BLSF Superocean iii 42mm - General Opinion and Strap Question

[derryfarmer]

A question (or 2) for the Breitling regulars among us.

I'm really drawn to the new Superocean with yellow dial center, it looks like BLSF is the only option for this colour but it looks a little too pale compared to the gen, does anyone have any experience of this colour?



Also, I don't generally wear rubber straps - Would a replacement bracelet drop straight in? - even gen bracelets aren't too expensive it seems but are any comparable size replica ones available?

I'll probably end up buying gen of this one as it catches my eye every time I visit the Breitling AD

 

[tkingjr]

A question (or 2) for the Breitling regulars among us.

I'm really drawn to the new Superocean with yellow dial center, it looks like BLSF is the only option for this colour but it looks a little too pale compared to the gen, does anyone have any experience of this colour?



Also, I don't generally wear rubber straps - Would a replacement bracelet drop straight in? - even gen bracelets aren't too expensive it seems but are any comparable size replica ones available?

I'll probably end up buying gen of this one as it catches my eye every time I visit the Breitling AD

Ask your Trusted Dealer to source the watch with a #162A bracelet. I have done this several times. You can also buy a Gen bracelet for about $600.

 

[jj69]

I believe this color dial is available in gen only in the 42mm size. The 42mm rep is made by BLS. AFAIK, BLS does not make an SS bracelet. The 44mm size made by TF does offer a bracelet option. Whether the TF bracelet will fit on the smaller 42mm BLS rep, I do not know. They both have the same 22mm lug size and can use the same size rubber straps, so it's possible that it may work.

FYI these reps are notorious for badly aligned hour markers, and the BLS rep is plagued with other issues like scratched hour markers, scratched hands, blemishes on the white area that surrounds the dial, and on and on. The QC from BLS on this model is horrendous. The TF models are better, but be sure to choose a patient dealer. I guarantee you that you will have to RL at least two samples before getting one with acceptable hour marker alignment.

Good luck - you will need it!

FYI there is also a very cheap $75 version of the 44mm version available on DHGate from seller Hanbelson. They offer the yellow dial color (although it is technically "fantasy" becuase the color is not available in the 44mm gen). That is a very nice cost-effective rep. I ordered one to check it out and the hour markers on it are perfectly aligned (unlike the ones from BLS and TF). It has a cheap Asian 2813 movement (long term reliability unknown) and the crystal is most likely glass. The rubber strap and clasp are excellent quality, but the clasp does NOT have the quick adjustment mechanism like the gen. This cheapo version is available on an SS bracelet, but that bracelet appears to be the wrong design - it looks more like the old "Pro 2" bracelet that used to come on the older Avenger models, so not recommended.