Breitling Superocean Heritage Chronograph vs. Omega Planet Ocean Chronograph
I’m in the enviable position of now owning both of these amazing watches. I feel they are excellent candidates for a comparative review, as they are priced similarly, have similar functions, are both divers, and both come from a major player in the watch industry. I think they would compete for the same dollars in the AD’s showcase. Oddly enough, neither watch was on my radar at the time of purchase, I didn’t research them, or crave them, or even know much about them. They were pure impulse purchases. Both were bought on the TZ forum at prices that I simply couldn’t resist.
I’ve owned the POC now for about 3 months and it has become one of my all time favourite watches, the watch I wear more than any other in my collection. The SOHC is fresh out of the box, only a few days old, so in fairness, I need to take the “honeymoon” effect into consideration when writing this comparative review.
Lets get started:
Overall appearance- This is a subjective category, and clearly I like the look of both or I wouldn’t have bought them. Although the POC is listed as 45.5mm and the SOHC at 46mm, the SOHC looks much larger, due to the measured size being the actual bezel diameter, while the bezel on the POC is only 43.5mm (case is 45.5mm). I think they each fill a slightly different niche in my collection. The POC is sportier with the orange numbers on a black background. It can be worn with anything from board shorts to the board room, I don’t think I would wear it with a suit although I’m sure many people wouldn’t hesitate. I just have more appropriate watches to wear with a suit. I think the POC has a slightly more “mainstream” look to it, perhaps even a bit more conservative if I can say that about a 45.5mm watch. Very versatile. I like the 4:00 date location with black date wheel, very subdued but easily read when needed. The indices are big and lumed. The subdials are not contrasting or different texture, but are well defined by the polished trim ring. Very nicely designed to be evident without overpowering the dial or conflicting with the hands, a very nicely balanced dial that is easy on the eyes. The chrono second sweep is accented with a day-glo orange tip and large lumed arrowhead. The Omega marquis is applied and polished and centered under the 12, but unfortunately this highlights one of my peeves… the large lumed arrowhead of the chrono hand sits almost directly over the Omega marquis, obscuring it.
The SOHC on mesh is slightly dressier, with an aire of elegance and sophistication that precludes it from the board short attire, but can work well with jeans and a sport jacket up to a suit and tie. On the Ocean Racer rubber strap, it would look right at home on the beach. The simple layout, bold bezel markers, unique colour and mesh bracelet all add up to a watch that screams “look at me!” It’s definitely an attention grabber. I have read several comments over the years from non-Breitling fans that they think Breitlings are generally too “busy”, the dials too cluttered. But this comment does not apply here. The SOHC is refreshingly simple, clean and easy to read at a glance. The typical 7750 layout works well, allowing the Breitling marquis and words to be unobstructed and clear in the 3:00 quadrant. I would have preferred a white on black date wheel, but it looks fine as it is. The highlight of this watch is the colour. The coppery brown colour is gorgeous. The bezel, dial and subdials are all a different shade of brown, yet all flow seamlessly and compliment each other. The subdials are the exact shade of brown as the Ocean Racer strap to tie it all together if you choose the strap. The subdials also contrast nicely in all light conditions, as they are matte in texture while the dial is glossy an metallic. All hands and indices are highly polished to perfection. I would have loved to see some lume on the chrono sweep hand.
Winner: SOHC by a hair, for its unique look and amazing colour. Both are beautiful watches, you’ll have to decide for yourself.
Case: POC’s case is designed after the legendary speedmaster case, and significantly beefed up, with now classic lines and a combination of polished bevelled edges, and heavily brushed sides. WR is 600m, indicating that it was meant to get wet, and designed for professional diving. The case flows seamlessly into the bracelet. The caseback is a work of art, with a highly relieved seahorse, and deeply engraved words. Its not only beautiful, its functional. The design of the caseback prevents the watch from sticking or sucking onto the wrist in sweaty or clammy conditions. The pushers are not screwdown despite their appearance, and useable underwater. Very easy on the fingers with a nice rounded edge. The crown is well protected, but I find it difficult to unscrew as it sits too close to the case. It works, but is not as user friendly as others. It’s a thick case at 16.5mm, but not unreasonably so considering it is a true divers chronograph with 600m rating. Helium escape valve is at 10, if you ever decide to become a saturation diver. Until then you can brag about it.
The SOHC case is highly polished and sharply contoured. WR is 200m, not quite as serious as the POC, but enough for recreational diving. The design is distinctly retro feeling, with simple pushers and exposed crown. This was surely intentional as it is meant to pay respect to designs of the past, hence the “heritage” moniker. The caseback is polished and simple, and due to the polished finish I find that it tends to “stick” to the wrist more in sweaty or clammy situations. Overall it has a slightly lower profile than the POC at 16.5mm, but is much longer and curves down around the wrist.
Winner: POC for the caseback, 600m WR, and HE valve.
Bezel: The POC bezel is darn near perfect. Easy to grip edges, crisp defined 120 clicks, no play, and clear easy to read markings and numbers and a luminous PIP at 12. A perfectly functional diving bezel and a close second to Doxa’s.
