The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello all,

I've owned my seawolf fro 4 years, and love it. But am worried as the crown tube is not replicable with service, it would require a new case.

My crown feels fine, but as the watch ages i'm getting worried... is there any other fixes if in 15 years breitling doesn't have a replacement case, and I need a crown tube fixed?

Am I worrying for nothing?

The watch has sentimental value, and I just want to make sure it will last a lifetime.


Taken from a 2012 post:

"i have e-mailed breitling USA and they informed me that all breitling in the aeromarine series have crown tube to be integral to the middle case not a separate(replaceable)one that can be replaced separately if damaged and will need a middle case replacement. "
and
"The only aeoromarine model that was ever fitted with a replaceable crown tube was the Chrono Avenger. "


Untitled by Joseph Jeram, on Flickr

That's a lovely watch. Yes, if the crown tube is damaged it will need a new middle case. This is more of a problem on titanium cases than on stainless steel. Just do your best to avoid over tightening the screw-down crown and making sure there is no chance of grit or sand getting between the crown and the case before screwing down the crown (so careful on the beach!). My CSO is 14 years old and there are no problems. Breitling should have spare cases for many years to come so try not to worry.

_________________
Breitling B-1 1999
Breitling Chrono Superocean 2004
Casio G Shock
Citizen Eco Drive AT4000-02E (for gardening)
Seiko 5 SNZG15J1
Hamilton X Wind LE

Any Aeromarine series has integral crown tube to keep costs down in what was positioned as the more affordable range (insert ironic comment here). As zak57 notes the titanium cases are the ones that have experienced issues, especially with threads because of the relatively soft metal compared with 316L steel. However, the cases are produced under Breitling control (I'm not sure if they are still produced by themselves or outsourced) using dies / CNC files that are long ago paid for so it's a relatively low cost exercise to maintain a service inventory. I wouldn't be at all worried even if a new middle case is needed 50 or 100 years from now (although by then it's anyone's guess how they will be produced).

Thanks Roff. That makes me feel a bit better.