Breitling Superocean 42
The Breitling Superocean 42 is designed to be the first option for an all-encompassing diving watch. Breitling spent many years developing this watch to meet the needs of the most discerning divers. Breitling has a rich history in watchmaking that is only surpassed by their innovative spirit. The brand was founded in 1884, and immediately was sought after for their accurate instruments. This led to the company taking on the mantra – ‘Instruments for Professionals’.
The Superocean 42 comes in stainless steel. Breitling uses the monobloc technique, where each case is fashioned from a single piece of stainless steel. As the name suggests, the case measures in at 42mm whereas the case height comes in at 15mm. Breitling uses a screw locked crown for this model as this increases the water resistance. The Breitling Superocean 42 has a water resistance of 1500 meters (5000 feet), making this watch one of the most reliable diving watches in the industry today.
The unidirectional bezel is ratcheted allowing for precision when setting the bezel before or even during a dive. Unidirectional bezels are used as auxiliary timers by professional divers in case of other equipment malfunctions. On the middle case at the 10 o’clock position rests an automatic helium release valve. Helium gas builds up in a watch when underwater for prolonged periods of time. With the release valve, Breitling ensures that the pressure is released for the continued health of the timepiece.
Powering the Superocean 42 is the Caliber 17 movement which has been officially certified by the COSC as a chronometer. Chronometer certification is quite rare with only 5% of Swiss watches yearly earning this prestigious title. Each and single model leaving the Breitling factory is certified as a chronometer. The caliber 17 movement is mechanical self-winding and features a minimum of 40 hours in power reserve when fully wound. The balance wheel bears at the high frequency of 28,800 VpH making this amazing timepiece quite accurate.
Each Breitling Superocean 42 model comes with a black dial. The only variation that Breitling offers is the color of the flange which comes in red, blue, yellow, white, and black. The elements on the dial are coated with Super-LumiNova ensuring optimal readability at night. The watch carries a date aperture at 3 o’clock. Protecting the dial is a highly scratch resistant, glare proofed sapphire crystal. This model can be fitted with your choice of leather, Diver Pro III, Ocean Racer, or Professional straps.
As with all Breitling watches, there is a two year international guarantee protecting this piece from manufacturer’s defects.
Ben Bland
I bought a Superocean 42 three years ago. This year was the third year so the watch was out of guarantee by less than a year. I dived into a swimming pool and when I came out the watch showed moisture under the glass. I am meticulous about making sure the crown is tight so I can be sure that wasn’t the cause of the leak.
I took the watch to Breitling official service center in Athens, Greece and they quoted me euro 700 to fix the watch. They explained that the watch was out of guarantee and I would have to pay to get it fixed. OK, I agreed although I felt cheated that a watch that was supposed to be good for upto 1500 meters had leaked in the swimming pool and the ‘guarantee’ had expired so the watch wasn’t covered.
Now, I delivered the watch to Breitling in June, I’ve been counting the days and it’s now 20 October. Yesterday they called to say the watch was ready for collection.