Breitling Superocean Heritage

The Superocean Heritage has been part of the Breitling catalog since 2007. The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer created this series to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first diving watch collection. While the new model's design shares many features with the original, the Heritage isn't a remake of the vintage Superocean. Instead, it's a reinterpretation that is both retro and timeless. Perhaps the most noticeable design choice is the hands. Like the watch from 1957, the hour hand has a large arrow tip, while the minute hand is sword-shaped.

The collection contains both three-hand watches and chronographs. Most models come in stainless steel, though the manufacturer has also produced several boutique editions in 18-karat rose gold or with a bronze bezel. Initially, Breitling only offered the Superocean Heritage with a 38 mm case – the same size as the original. Since then, the Swiss company has added versions with more contemporary 42, 44, and 46-mm cases.

The Superocean Heritage is water-resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft) and features both a unidirectional bezel and screw-down crown. One exception is the Superocean Heritage '57 from 2020. This model is especially close to the original with its concave bidirectional bezel and 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft) of water resistance.

Breitling offers the Superocean Heritage with in-house calibers as well as calibers based on ETA movements. No matter which version you choose, its movement will come with chronometer certification from the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).

You can purchase a first-generation Superocean Heritage with three hands for as little as 2,900 USD on Chrono24. More recent editions like the Superocean Heritage II 42 with the in-house caliber B20 cost roughly 4,100 USD. Expect to pay significantly more for a two-tone model or the retro Heritage '57, both of which demand between 4,600 and 6,000 USD.

Prices for chronographs range from 4,300 USD for older models with the Valjoux 7750 to around 6,500 USD for versions with the in-house caliber B01.

Even though its retro look may suggest otherwise, the Superocean Heritage is actually a young collection. In fact, it's been less than 15 years since it entered Breitling's catalog. Despite this, there are plenty of models to choose from. For example, if you prefer smaller watches, you'll likely enjoy the Heritage 38. As its name suggests, this watch has a 38-mm case, making it perfect for men and women alike. The caliber B37, based on the ETA 2895-2, gives this watch its date display at 3 o'clock and small seconds dial at 6. The dial is available in black, blue, brown, orange, or white. You can also choose between models on a Milanese steel bracelet or a rubber strap. While this watch is no longer a part of Breitling's current catalog, you can find unworn models on Chrono24 for between 2,800 and 3,100 USD.

If you're looking for a more substantial watch, you may prefer the Heritage 42 or 46. At 42 and 46 mm, they are much larger than their smaller sister model, though you will have to make do without a small seconds. These larger timepieces come in the same color options as the 38-mm edition, as well as variants that combine a white dial with a black bezel or a black dial with a green bezel. Depending on its condition, plan to spend between 3,000 and 3,800 USD for a Heritage 42. Prices for the larger, 46-mm variant range from 2,900 to 3,200 USD. Like the Heritage 38, neither model is part of Breitling's current catalog.

In 2017, Breitling introduced a revamped version of this retro watch: the Superocean Heritage II. The appearance of these three-hand timepieces remains largely unchanged from that of their predecessors. The only design change is the use of a high-tech ceramic bezel insert. The real updates took place inside the watch, which now gets its power from the caliber B20, based on the Tudor caliber MT 5612. Plan to spend around 4,200 USD for a 42-mm Heritage II in stainless steel. The two-tone version with a rose gold bezel will set you back roughly 5,000 USD. The 46-mm model costs between 3,900 and 4,200 USD, depending on the exact edition.

Breitling has also offered a 44-mm version of the Heritage II since early 2018. Other than its dimensions, this watch is no different from the other models in the collection. You will need to have about 3,900 USD on hand to buy a Heritage II 44 in mint condition. Again, Breitling also produces a two-tone edition, which sells for around 5,200 USD.

Especially Retro: The Superocean Heritage '57

The most recent addition to the collection is the Superocean Heritage '57 from 2020. This model is a faithful recreation of the original Superocean from 1957. Perhaps the most notable feature the new watch shares with its historical predecessor its concave bidirectional bezel that slopes inward toward the crystal. The dial design is yet another holdover from the original and features conical indices atop circles at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock. This model lacks a date display and gets its power from the caliber B10. The manufacturer crafts this chronometer-certified movement from the ETA caliber 2892-A2.

The Superocean Heritage '57 also belongs to the wider Capsule Collection. Breitling uses this collection for models they only plan to produce for a limited period of time. Thus, unlike the other Heritage models, it is clear that production of the Heritage '57 will eventually come to a close. Until that day comes, you can still easily purchase this diving watch, which is available with your choice of a black, blue, or brown sunburst dial. Each version comes on either a brown leather strap or a Milanese stainless steel bracelet.

The 42-mm edition in stainless steel changes hands for about 4,000 USD on Chrono24, and the version with an 18-karat rose gold bezel costs around 4,800 USD. The collection also contains several collector's items, including the Outerknown Limited Edition. Only 500 copies of this timepiece exist. It features a gold bezel and a brown sunburst dial. However, its most exciting detail is its NATO strap crafted entirely from recycled nylon fishing nets. You can call this model your own for roughly 6,000 USD. For something even more exclusive, you should take a look at the Heritage Limited edition, which has a limited run of 250 pieces. This watch's indices shine in the colors of the rainbow. This rare treasure can be yours for approximately 10,000 USD.

of their subdials. Smaller models have two subdials with a minute counter at 3, a small seconds at 9, and a date display at 6 o'clock. Breitling outfits them with the caliber B23 (Valjoux 7753), which has a 42-hour power reserve. Prices for these timepieces sit at about 5,100 USD. The Valjoux 7750-based caliber B13 is found in the larger models. Its date display is located at 3 o'clock, while the hour counter, minute counter, and small seconds can be found at 6, 9, and 12 o'clock, respectively. Prices for never-worn models start around 4,400 USD.

At its release in 2017, the Heritage II line only featured 46-mm chronographs. The Swiss manufacturer also equipped these watches with the caliber B13 and offered them in blue, black, or brown. Be prepared to spend about 5,100 USD on one of these models. Breitling announced two updates to the Heritage II Chronograph shortly before Baselworld 2018. Both models are 44 mm in diameter and use the caliber B13, though Breitling has upgraded it to include a day display in addition to the date. Prices vary by model and range from 4,600 to 5,400 USD.

At the same time, Breitling presented the Superocean Heritage II Chronograph 44 with the in-house caliber B01. This movement has an impressive 70-hour power reserve, as well as a stop seconds at 3, an hour counter at 9, a small seconds dial at 6, and a date display between 4 and 5 o'clock. To call one of these watches your own, you will need to invest around 6,500 USD. If you'd prefer something even more exclusive, you should consider the Superocean Heritage Chronoworks with a limited run of 100 pieces. It also features the in-house B01 caliber; however, its 46-mm case is made of high-tech black ceramic. You will need almost 20,000 USD to put one of these rare timepieces on your wrist.

Breitling chose their in-house Breitling 01 caliber to power the Heritage II B01 chronograph, which they introduced in 2018. It has a 70-hour power reserve and can measure time in increments of ¼ of a second. Another version, the B01C, was developed specifically for the limited-edition Superocean Chronoworks and boasts a remarkable 100-hour power reserve.

The caliber B20 also made its debut inside a Superocean Heritage II. It ticks at 28,800 vibrations per hour (vph) and has a 70-hour power reserve. This movement is based on Tudor's caliber MT 5612. In 2016, Breitling and the Rolex sister company came to an agreement that allowed Tudor to outfit their watches with Breitling chronograph calibers and, in return, permitted Breitling to use Tudor calibers.