The Breitling Watch Source Forums

http://www.breitling.com/en/news/detail ... lfish-2550

An authentic seagoing instrument, this aptly named model is distinguished by its broad ratcheted bezel featuring a highly professional style including black rubber-incrusted numerals and markings; as well as by its oversized twin day-date windows. The case displays a satin-brushed finish on the top as well as polished sides; its sturdiness and its water-resistance to 500 m (1,650 ft) are enhanced by a screw-locked crown with protective reinforcements and by pushpieces that cannot be activated until they are unlocked. The large Arabic numerals and hands with a luminescent coating combine with a thick sapphire crystal glareproofed on both sides to guarantee optimal readability in all circumstances. The Superocean Chronograph Steelfish special edition is available with a black, silver or blue dial and fitted with a steel bracelet or rubber strap. To preserve optimal precision come hell or high water, it is equipped with a selfwinding chronograph that is officially chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute) – as indeed are all Breitling movements.

Got the email earlier, nice to see the marketing hyperbole held back. Just wish that it wasn't rubber in the bezel.

Looks nice. I don't understand what the point of rubber inserts in bezels is? Is it just to keep stuff from getting stuck in the engravings? Is it supposed to be for better visibility? It just seems like such an unnecessary design element on some of these more recent Breitlings.

Does anyone know if Breitling has articulated their thinking on moving to the rubber insert approach? I imagine that one possible reason is that the rubber inserts would make the bezel markers more impervious to scratching over time. Gotta say, this feature really doesn't bother me -- I think the bezel looks pretty sharp.

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Cheers,
Jim

I agree, this bezel design works for me, and I'm not a fan of rubber inserts. This just looks good!

I think the pictures look great and would love to see one in person.

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

I think the rubber inlay is meant to enhance visual contrast and I find it good for this purpose. I think that this may be way better than black paint because paint may tend to fall out after a while and needs periodical renewing. If renewing can be eliminated by applying rubber I'm fine with this, though I do not like if the majority of the surface is rubber, like that of the "normal" Superoceans.
Remember, that the Chronommat Airborne bezel has very similar rubber inserts.
Can't wait to see this watch in the flesh.

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Chronomat 41 BEB, Steelfish Chrono BEB, 2x Grand Premier, Chrono Cockpit 39 mm, Aerospace Avantage 79362
IWC 3706, 3705, 376706, 371928
Sinn 103 plexy
For sale: Sinn 356 II, Porsche Design Titan Chrono Valjoux
Wanted: Breitling Blackbird 13353 on bracelet

I got to see this in flesh! There is a picture on the website of a man wearing it and it looks stunning! Maybe it is a photoshopped version

I am a current generation watch enthusiast and no connoisseur but the looks of this watch, plus the 500m, day-date, lume and a solid attitude attracts me!

Well, there have been a number of complaints about the black paint peeling off so maybe they have decided to go for a more durable rubber insert instead.
However, at HKD50,940 here in Hong Kong or just a tad at over $6,500 in real Dollars, I'm sorry, I'm out.
Merry Christmas, happy new year, bye, bye!

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"It is just a matter of time!"

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An ever changing collection.....

I like the look of this one, especially the BEB dial. The bold arabics and hands are nice and the added day feature fits well. I'm fine with the rubber inserts in the bezel, really adds contrast for readability.

The big negative for me will be the thickness and weight. If it is the same case as the Superocean Chronograph II, then it will wear quite thick (17+mm). Nice design otherwise .

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

So it appers one person did get the only pic of the new SOC(now SFC) at Basel. The rubber inserts help an otherwise bland bezel. I'd prefer paint - I'm still not convinced how the rubber will hold up to the elements - salt water, sweat, or very hard water - over time. Not something I will ever own, but not bad IMuHO

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SHARKMAN

Maybe that rubber is not intended to hold up to the elements
Painted markers on the bezel get simply re-painted as part of case refinishing when in for service.
Replacement of the rubber insert will most likely not be possible, only a bezel replacement - optional at extra cost. Future add-on sales generator

Live pics on TZ:

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t= ... sg_6790032

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"It is just a matter of time!"

if the rubber inlays should age badly or be damaged some time I will ask my watchmaker to take all rubber out and replace them by the good old black paint. I think can be done even around the lume capsule.
I'd have prefered on the dial to have a "2" (or even better the applied hour markers of the standard CSO!!!) and have less writing, maybe smaller Breitling logo, and would keep "SuperOcean" and "Chronometre" on the dial and drop "Steelfish" and "Automatic". (On the Breitling web-site you can still see both versions of writing!) Hands shapes are not ideal but they can be freely replaced on the 7750. And the price is a bit too high: best comparison is the newest Omega Seamaster 300 Chrono where you have to drop unfortunately the (for me extremely immportant) weekday feature but you have a ceramic bezel inlay, you have a Tricompax subdial layout rebuild of the 7750, you have a column wheel re-build, you have a coaxial escapment, you have a Silizium hairspring, you have a more up-to-date double-pusher clasp and all this comes for 10% less than the Steelfish Chrono - I mean both on steel bracelets. What's more, I'll upgrade mine by the Breitling double-pusher clasp that comes from the Oceane Racer strap and that adds another 250 Euro to the pain...
But all in all, the nicest sports chrono for me and I keep on saying that the Blue that Breitling dials have cannot be compared to any other brands dials. (I already have 2 blue-dial Breitlings.)
Sorry for writing so long.

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Chronomat 41 BEB, Steelfish Chrono BEB, 2x Grand Premier, Chrono Cockpit 39 mm, Aerospace Avantage 79362
IWC 3706, 3705, 376706, 371928
Sinn 103 plexy
For sale: Sinn 356 II, Porsche Design Titan Chrono Valjoux
Wanted: Breitling Blackbird 13353 on bracelet

There are live pics posted on Timezone in the Breitling forum of all 3 dial options.

_________________
Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463