Breitling’s legendary sea watch is reinvented in the new Breitling Superocean 2022 watch collection as it debuts a pared-down aesthetic reminiscent of the original Superocean Slow Motion from the 1960’s and 70’s. The release offers an abundance of choice, with four case sizes (46mm, 44mm, 42mm and 36mm), three case metals and two strap options to choose from.
The history of the Breitling Superocean began in the 1950’s when the demand for high-performance dive watches was at an all time high. In 1957, the Swiss watch manufacturer launched two diving watches, a time-only piece and a chronograph, both named the Breitling Superocean. Their 200m water resistant cases, concave bezels and oversized markers offered everything professional and amateur divers needed for underwater exploration. By the mid 1960’s, Willy Breitling decided he wanted to improve the performance of the Superocean, focusing on the easy and safe reading of diving duration. The minute recorder is typically small for effortless reading under the water and so instead, Breitling developed a calibre where the main chronograph hand would indicate the elapsed dive time. Housing this calibre was the Breitling Superocean Slow Motion watch. With its instantly legible dial, thick minutes track and ratcheted bezel, it became an essential tool for divers.
It is the original Breitling Superocean Slow Motion watch that inspires the new 2022 collection launched today. It revives the statement minutes track and thin ceramic bezel inlay complemented by a new metal rehaut and similar shaped hands and indexes for easy legibility. Adding to the retro aesthetic is several modern features including a bright palette of colour found on the dials, a choice of three case metals and a newly designed black rubber strap with two-toned texture. There’s also the introduction of a new folding buckle with micro-adjustment and a special Breitling Superocean 2022 Limited Edition designed in collaboration with brand ambassador Kelly Slater. To help you find which new Breitling Superocean watch is for you, here’s a full run down of the 2022 collection…
Breitling Superocean Automatic 46 Watches
Starting the line-up of Breitling Superocean 2022 watches is a duo of 46mm models. These are both engineered from stainless steel and debut the thin ceramic bezel inlay in a choice of black or blue, both outlined with by a metal rehaut and paired with a large sloping white flange which displays the minute scale. At the centre, a matching black or blue dial makes room for distinctive box-shaped indexes and large hands, the minute hand in particular paying homage to the original Superocean Slow Motion with a square-shaped lollipop tip. Meanwhile the seconds hand is coloured in contrasting red.
The Breitling Superocean Automatic 46 watches are the only pair in the entire new collection to feature a patented Breitling bezel lock which you can see on the left hand side of the case. This is a brand new technology from the Swiss brand and ensures the bezel is firmly secured in place so you can maintain accurate time of your dive. The cases also feature screw in case backs, screw down crowns, sapphire crystal glass and a 300 metre water resistance. Powering the new Breitling Superocean 2022 watches in 46mm is the Breitling 17 calibre which is automatic winding, COSC-certified and promises a power reserve of 42 hours.
Specs:
- Case: 46mm, stainless steel, unidirectional rotating bezel with ceramic inlay in black or blue, patented bezel lock, screw in crown, screw down case back, 300m water resistance, sapphire crystal glass
- Dial: Black or blue with Superluminova hands and markers
- Movement: Breitling Calibre 17, automatic winding, chronometer certified, 42 hour power reserve, 25 jewels, frequency of 28,800vph, functions include hours, minutes and seconds
- Strap: Black or blue rubber or metal bracelet
- RRP: £3,800 (rubber), £3,950 (bracelet)
- Model No: A17378211B1A1, A17378211B1S1, A17378E71C1A1, A17378E71C1S1
Breitling Superocean Automatic 44 Watches
Featuring much of the same spec as the 46mm models above, the Breitling Superocean Automatic 44 watches come in a little smaller on the wrist at 44mm and don’t offer the patented bezel lock. Instead, we are offered additional dial colours and a single stunning bronze edition which comes with a matching bronze flange. Starting with the four stainless steel variants, these are available with a black dial, navy blue dial, turquoise dial or khaki green dial, all paired with a black ceramic inlay bezel other than the green dial which boasts a ceramic inset to match its centre. Each also features a white sloped flange, white Superluminova markers, 300m water resistant cases and a choice of rubber or steel straps.
For the Breitling Superocean Automatic 44 Bronze watch, it’s breathtaking bronze case is engineered using a bronze with aluminium and silicum alloy for resistance to corrosion and improved susceptibility to staining. The bronze case then pairs with a black ceramic inlay bezel and a bronze coloured rehaut which blends naturally into the chocolate brown dial with gold-plated hardware. The Breitling bronze watch is also water resistant to 300 metres and like its steel counterparts is powered by the Breitling 17 automatic winding movement. It is available to order on a brown rubber strap.
Specs:
- Case: 44mm, stainless steel or bronze, unidirectional rotating bezel with ceramic inlay in black or green, screw in crown, screw down case back, 300m water resistance, sapphire crystal glass
- Dial: Black, navy, turquoise, green or chocolate brown with Superluminova hands and markers
- Movement: Breitling Calibre 17, automatic winding, chronometer certified, 42 hour power reserve, 25 jewels, frequency of 28,800vph, functions include hours, minutes and seconds
- Strap: Rubber or bracelet
- RRP: £3,750 (steel case + rubber), £3,900 (steel case + bracelet), £4,500 (bronze)
- Model No: A17376211B1S1, A17376211C1A1, A17376211C1S1, A17376211L2A1, A17376A31L1A1, A17376A31L1S1, N17376201Q1S1, A17376211L2S1
Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 Watches
Next up in the Breitling Superocean 2022 watch collection is a range of 42mm models. In this range, we’re treated to three different case metals including three stainless steel models, a single two-toned steel and gold piece and a rare bronze edition. The three steel references are available with black, blue or white dials, the former offering a matching black bezel while the latter opt for blue ceramic inserts. The black and blue dials maintain the same silvered hardware with Superluminova while the white dial opts for blue outlines for the hands and indexes. We’re offered the same 300m water resistance, sapphire crystal glass, unidirectional bezel and Breitling Calibre 17 movement.
