurement conversions (Lb., Kg) relate to Jet fuel (kerosene).

Rider-tab bezel

The bezel of your watch is fitted with 4 hour-markers called rider-tabs: they are used as points of reference to mark the time of departure or a limit time one wishes to remember.

On models with no chronograph functions, they also serve as “minute chronograph” enabling one to measure time elapsed in minutes.

Rider-tabs make it easier to rotate the bezel by giving a better grip (especially when wearing gloves) and additionally protect the glass.

Battery end-of-life indicator (EOL)

This watch’s movement includes a battery end-of-life (EOL) warning system, signalled by the digital readout’s flashing mode. The battery must be replaced within the next few days by an authorized BREITLING agent. Also ask for a water-resistance test to be performed on the watch.

Recommendations

Used batteries and used watch components should not be disposed in litters, but correctly recycled according to local regulations. We recommend the disposal of such parts via your watch dealer. You will thereby contribute to environmental and public health protection.

Maintenance

Your BREITLING chronometer is a sophisticated instrument which 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: we recommend a regular service every two years, while the complete overhaul should be scheduled about every five years. Your authorized BREITLING dealer will be pleased to handle this for you.

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 and must be regularly replaced. If used intensively in water, we recommend that this be done once a year as part of a service. If the watch is only occasionally used in water, this operation may be carried out every two years. Moreover, a water-resistance test should be done every year; it takes only a few minutes and can be performed by your authorized BREITLING dealer.

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.

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.