What is this noise?

[glockshooter1]

I'm the proud parent of a Breit Airborne Navitimer which recently received the BUSA overhaul before I got it.

When I got it a few days ago, I read through the manual, and started winding the crown as the manual indicated. Near the end of my winding, I started feeling a "ratcheting" type sound and feel when I turned the crown. I figured this was perhaps overwind protection, I decided to check on it in a few days.

Fast forward a few days, I let it sit idle overnight (figuring it wouldn't be fully wound in the morning). This morning I turned the crown, and the same ratcheting sound is present. It sounds a little like grinding. For what it's worth, there seem to be a lot of "Ratcheting clicks" for each small movement of the crown...maybe 5 clicks per 1/8th turn.

Do I need to worry?
Did I break something already?
help, please.

[turboBB]

I have a MontOly and also hear the same sound but only when the watch is fully wound. There are 2 louder and distinct clicks in between all the small clicks which I take to be the overwind protection kicking in (this is after 19 winds approx. 8 hours after a full wind from last night).

In the morning, upon winding the crown, did you immediately hear that ratcheting noise or was it after a few winds? If after a few winds, I think it's the overwind protection and as long as the watch is running normally I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[glockshooter1]

After sitting roughly 7 hours, it made a clicking noise after less than a half rotation.

When normally winding... Should I hear any clicking? Is it silent?

[O2AFAC67]

After sitting roughly 7 hours, it made a clicking noise after less than a half rotation.

When normally winding... Should I hear any clicking? Is it silent?I am guessing the "clicking" sound you describe is the same as the previously described "ratcheting" sound. Tough to analyze a written description of an audible indication, for sure. Thing is, when the mainspring is completely wound down, the noise you hear while winding for the first thirty or forty turns is a rather rhythmic whirring/grinding (only description I could think up!) sound as the mainspring tightens up in its "barrel" enclosure. When fully wound, the outside "circumfirence" of the mainspring will "slip" on the inside diameter of the "barrel" enclosure due to less friction maintained between the spring and barrel when the spring has tightened into a more compact coil. This "slip" is the clicking sound you hear as you turn the crown when the spring is already fully wound. This "overwind protection process" is often referred to as an "overwind clutch" as an analogy to other mechanical operation devices (manual transmission automobile). On a manual wind mechanical watch zealous "overwinding" can sometimes break the mainspring stem but the design of the automatic mechanical is meant to prevent breakage. All that said, your description just doesn't sound quite "right" to me for a watch when all is well. Because you have a year warranty on the Breitling service, you needn't worry because if it is broken, they will make it right for you. Does the watch seem to be working ok? Do you have access to a dealer or owner of other Breitlings for a comparison test? Hope this helps and good luck with your watch. No worries, mate!
Cheers,
Ron

[rbt]

I am guessing the "clicking" sound you describe is the same as the previously described "ratcheting" sound. Tough to analyze a written description of an audible indication, for sure. Thing is, when the mainspring is completely wound down, the noise you hear while winding for the first thirty or forty turns is a rather rhythmic whirring/grinding (only description I could think up!) sound as the mainspring tightens up in its "barrel" enclosure. When fully wound, the outside "circumfirence" of the mainspring will "slip" on the inside diameter of the "barrel" enclosure due to less friction maintained between the spring and barrel when the spring has tightened into a more compact coil. This "slip" is the clicking sound you hear as you turn the crown when the spring is already fully wound. This "overwind protection process" is often referred to as an "overwind clutch" as an analogy to other mechanical operation devices (manual transmission automobile). On a manual wind mechanical watch zealous "overwinding" can sometimes break the mainspring stem but the design of the automatic mechanical is meant to prevent breakage. All that said, your description just doesn't sound quite "right" to me for a watch when all is well. Because you have a year warranty on the Breitling service, you needn't worry because if it is broken, they will make it right for you. Does the watch seem to be working ok? Do you have access to a dealer or owner of other Breitlings for a comparison test? Hope this helps and good luck with your watch. No worries, mate!
Cheers,
Ron

Whoa! Nobody go anywhere until I find my bunny. :-)

[O2AFAC67]

Whoa! Nobody go anywhere until I find my bunny. :-):-d
Cheers,
Ron

[glockshooter1]

I am guessing the "clicking" sound you describe is the same as the previously described "ratcheting" sound....

This concerns me. I left it home all day today on purpose. I will let it sit until it doesn't run anymore and see if the sound persists.

Thanks again for the help Ron.