A RARE MEN’S BREITLING MANUAL DIVERS WRISTWATCH. Super Ocean, "Slow" with a regatta-style Yachting

A RARE MEN’S BREITLING MANUAL DIVERS WRISTWATCH.
Super Ocean, "Slow" with a regatta-style Yachting bezel

Brand: Breitling
Model: Super Ocean "Slow"
Case reference: 2005
Year: Circa 1960's
Movement: Manual, chronograph
Dial: Black, luminous applied hours, white outer minute division, white sword hands with luminous insert, white centre seconds hand, chronograph indicator at the 6 o'clock position
Material: Stainless steel
Signed: Dial, movement, case
Dimension: 42.5mm

A highly sought-after example of Breitling’s groundbreaking diver chronograph, this SuperOcean Ref. 2005 — affectionately dubbed the “Slow Chronograph” — represents a bold leap in both design and functionality during the golden age of tool watches. This particular example features the ultra-rare regatta-style Yachting bezel, with vivid red and blue countdown segments, designed for timing competitive sailing events. These bezels were produced in very limited quantities, making them exceptionally desirable on today’s vintage market.

First introduced in 1964, the Ref. 2005 departed radically from traditional chronograph layouts. Instead of multiple sub-dials, it features a disc at the 6 o’clock position that slowly rotates to indicate whether the chronograph is active — a simplified visual designed specifically for divers to reduce underwater confusion. This unique feature gave rise to the “Slow Chrono” nickname and remains one of the most distinctive chronograph complications ever produced.

The matte black dial features luminous hour markers, sword hands with luminous inserts, and a central white chronograph seconds hand, all designed for maximum legibility in challenging conditions. Powered by a manual-wind chronograph movement, this model is housed in a robust 42.5mm stainless steel case, with a screw-down caseback and bi-directional rotating bezel — in this case, the seldom-seen regatta countdown bezel, which adds both functionality and collectability.