Restoring a vintage Breitling 1100

[Baphomet]

Hello guys !

I recently bought this awesome Breitling eta 1100.

Yes there is a screw in the dial for whatever reason (wtf). So I started working on the watch, and I can't find a way to remove it from the case. I removed the 2 screws holding it, but the movement is not moving at all.

Do I need to remove the crystal first ?

 

Thank you guys in advance for your help !

[jdm]

47 minutes ago, Baphomet said:

there is a screw in the dial for whatever reason

Because some butcherer has placed it to replace as a dial foot which he couldn't repair properly.

 

47 minutes ago, Baphomet said:

 I need to remove the crystal first ?

That is a front loader case type and your question is the most often asked by beginners which start taking apart watches, even expensive ones, without knowledge, proper tools, or even having searched first. The search box on the top right will point you to all the answers you may get here and some more.

That being  said, I don't know what exactly you intend to restore on the watch, but it doesn't seem to me that is a good canditate to be worked by a beginner, as it's easy to do something wrong and very damaging and then regret it. So if you care about it your best choice would be to set it aside for the moment, while you get the tools and experience  needed., practicing on something else of little value.

[Plato]

Is it a Breitling? I'm not a fan but it looks a bit plain to me, I thought they all had complications. 

[Baphomet]

8 hours ago, Plato said:

Is it a Breitling? I'm not a fan but it looks a bit plain to me, I thought they all had complications. 

It is an old eta 1100, it doesn't seems very complicated.

[Baphomet]

8 hours ago, jdm said:

Because some butcherer has placed it to replace as a dial foot which he couldn't repair properly.

 

That is a front loader case type and your question is the most often asked by beginners which start taking apart watches, even expensive ones, without knowledge, proper tools, or even having searched first. The search box on the top right will point you to all the answers you may get here and some more.

That being  said, I don't know what exactly you intend to restore on the watch, but it doesn't seem to me that is a good canditate to be worked by a beginner, as it's easy to do something wrong and very damaging and then regret it. So if you care about it your best choice would be to set it aside for the moment, while you get the tools and experience  needed., practicing on something else of little value.

Thank you for your response, I do have the tools, but you are right on the fact that i should work on something less expensive to start. I thought it was a good idea because it is an ETA, it is not very complicated and it was not really expensive.

I do have searched, but I can't find information about this model, I don't have the original serial number so it is a bit complicated. I do have find the original manual for ETA 1100.

[jdm]

1 hour ago, Baphomet said:

 it is not very complicated and it was not really expensive

The point is not that a manual 17j is complicated, it is not, but that at present time it's complete, working and original to the watch. It is very common for beginners to lose or break parts, namely shock springs, screws, pivots, due to wrong working posture, incorrect handling, lack of precautions, etc. Then it can become a surprising big problems find parts even if wanting to buy a "donor watch".  Browse around our forum to see how vary often that happens, I suppose that you don't want that to happen to you.

 

1 hour ago, Baphomet said:

 I do have find the original manual for ETA 1100.

There is no such thing for vintage pieces. What could be found could, and often share here could be just a parts list. In the past it was assumed that repairers knew their trade without being taught how to suck an egg. If you want to learn seriously consider enrolling in the high quality training by our Host Mark Lovick at watchfix.com

Below the pinned topic about which mov.ts are suggested for beginners:

 

[anilv]

Hi Baphomet,

It looks like the movement comes out the front.

1. Check around the edge of the front bezel, there should be a gap where you can slip a blade in to remove the bezel.

2. There are two screws on the periphery of the movement, one is missing, remove the other.

3. Remove the stem by turning the round-head screw near the stem entry point about 1 to 1.5 turns.

4. The movement should drop out but if it doesn't you can push it from the back.

BTW the movement looks like an ETA1080, parts are not too difficult to source as ETA made a whole lot of them. Simple construction and well designed.. good for beginners.

Anilv