From our on-site workshop in Lewes, Sussex, we offer a full range of repairs including part jobs like battery changes and glass replacements through to full servicing of the vast majority of brands including Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines, Breitling and Rolex. Servicing your watch regularly is an important part of extending your watches life.
Bench Notes: Servicing a Breitling Navitimer (ETA 7753)
This Breitling Navitimer came into the workshop for a full service because it was running poorly and losing power quickly.
Inside is an ETA 7753 automatic movement. It is built on the standard 7750 architecture, but modified for a 3, 6, and 9 sub-dial layout. While the 7753 movement plate includes a quick-set date mechanism, Breitling chose not to put a date pusher through the side of the Navitimer case, keeping the case wall clean and relying on moving the hands back and forth past midnight via the crown to advance the date instead.
Diagnosing the Mechanical Issues
Once the movement was out of the case and stripped down, the main reason for the poor performance was obvious: the lubricants had completely dried out, causing heavy metal-on-metal friction over time.
A few components needed outright replacement:
- The mainspring – The old spring was tired, which was cutting the power reserve short.
- The reverser wheel – Showed some wear on the pivots, so this needed replacing.
- The date change wheel – Had a broken spring which was preventing clean date advancement.
Another big issue was wear isolated specifically to the barrel arbor. While the gear train on this calibre is jewelled, the barrel arbor runs directly in the metal of the single, combined barrel & train wheel bridge. Over time, tension on the arbor had worn the hole out of round, creating excessive play.
Instead of replacing the bridge, we reamed out the worn hole for the barrel arbor on the barrel & train wheel bridge and pressed in a synthetic ruby jewel. This eliminated the play, centred the arbor correctly, and allowed power to transfer cleanly to the gear train again.
Cleaning, Rebuilding, and Testing
After resolving the barrel arbor wear, all parts were run through our Elma Solvex automatic cleaning machine to strip away old grease and micro-debris.
We can then commence with reassembly. The movement was built back up with the new mainspring, reverser, and date wheel, and lubricated using the necessary technical specification oils at each friction point.
While the movement was being timed, we tackled the exterior:
-
The case and bracelet were stripped, ultrasonically cleaned, and given a light polish to clear away surface scuffs without rounding off the edges.
With the movement cased up, the watch was regulated on the timegrapher and placed on an automatic test rotor for several days to monitor the power reserve and winding efficiency. Everything is now running within proper tolerances, and the Navitimer is ready to go back to the client.
Looking to Have Your Breitling Navitimer Serviced and Repaired?
At W.E. Watch Repairs, we specialise in servicing both modern and vintage timepieces, including Breitling watches. We offer expert repairs, precision tuning, and full servicing, ensuring your watch receives the highest level of care. Our skilled watchmakers are here to help restore your timepiece to peak performance.
Take advantage of our Royal Mail Special Delivery FREEPOST service—your watch is fully insured for up to £20,000 throughout its journey, ensuring peace of mind from the moment it leaves your hands until it is safely returned.
Book your contemporary or vintage Breitling watch for a service today and trust us to restore it to optimal condition!