Dive Watch Faceoff – Breitling Superocean 44 vs Rolex Submariner
Today I will be reviewing two of the top dive watches known to man, and every celestial being. In the left corner, we have a classic in the dive watch game, The Rolex Submariner. And in the right corner, radiating all of the light in the arena, a dive watch that is surely one of the greatest, The Breitling Superocean II 44!
Both of these are fantastic timepieces! However, I am going to have to give the belt to the Superocean II on this one. This is hard to say for a Rolex fanatic who is literally a cheerleader for the brand (Gooooo Rolex)! The Submariner is a classic; but the Superocean is an extremely advanced piece, beautifully designed and built for pure durability.
Listen up, I will give the Submariner a chance in the ring. You will hear the pros and cons of each watch in this article. Eventually, the reasons why the Superocean is the inevitable winner will be quite clear; just continue reading on.
Major Similarities and Differences
It is easy to notice differences at first glance. Look at the pristine polish of the Superocean. The watch shines bright, blinding everyone who dares to stare at this beauty. As for the Submariner, it does have a sleek polish, yet does not stand out when compared to the Superocean.
Rolex Submariner | Breitling Superocean II |
Rolex Swiss 3130 Movement | Cailber 17 ETA 2824 Self-winding Movement |
Flat Sapphire Crystal | Cambered Sapphire Crystal |
Stainless steel Oyster Bracelet | Stainless steel Bracelet |
40mm Case | 44mm Case |
Unidirectional 60-minute Bezel | Bidirectional Bezel |
2.5 Magnifying Cyclops | No Cyclops |
Black dial w/ luminescent hands | Blue/black dial w/ luminescent numbers |
300m water resistance | 1000m water resistance |
Breitling Superocean II 44
History
Breitling was originally founded back in 1884; known for their avian style watches before the 1950’s. In the early 50’s dive watches began to gain popularity. Breitling caught onto this trend as fast as it came. In 1957, Breitling released the Superocean, with a water resistance of 200m, which beat out competitors like Rolex and Omega. The design of the watch, with bold Arabic numerals, invented a look that was clean and practical in the realm of dive watches. Breitling continues to release Superoceans every year. Advancing their look and technology as each year passes by.
Unique Style and Design
Amidst a generation full of dive watches, saturating the watch market, Breitling releases models that are able to attract watch connoisseurs as well as dive watch critics all over.
I would not call the design of the superocean II classic at all. It is a game-changer when it comes to style. The large numerals take over the colorful dial. The steel Breitling name attracts the eyes of everyone around. And the bright, glossy stainless steel bracelet shines like no other watch! This is simply a beautiful watch. Whether you decide to purchase the bold black dial or the bright sunburst blue dial, you will not be disappointed!
If you are one who changes your bands often, no problem! You can easily switch out the steel bracelet for a rubber one at any time. The rubber bracelet does not make this watch look cheap. It gives the watch a traditional dive watch look. The large Arabic numerals and numbers give this watch a great look as well. You do not see large numbers on luxury watches often, but Breitling made it work for this watch. The 44mm case, offers a large, but not to large, face that just pulls in the attention of everyone around.
A Watch to wear for ANY occasion
You are not tied down to any one occasion when wearing this beauty. It looks just as great in the ocean as it does in the office, with a sleek suit. Why I love the Superocean II design is because it takes a different approach than all of the other dive watches. It is alluring and handsome, while simultaneously featuring an original and modern look. I give this watch a whopping 5/5 for design!
Durability
Very important for dive watches, well any watch really. You don’t want a watch that will fall apart after a few years. The Superocean is designed to basically deplete the meaning of wear and tear. One of the main aspects of this watch that make it so durable is the screwed down bezel. The bezel is stuck to the case like glue, you can be sure your bezel will be intact at all times. Another great factor is the rubber insert in the bezel. It is a great cobalt blue color.
A rubber insert makes it so that scratches are a thing of the past! The cambered dial is great as well because it is a scratch-proof material. The case is literally meant for durability. Good size, good weight, you can guarantee the case will stay pristine if you take good care of it. A rating of 4.8/5 is my opinion when it comes to durability.
Value
Most dive watches you find from big watch brands hold their value. The same goes for the Breitling Superocean. This is a watch that retails at a great price! Much lower than the Submariner, or any other luxury watch retailer. As time passes the value and demand stay pretty consistent. Just take good care of the watch and you will have nothing to worry about. Know that every penny you spend on this watch is well worth it. 4/5 for VALUE.
Rolex Submariner
Personally, I am not a huge dive watch collector. Surprising, huh.. But I have always had a love for the Rolex Sea Dweller and the Submariner. The history of the Submariner models is vast dating back to 1954. Honestly, almost every dive watch you see today has probably been influenced by the Submariner’s design. Vintage Submariner timepieces cost serious dough, and for a reason. When purchasing a Submariner, you get a classic, handsome, and durable watch.
The Rolex name has more history when compared to Breitling. So there is also this to account for. Rolex is one of those brands that has remained a TOP DOG in the watch game since its inception.
Classic style and design
Picture a painting by the legendary artist Picasso. Now pretend that painting is basically a watch; the product is the Submariner to dive watch enthusiasts. You can’t go wrong when it comes to the design of a Submariner. It is a nice size watch at 40mm, with a bold, black dial. The face is plain but maintains the professional, classic look. The 2.5 magnifying cyclops assists in bringing the date to life, and in my opinion, just a great addition to have on a Rolex.
A fully stainless steel bezel nicely complements the steel bracelet, giving the watch a uniform look. When you decide to wear this classy timepiece you do not have to fret over your outfit. It goes with ANYTHING. From casual to business, to your wedding day and even suited up in scuba gear. I give the design 4.6/5 stars!
Durability
You break it, you buy it. Luckily this is not easily applied to the Submariner. The case is built for underwater activity and can definitely take a decent fall. Now usually when I review the Submariner, it is going up against a watch of lesser quality. When comparing the Submariner to the Superocean, the Superocean prevails. Rolex added a strong stainless steel bracelet, a scratch-resistant sapphire case and water resistance up to 300m.
Breitling took all of those qualities and strengthened them immensely. At the end of the day, the Submariner is still a durable watch. It is great for swimming, hiking, and similar activities. Sadly, and I hate to say it, but the Superocean just exceeds all of the above-mentioned qualities. The Submariner gets a 4.5/5.
Value
I think it is safe to say that almost all Rolex pieces hold their value over time. Unless you are a terrible watch owner, who just lives to destroy the lives of watch lovers around the world and damage your piece. Besides that, the value of Submariners actually can grow DRASTICALLY over time. Like I mentioned earlier, Vintage Submariners are worth money today! Although the price is much higher than the Superocean; the Rolex Submariner is still worth the price point! The value of the Submariner is a respectable 4.8/5 stars.
The Deeper Diver
Both The Rolex Submariner and the Breitling Superocean II are fantastic watches. What set the Superocean apart from the Rolex in this review, is all of the special features that can not be found on many other dive watches. The Superocean is a bright, beautiful, original, and durable timepiece that should be on every watch lovers’ “buy list.”
Because of these features, The Breitling Superocean II is the diving champion of the day!