The fastest and most secure way to protect the watches you love.
We've minimized the paperwork and maximized protection, so you can stop worrying about your watches and focus on enjoying them.
In most cases, you'll get a personalized quote in seconds and your policy kicks in immediately.
Wherever you are on planet Earth, your watches are protected. Rest easy and travel safely.
If you suffer a covered loss, there's no deductible and no gimmicks. Ever.
Each of your watches is covered up to 150% of the insured value (up to the total value of the policy).
The fastest and most secure way to protect the watches you love.
We've minimized the paperwork and maximized protection, so you can stop worrying about your watches and focus on enjoying them.
In most cases, you'll get a personalized quote in seconds and your policy kicks in immediately.
Wherever you are on planet Earth, your watches are protected. Rest easy and travel safely.
If you suffer a covered loss, there's no deductible and no gimmicks. Ever.
Each of your watches is covered up to 150% of the insured value (up to the total value of the policy).
The fastest and most secure way to protect the watches you love.
We've minimized the paperwork and maximized protection, so you can stop worrying about your watches and focus on enjoying them.
In most cases, you'll get a personalized quote in seconds and your policy kicks in immediately.
Wherever you are on planet Earth, your watches are protected. Rest easy and travel safely.
If you suffer a covered loss, there's no deductible and no gimmicks. Ever.
Each of your watches is covered up to 150% of the insured value (up to the total value of the policy).
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'60s SuperOcean designs are bubbling back up with the 2022 revamp.
Over the last few years, Breitling has invested a tremendous amount of resources into establishing its connection with aviation. From 2003-2019 Breitling even operated a team of seven L-39 Albatros jets. After all, the sole reason for the founding of Breitling was to supply timing instruments to the aviation industry. But in the mid-‘50s Breitling started producing dive watches alongside their aviation line, and the models were called the SuperOcean. Production has steadily continued since then, with the SuperOcean becoming a big part of Breitling's identity, albeit a secondary one. The design of the SuperOcean line has evolved over time, with designs that are completely contemporary, as well as modern designs that intentionally call to mind the models of yore.
Today, Breitling is releasing a slew of new SuperOcean models that are inspired by the company's designs from the '60s, particularly the SuperOcean Slow Motion. This peculiar model used a modified Venus 188 movement that propelled a chronograph hand around the dial once an hour. This hand could be read against a 60-minute indicator to track elapsed time. It was hard to tell if the chronograph was running at a glance, so an indicator was placed at six o'clock that let the wearer know if it was running or not. The collection comes in four case sizes: 46, 44, 42, and 36 mm. In those case sizes, there's a range of dial colors, and even case material – there's stainless steel, but there's also steel, steel-gold, and bronze. A bracelet or rubber strap is available across the collection. Breitling must have anticipated the collective enthusiast longing for no date windows and smaller cases, while still appealing to "mainstream modern taste" with 44 and 46mm cases. Whether or not you like the watch is one thing, but surely there's a model that fits your wrist.
The new SuperOceans don't feature the chronograph complication from the original – but they do borrow the thick minute track and boxy minute hand from the SuperOcean Slow Motion. They also stay true to the original by not including a date window. These design decisions create a diver that's balanced and simple, while also boasting a distinct visual character that isn't derivative in the least. Inside is the Breitling Caliber 17 in a no-frills time-only configuration. While Breitling doesn't usually focus on their dive watch heritage, the new SuperOcean proves that when they do, they do it right.
Breitling has just been crushing it lately. And it seems like part of their strategy is consistency in the way they launch new models. The formula goes something like this: Find a vintage model that's a fan favorite and either reproduce it faithfully, or find the coolest details and include them in a new watch, along with modern and relevant thematic elements. Pricing seems in line with previous releases, as well; the 36mm execution ringing in at $4,600 serves as a decent way into the brand. When it comes to the new SuperOcean, there is a tie-in, of course, and Breitling tapped their ambassador Kelly Slater for this one. In the collection there's a 1,000-piece limited edition "Kelly Slater" model in 42mm. Here’s the story behind the watch's design, from a recent press release:
"I've been co-creating watches with Breitling for the past few years but this one, in particular, is very personal. It's inspired by my late father, who had a watch with an orange face that he used to wear surfing for as long as I can remember. The green and orange together is a color scheme I used to like for the airbrushes on my boards growing up. That combination has always stuck with me." - Kelly Slater
The overall aesthetic of the new SuperOcean is instantly recognizable thanks to the big, boxy minute hand paired with the thick chapter ring. Georges Kern, the current CEO of Breitling, is a strong personality in the industry known for his bold entrances and grandiose statements. He's a larger-than-life character, and he's completely backing up his vision for Breitling with hit after hit. Breitling's releases consistently land in that sweet spot where there's mainstream appeal while still catering to collector and enthusiast tastes.
Brand: Breitling Model: Superocean (in 46mm,44mm,42mm, and 36mm) Reference Number: A17377211A1S1, A17377211A1A1, A17377211C1S1, A17377211C1A1, A17377211O1S1, or A17377211O1A1
Diameter: 46mm,44mm,42mm, and 36mm Thickness: 12.21mm Case Material: Stainless steel, steel-gold, and bronze Dial Color: White, Orange, Turquoise, Black, Blue, Green Indexes: Applied Lume: Superluminova Water Resistance: 300M Strap/Bracelet: Both, stainless steel bracelet and rubber strap options available
Caliber: Breitling Caliber 17 Functions: Hour, minute, second Diameter: 25.6mm Thickness: 4.6mm Power Reserve: 38 hours Winding: bi-directional, automatic Frequency: 28,800vph Chronometer Certified: COSC certified
Price: Starting at $4,600 to $6,700 depending on the model. Availability: Authorized dealers, Breitling's online boutique. Limited Edition: Out of the many models, there is one limited edition, the Kelly Slater limited edition (1,000 pieces).
The HODINKEE Shop is an authorized retailer for Breitling; explore our collection here. For more info on Breitling, visit their website.
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