Breitling Superocean Automatic 42
About This Watch
The Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 is the brand's modern professional dive watch, redesigned in 2024 with a cleaner, more contemporary aesthetic that marks a significant departure from the previous generation's angular, aggressive styling. The new design draws inspiration from the 1960s slow-motion Superocean references, featuring a round case, clean bezel, and legible dial that prioritize functionality. Rated to 300 meters of water resistance, this is a genuine diving instrument with a unidirectional ceramic bezel, luminous markers, and a screw-down crown. The Breitling 17 movement, COSC-certified, provides reliable automatic timekeeping with a 38-hour power reserve. At 42mm with short lugs, the Superocean 42 wears comfortably on a wide range of wrist sizes. The integrated bracelet with its polished center links and diver extension clasp offers both good looks and practical functionality for use with a wetsuit. The black dial with its oversized hour markers and prominent hands ensures excellent underwater legibility. Positioned as an accessible entry into the Breitling collection, the Superocean Automatic 42 offers serious dive watch credentials at a competitive price point, making it a strong alternative to the Omega Seamaster 300M and Tudor Black Bay.
In-Depth Review
# Breitling Superocean Automatic 42
Dive watch heritage runs deep at Breitling, and the 2024 Superocean Automatic 42 proves the brand hasn't lost touch with what made the collection relevant for six decades. Built on the proven Superocean platform, this stainless steel instrument delivers genuine 300-meter water resistance through straightforward engineering: a ceramic unidirectional bezel, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, and the in-house Breitling 17 caliber wound tight with 38 hours of power reserve. At 42mm, the case strikes the contemporary sweet spot between wrist presence and everyday wearability, though its 13.2mm thickness keeps it svelte enough for shirt cuffs. The dial is refreshingly simple—black with applied hour markers and a date window—prioritizing legibility over decoration. This is a watch designed to function first, impress second.
The Superocean Automatic 42 addresses a specific collector: the pragmatist who views a dive watch as a legitimate tool rather than costume jewelry. Whether you actually descend to recreational depths or simply appreciate the durability such watches offer, this Breitling rewards daily wear without apology. The robust stainless steel bracelet suits active wrists, while the dependable automatic movement eliminates the quartz question entirely.
At approximately $3,200 on the secondary market against a $4,400 retail, it competes directly with Tudor's Black Bay Fifty-Eight—offering comparable water resistance and heritage appeal—while undercutting Omega's Seamaster Diver 300M. Where Omega chases luxury positioning, the Breitling remains refreshingly utilitarian.
Specifications
Movement
| Movement Type | Automatic |
|---|---|
| Caliber | Breitling 17 |
| Power Reserve | 38 hours |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph |
| Jewels | 25 |
Case
| Case Diameter | 42.0mm |
|---|---|
| Case Thickness | 13.2mm |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Crystal | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Bezel | Unidirectional rotating, ceramic |
| Dial Color | Black |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Lug-to-Lug | 48.5mm |
Features
| Water Resistance | 300m / 984ft |
|---|---|
| Bracelet/Strap | Stainless steel bracelet |
| Clasp | Folding clasp with diver extension |
| Weight | 170g |
| Complications |