“For emotional reasons, my Breitling was my best ever buy. Walking out of Weir’s wearing that watch marked the end of 20 years of looking in shop windows.”
-Paul Christopher Flynn to Independent.ie
Breitling watches aren’t just expensive, luxury watches, they are a lifestyle. Many collectors, enthusiast, pilots, athletes, or whoever, when they purchase a Breitling watch it a symbol of accomplishment, strength and success.
Yesterday we talked about the Breitling Superocean Heritage 46 watch, and today we were supposed to explore the differences between the Breitling Superocean Heritage 46 and the Breitling Superocean Heritage 38. However, the only obvious differences between the Breitling Superocean Heritage 46 and the Breitling Superocean Heritage 38 are the case sizes. The Breitling Superocean Heritage 46 has a 46 mm case diameter and the 38 has a 38 mm case diameter.
Technical Data:
Breitling 27 Caliber
Cambered sapphire and glareproofed crystal
Screwed in caseback
Screw locked crown with two gaskets
Self-winding mechanical movement
Minimum 42 hour power reserve
Unidirectional and ratcheted bezel
28,800 vibrations per hour
660 feet of water resistance
27 jewels
Steel case
Dial aperture calendar
Ocean Classic bracelet in steel or Ocean Racer Straps in black, blue, or red
Breitling’s Superocean Heritage 46 watch from Breitling’s Aeromarine Collection known for a few things. It’s known for its 660 foot water resistance, its known for its 1950 style logo, and its known for its weird and quirky minute hand. All reasons why a Breitling watch has a coveted and almost cult like following. Design and luxury have no limit when a Breitling watch is created and the Superocean Heritage 46, available in two sizes, 38 mm and 46 mm, is no exception.
Even though the Breitling Superocean Heritage 46 is based on celebrating past Breitling Superocean watches, some features are updated including a steel and aluminum construction fitted bezel with a 120 tooth unidirectional mechanism instead of a synthetic bezel; and instead of the old school mineral glass, the Breitling Superocean Heritage 46 uses scratch resistance and glareproofed sapphire crystal on both case sides.
As with every Breitling watch, the Breitling Superocean Heritage 46 boast a Breitling 17 caliber, self winding mechanical movement, 40 hour minimum power reserve, 28,800 vibrations per hour, 25 jewels, dial aperture calendar, steel case, screw-locked crown with two gaskets, and a screwed in caseback.
The picture above shows my favorite Superocean Heritage 46 watch complete with self-winding movement, a steel case, black dial, and Ocean Classic bracelet in steel. The Ocean Classic bracelet in steel is by far the best bracelet for a Superocean Heritage 46 watch. It’s sleek and smooth with an intricate braided pattern and distinct design. Of course you can try the Ocean Racer strap in black, blue or red, but to me it just doesn’t do justice to the watch case.
We discussed yesterday, and many times before, that in 1950 Breitling made the bold decision to start focusing on the maritime industry as well as the aviation industry. As a result, The Breitling Superocean watches were born. Out of all the Superocean watches discussed here, the Breitling Superocean Steelfish has my favorite dial design. I love the luminescent dots as hour markers which are complemented by Arabic second numerals, I love the Superocean signature, I love the Arabic numerals for the 12, 6, and 9 o’clock markers, and I love the different versions and variations of materials and colors.
However, the most important attribute of a diver’s watch is its water resistance and the Breitling Superocean Steelfish series of watches are watcher resistance of up to depths of not 500, not 1,500, not 2,000, but 6,000 feet! That’s an amazing level of water resistance and its possible because of the workmanship used to seal the watch. Sealing a watch is an art form and Breitling pulled out all the stops with the Breitling Superocean Steelfish watch. Each watch in the Breitling Steelfish series has a security valve that is used to balance out and difference of pressure in and outside the case. Breitling gives a great description of this technology:
“…as soon as the internal overpressure reaches approximately 3 bars, this valve automatically vents the helium accumulated during the time spent at great depths and thus prevents the case from exploding…”
Other technical specifications of this watch include a Breitling 17 caliber and self-winding mechanical movement, a minimum 40 hour power reserve, 28,800 vibrations per hour, 25 jewels, dial aperture calendar at the 3 o’clock marker, ratcheted and unidirectional bezel, crew locked crown with 2 gaskets, and a screwed in caseback that is glare proofed with sapphire crystal; as is the case front.
The Breitling Superocean Steelfish is available in a number of bracelets and straps as well as dial colors. Here is a quick look at a video that show the Breitling Superocean Steelfish with blue dial and leather strap:
Here is a quick look at two divers glowing in the dark, the watch on the left is a Breitling Superocean Steelfish:
The divers watch since 1957, the Breitling Superocean has meet industry professional’s high standards and continues to be a favorite in the field. The Breitling Chrono Superocean meets the same expectations today as a Breitling Superocean would have in the 1950’s.
One of the most important parts of a diver’s watch is water resistance technology. The Breitling Chrono Superocean is resistant to water for at least 1,650 feet or 50 bars. The pushpin is the secret (which is an important part of making sure a watch is water resistant) because it ensures resistance and protection against shocks. The Breitling Chrono Superocean’s pushpin can only be activated after unscrewing and removing the restraining ring that holds the push pieces in place. The next most important attribute of a divers watch is the ability to see important features in the dark of the deep. The Breitling Superocean has oversized and luminescent hands and hour markers as well as glareproofed sapphire crystal on the case front and back.
Other attributes are important to a diver’s watch also…the Brielting Chrono Superocean watch includes a great caliber (Breilting 13), a self-winding mechanical movement, 42 hour power reserve, 28,800 vibrations per hour, 25 jewels, 1/4th second chronograph (30 minutes, 12 hours), day and date calendar, steel case, unidirectional and ratcheted bezel, screw locked crown with two gaskets, screwed in case back, and a 42 mm diameter case.
One of the hardest pieces of equipment for a diver to purchase is a watch. It has to be water resistance for hundreds even thousands of meters. A quality watch is needed when under water, one that can last and the Breitling Superocean lives up to its names.
Since 1987 Breitling Superocean watches have been the best of the best when it came to diver’s watches and today’s version is no different. The Breitling Superocean watch is water resistant to 5,000 feet because of its screw-locked crown and safety valve which allows it to release helium that builds up after spending time under water.
The Breitling watch also has great readability with glareproofed sapphire crystal on both sides, large hands, a triangular shaped hour hand, and luminous markers; all increasing visibility under water.
Additional technical specifications include a Breitling 17 caliber, 25 jewels, steel case, and a unidirectional ratcheted rotating bezel. Additionally, the bracelets are available in Breitling Professional strap in stainless steel or the Diver Pro strap in green or blue.
Most Breitling watches loved by enthusiast are classics like the Breitling Navitimer watch or the popular Breitling for Bentley watch. However, 2008 has brought some new Breitling watches that are destined to be new classics for a different generation.
The Breitling Cockpit watch collection has a new design that is meant to blend the Breitling Cockpit watch with the Breitling Lady Cockpit watch. The watch design combines modern with classic by using large Roman numerals at 6 o’clock, 9 o’clock and at 12 o’clock. See the video below from The Breitling Source for a visual overview.
The Breitling Superocean Heritage watch is was designed as a professional Breitling diver’s watch and is used by diving enthusiast everywhere. The Breitling Superocean Heritage watch is a tribute to the old model by carrying the Breitling watch signature in 18-carat gold. The video below from The Breitling Source goes shows a great review of this Breitling watch.
