One & Done: Chapter Ten - Breitling (#defsoneanddone)

Foreword

Welcome and welcome back! If you're new here, I'm exploring the 20 best-selling watch brands of 2022 (as seen on GQ Australia) and answering the question: If I could only have one watch from this brand FOREVER, which would I pick?

Today we are looking at Breitling, but if you want to see my previous article where I covered Hublot, follow #defsoneanddone or click the link here!

#11: Breitling – SuperOcean Heritage ’57 Rainbow Editions

Limited to a run of just 1000 pieces, this gorgeous timepiece is everything I have ever wanted in a watch and more. I simply adore designs that are ‘just the right amount of goofy,’ a la F.P. Journe or H. Moser.

Maybe I do a piece on those guys at some point? Tell me what you think!

For that reason, Breitlings never stood out to me because their designs just feel… too safe. Like they’ve seen what works, examined how to make a proper vintage timepiece, and just stuck to that formula without deviation. It’s a proven and greatly successful method, sure, but in my opinion, perfection without risk or ambition isn’t perfection at all – it just feels stale and emotionless.

Again, nothing wrong with their timepieces. They are spectacular! But maybe they are more inclined towards the vintage watch enthusiast who heavily leans into that aesthetic. I’m more of a design 'butterfly' - I love to see how companies can push boundaries whilst staying true to what made them great.

This watch, in my humble opinion, is exemplary of Breitling doing just that – taking a risk whilst maintaining a semblance of signature Breitling design elements. Standing at a 42mm case diameter, I was already in love with the ’57 design, to begin with; The 1957-based design, with the weirdly shaped indices accompanied by the concave bezel that adds a doming effect to the crystal, really leaned into that ‘just the right amount of goofy’ aesthetic I always look for in a quality timepiece.

Another distinctive element that drives this piece home for me is the rainbow colouring on the indices and hands. Obviously. It’s incredibly hard to pull off any sort of rainbow colour without coming off as ridiculous or garish, but somehow Breitling manages to exercise restraint in their rainbow palette, looking less like a Mardi Gras dance party and more like a bowl of Skittles.

Man, I used to love Skittles. Fun fact about me: I once ate an entire bucket of Skittles Sours on a movie date with a girl, before the commercials had even finished. She did not call me back.

However, for all this flashiness, Breitling doesn’t skip reliability and durability – fitted with a ceramic bezel, 100m of water resistance, a thin, COSC-Certified ETA calibre and a sapphire crystal, this watch makes for excellent everyday wear, making it the bane of doorknob scuffles and fit for the occasional surprise pool party.

In summary, I’m glad that Breitling decided to inject a bit of fun into their expansive horological arsenal! It’s hard to take risks when your formula already works, but Breitling’s Superocean Heritage ’57 Rainbow proves that their style isn’t entirely set in stone just yet. From the boardroom to the boardwalk, this watch will forever be an eye-catcher that refuses to compromise on reliability, durability, or fearlessly bold style.

I hope this one was good - I had to change it plenty of times! Next is arguably one of the most polarising figures of horology - TAG Heuer!