In a world full of Omega Seamaster and Rolex Submariners, you might want to get something different that is as reliable, as luxurious, and as high-quality as these brands.
Take a peek into what Breitling dive watches offer and why you should choose them above anything else.
About Breitling Dive Watches
Breitling was a known producer of aviation watches.
It was in the 1950s when the company showed that it can compete with diving watches from other brands with the release of the historic SuperOcean.
Sporting a 200-meter water resistance capability, it was able to top the competition back then.
Today, the brand is one of the few who has certified watches that can withstand water pressure up to 2,000 meters.
Henry Cavill and Leonardo DiCaprio are some of the famous actors who wear Breitling dive watches.
Ryan Lochte, a 12-time Olympic medalist in swimming, loves the Super Avenger series for their reliability underwater.
Having a decorated swimmer rely on a Breitling dive watch says a lot about the quality of the brand.
If you’re looking for a multi-functional, durable, and relatively affordable timepiece for underwater activities, you should strongly consider getting one from the Breitling dive watch collection.
They have chronograph and non-chronograph models with high water resistance ratings.
Breitling dive watches also have screw-in crowns and high-quality gaskets in place to prevent water from seeping into the delicate watch mechanisms.
Breitling Dive Watch Collection
Here are the series representing the Breitling dive watch collection:
Colt
The Colt series was officially made for the armed forces in the 1980s.
They’re popular for their readability, functionality, and no-nonsense designs.
You can immediately recognize them by their red-tipped seconds hand and silver-colored bezel with a luminous pip at the 12 o’clock position.
The watches in this series are available in both chronograph and non-chronograph models.
Features:
- Size varies from 32mm to 45mm
- A date aperture
- Unidirectional ratcheted bezel
- Stainless steel/Breitlight case
- Leather/stainless steel/rubber straps available
- Cambered sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Luminous hands and markers
- Some models have SuperQuartz™ movement while some have self-winding mechanical ones
- Flyback feature
- Chronograph subdials with 1/10th-second, 60-minute, 12-hour scales; the chronograph automatic model have a 1/4th-second, a 30-minute, and a 12-hour scale
- A GMT hand for monitoring an additional time zone on some models
- Higher-end models have gem-set bezels and diamond-studded hour markers
- Water resistance of 100m up to 200m
Pros:
- They have sizes for the ladies
- Sturdy build and good water resistance rating make the Colt series an excellent, multi-purpose dive watch
- Reasonable mid-range pricing when you consider its build, design, and functionality
- Very attractive look that can work both as a sports watch and a complementary accessory for formal wear
Cons:
- Some may find the crown size a bit chunky
- Relatively heavy compared to other watches
- The buckle on the leather strap feels flimsy
Price Range: $2,000 to $6,700
Super Ocean
The SuperOcean series features the classic Breitling dive watches originally created in the 1950s.
They’re designed for professional and military use, which is why they’re incredibly functional and durable.
This series has garnered quite a large following of enthusiasts and professionals alike.
SuperOcean watches are known to have either chunky blocks or large Arabic numeral for hour markers.
They all have rotating bezels with a luminous pip at the 12 o’clock position.
The sporty-looking watches have both chronograph and non-chronograph models to choose from.
Features:
- Size varies from 36mm to 45mm
- Stainless steel case
- Unidirectional ratcheted bezel made of either stainless steel or ceramic
- Red-tipped seconds hand
- Date window at the 3 o’clock position
- 24-hour markers on the inner circle
- Screw-locked crown
- Choice of rubber or stainless steel bracelet
- Cambered sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Luminous hands and markers
- Helium escape valve
- Chronograph subdials with 1/4th-second, 30-minute, and 12-hour measurements
- Self-winding mechanical movement with 28,800 v.p.h
- Power reserve of 38 up to 42 hours
- Water resistance of 200m up to 1,000m
Pros:
- There’s a smaller size suitable for ladies with small wrists
- Exceptional water resistance ratings
- Durable, shock-resistant build allows it to still perform at its best even in rugged environments
- Excellent lume brightness that works well even underwater
Cons:
- They’re large and heavy
- Watch face feels cluttered
- The color contrast on the Breitling SuperOcean dive watch for ladies makes it hard to read the time
Price Range: $3,400 to $5,500
Avenger
The Avenger series is composed of utility watches that are tough, legible, and multi-functional.
