Useful Watch Care Tips
What is a mechanical/automatic watch?
What should I do when my automatic watch
stops because I didn't wear it?
When and how often do I have to wind up my
hand-winding watch?
What is the life span of a quartz watch battery?
When should I replace the battery?
What is the difference between a Chronograph
and a Chronometer?
Is the leather strap waterproof?
Can I wear my watch while playing sports?
What is the difference between Mineral Crystal
and Sapphire Crystal?
What is the reliability of a water resistant watch
when submerged?
When and how often should I have my watch
serviced?

What is a mechanical/automatic watch?

A mechanical/automatic watch is a self-winding watch. The movement of your wrist and body causes the rotor, a weight attached to an automatic winding mechanism, to wind up the watch. An automatic watch needs no battery but will stop if not worn for over 40 hours.

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What should I do when my automatic watch stops because I didn't wear it?

When a mechanical watch is kept for a long period of time or it has completely stopped, it should be wound approximately 30 to 40 times, thus allowing the watch to regain its power.

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When and how often do I have to wind up my
hand-winding watch?

BREITLING hand-winding watches should be fully wound up once a day, preferably in the morning. Turn the crown clockwise until you feel resistance.

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What is the life span of a quartz watch battery?

Watches are designed to use either silver oxide or lithium batteries. A silver oxide battery will last 2 to 3 years and a lithium battery will last 2 to 7 years depending on the use of features such as the alarm, light and cronograph functions.

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For analog watches the second hand will jump 5 seconds at a time when the battery is low. For digital watches the LCD display will start to flash.

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What is the difference between a Chronograph and a Chronometer?

A chronograph is a stopwatch, which permits the measurement of a desired interval of time. A chronograph has start, stop and reset functions. BREITLING chronographs measure time intervals to 1/100, 1/50 or 1/10 of a second.

A chronometer is a high-precision movement, which has been tested and certified by the Swiss watch-testing bureau, COSC (Controle Official Suisse des Chronometeres). The COSC is an independent association that certifies and issues performance certificates for each movement that successfully passes the test.

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Is the leather strap waterproof?

A genuine leather strap, in calfskin, sharkskin or crocodile, is no different from a pair of shoes or a handbag: when plunged into water, it will deteriorate prematurely. Their lifespan also varies greatly according to wearing conditions. Water, cosmetics and perspiration will certainly hasten the aging process. In order to conserve the leather strap's natural beauty, it is recommended not to immerse it frequently in water.

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Can I wear my watch while playing sports?

Nearly all mechanical watches are equipped with anti-shock devices that protect the watch's balance-staff pivots, parts of the watch movement most vulnerable to damage from impact, such as those encountered from tennis or golf. Nonetheless, there is a small chance that a hard knock could damage not only the balance but also the rotor axle. Quartz and Digital watches are usually designed to be shock resistant but care should be taken to avoid dropping or striking the watch on hard surfaces. So deciding whether or not to wear your watch when playing sports is a matter of risk assessment.

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What is the difference between Mineral Crystal
and Sapphire Crystal?

You cannot tell the difference between regular mineral crystal and sapphire crystal, except when you attempt a scratch test. Mineral crystal is break resistant but scratches relatively easily; whereas sapphire crystal measures very high at 9 on the Mohs scale, a rating measure of the relative hardness of various materials. Watches are often marked as scratch resistant when fitted with sapphire crystal. Very often, lines and marks on sapphire crystal are mistaken for scratches, which is actually the anti-glare coating fading off after time.

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What is the reliability of a water resistant watch when submerged?

All BREITLING watches are water resistant at various levels according to the model. However, exposure to commonplace elements of everyday life, such as dust, cosmetics, perspiration, chlorinated or salty water and ultraviolet light, will progressively downgrade water resistance. When a watch is used intensively in water, it is advisable to have a water resistance check every year to ensure the water resistance rating.

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When and how often should I have my watch serviced?

Like any machine - a car, a vacuum cleaner or typewriter - your watch gets 'tired' if not looked after. There are a number of warning signals. It may start running inaccurately because of an accumulation of microscopic particles of dust gumming up the works. This fine dust, usually created by the friction between parts, builds up when oil deteriorates over a certain period of time. A watch without proper lubrication is defenseless against friction and deterioration.

Mechanical or self-winding watches: The seals should be checked every year for water resistance. The watch movement should be checked and lubricated every 4 to 5 years.

Quartz watches:The battery should be replaced every 2 to 3 years and it is recommended to replace the gasket at the same time to ensure the watch's water resistance.

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1. Regularly clean the metal case and bracelet. Using a toothbrush and liquid soap will help to retain their appearance for many years.
   
   
2. Always rinse the watch and its metal bracelet under fresh running water after being exposed to seawater or chlorinated water and then dry with a soft absorbent cloth.
   
   
3. Always check the crown is flush with the case and well screw-locked after each immersion.
   
   
4. Never activate the push pieces, winding crown under water or even when there is water on the watch and the same applies to the NAVITIMER bezel.
   
   
5. Never expose the watch in extreme high or low temperature or to direct sunlight for prolonged periods.
   
   
6. Keep your watch away from close contact with objects that generate strong magnetic fields.
   
   
7. Never adjust the date between 8pm and 2am. During this period, the calendar is being engaged to turn and changing the date at this time will damage the calendar setting mechanism.
   
   
8. Change the battery immediately when it shows signs of running out. To be safe you should change the battery at least 3 months before you expect its energy to run out. Some spent batteries may start to leak chemicals into the movement and damage the circuit module if not immediately replaced.

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