The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi Guys,

Not been around for a while but ..............

Happy to say my aerospace bought in 2009 is still going strong and giving me great pleasure and I am pleased to say I am now looking to buy another LING ... at long last !
I have looked around, but am still drawn to Breitling, even after all this time so testament to the brand.
This will not be a replacement but an additional watch - for occasional / weekend use.
As I have the aerospace I want my 2nd watch to be different and an auto.

The Super Ocean caught my eye as soon as I saw one a couple of years ago and I have wanted one since - just love the styling and 44mm dia sizing - chunky but not overly so.
Anyway ....
I am sold on this watch but the strap is causing me some grief.
I had decided I wanted rubber but then I saw the Superocan straps with contrasting sides which I think look fabulous.

I have decided the version with yellow accents is the one for me - just happens to be Breitling colour too which is nice.

I think this looks fantastic with the matching yellow strap - but also like the rubber with deployment clasp feature and styling.
I know I can always buy a 2nd strap and have both but I would appreciate any comments from people in particular who can advise comments on the super ocean straps please.
How comfortable and secure are they.

I appreciate the rubber straps with one click clasp will not wear any where near as much as the super ocean strap, but if it were to wear too quickly or become too shabby around the fastener then I guess at that point I would go and get the rubber strap.

My thoughts are at least with this watch it suits all of the strap design so a future change would be no issue.
So - I love the rubber and deployment clasp but I also really like the super ocean strap with its matching contrasting sides, which adds an extra something to this watch IMO.
I also like the chunky / thick feel of the super ocean straps - they looks and feel great !

So ... any thoughts Guys or input you can give for the straps cheers.

A few pics of what I am looking at .........

The yellow colored strap looks great on the SO. I don't have such a strap so I can't comment on it. But I have a Diver Pro III rubber strap (the one with the BREITLING letters on it) and I like it. The deployant clasp is just perfect and with the micro adjustment you can fit it very well. I've noticed the deployant clasp on the picture is polished. The one I own is brushed which I personally favor.
Eighter way, looking forward to hearing about your descision and to seeing a wrist shot, of course

I know you did not ask for this option but my advice would be to get the watch on the bracelet as this is the most expensive option and you are more likely to get the best deal when buying together with the watch. You will most likely have to pay full retail price if you decide to get the bracelet at later stage.
My second option would be the Diver Pro rubber strap. It is the next most expensive option, same logic as above.
I use the Diver Pro with my Chronomat and find it very, very comfortable. The folding clasp that comes with it is simply a work of art.
The black/yellow strap certainly looks nice but I would consider it as a later addition, they are not that expensive. You might even be able to pick one up in the sales corner, they do come up even new condition from time to time.
Sadly the black/yellow strap comes with the tang buckle option only as far as I know which tend to be quite harsh on the strap. You will see significant signs of wear within months. If I was to get one, I'd be changing the tang buckle to an after market double deployant (butterfly) clasp. It will fit well without any modifications, I find them quite comfortable on my 6.75 in wrist and they are very gentle on the strap. Also safer when putting the watch on, you're less likely to drop it
Hope this helps.

_________________
"It is just a matter of time!"

Thanks for the initial feedback Guys

So a tick for the rubber strap with deployment, which isn't unexpected as this strap is clearly very popular and has been around for quite some time.

No feedback on the super ocean strap other than it looks good ... but could wear quickly around the clasp - which again I would go in with my eyes open on this potential issue.
The one plus side on this, is that the Super Ocean will be my weekend / occasional wear watch, as I will still wear my Aero Mon - Fri, so that will cut down on some of the wear & tear.

As for a metal strap - yeah I hear what you are saying and very good points but - I already have a metal strap on my aero and want a completely different look on the strap for this watch hence going down the rubber / super ocean strap route.

I have the Blue SO 44 on both the Pro 2 bracelet, then I went to NYC and bought the blue contrasting band. I love both of them equally and switch them out myself when ever I feel like something new.

_________________
Joshua Bezio

Emergency Mission
Avenger Blacksteel Code Red
Chronomat Evolution
SuperOcean 44
Shark Automatic
Colt Automatic (wifes)
Colt Quartz (Stolen unrecovered)
Colt Chronograph ( Recovered broken)

Excellent ... glad to get a positive vote for the super ocean strap

Like I say....safety first always wear rubber

_________________
Joshua Bezio

Emergency Mission
Avenger Blacksteel Code Red
Chronomat Evolution
SuperOcean 44
Shark Automatic
Colt Automatic (wifes)
Colt Quartz (Stolen unrecovered)
Colt Chronograph ( Recovered broken)

Any idea what the AD list prices are for the straps from UK dealers in £'s ??

I have the SuperOcean Steelfish with the Pro II bracelet. Love it to death, but a change is always welcome.
My band of choice is the SuperOcean strap as below;


I also have the Rubber Pro III strap, so not short on choice.
I always come back to the SuperOcean strap. Well made, looks great & is super comfy.

_________________
Montbrillant Datora
Chronomat
Superocean Steelfish
A number of strap / bracelet combo's

Thanks for the extra feedback and pics Guys which is really appreciated.

I do love the super ocean strap and it REALLY suits the Super Ocean watch - especially when you can match the accents on the watch face to the sides of the strap.

I am still debating but pictures like this are REALLY drawing me towards the rubber and deployment again - the deploy looks fantastic in these pics ...


http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r48 ... rap005.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r48 ... rap001.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r48 ... rap009.jpg

Get them both!
If you are willing to pay for the rubber and the deployant, the Suprocean straps are not that expensive after all.

_________________
"It is just a matter of time!"

That had crossed my mind - but I am not one for changing straps - I would prefer to make my mind up and then stick with that.

Can't believe the strap is harder to pick than the watch

But if I go rubber, then I am debating over the pro II or pro III and can't decide if I prefer the plain band or the breitling lettering !!

Haha, I thought like that once too! There once (not so long ago) was a time when I thought that bracelets was the only way to go and for sure I would not be seen dead wearing a rubber strap. However, as my signature says...



Again, get them both The expensive part is the buckle. The rubber strap itself is less than $100.
If it is of any help and if you can wait until tomorrow I can post side by side pics my Chronomat on the Pro II and III.
Not the same watch but it may help.
I thought I liked the Pro II a lot more than the Pro III but now that I have both, I like them both.
Variety is a spice of life, they say

_________________
"It is just a matter of time!"

I compared them and went with the Pro III. I was concerned from pics that the bold lettering might be a bit too much, but on the wrist it's more subtle than you'd think. But still a bit funkier!

I have them both. The Pro II was originally on my watch and later I bought the Pro III. But now I'm almost always wearing the Pro III. The Pro II is just a bit too plain. The lettering on the III is really not as bold as it may appear on pictures.