Revue of mods made to my Breitling Navitimer "Fighter" by rolexman.

[rionrlty]

Modification (Frankenizing) of my Breitling Navitimer Serie Speciale (Fighters) rep. by long time forum member rolexman.

 

I’ve never done a revue before and apologize if this is too long and boring.  I have a friend who always complains that my emails are too long and detailed.  For those of you who don’t have the time to read my long winded revue rest assured that it culminates in a glowing recommendation for rolexman and that I am an extremely happy customer.  For those of you interested in the details, read on.

 

I am fairly new to the forum but have been buying and collecting reps for nearly 20 years now.  At one point several years ago I had over 200 watches in my collection of both gens and reps.  Up until joining the forum a few months back I had never even heard of the term “Franken” and, to be honest, I initially judged it to be a kind of silly, OCD type pursuit.

 

One of my reps was the Navitimer “Fighters” rep referred to above.  As I had owned the watch for close to 8 years it had originally come equipped with an early low beat A7750 movement.  It proved mostly reliable but never kept accurate time, even after having it serviced and then calibrated twice, losing 1-3 minutes a day or more.  Still, I liked the watch so much that I wore it more than any other of my reps and simply reset it every couple of days.

 

A couple of years ago the bezel started loosening up and finally got so bad that I wound thread between it and the case to keep it from rattling around.  I added a little superglue to keep the thread in place.

Then, the stem broke near the crown.  A cheap Navitimer parts watch donated its crown to a repair, but afterward it became stiff and awkward to wind and set.  Then the stem broke again, and after repair would not stay in the watch.  Little did I know at the time that this was all related to my crude bezel repair.

 

I retired the watch finally, taking solace in the fact that I could easily replace it with a newer version for under $300.  In fact I attempted this about 6 months ago, with “Alpine” a dealer I had never used before, and received instead a cheap 21j rep with faux Chrono dials, nothing like what I had ordered.  Luckily Paypal helped get me my money back on that deal.

 

Then, when I tried again recently after joining the forum, I was disappointed to find production had ceased completely.  While I managed to snag a nice standard Navitimer rep from a forum member I still mourned the loss of my Serie Speciale.

 

I then decided to repair the watch with a new movement and priced an A7750 with TT.  At the same time I placed a WTB ad, on the forum, for a gen ETA7750.  I got a reply from rolexman that he had a gen NOS and recently serviced Breitling caliber B13 that would fit my case.   The price seemed reasonable, especially when compared with a new, un-serviced ETA 7750.

 

Suddenly the term “Franken” seemed far less silly to me.  As I did not trust my local watchmaker with such a project, I asked rolexman if he would perform the transplant.  He agreed so I sent the watch to him.

 

 I’d been aware of the watch’s non-original features from the very start because I had owned a gen briefly with which to compare it.  It’s shape and dial detail were actually very good but it had come with a brightly polished case, compared to the gen’s brushed finish, so I readily agreed when rolexman suggested refinishing it correctly.

Per his original belief the hands, dial, and movement fit fine but, as the movement had been constructed for use in a chronomat, we needed to source a new gen crown and stem.  The bezel debacle had damaged the finish at the edge of the dial and this was touched up also.

Then, we reach our first real set back.  My botched bezel repair had resulted in it setting lop sided on the case.  This in turn caused the movement to set slightly crooked placing a bind on the new stem and crown where it exited through the crown tube.  Although rolexman had at first been reluctant to remove the glued bezel, for fear of damaging the case, he now set about in earnest, not only freeing the bezel, but repairing it to its original tight fit.

 

The watch is now much improved over its original flawed condition and with its new Chronometer grade movement promises a long and treasured life as a part of my now condensed, but much higher quality collection.

As a result of this project I’ve come to hold rolexman in the highest possible regard.  He clearly knew what he was doing from the very beginning and, even when reserved as in the case of my botched bezel repair, eventually rose to the occasion and figured out what needed to be done and how to do it, or as he put it “thinking outside the box”.  He was honest and reserved in his beliefs from the beginning, refusing to make guarantees about fitment of dial, hands and movement, although his beliefs and opinions turned out to be spot on in the end.

 

Most important was the excellent communication.  These projects can take a long time, and as a result be frustrating, especially when parts need to be sourced and ordered and unexpected things, like the bezel, come into play.  I was fully informed at every juncture.  Prices of parts needed were submitted for approval and then pictures of same provided upon receipt.

Excellent digital macro photos (many of which are provided here for reference) were supplied as work progressed, which in a way allowed me to be personally a part of the project, almost as if I were peering over his shoulder during the process.  Just as importantly rolexman’s labor prices were reasonable and credible, especially when considering the excellent quality of workmanship.

 

I did not know of rolexman before this.  I didn’t even seek a recommendation from members of the forum.   I simply took a chance based solely on the tone of his original PMs, and photos of the movement he offered, while it was still disassembled during servicing, not really much to go on, just call it a feeling.  I am personally gratified that my feeling proved 100% justified and now I’m pleased to be able to pass on my unqualified approval and recommendation to all of you.  Sincerely, rionrlty   

          

 

 

 

[icoopernicus]

Great review and the watch looks incredible. I have heard nothing but good things with regard to Rolexman and his services, you will be just one more on the list of genuinely happy customers.

 

I have always loved the Breitling Navitimer, a classic chronograph and always on my list of potential purchases.

[B3nj4min3]

Wow, that's an amazing repair/franken-job. Kudos to Rolexman and look forward to sending some watches over to him in the near future

[Rolexman]

WOW what a review. I feel honored!

The pleasure was all mine Mike!

PS: great strap combo. Classic!

[martijnp]

You sell a lot of whatches, please sell this one to me 

What a stunning watch, wear it in good health! 

[SSTEEL]

Superb Review, enjoyed watch this, and following the transplant unfolding with each step along the way.  Great work Mark has done for sure, and I can only imagine how passionate you feel about your prized timepiece

 

Congrats!