The SuperOcean 42 line of extreme divers has recently been updated with this great-looking Breitling SuperOcean 42 White Water (ref. A17364) limited-edition model. With its snow-white unidirectionally rotating bezel, the White Water is going to be a winner if the tremendous popularity of mobile phones, ultrabooks, and luxury cars of the same color is of any indication.
Like the rest of the line, the SuperOcean 42 White Water arrives in a relatively compact (especially for Breitling, which is known for its oversized monsters) stainless steel body.
Only 42 millimeters in diameter, it is also not very thick, especially if you take into account the fact its tremendous water resistance rating of 150 bars, which roughly translates into 1500 meters or around 5000 feet.
The extreme water resistance rating comes thanks to its screw-locked setting crown, screw-in solid case back and, of course, the necessary helium escape valve that protects the watch during decompression procedures.
Compared to the, um, colored versions of the SuperOcean 42, the new White Water not only looks graphic but also leaves an impression of extreme lightness (well, it tips the scales at less than 100 grams, so it is light for a model in steel) and even elegance: a combination of features one rarely meets when choosing a semi-professional diving watch.
Even the applied Arabic numerals on the milky white dial don’t look too large thanks to the well-chosen font face and lettering.
By the way, although the numerals are not luminous, reading the watch in darkness will not be an issue, since they are combined with luminescent dots on the bezel flange.
The luminous hour and minute hands, as well as the pair of hour markers at 6 and 9 o’clock, too, look proportionate to each other and the numerals.
Although Breitling watches are usually available with a wide choice of straps (both rubber and leather ones) and bracelets, this one comes only with a white rubber ‘Diver Pro’ band that sports a raised central ridge and, I must admit that, looks cool.
According to the official specs, the timekeeper is animated by their Breitling caliber 17 automatic movement: a well-known caliber, which is based on the good old ETA 2824-2 blank movement, but is assembled from the top grade components, quality controlled on numerous levels and officially certified by COSC as a chronometer.
Not sure about the price of this thing, but guess that $3500 will be just fine.
See also: Breitling SuperOcean Chronograph II
Photos: Breitling
Breitling SuperOcean 42 White Water A17364 specification
Movement: Automatic, Breitling caliber 17, base ETA 2824-2, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 25
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Movement decoration: Rhodium-plated
Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 42.00 mm
Case height: 15.00 mm
Lug width: 20.00/18.00 mm
Dial: White
Numerals: Arabic, applied
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Steel, luminous
Water resistance: 1500 meters
Strap: White rubber Diver Pro strap (with raised central ridge)
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective on both sides, cambered
Back: Solid, screw-in