Breguet

Hi Breguet Fans

I got a Breguet XXI on bracelet recently, it is an awesome watch, stunning beauty.  However, only after wearing it for a while, the chrono minute counting hand (the big one resting at 12 o'clock position when reset) moves by itself one click or two every few hours even when the chrono is not engaged.  I reset it, it goes back to home position at 12, then after a few hours you look at it again, it moved a click already.  It will keep on moving when the day goes on.

Anybody had such a problem before?  It is a flyback version, is the flyback version more susceptible to malfunction like this?  Your advice is much appreciated.  I heard that the chrono movement in XXI is "rough" compared with say Daytona, is it true?  I would imagine XXI to be solid as bullet like a Daytona.  It is now under repair and they have not come back to me yet.

Thanks

Ivan

It is not normal by any means, but the fault you're describing is a potential problem with the continuous minutes counter design in the Cal. 582 variants. This caliber employs a friction clutch for the minutes counter with two pincer jaws that hold the wheel that the minutes counter rides on in place when the chronograph is off. When you start the chronograph, the jaws release the minutes counter and it runs along with the normal minute hand. If the jaws are misaligned, maladjusted or oherwise imperfect they might allow the minutes counter to run even when the chronograph is off, just like you're experiencing.

It shouldn't be too much trouble to diagnose and repair based on the information you've provided, so I'm sure Breguet will have it right as rain for you in no time.

_john

thanks for the explanation, really helps.  The chrono in this watch is unique, I haven't seen any other brand using it.  Probably not as fool proof!  Anybody knows of anther brand / model using this kind of chrono movement.  Probably the chrono in the XX is more solid.

 

Regards

 

Ivan

Hi Ivan,

The design is quite unique, and the only other movements I can think of using the same solutions are just different versions of the same movement.  The Omega 1040 and Ebel 137 are earlier versions and both of those movements as well as the Type XX movements all use the same basic design in particular with regards to the minutes counter.  Although in the Omega 1040 and the Breguet Cal. 584 (Type XXI) the minutes counter is in the middle, the Ebel 137 and Breguet 582 use the same design with some transfer wheels to move the minutes counter from the center (where it is natively) to the 3 o'clock position.  In that regard, I don't think the Type XX movement is any more solid than the Type XXI.

The movement can be quite robust, but it requires a lot of care in its set up and adjustment because of the nature of the flyback machanism and how elaborately it must interact with what amounts to three completely separate start-stop-reset mechanisms (one for each of the seconds, minutes and hours counters).  It's a design that really only makes sense as an evolution of previous designs, but that's just part of it's charm in my humble opinion.

_john

 

John

Thanks a lot for the superb explanation.  Hope it comes back from service soon.  Is Type XX also using the fly back or just normal chrono?

 

Ivan

Nt

Got my Breguet XXI back a few weeks ago, they said it is a minor issue.  it has been running for more than a month now without any problem.  Just want to share it with you guys.  I only have a 6.5" wrist, does the watch seem big on it?  It sits on my wrist quite comfortably, I suppose the fit of the bracelet is important when you have such a hefty watch in terms of diameter, thickness and weight. 

The thing I admire about Breguet is the details on the watch, even for a sport watch, the dial is polished so well and full of details (plus the slightly domed crystal face) that you can never take your eyes off it.

I also got another Breguet dress watch recently, the 5157 WG.  My next target will be a Marine II Big Date.  Even I read a few negatives about the quality / sturdiness of the movement among Breguets in this forum, it just does not move my heart towards Breguet.  I am a superficial type of guy.

Regards

Ivan

Hi Ivan,

 

Thanks for reporting back. Pleased to hear things were fixed fairly quickly with the chrono hand.

 

Regarding size, my rule of thumb is that a watch is fine provided there is no overhang of lugs. The amount of overhang is affected not only by the watch diameter but the design, of course.

 

And you mention the other important aspect of wearing larger watches: balance. This is influenced by the type of bracelet, the deployant design and the materials used.

 

Your Breguet’s look good to me. Congratulations.

 

Andrew