And why not?Breitling Superocean Outerknown

By werdt16/10/2022432 Views

Ecology

In the US of Donald Trump, California plays an important role.It is first of all a powerful democratic state, first opponent of the occupant of the White House but also the state that invents the world of tomorrow.Here, innovation is everywhere.It is the archetype of the dream of American conquests - the "far west" - reinforced by a culture of excessive innovation and the questioning of the foundations of "our" society.It is the kingdom of "Breakthrough Technologies", these disruptive ideas that want to change the world.It is finally the paradise of the image, the appearance, the Hollywood cinema or the Netflixian TV.Finally, this is one of the great actors in watchmaking 2.0, first producer of watch and birthplace of the Apple Watch ....which we will not talk about today.Because our subject is elsewhere.

It is often unknown, but California is also at the end of the climate struggle.Yes, in an America which withdraws from all the international treaties with an ecological vocation, in an America where doubt of global warming is relatively frequent, the great state of the West plays a very different game.It imposes more drastic anti-pollution standards than many countries in the world and is positioned as a world leader in the fight for environmental protection.This ecological consciousness is everywhere, from multiple vegan restaurants to new beyond meat meats or impossible food via the many Tesla or Karma (2 Californian brands) which crisscross the Freeway 405 and 55.And from January 2020, California will tackle our wrists directly.Not by the launch of a new revolutionary gadget or a new "app", but by a ban that should - normally - making noise ... However, little info circulates on this subject.Almost nothing in the media, not an allusion on the main watch sites, and not even a statement or battle plan on the side of our Swiss brands.Nothing or almost ...

Alors de quoi parlons-nous ? C’est simple, le 1^er janvier prochain, la Californie bannira les bracelets en cuir d’alligator ou de crocodile.And this is only a step towards the total ban on all bracelets - and other accessories - in exotic leathers.So finished these "beautiful" accessories that embellish our watches.When we know the power of California, both economic and in the collective imagination, one can easily think that other states could soon follow this initiative.However, when I walk in the watchmaking shops that abound in the famous South Coast Plaza, or in the no less famous Mall Open "Fashion Island", and that I ask "what are you going to do", the answers arerather evasive.Basically "we don't know" ... However, all brands are now exposed.They must find a lasting solution before the end of the year.They only have a few months to answer important questions: what to do with these thousands of alligator bracelets mounted on watches in the window, by what to replace them, should you change prices, etc..

Personally, I am very favorable to this Californian decision.It will push collectors and clocks often very traditionalist to rethink their ecological impact and to imagine other solutions to equip their watches.Fortunately, some did not wait to have interesting options.There are of course the steel bracelets reigning at Rolex.Then there is the rubber, the nato bracelets in fabrics, or of course, the newcomers, these famous bracelets in recycled materials.At the start of the year, it was Panerai who presented his submersibles with PET plastic bracelets.

There is now Breitling, with its two models developed in collaboration with the brand Eco-Friendly Outerknown and equipped with bracelets in Econyl.And I hope the trend will not stop there.We must now wait for the reaction of bracelet manufacturers, and count on their creativity.Some will quickly have the wind in its sails, such as the Swiss Rubberb and its famous illegal models.But the trend should not stop at bracelets.Many components can be redesigned from the angle of ecology.Chopard's “sustainable” gold boxes are an example.Panerai eco-titanium another.

Et pourquoi pas? La Breitling SuperOcean Outerknown

But today I decided to talk about the Breitling Superocean Outerknown.Because the timing of its launch is in line with the new Californian legislation.Because the price positioning of this watch makes it more accessible and therefore more "ecologically" visible.Because it comes from a brand created by a committed surfer - Floridian Kenny Slater, who supports many initiatives intended to protect the oceans - especially here.

But also because she is successful.

Why Breitling?

We have already talked about the brand to "wings" in several "and why not...?»».Each time to evoke models related to the world of aviation, which remains intimately associated with the brand of Saint-Imier.It was at the beginning of the year that Breitling launched a reissue of his legendary Navitimer 806, probably one of the most beautiful chronographs currently offered by the winged brand.In parallel, Breitling continues to build its Aviator 8 offer, currently launching a Mosquito model which is reminiscent of the famous Breitling Co-Pilot 765 of the 60s.

Navytimer 806 © Breitling

Aviator 8 B01 Chronorgaph 43 Mosquito © Breitling

But, will you say to me, what about the link between Breitling and the Sea?Because if aviation is always dreaming, it is becoming more and more a disputed activity for its heavy carbon review.And in our time of ecological awareness, this air tropism may not be ideal.This is why the aquatic range of Breitling must grow and take more and more importance in the brand's offer.His CEO, George Kern, understood this, and he intends to strengthen the Superocean range, born in 1957.We often think that Breitling "is only a pilot brand".So it is not.While the first divers of Rolex or Omega had a waterproofing limited to 100m, the Superocean 1004 (three needles) and 807 (chronograph) of 57 already displayed 200 meters!

