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Breitling Superocean 42mm Stainless Steel A17364
Ref. A17384
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Stepping up in Breitling's range
The Superocean has always been built around a single proposition: serious depth capability in a case that does not announce itself as purely a tool. The 42mm generation in steel carries that through — 1200 metres of rating is well beyond what any diver will ever need, and the watch is accordingly sized and weighted to feel substantial without being punishing across a full day. The black dial reads cleanly at a glance, which at this depth rating is the only thing that matters. On the steel bracelet it sits with enough presence to hold its own without a wetsuit, and the folding clasp keeps the fit consistent whether worn over a sleeve or against bare skin.
- Reference
- A17384
- Brand
- Breitling
- Collection
- Superoc
- Case size
- 42mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Black
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Movement
- Automatic
- Functions
- Date
- Water resistance
- 1200m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Silver
- Clasp
- Folding clasp
- Lume
- Luminous
- Condition
- Pre-owned
- Retailer
- Mappin & Webb
Learn more about Breitling
Léon Breitling founded a workshop in Saint-Imier in 1884 specialising in chronographs and precision counters for industrial, scientific, and sporting use — deliberately narrow ground at a time when most makers built everything.
The family's technical contribution is the chronograph as we use it. Gaston Breitling introduced a wrist chronograph with a dedicated pusher separate from the crown in 1915, unpicking the start-stop-reset sequence from the winding mechanism. Willy Breitling added the second pusher in 1934, separating reset from stop and completing the two-pusher layout every chronograph has used since.
Aviation followed naturally. The Chronomat arrived in 1942 with a rotating slide rule bezel, and the Navitimer in 1952 refined the idea into a circular flight computer capable of fuel burn, climb rate, and unit conversion. It became the semi-official watch of pilots and remains the brand's signature.
Breitling was among the consortium — with Heuer, Hamilton, and Dubois Dépraz — racing Zenith and Seiko to the first automatic chronograph in 1969.
The company faltered badly in the quartz crisis and stopped trading in 1979. Ernest Schneider bought the name and rebuilt it around aviation and oversized cases. A change of ownership in 2017 brought Georges Kern and a deliberate softening toward slimmer, more archival designs.
- 1884
- Léon Breitling opens his chronograph workshop.
- 1915
- The first chronograph pusher independent of the crown.
- 1934
- The two-pusher chronograph layout is completed.
- 1952
- The Navitimer introduces the aviation slide rule.
- 1979
- The original company closes; Ernest Schneider revives the name.
Also in 5 collections
This watch appears in Stainless Steel Watches (3,382), Automatic Watches (1,742), Sports Watches (830), Dive Watches (590) and Pre-Owned, Ex-Display & Vintage Watches (318).
What the specifications mean
A mechanical watch built to be worn hard and got wet.
Strengths
- 1200m water resistance, rated for actual diving
- Sapphire crystal, which resists scratching
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
- Sits in the lower half of Breitling's range as we list it
Breitling Superocean alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | A17384 | M25600TB-0001 | L37744602 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,350 | £3,250 | £2,050 |
| Case size | 42mm | 42mm | 42mm |
| Water resistance | 1200m | 500m | 300m |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Titanium bracelet | Leather strap |
| Power reserve | — | 70 hours | 72 hours |
| This watch |
|
|
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Yes. At 1200m it is rated for swimming, snorkelling and recreational diving.
Will the glass scratch?
Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.
Does it need a battery?
No. It is automatic — the motion of your wrist winds it, and there is no cell to replace.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as men's.
Cheapest place to buy
Mappin & Webb at £2,350, pre-owned. No UK retailer we track lists this reference new.
Is this available new?
Not from the UK retailers we track. This reference is listed as pre-owned only, at £2,350 from Mappin & Webb. A pre-owned watch has been worn, and is normally sold under the retailer’s own warranty rather than the manufacturer’s.
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