The SOHC bezel works well, with equally defined and crisp 120 detents. The edge is machined to provide great grip and extends beyond the case slightly to allow easy grip. Unfortunately, this is the point where Breitling screwed up big time, in creating a dive watch without a luminous bezel PIP! What were thy thinking? This point alone makes me think of the Breitling as a “diver style” watch, instead of a true diver’s watch. Such a shame.
Winner: POC for obvious reasons.
Bracelet: The POC’s bracelet is fantastic, well made, solid, thick and integrates well with the case. The clasp is an work of art. When the dual push-button clasp is closed it aligns perfectly with the bracelet links, creating a seamless smooth profile. When opened it reveals a machined scissor link which is typical of watches in this price range (except rolex) but what isn’t typical is a machined divers extension that is made with the same machined quality and robustness as the main clasp. This is one of the nicest clasps I’ve experienced. The end links are solid and fit well.
The SOHC has a beautiful mesh bracelet. This bracelet seems to be a polarizing feature of this watch, you either love it or hate it. I love it, my wife hates it. As far as mesh bracelets go, this one is at the top of the heap. It is thick and heavy with a slight taper from 24mm to 20mm at the clasp. The springbar tubes are larger diameter than those mesh bracelets available aftermarket. This gives it a quality look and feel. The most unique feature are the links which are adjustable just like any normal screw link bracelet. This is a leap forward for mesh bracelets, and allows a perfect fit. He polished clasp is typical Breitling, with a fold over flip lock and friction fit. Here again is an indicator that Breitling never meant this watch as a true diver, as it lacks a diver’s extension. Overall this bracelet is a joy to wear, and add that uniqueness and elegance, a perfect compliment to this watch.
Winner: POC for the quality clasp and overall design.
Crown: The POC screw down crown is smaller than the SOHC, and sits too protected in the case, making it hard to grip and operate. The SOHC screw down crown is a joy to use, easy to grip and operate, but some might feel it is too “exposed” for serious use.
Winner: SOHC
Movement: The POC houses a co-axial 3313 movement. This might be the Achilles heel of this watch as it has been reported that numerous problems have plagued this series of movements, mostly in the earlier models. There are dozens of posts on the forums reporting issues with the 33xx co-axial movements. It is difficult to tell just how serious the issue is, as things tend to get blown out of proportion on the forums. I suggest you google and read for yourself, and draw your own conclusion. The latest news from Omega is that all issues have been addressed and later models are reliable. The movement is Chronometer graded, and carries a 3 year warranty. Mine is currently running 8 sec/day slow consistently, well outside of chronometer spec. Otherwise it works as it should, with smooth winding, smooth chrono sweep hand, and nice feel to the pusher operation. It is still under warranty for another 2 years, so I am not anxious to send it in for regulation, but I will prior to the warranty expiring. Apparently the co-axial movement requires the attention of a watchmaker trained to work on the co-axial, so taking it to your local guy isn’t an option unless he happens to be an Omega tech.
The SOHC houses a Cal 13 Breitling Chronometer movement based on the Valjoux 7750. The 7750 is arguably one of the most robust and reliable mass market chronograph movements ever made. While it is not as sophisticated or revolutionary as the co-axial of Omega, nearly any watchmaker worth his salt can work on the cal 13 (7750), and parts are easy to get. I’ve owned several Breitlings and dozens of other brands with 7750’s, and never experienced any warranty issues, or timing outside of chronometer spec. A workhorse movement.
Winner: SOHC for its reliability.
Lume: The POC is a lighthouse. With large lumed indices, lumed chrono hands, lumed chrono sweep, and a luminous PIP, you can read a newspaper by the light coming of this watch. Bonus… the subdial hands are all lumed, although functionally this is a useless feature without lumed indices on the subdials, it’s still kinda cool.
The SOHC has nicely lumed hour and minute hands and small dots at each indice. None of the subdial hands are lumed, including the sub-seconds. Lume is bright and crisp, but there just isn’t enough of it. You can easily read the time throughout the night, so it does its job, just not with the flair of the POC.
Winner: POC easily
Conclusion: As you can see, picking a winner amongst these two is difficult to say the least. It really comes down to what features really matter to you and whether you need a true dive watch or a “diver style” watch. If you re looking for a true diver, worthy of professional diving, then the POC is your watch. It’s a tool watch with handsome good looks and impeccable design. With killer lume, excellent bezel, and fantastic divers extension bracelet, Omega hit the mark with the planet Ocean line of watches. The icing on the cake is pushers that are useable underwater, putting this watch in a very elite class.
If you are looking for a large sophisticated yet masculine watch that can get wet on occasion, has a truly unique look, grabs attention, with solid quality construction, beautiful finish, and a workhorse movement, then the SOHC is the one for you.
Me… I know I’ll never sell the POC. It is too close to being the perfect dive watch. I have yet to decide if the SOHC has the same kind of lasting appeal for me, but for now, I’m really enjoying it.
Hope you enjoyed the review.
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