Jewellery & Watch News
Swiss watch manufacturer Breitling revives the aesthetics of their historic Superocean Slow Motion watch with a new range of Breitling Superocean watches for 2022. Available in 46mm, 44mm, 42mm and 36mm, the high-performance dive watches are a technical marvel, debuting brand new technologies like the patented bezel lock, micro-adjustment buckles and a new two-toned rubber strap.
The History of the Breitling Superocean Slow Motion
Before we dive straight into the multitude of models available in the new Breitling Superocean 2022 watch collection, we first need to introduce you to the watch that inspired it. Back in 1957, Breitling launched their very first divers watch, the Superocean. It was released as two variants, a time-only watch (Ref.1004) and a chronograph (Ref. 807). Both embodied the needs of professional and recreational divers, offering 200 metre water resistant cases, reliable quartz movements, oversized circular and triangular hour markers and the iconic concave bezel. Despite the Breitling Superocean being a huge success, Willy Breitling, the president of the brand at the time, looked ahead and brainstormed how the near-perfect design could be improved further.
One of the main concerns of the original Breitling Superocean Chronograph (Ref 807) was that the minute recorder was too small and not always easy to read once the case was submerged underwater. To tackle this, Breitling created a special chronograph calibre called the “Slow Motion” which saw the chronograph hand make one revolution per hour instead of one minute. This meant the wearer could read the diving duration with the chronograph hand and minute track on the dial. The watch which housed this calibre was named the Breitling Superocean Slow Motion and it is this design which inspires the new range of Breitling Superocean 2022 watches you see today.
The Breitling Superocean 2022 Watch Collection
A quick comparison of the original Superocean Slow Motion watch and the new 2022 collection and its clear to see where the similarities lie. Like the original, the new Breitling Superocean 2022 watches feature a thin ceramic inlay unidirectional bezel adorned with a 60 minute scale and a luminous marker at the 12 o’clock position. Within that is a statement sloping flange for displaying the minutes track which pairs perfectly with the square-shaped lollipop minutes hand, a design which clearly mimics that of the chronograph hand on the Slow Motion.
Of course, as is with all of Breitling’s redesigns, the new Breitling Superocean watches perfectly balances the line between nostalgia and a modern look. As such, the watches feature contemporary technologies including sapphire crystal glass, a screw in crown and case back, a 300 metre water resistant rating and the Breitling Calibre 17 movement at the core. The automatic winding calibre is chronometer certified and offers a power reserve of 42 hours. Also new to the Breitling Superocean 2022 watches is a redesigned rubber strap, now detailed with two contrasting textures. Both the bracelets and rubber straps also feature a new folding buckle with micro-adjustment.
Exclusively for the Breitling Superocean Automatic 46 watches, a new patented technology is revealed: the Breitling bezel lock. This technology can be spotted on the left side of the case and ensures the bezel is fixed in position so there’s no risk of you losing track of elapsed dive time. Speaking of the Breitling Superocean Automatic 46, this size is available in four references. You can choose from a black or blue dial with a matching coloured bezel and rubber strap. Alternatively, you can pair the case with a three-row link stainless steel bracelet.
For something a little smaller, you might prefer the Breitling Superocean Automatic 44 watch. This size is available in four stainless steel cases or a single bronze edition. The steel models all measure to 44mm and come with a black, navy blue, turquoise or green dial. The former three all opt for black ceramic insert bezels while the latter chooses a utilitarian khaki green bezel to match its display. All are secured by steel bracelets or rubber straps, the black and turquoise dials choosing black rubber bands while the navy and green dials choose rubber straps in their dial colour. For the Breitling Superocean Automatic 44 Bronze watch, the stunning bronze alloy 44mm case meets a black ceramic inlay bezel and a bronze-coloured rehaut. To match, the dial is done in a chocolate brown decorated with gold-plated hands and indexes and pairs with a brown rubber strap.
The third size available in the new Breitling Superocean 2022 collection is 42mm. In this diameter, were spoiled with three different case metals and a special limited edition. For starters, there is a trio of permanent stainless steel models with black, white or blue dials. The black display matches its centre with black ceramic inlay bezel while the blue and white dials both opt for blue inserts. The white dial also stands out for its blue-coated hardware for instant legibility. Secondly, there’s a single Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 watch in steel and gold. It opts for a 42mm stainless steel case with 18ct gold detailing on the bezel ratcheting and screw in crown. The bezel is done in black to match the dial, both decorated with gold-coloured hardware. The last permanent addition is the Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 Bronze watch which opts for a bronze 42mm case with a khaki-green dial and bezel, golden markers and a green rubber strap with bronze folding buckle.
The limited edition Breitling Superocean 42 watch stands out instantaneously from the rest with its bright orange dial. Designed in collaboration with brand ambassador Kelly Slater, the watch is suitably named the Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 Kelly Slater Limited Edition and elects a 42mm stainless steel case, a black ceramic insert unidirectional rotating bezel and a black rubber strap. The orange colour chosen for the dial is a popular hue for professional divers since legibility is never at risk when underwater. The dial is set with Superluminova hands and applied indexes and a unique green-tipped seconds hand. Turning the Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 Kelly Slater watch over and the screw down case back reveals its limited edition number out of 1,000 pieces.
Last but certainly not least, the new Breitling Superocean 2022 watch collection reveals a range of Breitling Superocean Automatic 36 watches. These smaller sized diving instruments are perfect for women or men with smaller wrists. There are three in total, one with a white dial, another in turquoise and a third in orange. All three are equipped with silver-coloured ceramic insert bezels and matching metal sloped flanges for the minute scale. The cases are secured by metal bracelets or rubber straps in their corresponding dial colour.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Breitling Superocean 2022 watches and shop the full collection for yourself, head over to the C W Sellors website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at sales@cwsellors.com.