For the Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 watch in steel and gold, the main component of the 42mm case is engineered from stainless steel while the ratcheted exterior of the bezel and screw in crown are finished in 18ct gold. The bezel is done in black and matches the rest of the aesthetic with a gold-coloured 60 minute scale. The dial also follows suit with a black display and golden hardware. This model is completed by a single black textured rubber strap. Lastly, the Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 Bronze watch is one of our favourites out of the entire Breitling Superocean 2022 collection. It pairs the utilitarian khaki-green dial and bezel of the 44mm model with a patina-pending bronze case. All the spec stays the same other than the strap which is done in green rubber and secured by a bronze folding clasp with micro-adjustment.
Specs:
- Case: 42mm, steel, steel & gold or bronze, unidirectional rotating bezel with ceramic inlay in black, blue or green, screw in crown, screw down case back, 300m water resistance, sapphire crystal glass
- Dial: Black, navy, white, or green with Superluminova hands and markers
- Movement: Breitling Calibre 17, automatic winding, chronometer certified, 42 hour power reserve, 25 jewels, frequency of 28,800vph, functions include hours, minutes and seconds
- Strap: Rubber or bracelet
- RRP: £3,700 (steel case + rubber), £3,850 (steel case + bracelet), £5,400 (steel + gold), £4,400 (bronze)
- Model No: A17375211B1A1, A17375211B1S1, A17375E71C1A1, A17375E71C1S1, A17375E71G1A1, A17375E71G1S1, N17375201L1S1, U17375211B1S1
Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 Kelly Slater Limited Edition
The only limited edition in the Breitling Superocean 2022 watch collection is this bold orange-dialled model which has been designed in collaboration with Breitling brand ambassador Kelly Slater. Part of Breitling’s Surfer Squad, Kelly Slater is known for being the most successful surfers of all time as well as the co-founder of the sustainable apparel manufacturer Outerknown. Breitling supported this sustainable venture with their own range of Breitling Outerknown watches back in 2018. Now the pair collaborate again, this time with the Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 Kelly Slater Limited Edition watch.
The design follows closely in the footsteps of the 42mm counterparts above with a 42mm stainless steel case, black ceramic insert unidirectional rotating bezel, screw in crown, sapphire crystal glass and 300m water resistant rating. It is also powered by the Breitling Calibre 17 chronometer movement and secures to the wrist by a black rubber strap. The real difference in the Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 Kelly Slater Limited Edition watch is its dial which is dressed in a bold orange hue, a colour famous for its legibility in diving conditions. It pairs the orange backdrop with Superluminova markers and hands and a unique green-tipped seconds hand. The case back is also engraved with its limited edition number out of 1000 pieces.
Specs:
- Case: 42mm, stainless steel, unidirectional rotating bezel with ceramic inlay in black, screw in crown, screw down case back, 300m water resistance, sapphire crystal glass
- Dial: Orange with Superluminova hands and markers
- Movement: Breitling Calibre 17, automatic winding, chronometer certified, 42 hour power reserve, 25 jewels, frequency of 28,800vph, functions include hours, minutes and seconds
- Strap: Rubber
- RRP: £3,900
- Model No: A173751A1O1W1
- Limited: 1,000 pieces
Breitling Superocean Automatic 36 Watches
Last but certainly not least, we have a trio of smaller sized diving watches for those with daintier wrists. The Breitling Superocean Automatic 36 watches are all engineered from stainless steel and are equipped with matching silver-coloured ceramic inserts on their unidirectional bezels and metal sloped flanges for the minutes scale. The 36mm cases offer the familiar screw down case backs, screw in crowns, sapphire crystal glass and a 300 metre water resistance. They are also yet again powered by the Breitling 17 automatic winding movement.
The three Breitling Superocean Automatic 36 watches come in three dial colours: white, turquoise or orange. All ensure easy legibility with large applied indexes and hands dressed in Superluminova. The seconds hand is outlined in white on the turquoise and orange models while the white dial opts for a subtle touch of orange. The cases are secured by rubber straps in the corresponding dial colour or by a three-row link bracelet. Both straps close by a folding buckle with micro-adjustment.
Specs:
- Case: 36mm, stainless steel, unidirectional rotating bezel with ceramic inlay in silver, screw in crown, screw down case back, 300m water resistance, sapphire crystal glass
- Dial: White, turquoise or orange with Superluminova hands and markers
- Movement: Breitling Calibre 17, automatic winding, chronometer certified, 42 hour power reserve, 25 jewels, frequency of 28,800vph, functions include hours, minutes and seconds
- Strap: Rubber or bracelet
- RRP: £3,650 (rubber), £3,800 (bracelet)
- Model No: A17377211O1S1, A17377211O1A1, A17377211C1A1, A17377211C1S1, A17377211A1S1, A17377211A1A1
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 Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
