Breitling Superocean

[Doug86]

I am looking around trying to find that perfect "first watch" and I keep finding new ones that really take my fancy, which is a real pain when your trying to choose one to purchase around Jan time!

Todays watch that has caught my eye is the Breitling Superocean with the light blue face.

I watched one on ebay go for £670
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

Is that fairly typical of the second hand value for this watch?

That one was a 1998 model but I cant see any visual differences between the 1998 and the 2008 model. Is that right?

I was budgeting up to about £500 and I don't mind going second hand so long as the watch is in top condition.

What are the 'running costs' per year for a watch like this?

I appreciate the advice I am gaining from this forum, I am abit OCD when it comes to researching things before I buy them!

[Seb d]

Doug86 said:

I am looking around trying to find that perfect "first watch" and I keep finding new ones that really take my fancy, which is a real pain when your trying to choose one to purchase around Jan time!

Todays watch that has caught my eye is the Breitling Superocean with the light blue face.

I watched one on ebay go for £670
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

Is that fairly typical of the second hand value for this watch?

That one was a 1998 model but I cant see any visual differences between the 1998 and the 2008 model. Is that right?

I was budgeting up to about £500 and I don't mind going second hand so long as the watch is in top condition.

What are the 'running costs' per year for a watch like this?

I appreciate the advice I am gaining from this forum, I am abit OCD when it comes to researching things before I buy them!

It may be an old model but I still reckon that is a good price and excellent value. There are actually quite a few differences between the 1998 model and the very latest version, which appears to have undergone a mild facelift over the 2007 version. The bezel is different as are the numerals, all three hands, the inner dial ring, the bracelet, the text on the dial and the fact that the newer model is water resistant to 1500m. Not that any of that really matters, of course From my experience with pre-owned watches, almost everyone I have ever come across over-sells their watches, meaning that the immaculate example that has only been worn once may actually have only been worn once, but non-stop for 10 years at an open cast mine. People would rather sell their wares than be completely honest, though I have come across a few truthful souls in my time. I therefore have serious doubts that you will be able to buy a 'top condition' Superocean for £500+ - the example you linked to was pretty cheap and will be representative of examples at the lower end of the price range, I would say. Running costs per year will be zero, or if you like, will be the cost of a service averaged out over the time period it takes to reach said service. If this will be your daily watch, a service every three years is a good idea otherwise you can go longer, five or so. Servicing costs vary but an average price is around £300 so you could say it will cost you £100 a year to run a watch like this if you wear it everyday. Hope this helps!

[lowdrag]

I sold my Superocean yesterday on Ebay for £585.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

I'd worn one for 10 years but it was stolen in a burglary so I replaced it with the same thing. This one was two years old with all boxes and papers. If you want a watch that is rough and tough and can go anywhere then you won't do worse than buy one but be careful and demand to see a photo of the back of the watch to verify what you are getting if you buy on Ebay. Too many scammers out there. The only reason I sold it was because I fell in love with the IWC Spitfire chrono.

Edited by lowdrag on Monday 15th December 16:03

[Doug86]

Thank you Seb d, thats a very helpful reply

Lowdrag thats a lovely example. Do you have any pictures of it on your wrist showing more of the wrist than your ebay add?

Well it looks like there is hope for me to find a nice example for around £500

If anyone hears of any then let me know

[lowdrag]

Sorry, I posted it yesterday and this is the only photo I took:-


I have small wrists and the watch measures 30mm glass only and 40mm including bezel but not the winder. I think the only comparison I can give you is of the replacement which is 42mm:-