Both chronograph and non-chronograph models are built with high water resistance ratings, large hands and hour markers, solid bezels with large Arabic numerals, and non-slip crowns.
Features:
- Size varies from 42mm to 50mm
- Breitlight/stainless steel/titanium case variants
- Wide choice of straps available
- Date aperture with a large font size
- Cambered sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Rotating bezel with a luminous pip on the 12 o’clock position
- Some models have GMT hands and a chronograph subdials for measuring 1/4th-second, 30-minute, and 12-hour scales
- Luminous hands and markers
- Self-winding mechanical movement with 28,800 v.p.h
- Power reserve of up to 70 hours
- Water resistance of at least 100m
Pros:
- Incredibly legible watch faces even on chronograph models with subdial complications
- Shock-resistant build adds to the robustness and reliability of the watch even under strenuous usage
- Multi-purpose watches with high water resistance ratings make them excellent Breitling dive watches
Cons:
- Large crown and crown pushers
- Most of them are chunky and heavy
- Designs are military-inspired which make them not that suitable for formal wear
Price Range: $3,900 to $8,300
Super Ocean Heritage
The SuperOcean Heritage upgrades the SuperOcean series by integrating cutting-edge technology into it.
This series is a tribute to the company’s 60-year tradition of developing reliable Breitling dive watches.
By combining timeless designs and today’s innovative technology in horology, Breitling has created sporty-looking timepieces that can also be worn on formal occasions.
The SuperOcean Heritage is prominent for its large rotating bezel, solid lugs, and oversized hands.
Features:
- Size varies from 42mm to 47mm
- Stainless steel case
- Day/date windows on either the 3 or the 6 o’clock position
- Unidirectional rotating bezel made of ceramic
- Canvass/stainless steel mesh/leather straps available
- Choose from brown, white, blue, or black color variants
- Cambered sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Luminous hands and markers
- Chronograph subdials with 1/4th-second, 30-minute, and 12-hour scales
- Self-winding mechanical movement with 28,800 v.p.h
- Power reserve of 48 up to 70 hours
- Water resistance of 200m
Pros:
- Oversized hands make the watch face highly legible even on chronograph models
- High water resistance ratings
- Bezel has solid clicks and no play
- Great lume brightness
- Flawless finish on every visible aspect
Cons:
- Some models have hard to read date windows
- Models with metal mesh straps are quite heavy
- Thick leather straps might not be to the taste of some users
- A bit expensive despite having the usual diver watch features
Price Range: $4,200 to $8,000
Chronomat
The Chronomat was originally designed for use of the Frecce Tricolori, the aerobatic demonstration team of the French Military Air Force.
Their chronograph functions and distinctive designs have garnered the attention not only by members of air squadrons but also by professionals who want a utilitarian watch with military-inspired designs.
All models in this Breitling dive watch have chronograph functions.
They all have large diameters, bulky lugs, contrasting dial and hand colors, and high water resistance ratings.
One of the models has square-shaped subdials instead of the typical circular one you often see in chronograph watches.
Features:
- Size varies from 44mm to 45mm
- Stainless steel case
- Most of the models are available in two-toned color variants
- Unidirectional ratcheted bezel with a luminous pip marker at the 12 o’clock position
- A date aperture position at 4:30 o’clock
- Canvass/stainless steel/rubber straps available
- Cambered sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Screw-locked crown and two gasket crown pushers
- A tachymeter scale on the outer dial
- Chronograph subdials with 1/4th-second, 30-minute, and 12-hour measurements
- Self-winding mechanical movement with 28,800 v.p.h
- Luminous hands and markers
- Power reserve of up to 70 hours
- Water resistance of 500m
Pros:
- Multi-functional chronograph useful for divers
- Solid, durable build that can withstand high water pressure
- Excellent lume brightness on Superluminova-laced hands
Cons:
- They’re heavily designed that they look too flashy
- Watch face looks cluttered which make it difficult to read the time or even the date
- Very expensive timepieces for the features they have
Price Range: $8,150 to $13,400
Conclusion
A Breitling dive watch can provide a change of pace in a world where a lot of people own Seamasters and Submariners.
Breitling dive watches not only exhibit reliability in extreme water activities but also present legibility on all their models.
They’re also generally fairly priced, considering the quality, functionality, and reliability of their watches.
You surely won’t regret getting one of them.
