Breitling SuperOcean 'Slow Counting' Chronorgaph Ref. 2005 - Patina Dial Unpolished

Breitling has a long and rich history in chronographs — with an emphasis on aviation chronographs. And like so many other brands who have a watch model, or family that has become synonymous with the brand name itself, the Navitimer is just that for Breitling.

As a result, the Navitimer casts a substantial shadow over all of its siblings.... even over firmly planted models like the SuperOcean and Top Time ranges.

The piece that we have here was designed as a replacement to Breitling's previous SuperOcean dive watches and is something of a fusion of two markets: divers and chronographs. Sure, there are other examples of diving chronographs from around this era and even today, but they have always existed in something of an 'in-between realm' rather than regarded as a 'pure' tool for their intended purpose.

If you look at Breitling's aviation watches from, well, ever, they don't exactly possess Speedmaster legibility... Particularly when paired with trying to navigate an aircraft. So, when it came to producing a diving chronograph, it simply had to be more legible when glancing at it underwater.

Removing the characteristic 'slide-rule' inner bezel was easy, but chronographs by nature are more busy than a simple time-only watch or dive watch. Breitling's solution to this was unique as it is genius. By modifying the base Venus chronograph movement to count only minutes, rather than minutes, hours, and seconds (which, lets be honest, should not matter on a dive), Breitling was able to eliminate the subsidiary registers on the dial and relocate the chronograph minute had to the center position where the seconds are typically counted. The result was a layout that resembled a typical time-only dive watch. It even included a rotating outer timing bezel. 

But with a slow moving elapsed minute hand and no running seconds providing a visual of wether the watch is running or not, how does one tell? Breitling's solution to this was equally ingenious visual indicatior on the lower half of the dial. On close inspection there is a small, round aperture. When the chronograph is not running, it simply displays nothing. Black. When the chronograph is activated and running, the disc below the aperture quickly rotates a large Tritium plot into view. Stop the chronograph, and a small Tritium plot replaces the large one. Absolutely fantastic.

Introduced in 1965, this is the SuperOcean Ref. 2005.

This particular example is offered in exceptional overall condition, with an excellent likely-unpolished case that shows light signs of wear throughout, correct 'pump' pushers, matching light wear on the black aluminum bezel, and crisp and clear caseback engravings. The dial inside has developed a light, uniform patina across the black surface and white outer ring, resulting in an attractive warm appearance. The Tritium plots and correct white-painted 'ladder' handset also exhibit a rich and uniform patina and match beautifully.

Produced for only a few years, its not everyday a Ref. 2005 surfaces on the open market — let alone in condition like this example. This is a completely unique design coveted by enthusiast, dealers, and collectors alike and we're thrilled to be able to be offering this example.