1966 Breitling SuperOcean Reference 2005

Why This Watch Matters

Don’t be fooled by the lack of sub-register, this Breitling is a very clever chronograph with a single hand counting elapsed minutes, and a unique activity indicator.

The Full Story

Breitling wanted to create a reliable diving chronograph, and the result was the masterful SuperOcean reference 2005. It might be called a “slow” chronograph, as it only tracks the elapsed minutes and not the seconds; yet, it does so in an extremely legible way thanks to its center hand with a square end. Furthermore, Breitling reworked the chronograph movement in order to always display whether or not the chronograph is engaged. You just have to look at the color above 6 o’clock to see this indication. In short, this tool watch has brawn and brains.

The Fine Print

Maker: Breitling
Model: SuperOcean
Reference: 2005
Year: 1966
Case No: 1076XXX
Material: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 41.5 mm diameter; 14 mm thickness
Sapphire Crystal: No
Lume: Yes, tritium
Caliber: Modified chronograph movement Venus 188
Bracelet/Strap: Beige NATO Strap
Lug Width: 22 mm
Box/Papers: No

What we Love and What You Should Know

The large case on this SuperOcean has remained in good condition, and has well preserved lugs. While the lume on the indexes shows some minor blemishes, the dial and bezel are nearly perfect. Similarly, you can see a few hairlines on the lume on the hands; this often happens with lume applied to larger hands, as with the Tudor Snowflake, for instance. The chronograph function works well, and the elapsed function is easy to read, with the indicator going from black to yellow. This is a very playful complication and very simple to understand.