breitling abyss 42 | Breitling 42 superocean a17364

The Breitling Abyss 42, often associated with the Breitling Superocean 42 family (including models like the Breitling 42 Superocean A17364), represents a compelling blend of robust functionality and sophisticated aesthetics. It’s a timepiece designed for the adventurous spirit, equally at home exploring the depths of the ocean or making a statement on dry land. This deep dive (pun intended!) will explore the intricacies of the Abyss 42, examining its key features, design elements, and its place within the broader Breitling lineage, particularly concerning the Superocean collection.

A Legacy of Diving Excellence: The Breitling Superocean Lineage

Before we dissect the specific characteristics of the Abyss 42, it's crucial to understand its heritage. The Breitling Superocean line was born in 1957, a response to the burgeoning popularity of recreational diving. Breitling, already renowned for its aviation chronographs, recognized the need for a reliable and robust timepiece capable of withstanding the pressures and demands of underwater exploration. The original Superocean was a resounding success, quickly establishing itself as a favorite among divers.

Over the decades, the Superocean evolved, incorporating new technologies, materials, and design cues. While the core principles of legibility, durability, and water resistance remained constant, Breitling constantly refined the design to meet the changing needs and tastes of its clientele. The Superocean became synonymous with quality dive watches, a reputation it maintains to this day.

The Breitling 42 Superocean A17364 is a specific model within this lineage, often considered a foundational piece for understanding the broader Superocean 42 series. It showcases the classic Superocean design language, known for its bold indices, readily legible dial, and robust construction. It's a testament to Breitling's commitment to creating watches that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The Abyss 42 can be seen as a refined evolution of models like the A17364, incorporating distinct design elements while retaining the core DNA of the Superocean family.

The Abyss 42: A Detailed Examination

Now, let's focus on the defining features of the Breitling Abyss 42. This watch is a carefully crafted instrument, designed for both performance and visual appeal.

* Case and Bezel: The foundation of the Abyss 42 is a sturdy stainless steel case, typically measuring 42mm in diameter. This size strikes a balance between wrist presence and comfort, making it suitable for a wide range of wrist sizes. The robust construction ensures the watch can withstand the rigors of daily wear and the challenges of underwater environments.breitling abyss 42

The unidirectional rotating bezel is a crucial feature for any dive watch, and the Abyss 42 doesn't disappoint. Crafted from stainless steel, the bezel features a black ion-plated top ring. This coating provides enhanced scratch resistance and a sleek, modern aesthetic. The unidirectional rotation is essential for safety; it allows divers to track elapsed time underwater, ensuring they don't exceed their air supply or decompression limits. The bezel is designed to rotate only counter-clockwise, meaning that if it's accidentally bumped, it will only indicate a shorter elapsed time, preventing the diver from overstaying underwater. The bezel typically features prominent markings and numerals, often luminous, to ensure easy readability even in low-light conditions. The precise and satisfying click of the bezel as it rotates is a hallmark of quality, providing tactile feedback and confirming accurate time tracking.

* Dial and Hands: The dial of the Abyss 42 is a masterclass in legibility, a critical requirement for a dive watch. The typical configuration is a striking black and silver dial, creating a high-contrast display that is easy to read at a glance. Luminous silver-tone hands and Arabic numeral hour markers provide excellent visibility in all lighting conditions, including the murky depths of the ocean.

The use of Arabic numerals, rather than indices, adds to the watch's bold and assertive character. These numerals are generously sized and coated with a luminous material, typically Super-LumiNova, ensuring they remain visible even in complete darkness. The minute markers around the dial's perimeter are clearly defined, allowing for precise timekeeping and calculation of dive times. The seconds hand often features a luminous tip, allowing the wearer to verify that the watch is running even in low-light conditions.

The overall design of the dial is uncluttered and functional, prioritizing legibility above all else. This commitment to clarity is a hallmark of the Superocean line, and the Abyss 42 continues this tradition admirably.

* Movement: The heart of the Breitling Abyss 42 is typically a Breitling Caliber 17, based on the ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW200-1 movement. These are reliable and robust automatic movements, known for their accuracy and longevity. The movement is COSC-certified (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres), meaning it has undergone rigorous testing and meets the stringent standards for chronometric precision. A COSC certification guarantees the watch's accuracy to within -4/+6 seconds per day.