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…
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.
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.