- Overview
- Your BREITLING chronometer
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Preparing the watch for use
- Winding - Time-setting
- Using the chronograph
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Special characteristics
- Using the tachometer
- Sun compass
- Maintenance
Overview
- Hour hand
- Minute hand
- Seconds hand
- Chronograph’s hours totalizer
- Chronograph’s minutes totalizer
- Chronograph’s seconds hand
- Pushpiece Start / Stop
- Pushpiece Reset
- Screw-locked crown
- Date
- Tachymetric scale
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, turn it anti-clockwise to adjust the calendar to the day prior to the date when it is set into operation.
- Pull the crown out to position 3. Turn the hands so as to make the calendar jump once when the hands pass through midnight. Then adjust the hour and 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!
Measuring a single short time
Your chronograph is equipped with an exclusive seconds indication device. Contrary to a conventional chronograph, the seconds hand spins round the dial in 30 seconds instead of 60. This distinctive feature enables fractions of a second (in this case 1/8 of a second) to be read off effortlessly.
- 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 1/8 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.
Fixed tachometer
The tachometric scale makes it possible to determine an average speed calculated on the basis of the time required to cover a fixed distance of 1 kilometer or 1 mile. The place on the scale where the seconds hand has been stopped after the measurement indicates the average speed in km/h (if the distance covered is one kilometer) or in mph (if the distance covered is one mile).
- Press pushpiece A to start the chronograph.
- Stop the measurement by pressing pushpiece A once more.
- If it takes 20 seconds to cover one kilometer or one mile, the average speed is 180 km/h or 180mph respectively.
N.B. This tachometric scale, used in conjunction with the 30-seconds chronograph function, is especially suited to measuring high speeds ranging between 95 km/h (or mph) and 320 km/h (or mph). Consequently, the observation time is limited to between 11 and 38 seconds.
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.