user manual

Overview

• Hour hand
• Minute hand
• Seconds hand
• Second timezone
• Chronograph’s hours totalizer
• Chronograph’s minutes totalizer
• Chronograph’s seconds hand
• Date
• Pushpiece Start / Stop
• Pushpiece Reset
• Screw-locked crown
• 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”.

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.

1. Unscrew the water-resistant crown in an anti-clockwise direction. Wind the watch by 40 clockwise turns of the crown.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

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 1/8 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.

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. The hand is adjusted by pressing the pushpiece (D) until the desired timezone is indicated. (One press moves the hand one hour forward.)

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 :

1. Place the 24-hour hand (C) on number 10 on the 24-hour scale.
2. 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.

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.