Empty-headed newbie question...please fill with knowledge

[DaveK]

With much bowing to your knowledge and contributions to this forum, I need to ask a typical newbie question. I've purchased a couple of Breitling Bentley reps, and as typical with them, they are automatic (kinetic) movements, but of course the chronos are non functional - you push buttons and the little hands move, but I have no idea what the markings on some are supposed to symbolize.

Now to the meat of it....I saw on Silix-Prime's site some Breit clones with Asian 7750 movements, pricing was about double what I could pay for the stuff I've been buying (which is mostly like what's on Silix's regular site). So do the chronos (meaning sub-dials) on the 7750 movements actually function in stopwatch/chrono modes? By what I saw in your assembly/disassebly posts, I assume they do....but I hate to plunk down cash on an assumption.

Thanks,

Dave

Edited April 11, 2006 by DaveK

[jraines87]

Dave,

The chrono's do work on the 7750's. When buying "Higher" end reps, you also tend to get a better fit/finish with the watches. Overall it's a crap shoot when you play the rep game though..

I would suggest you post this question over in the "Ziggy" zone if you need more details. He's the man when it comes to movement questions.

[Ethan]

Dave, J is right about The Zigmeister; he can be very helpful.

Also, you really do need to consider the additional expense (in the $275 range) of sending 7750s immediately in for a service BEFORE you wear them. They are notoriously poorly put together, and can have dirt and grime (as well as cracked jewels and missing screws) in the movement when they arrive. For a typical Breitling Navitimer rep, you've got to understand that the real cost is (roughly; depends on dealer) $298 for the rep, and then an addiytional $275 for the service. I'd recommend Joe (rbj69), who after service will give you a 1 year guarantee on the watch. You might think that almost $600.00 is a lot to spend on a rep, but considering that it's 1/10th the cost of the gen, it's a good bargain for a near-perfect clone.

Of course, if you don't care about the watch working well or crapping out entirely, there's no need to have the watch serviced. But both The Zigmeister and Joe will tell you that it's cheaper to service the watch BEFORE it's broken or seized up than after.

I hope this helps you out.

[RWG Technical]

Dave, J is right about Ziggy; he can be very helpful.

Also, you really do need to consider the additional expense (in the $275 range) of sending 7750s immediately in for a service BEFORE you wear them. They are notoriously poorly put together, and can have dirt and grime (as well as cracked jewels and missing screws) in the movement when they arrive. For a typical Breitling Navitimer rep, you've got to understand that the real cost is (roughly; depends on dealer) $298 for the rep, and then an addiytional $275 for the service. I'd recommend Joe (rbj69), who after service will give you a 1 year guarantee on the watch. You might think that almost $600.00 is a lot to spend on a rep, but considering that it's 1/10th the cost of the gen, it's a good bargain for a near-perfect clone.

Of course, if you don't care about the watch working well or crapping out entirely, there's no need to have the watch serviced. But both Ziggy and Joe will tell you that it's cheaper to service the watch BEFORE it's broken or seized up than after.

I hope this helps you out.

Seems as if everything has been covered in both answers.

Only clarification is that my fee for a full service on a chronograph is $175 not $275...most commercial shops START at $450 and up for a similar service...

Beware of the "One dip" quick shops out there, if your getting a watch serviced for less than $100...it's not being done right, they remove the hands and dial, and throw the whole watch in a cleaning solution...not the right way...

RG

Edited April 13, 2006 by ziggyzumba

[Ethan]

Only clarification is that my fee for a full service on a chronograph is $175 not $275...

Oops! Sorry Zig; I lost your word document!

My bad.

[Perfectionist]

Also, you really do need to consider the additional expense (in the $275 range) of sending 7750s immediately in for a service BEFORE you wear them. They are notoriously poorly put together, and can have dirt and grime (as well as cracked jewels and missing screws) in the movement when they arrive. For a typical Breitling Navitimer rep, you've got to understand that the real cost is (roughly; depends on dealer) $298 for the rep, and then an addiytional $275 for the service. I'd recommend Joe (rbj69), who after service will give you a 1 year guarantee on the watch. You might think that almost $600.00 is a lot to spend on a rep, but considering that it's 1/10th the cost of the gen, it's a good bargain for a near-perfect clone.

Of course, if you don't care about the watch working well or crapping out entirely, there's no need to have the watch serviced. But both The Zigmeister and Joe will tell you that it's cheaper to service the watch BEFORE it's broken or seized up than after.

I hope this helps you out.

Why can't they make decent movements to go with the watches ?? !!

Are the new 7750's going into the Bentley and Bentley GT's just as bad - surely things must be improving with time ?

[Rolexman]

Are the new 7750's going into the Bentley and Bentley GT's just as bad - surely things must be improving with time ?

I was wondering too....

[Pugwash]

I was wondering too....

Wonder no more:

For the record, the dirt issue has been much improved during the past 8 months, I find only small fillings, no big chunks anymore...

[rek001]

So should the new improved asian 7750 should still be serviced?

I would assume that small metal filings are not a good thing to have in the movement, albeit not as bad as large chunks?

[Pugwash]

So should the new improved asian 7750 should still be serviced?

It's debatable, to be honest. If the watch is a beater you don't care that much about, you'll be fine. Most likely you don't need a service.

I need a service on my GST because it kept awful time and I removed a tiny piece of purple thread from the escapement and set the beat-rate-thingy wrong. I expect it to come back less loose and gritty-feeling and much more accurate. I believe my IWC was due to generate problems. I had no confidence in pressing the chrono buttons, for instance.

A service gives me a watch I know is at a base reference point of 'good condition' and anything that happens to it subsequently is my fault entirely.