Superocean Automatic 42

The Superocean Automatic 42 is Breitling's workhorse dive watch: 500 meters of water resistance, a unidirectional rotating bezel, and a dial that reads clearly in poor light. It sits at the accessible end of the Superocean line and makes no pretense about what it is. Collectors who want a serious diver with Breitling lineage and are comfortable with an ETA movement find good value here.

What it is

Breitling relaunched the Superocean family in 2017 and introduced the 42mm Automatic in the 2019 generation under reference A17375211B2S1. The case is 42mm steel with a rubber strap or bracelet and a screw-down crown. Power comes from the Breitling Caliber 17, which is an ETA 2824-2 with Breitling's decoration and COSC chronometer certification.

Dial variants include black, blue, and red, all sharing the same high-contrast layout with luminous indices. The line runs alongside the larger 44mm and 46mm Superoceans, targeting buyers who want a wearable, day-to-day diver rather than a statement piece.

Buying notes

Confirm the caseback seal and crown gasket integrity before buying used, especially on watches represented as having seen actual water use. The crown on the 42mm should screw down smoothly with no resistance or grinding; a damaged crown tube is a water ingress risk and a disproportionately expensive repair. Check the bezel insert for chips, which are common on ceramic-insert variants but are purely cosmetic.

COSC certification applies at manufacture, not across a service interval, so request service history if the seller claims the movement is within spec. The rubber strap degrades faster than the watch, and Breitling OEM straps are expensive to replace.

Market read

The A17375211B2S1 trades in the $2,500 to $3,200 range on the secondary market, depending on condition and whether the bracelet is present. Blue dials carry a modest premium over black, typically $150 to $250. Full-set examples with box and papers hold closer to retail; stripped examples with rubber only drop toward the floor.

Compared to a Seiko Prospex at a fraction of the price, the Breitling premium is brand and finish quality, not movement technology.

Service expectations

The Caliber 17 (ETA 2824-2) is one of the most serviced movements in the world, and any competent independent watchmaker can handle it. Breitling recommends a service interval of three to five years for a dive watch; budget $400 to $700 at an independent, or $900 to $1,400 at Breitling service centers. Gasket replacement and pressure testing should be included in any service on a watch rated for 500 meters.