The Breitling Superocean Steelfish, a watch that commands attention with its robust design and impressive functionality, houses a fascinating movement that deserves closer examination. This article delves deep into the heart of the Steelfish, exploring the Breitling Caliber 17, its lineage, performance, and significance within the broader context of Breitling's Superocean line and the luxury watch market. We'll uncover the nuances of this movement, examining its history, technical specifications, and the overall experience it delivers within the context of the Breitling Superocean Steelfish and its predecessor, the X-Plus.
A History of the Movement: From X-Plus to Steelfish
The journey of the movement powering the Steelfish begins in 2005 with the introduction of the Breitling Superocean X-Plus. This watch, a bold departure from the more traditional Superocean designs, featured a striking, almost futuristic aesthetic. At its core was the Breitling Caliber 17, an automatic movement that immediately established itself as a significant component of the watch's appeal. The X-Plus, while innovative in its design, paved the way for the even more refined Steelfish.
The Steelfish, launched in 2007, retained the robust Caliber 17 but benefited from refinements in both the movement and the overall watch design. While the underlying mechanism remained the same, subtle improvements were made to enhance reliability and precision. This continuity showcased Breitling's confidence in the Caliber 17 and its suitability for the demanding conditions a dive watch might face. The Steelfish, produced until 2012, solidified the Caliber 17's reputation as a dependable and high-performing movement within Breitling's lineup.
The Breitling Caliber 17: A Deep Dive into the Mechanics
The Breitling Caliber 17 is not a proprietary movement developed entirely in-house. Instead, it represents a clever and effective strategy employed by many high-end watchmakers: taking a robust and reliable base movement and modifying it to meet specific brand standards. In this case, the foundation is the ETA 2824-2, a widely respected and proven automatic movement known for its accuracy and durability.
The ETA 2824-2 is a workhorse of the watch industry, appearing in numerous watches from various brands. Its reliability and relatively low cost make it an attractive option for manufacturers seeking a solid base for their own creations. Breitling, however, didn't simply adopt the ETA 2824-2 wholesale. They took this established platform and enhanced it, adding their own refinements to create the Caliber 17. These modifications are crucial in understanding what distinguishes the Steelfish from watches using the base ETA movement.
Breitling’s modifications typically include:
* Enhanced Finishing: Breitling typically applies its own characteristic finishing to the movement components. This involves meticulous decoration such as Côtes de Genève (Geneva stripes), perlage (circular graining), and anglage (beveling), elevating the aesthetic appeal beyond the standard ETA finish. While not always visible through the caseback, this attention to detail is a hallmark of Breitling's commitment to quality.
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