user manual

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
• City disk
• 24-hour disk
• 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”.

Starting the watch / Setting the watch to home time

1. Unscrew the watertight crown by turning it couterclockwise. Wind the watch by means of around 40 clockwise crown rotations.
2. Pull the crown out to position 2 and adjust the date by turning the 24-hour disk forwards or backwards. The date changes with each complete rotation of the disk.
   Upon reaching the correct date, continue turning the 24-hour disk until the hour hand is positioned around 12 o’clock.
   Then turn the city disk forwards or backwards in order to position the home city facing the 12 o’clock marker on the dial (Paris in this example) by means of the shortest possible rotation.
3. Pull the crown out to position 3 – the watch stops to enable setting to the nearest second. Turn the hands forwards or backwards to adjust the hour and minute while taking account of the 24-hour disk indication and being careful not to move past midnight in order to avoid the date jumping.
   In the example shown opposite, it is 2.15 am and not 2.15 pm in Paris. The display simultaneously shows that it is 8.15 pm in New York, 11.15 am in Sydney, etc.
4. Push the crown back in to position 1. Slightly press it while turning it gently in a clockwise direction, and then screw it back until you feel a slight resistance. Do not force it!

Changing timezone

1. Pull the crown out to position 2 and turn the city disk forwards or backwards in order to position the city corresponding to the new timezone opposite the 12 o’clock dial marker by means of the shortest possible rotation. If this correction is performed backwards and involves passing through midnight, bring the 24-hour disk to 5 pm before positioning the city facing the 12 o’clock marker on the dial.
   
   Simultaneously, the 24-hour disk and the hour hand will both turn to ensure that the time indicated in the new timezone is correct. The seconds and minute hands continue running normally and if a timing operation is in progress, it will not be perturbed.
   
   In the example shown opposite, the timezone is now set to New York: it still shows 2.15 am in Paris and 8.15 pm in New York, but on the 18th of the month, since we are back on the previous day.
   
   During a trip crossing the dateline – such as leaving Anchorage (GMT-9) and flying to Tokyo (GMT+9) – the disk must be rotated past London (GMT) so as not to modify the date.

Measuring a single short time

1. Press pushpiece A to start the chronograph. Hand 3 shows the measurement in seconds.
2. 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).
3. Return the chronograph to zero by pressing pushpiece B.

Measuring an interrupted short time

1. Press pushpiece A to start the chronograph. Hand 3 allows you to follow the measurement in seconds.
2. 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.
3. The chronograph is reset to zero by pressing pushpiece B, once the final measurement has been stopped.

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.

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.

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.