Super Avenger has taken in water! =(

[KBM]

Hello everyone,

I'm really bummed and would like your comments and knowledge on this.

Last night I decided to put my SA on a leather strap, and proceeded to remove the bracelet. When I did so, I noticed the watch was a bit dirty between the lugs, so I washed it with a bit of soap at the bathroom sink. Before doing this, I made completely sure the crown was fully screwed in. After the wash, I dried the watch with a towel AND some soft toilet paper. After this, I unscrewed the crown to wind the watch and set the right time and date. All went well and my SA looked terrific on leather.

This morning, however, after wearing the watch out in the sun, I noticed condensation underneath the crystal! Needless to say my heart sank. The condensation actually formed in the shape of the chronographs and hands. The only way I can imagine water may have gotten into the watch is when, AFTER drying the watch with a towel AND toilet paper, I unscrewed the crown to set the time and date. Has this ever happened to enyone? I already called the Breitling service center in Brazil, as I imagine I should send them the watch ASAP, since the humidity may rust/damage the movement or other parts inside the case, right? My watch is still under warranty, by the way, as I bought it about one year ago.

I would really appreciate some thoughts from you.

You can't really see the condensation in the picture (the marks on the crystal are fingerprints), but what is a thread without pictures, right...



Thanks

[Art 1]

Sorry to hear about that. I too would be unhappy.

[jokb]

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully sc would be able to remedy w/o charging an arm and a leg

[toph]

I highly doubt that us how moisture got in to be honest. It could be something else

[KBM]

I'm having a hard time figuring it out too, to be honest. Someone suggested that I may have inadvertently pushed the chrono buttons while the watch was under running water from the sink. I can't recall that happening, but maybe it would make more sense than thinking water stayed somewhere in the case and got in when the crown was unscrewed. This drove me nuts, I'm always so careful with these things... and the watch is rated to a freaking 300m, for crying out loud.

[nrataul]

Has happened to me with a Speedy, never ever exposed a non-diver watch to water again.
Definitely get it checked out, rust is bit of a stretch, and dont think water damage will be covered under warranty.
Good luck!

[KBM]

Update:

I sent my watch to Breitling through an AD an got back a report stating that warranty will not cover the damages as water got into the watch because the crown was unscrewed. Now, from all of the possibilities we had already discussed here on this thread, I find it extremely bizarre that this was their conclusion. I could even live with the possibility of having accidentally pressed the chrono pushers while the watch was being washed, but I am absolutely certain (having double checked that before putting it under the sink) that the crown was firmly screwed in. Thus, the only way water could have gotten in through the crown being unscrewed is, after I washed and dried the watch (both with a towel and soft toilet paper), I unscrewed the crown to set the time and date. I am left with the answer, from Breitling, that somehow water remained somewhere in the watch in a way that, upon unscrewing the crown, having dried the damn thing, it got into the case

The cost of repair is $650.

[1Daytona]

Not the best resolution from Breitling but the $650 will bring you peace of mind that your watch is now perfect and you can stop worrying. Could have been worse, such as dropping the watch on the floor, etc. Time to enjoy it...

[brkanand]

$650/- is steep. But then you get it back in mint condition once again. I doubt if you wash your Brietling ever again.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by brkanand

$650/- is steep. But then you get it back in mint condition once again. I doubt if you wash your Brietling ever again.

That has got to be the most expensive bath I've ever heard of... what really drives me nuts is that this watch is rated to 300m, for crying out loud!

[KBM]

Originally Posted by 1Daytona

Not the best resolution from Breitling but the $650 will bring you peace of mind that your watch is now perfect and you can stop worrying. Could have been worse, such as dropping the watch on the floor, etc. Time to enjoy it...

Yes, I'll just go ahead with the proposed service and put this behind me.

[sgt1255]

What you could have done was remove the case back and let the movement air out to dry. I did that once with a cheaper dive watch that I accidentally left the crown unscrewed. It worked like a charm for me.

Good Day
Ken

[Brisman]

Originally Posted by sgt1255

What you could have done was remove the case back and let the movement air out to dry. I did that once with a cheaper dive watch that I accidentally left the crown unscrewed. It worked like a charm for me.

Good Day
Ken

IMO this is bad advice for a watch that is still under warranty for another couple of years.

Donald