Watch Repair Projects & Info

Breitling Colt Oceane. The back is damaged!

Mark Lovick*March 27, 2012*0 comments

I have seen a lot of things in my career as a watchmaker but I dont believe I have seen anything quite so reckless and stupid as this. Anybody who owns or wants to own one of these Breitlings will know how much they cost. This particular one which came in for a battery has the standard Breitling 15 side back which requires the special key to open it.

Showing the holes drilled in the back.
Showing the holes drilled in the back.

Some desperate person who obviously did not have the correct tool decided to ‘improvise’ in a very destructive way. I could not believe it when I saw four blind holes drilled into the watch back in order for them to wrench the back open.

I am all for being creative in this when problem solving but this is just wrong.

Breitling Colt Oceane
Breitling Colt Oceane
Showing the holes drilled in the back.
Showing the holes drilled in the back.
Choosing the correct die for this size of Breitling back
Choosing the correct die for this size of Breitling back
The watch in the jig - ready to remove the back in the correct manner
The watch in the jig - ready to remove the back in the correct manner
The back removed
The back removed
Inside with the back off - showing the cover plate which needs to be removed before the battery is fitted
Inside with the back off - showing the cover plate which needs to be removed before the battery is fitted
An incorrect tool was used previously causing these scratches
An incorrect tool was used previously causing these scratches
With the cover plate removed I can see that silicone grease had been applied in the wrong place - this needs to be cleaned off
With the cover plate removed I can see that silicone grease had been applied in the wrong place - this needs to be cleaned off - also the big screw on the left (case clamp screw) is broken. Note how the case clamp is raised up compared to the opposite one on the right.
Cleaning the old silicone grease off the parts it should not have been on in the first place.
Cleaning the old silicone grease off the parts it should not have been on in the first place.
Replacing the broken case clamp screw
Replacing the broken case clamp screw
All re-assembled. Cleaning the debris off the back in order to re-apply the seal
All re-assembled. Cleaning the debris off the back in order to re-apply the seal
Re-applying the seal. The back will go back on and the it goes into the water resistance testing machine.
Re-applying the seal. The back will go back on and the it goes into the water resistance testing machine.



On Watch Repair Talk we are discussing a Breitling Navitimer With Venus 178 Chronograph Movement. This has been completely stripped down and serviced. Plenty of interesting pictures.
 
It’s on Reddit

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