SOSF "wings" problem--your opinions/advice please

[exeekias]

Hi folks,

I got this SOSF ultimate yesterday from Peter. It looks great:

There is one thing about it that is nagging at me. Please take a look at the "wings" logo:

is it just me, or do the wings look crooked to you? As in, the left wing is higher than the right.

Assuming I am not seeing things, can anyone recommend a course of action?

The options as I see it (as I am not going to return it for something like this) are:
1) Just live with it as is
2) Try and rotate the logo myself
3) Send it to someone experienced who can fix it without scratching it
4) Source another dial, rep (or possibly gen?)

My skill level is minimal, so if it's a relatively easy fix I might be able to handle it, although chances are I'll scratch something.

So, what do you Breitling experts think? What is my best option? Or am I just seeing things? Thank you for any opinions or advice you can provide.

 

[Vigil]

Its just pushed in to tiny dimples, one side probably popped out.

I say repair it yourself, even if you aren't the most savvy, take your time and follow a tutorial and do not rush anything and only do it for 15 minute or less stints - this will save your eyes and stress level - work for a few, rest or do something else for a few.

The repair woudl go like this (most likely)

1: Set the watch at 6:30 so the hands won't bother you (thx BOUDART)
2: Take off strap/bracelet
3: remove caseback (ball or tape method)
4: Set watch, face down on a soft cloth
5: remove stem & crown (There is a release DO NOT just pull it out)
6: remove 2 screws holding movement in
7: remove retaining ring
8: put one hand on top of movement and then turn watch over to dial faces you
9: The movement should drop in your hands, set gently on soft surface
10: DONT touch the face or hands, you will leave fingerprints that are hard to remove
11: use a toothpick to align and press in the "wings"
12: reverse steps to reinstall, lightly grease/oil the rubber gasket

I may have some terms wrong, but I have done this myself on multiple occasions without issue. I don't think I left anything out, but if I did please let me know.

Update: If it is loose, do not wear it it may loosen further and drop onto your hands, etc causing more damage. Set it aside until you are ready to work on it.

 

[Spboudart]

Virgil,
I know why you wanted 12 steps:
Step 1': set the watch at 6:30 so the hands won't bother you.

 

[Vigil]

Good call - I will update

 

[exeekias]

Thanks Vigil & Boudart. With instructions that detailed I can't possibly fail

One thing though--the wings are flush with the face at the moment, so I don't think one side has popped out. The holes might be misaligned.

I'll give it a try with your 12-step method and see if that takes care of it, but if I have to delve deeper and reposition or widen one of the dimples, is that best done from the back side of the dial?

I've got a caseback opener for Breitling on the way, so i'll update you after that arrives.
Hopefully it'll be a simple toothpick fix. Thanks again.

 

[d4m.test]

Good luck on that, be sure and post your results.

 

[Vigil]

One thing though--the wings are flush with the face at the moment, so I don't think one side has popped out. The holes might be misaligned.

The dimples are tiny, it really is possible to be popped out or not all the way on. I wouldn't read too much into it until you have verified.

If it is misaligned, personally I would smooth the back side of the logo (of the misaligned side and add the tinyest amount of super glue then reattach.

 

[exeekias]

Thanks Vigil. I'll let you know how it comes out.

 

[Importr]

the same problem affected my new BCE, the wings were crooked.

i pushed the logo off using a plastic pen lid

then applied a tiny amount of glue to a tiny screwdriver tip

splodge it on the back of the logo - which is held using pointed tweezers

dab the logo onto paper to get rid of excess glue

apply to dial carefully. I used the Breitling catalog to reference the exact placement of the logo

 

[exeekias]

what kind of glue did you use?
I'm iffy on using superglue inside a closed space like inside the case.
Any fumes will crystalize and reveal any hidden fingerprints.
I know it's a very small amount of glue but I don't want to take the chance.

 

[Importr]

yes i used superglue - it was a tiny, i mean the size of a grain of sugar tiny

 

[exeekias]

uhoh. I must have pushed down on the stem release too hard, and the little button disappeared into the mechanism. Now I can't get the stem back in. Am I screwed?

 

[andreww]

This is why I hate encouraging someone with no experience to dive into a good watch. 9 out of 10 times it ends poorly.

Get your watch to a watchsmith and have the keyless works reset. Have him look take the logo while it's there.

 

[exeekias]

@andreww: it's no big deal. I mean it sucks but I learned a lesson. I've pulled stems out and put them back a couple dozen times or more without a problem, now I know what not to do. I did fix the wings, anyway.

 

[Vigil]

I've pushed a little too hard on the release myself a time or two, if you take a look at the mechanism you may be able to figure out how it goes and just re-align the pieces that popped out - or as suggested take it to a watchsmith.

I have no problem giving directions, even to noobs - you have to learn somewhere and you have the right attitude. If you are willing to risk taking something apart you do run teh risk of damage, but if you are truly interested in working on your own watch you do have to sink before you can swim.

On an aside, how did the wing repair go? What did you do?

 

[cybee]

uhoh. I must have pushed down on the stem release too hard, and the little button disappeared into the mechanism. Now I can't get the stem back in. Am I screwed?

I think that flubbering the spring set-lever button is a rite of passage in this hobby. Sorry that happened.

I am curious. Do the wings have two little feet that go into two little holes. I was just wondering cause if they do you might have to cut one of the feet off, glue, then re-align. My Omega hour marker had two feet and was crooked because the holes on the dial were not aligned...anyway here is a pic with the two little feet. I just thought maybe the wings on your watch was similar.

 

[exeekias]

To answer about the wings, on mine it is on a single center post, as I was able to rotate it back and forth pretty easily. Not good news I guess for it staying put in one place over the long haul. Other people said above that there were two posts on theirs.