Divers are practical people. The first question they’ll ask about things they choose to use or add to their arsenal of equipment – whether it is diving gear, accessories and apparel, or timing instruments – is this: Is it good? Most times, price is a secondary concern and performance always comes first. Those who are big on technicality and a good price-to-quality ratio will find Breitling’s new watch, the Superocean Chronograph Steelfish, a very attractive proposition.Relying only on wits, training, and observation skills to survive, it is only natural for a diver to expect 100 per cent reliability from every piece of equipment strapped to his body. Indeed, there is no room for compromise because to compromise is to risk your life. This might smack of hubris but unless you’re a diver, it’s very hard to fathom (pun intended) how hard it is to complete very simple tasks when submerged at depths of 100 feet, sometimes even deeper as professional divers are required to go.

Not that luxury dive watches are frequently taken on dives but the fact remains, and this magazine has repeatedly reiterated, that they are more than qualified to take on this challenge. The key characteristics of a dive watch include water resistance to a minimum of 100 metres, luminosity on the hands and hour markers, and a uni-directional rotating bezel. Other elements good to have are corrosion-resistant cases and rubber straps. All of these attributes can be found in the Superocean Chronograph Steelfish.

Foremost, it has a broad ratcheted bezel with black rubber-incrusted numerals and markings, which promise perpetual legibility, as rubber does not fade like embossed ink does. Sturdiness and robustness are its next two key qualities. The oversized stainless steel case comes with a screw-lock crown flanked by two protectors, pushpieces that cannot be activated unless unlocked, and a thick sapphire crystal glareproofed on both sides. Water resistant to 500 metres, the movement inside is COSC-certified, thus guaranteeing tip-top precision at all times and under all conditions. As a bonus, the Superocean Chronograph Steelfish also displays the day and date in separate apertures – who could argue with even more legibility?