I am not sure whether gender equality advocates will love this model. Compared to the original MY 2010 Transocean Chronograph 01 model that was designed for men, this new Breitling Transocean Chronograph 38 Ladies is not only smaller (which is, probably, acceptable for most people), but is also equipped with a less exclusive movement, which is not made in-house, but is based on the ETA 2892-A2 blank caliber, albeit adjusted to meet strict COSC standards. And it has one sub-dial less, too!
Visually, both models are similar, although, as I have already hinted above, the Transocean 38 features a bi-compax dial layout with a small seconds indicator at 3 hours and a 30-minute chronograph totalizer at 9 o’clock.
Well, to my taste, the new layout looks even better making the dial look less cluttered and leaving enough breathing space for the small date aperture. Placed at 6 hours, the date window nicely balances the oversized “B” logo.
Inspired by vintage models from the fifties and sixties, the Transocean Chronograph 38 predictably features thin hands that are perfectly matched by stick-shaped hour markers. It is also equipped with an elegant, slender bezel that allowed Breitling’s designers to make the dial opening slightly larger and transfer the tachymeter scale from its usual place on the bezel flange to the outer rims of the dial.
Although serving the same purpose as turn signals on a street racer’s rice rocket (it will never be used, but looks great), the scale provides the Transocean 38 with that “professional” aura that most of us actually expect from Breitling, which is traditionally advertised as an ultimate pilot’s watch.
So far, the watch is available in a stainless steel body, as well as in a more expensive 18-karat red gold case, while the choice of dial colors is limited to black, mercury silver, and the sexy “midnight blue”. I am pretty sure that fairly soon the range will be extended with more colors.
As for straps, there are at least two leather straps, as well as their traditional Ocean Classic steel mesh bracelet that, alas, comes only with the stainless steel version only.
With a price of $7700 USD for a version in stainless steel, it is a bit more on the expensive side, especially if you take into account that, unlike some other members of the collection, it is powered by an unassuming ETA 2892-A2-based caliber.
See also: Breitling Colt 33 SuperQuartz Ladies with Sahara Leather Straps
Photos: Breitling
Breitling Transocean Chronograph 38 specification
Price: $7700 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Breitling caliber 41 (base ETA 2892-A2), chronometer, COSC-certified, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 38
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Movement decoration: Geneva stripes on bridges, branded oscillating weight, polished screw heads
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, 30-minute chronograph
Case: Stainless steel / Red gold
Shape: Round
Size: 38.00 mm
Case height: 14.25 mm
Lug width: 20 mm
Dial: Black / Midnight Blue / Mercury Silver
Numerals: Arabic
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Steel or Red gold, luminous
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Barenia leather strap / Crocodile leather strap /Ocean Classic bracelet (steel mesh, available on the stainless steel version only)
Crystal: Sapphire, convex, antireflective on both sides
Back: Sapphire