Are Breitling hands glued to the movement, or what's going on?

[VWatchie]

For many reasons that I won't go into here, I've been dreaming about a Breitling ever since I was a kid. So, I'm constantly on the lookout for something affordable that I like and can service, restore and/or repair. I'm in no hurry, but the day when I wear a Breitling on the wrist is hopefully getting closer.

Anyway, by pure coincidence, I heard something quite alarming regarding Breitling stated on Kalle Slaap's Youtube channel (please see the video below), namely that the hands on Breitling watches tend to be damaged/deformed when you try to remove them, and that new hands must therefore oftentimes be ordered. I wonder if anyone shares this experience and if it is at all possible to get hold of original hands for Breitling watches if you are not an authorized repairer. It also makes me wonder if Breitling glues the hands to force owners to service and repair the watches through Breitling or their authorized dealers and watchmakers. Unfortunately, it is a vicious industry, so nothing surprises.

 

[Neverenoughwatches]

30 minutes ago, VWatchie said:

For many reasons that I won't go into here, I've been dreaming about a Breitling ever since I was a kid. So, I'm constantly on the lookout for something affordable that I like and can service, restore and/or repair. I'm in no hurry, but the day when I wear a Breitling on the wrist is hopefully getting closer.

Anyway, by pure coincidence, I heard something quite alarming regarding Breitling stated on Kalle Slaap's Youtube channel (please see the video below), namely that the hands on Breitling watches tend to be damaged/deformed when you try to remove them, and that new hands must therefore oftentimes be ordered. I wonder if anyone shares this experience and if it is at all possible to get hold of original hands for Breitling watches if you are not an authorized repairer. It also makes me wonder if Breitling glues the hands to force owners to service and repair the watches through Breitling or their authorized dealers and watchmakers. Unfortunately, it is a vicious industry, so nothing surprises.

 

I've seen this video and also read more than a few times here and in facebook groups that Breitling chrono hands are extremely tight. Something in my memory also tells me that Breitling were bought out not so long ago, if that has anything to do with it ?

[mikepilk]

They are not glued, just tight. My everyday watch is a Breitling Aerospace (a quartz ). After sending it to Breitling to be serviced many times, last time it needed a service I did it myself, and the hands were not that tight.

[nickelsilver]

There's a factory vid floating around showing them using a hammer seating the main chrono hand. I definitely tell customers the hand/s may deform as a part of the service. There is at least one hand removal tool available that's supposed to mitigate the issue, but I don't see it being much help (pushes on the pivot while pulling the hand).  Crazy thing is there's no need for such tight hands.

 

Edited June 26, 2023 by nickelsilver

[mikepilk]

4 hours ago, nickelsilver said:

There is at least one hand removal tool available that's supposed to mitigate the issue,

 

[VWatchie]

So, does the problem only apply to chronograph hands or is it a general problem with Breitling hands (as indicated by Kalle Slaap)?

12 hours ago, mikepilk said:

My everyday watch is a Breitling Aerospace (a quartz ).

Well, lucky you! Did I mention that I like Breitling watches? 

12 hours ago, mikepilk said:

ast time it needed a service I did it myself, and the hands were not that tight.

Well, that sounds a bit reassuring, especially as I personally am not much for chronographs, if the problem is isolated to chronograph hands.

[Neverenoughwatches]

17 minutes ago, VWatchie said:

Well, that sounds a bit reassuring, especially as I personally am not much for chronographs, if the problem is isolated to chronograph hands.

Maybe just the chrono hands , do they have a ripid flyback that could loosen them over time ? Incidentally i do have a couple of old quartz chronographs that have flung their chrono hands off.