But the watch that was going to push even deeper Breitling was launched 55 years ago.It was the famous Superocean diving chronograph 2005, with a characteristic dial with its 60mn chronometer.This watch would know many developments over the years, with the main objective of improving the visibility of the chronograph function.In 1971, Breitling released the 2005 Superocean chronograph Execution 2, which will also experience a regatta version.

Finally more recently - in 2007 - Breitling revived the Superocean Heritage, strongly inspired by the 1004 and 807 models, which continued to evolve in 2017.It was in this range that Breitling launched his first collaboration with Outerknown, and his first bracelet in Econyl.

Today, Breitling's maritime offer alternates vintage inspiration (Superocean Heritage) and divers with more classic design, the Superocean, offered in many versions, ranging from 36 mm to 46 mm.

The new Outerknown is a variation of these Superocean.

The Breitling Superocean 44mm Outerknown - Green and Green!

The new Superocean range has been presented very recently.His models received a welcome facelift, both in terms of the glasses and the dial.Thanks to the many changes, the Superocean is simpler, more present, and more contemporary.The old version had aged rather badly, and all the faults of its elder (especially too busy dials) were corrected in this new iteration.

The Outerknown version is the most interesting of this new range.

For those who ask themselves the question of the meaning of Outerknown, it is a word of the language of surfers which designates the other side of the wave, that which we do not see.This is also the name of Kelly Slater's clothing brand.

It is distinguished from other models by several elements.First its color: a magnificent matt olive green rather unusual for a diving model.This green can surprise since it is usually reserved for more martial, even military pieces.However, the vocation of this diver is very different.I also heard that this color was also one of the favorites of the surf legend that inspired it.Then, the Breitling Outerknown is offered on an Econyl bracelet which takes up the colors of the dial.The whole is superb.The bracelet is a real success.We too often forget the role that this accessory in success plays - or the failure of a watch.There is no beautiful watch without a beautiful bracelet.For that, you must have the right color, the right integration, the right loop and the right finish.This Nato Econyl checks all the boxes.It is superb, well finished, original without being ostentatious, the Breitling loop is successful and its integration with the watch is perfect!Besides Breitling knows that this bracelet will be very successful.The brand will soon offer many variations so that all other models can benefit from it.

The Breitling Outerknown is waterproof at 1000m, its full background engraved with the OK logo of Outerknown and made of matt steel.Even if it is offered in 44 mm, it remains portable and - relatively - discreet.It is equipped with the Breitling 17 caliber, on the basis of the ETA "tractor".

Offered at an accessible price, the Superocean Outerknown is really a room that water sports enthusiasts should seriously consider before going to surf, dive or simply swimming.I hope to see several in the wrists of our Californian surfers, but also of their colleagues from Free Diving or the many paddle fans who sail off the beaches of Newport or Laguna!

What does the devil's lawyer think?

What !Want to save the fish and the planet with watches!Prohibit killing alligators!What nonsense!The devil's lawyer cannot accept that our watches have - finally - from the heart;) more seriously, what would be the small improvements that would make this Outerknown a perfect diver?

I mainly see four:- a titanium box to lighten its presence with a diameter of 42 mm because I was lucky to try the superocean in this size and it is really pleasant to wear- a logoB rather than the winged version- a box with several nato, as this watch goes well with this type of bracelet.

Otherwise, congratulations to the Breitling teams for this green, green diver!

What to wear your Breitling Superocean Outerknown?

Of course, the first answer would be with a surfing swimsuit bought in Huntington or a combination of Free Diving of Beuhat.But as time is slowly refreshing (except here in Southern California), here are some suggestions that could appeal to the dandy that is George Kern.The blazer in woolen pine ambassador.He will marry perfectly with the dial of the watch.The pants could be a denim, which however remains one of the least ecological clothes on the planet.Yet many brands have decided to take up the challenge of Eco-friendly jeans, and it is among them that we will have to choose.My favorite model remains the Dylan of the Californian brand AG, but the choice continues to grow.For shoes, let's stay in the Sustainable Business and the now classic Sneakers of the VEJA brand.I think that the Campo White Marsala model with its red / burgundy colored touches should be very well associated with a pair of jeans and the blazer ok.For the t-shirt, why not finish with a message like "Defend Tomorrow" and a T-shirt from another Californian brand, Apolis.

Here you are ready for a walk on the beach of Huntington Beach-Mecca for world surfing, after connecting your 100% electric car to a self-service charging station!You just have to go and admire the sunrise, and see the first surfers who enter the water in search of a wave to tease.