Difference with SuperOcean Heritage hands

[Bill_C]

I have been searching and searching for info on the different hands used on the SuperOcean Heritage (both the II and the Chronograph) but I'm more confused than when I started.

There appears to be two handsets used. On one, the hour hand is split with a minute hand that flares midway. The other's hour hand is filled and the minute hand is straight. I have searched pics of dozens of gens and it appears that both handsets are in play... or that resellers are passing off reps as real, I don't know for sure.

Can anyone enlighten me on which hands go with which model on the gens?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Bill_C]

Holy crap folks, I have scoured the dregs of the internet and after weeding through endless garbage and dancing cat videos I finally found an answer to my question. It was work. I am now a scarred man... but I have emerged victorious!

It comes down to a difference between SO Heritage and Heritage II. Some of the pictures I'd seen online were probably wrongly included in my search results (operator error no doubt) but I have confirmed that the SO Heritage is the one with the stick minute hand and the SOH II has the sword style minute hand. For weeks I just couldn't figure out why some pics showed one hand set and other pics showed the other but I understand now and am better off for it.

If anyone is interested, I found a site that shows all of the different Breitling models. It's "unofficial" which just means some Breitling fan put it together but it's packed with info that you might find useful.
https://www.breitlingsource.com

Now I just need to wait until after CNY and then start looking for a SOH II 42mm to add to my collection.

 

[offpink]

To sum it up for the SuperOcean Heritage series:

All 1st generation (A37320, A17321, A23370, A17320, A13320) hands look like this:


All 2nd generation (AB2010, AB2020, A13312) hands look like this:

 

[Bill_C]

To sum it up for the SuperOcean Heritage series:

All 1st generation (A37320, A17321, A23370, A17320, A13320) hands look like this:


All 2nd generation (AB2010, AB2020, A13312) hands look like this:

Thanks offpink that is what I couldn't figure out.

Admittedly, I have only recently gotten interested in Breitling and when I saw what, to the untrained eye, looked like the exact same watch with two different handsets I was thoroughly confused.

IMO, the 1st gen hands look cheap and out of place on such a beautiful watch. To each his own, but for me it's 2nd gen or nothing.

Thanks again for posting the pics.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[offpink]

the 1st gen hands look cheap and out of place on such a beautiful watch.

Interesting take! I actually prefer the overall look of bezel and hands on the A13320 and A17320 as opposed to the newer models. I felt that the newer models brought nothing new to the table (except for the pip on the bezel), to me it looked like they took the first Heritage model and decided to see what they could change to get it closer to the original model with the least amount of effort possible (thin bezel markers, same minutes hands shape and a split in the hour hand similar to the original).

The first Heritage model to me was the perfect blend of modern and classic. Now for the newer version, if they added lume to the bezel like the Tudor Pelagos, slanted the bezel, added a domed crystal or even changed the hours markers to triangles like in the bond Seamaster, that would be a must have!

 

[p0pperini]

To me it was like - first gen had good hands, second gen has clown hands. There’s no accounting for taste...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bill_C]

Yeah, to each their own. I don't have a history with Breitling. They have never been on my radar until I stumbled upon the SOH.

I think that lack of familiarity with their earlier watches has something to with my bias. I have nothing to go on; no history, no knowledge of the heritage behind their first release of the SOH. To me it was simply, "Oh, shiny object! I want!!"

I have similar opinions as you regarding re-releases/updates to watches of brands I know and love, so I understand your feeling about the gen 2 hand change. At the end of the day though, it comes down to personal preference. We gotta buy/wear what we want.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[p0pperini]

Sounds like we have the same level of Breitling knowledge then. All I knew about Breitling was that my business partner wore one (a horrible thing that’s got hands and digital displays) and I could never believe how he paid over a grand for a watch... that was back before I got into reps, and then into Franken reps... heh.

 

[offpink]

At the end of the day though, it comes down to personal preference. We gotta buy/wear what we want.

100%. The only thing that matters is that you like it!

 

[tkingjr]

Bill_C I use BreitlingSource all the time. As soon as I decide to buy a Breitling Rep I check to make sure the factory used the correct caseback and correct model number. Many times on a new release the factories use a caseback from a similar Breitling. It is always a hint of how good the Rep will be.

 

[Bill_C]

Bill_C I use BreitlingSource all the time. As soon as I decide to buy a Breitling Rep I check to make sure the factory used the correct caseback and correct model number. Many times on a new release the factories use a caseback from a similar Breitling. It is always a hint of how good the Rep will be.

Thanks mate, good to know!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk