Breitling has redesigned its Superocean Héritage line, dedicated to modern-day explorers. The result is a new face as original, pure and dynamic as ever, for this highly successful collection that is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2017.
First launched in 1957, the Superocean professional diving replica watch – rapidly adopted by the first enthusiasts of leisure diving – has since spawned several generations of instruments boasting peerless aquatic performance. Yet Breitling has also preserved the spirit of the original model in a line named Superocean Héritage that has become one of the brand’s stellar collections, thanks to its unique and timeless look combined with cutting-edge technology.
To mark the 60th anniversary of this pioneer of wide-open spaces, Breitling had reinvigorated its iconic design while maintaining its unique character. The main development took the form of a new steel bezel with an ultra-hard high-tech ceramic ring that is scratchproof and extremely shock-resistant. The elimination of the metal ring surrounding the minute circle means the bezel appears to form a seamless whole with the dial in a matching color, adorned with the original Superocean logo. The unusual shape of the hands (triangular for the hours and lozenge-like for the minutes), along with the slightly cone-shaped hour-markers, reinforces ties with the 1957 model, while ensuring optimal legibility enhanced by luminescent markers.
The Superocean Héritage II is interpreted in two replica watch sizes (42 and 46 mm) and as a 46 mm chronograph, all available in three colors: black, blue and bronze. The latter versions are available with an exclusive brand-new rubber-leather strap in the same color and enhanced by contrasting stitching. In addition to the leather, crocodile or rubber straps, all the models may be fitted with a steel mesh bracelet echoing the legendary 1957 version.
In terms of performance, the Superocean Héritage II has all the technical qualities that have made it the perfect companion for the finest adventures on land, at sea and in the air. The Superocean Héritage II Chronographe 46 houses a selfwinding chronograph movement chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute). The Manufacture Caliber B20 powering the Superocean Héritage II 42 and 46 models, also COSC-certified, is a high-precision, reliably robust selfwinding movement endowed with a 70-hour power reserve.
Derived from the Tudor Caliber MT5612 and flaunting exclusive finishing, it represents one aspect of the recent cooperation between the two brands that are now pooling their expertise in the development and production of certain mechanical movements. The sturdy steel case with its screw-locked crown is water-resistant to 200 m (660 ft).
The fluted unidirectional rotating bezel, bearing a luminescent dot at 12 o’clock, is fitted with a 120-tooth system enabling extremely accurate adjustment and very smooth rotation.
Technical details
Model: Superocean Héritage II 42 & 46
Movement
Manufacture Caliber B20, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, self-winding, high-frequency (28,800 vibrations/hour), 28 jewels
Over 70- hour power reserve
Calendar
Case, dial and strap
Steel case
Water-resistant to 200 m (660 ft)
Screw-locked crown
Unidirectional ratcheted rotating bezel
Cambered sapphire crystal, glare-proofed on both sides
Diameters: 42 and 46 mm
Dials: Volcano black, Gun Blue, Stratus silver, Copperhead bronze
Straps/Bracelet: leather, crocodile leather, rubber Aero Classic or Ocean Racer, rubber-leather/Ocean Classic
Model: Superocean Héritage II Chronographe 46
Movement
Breitling Caliber 13, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, self-winding, high-frequency (28,800 vibrations/hour), 25 jewels. 1/4th of a second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers. Calendar
Case, dial and strap
Steel case
Water resistant to 200 m (660 ft)
Screw-locked crown
Unidirectional ratcheted rotating bezel
Cambered sapphire crystal, glare proofed on both sides
Diameter: 46 mm
Dials: Volcano black, Mariner blue, Copperhead bronze
Straps/Bracelet: leather, crocodile leather, rubber Aero Classic or Ocean Racer, rubber leather/Ocean Classic