Originally launched in 1957, the Breitling Superocean professional diving watch was received by leisure diving enthusiasts and professional explorers with great aplomb. Today, spawning many generations later, this breed of Breitling diving instruments with superlative aquatic performance has led to a revamp of the original design of the the Superocean Héritage II in celebration of its 60th anniversary.

Spirit of History: 60th Anniversary of the Breitling Superocean Héritage

Dedicated to modern explorers, the brand has preserved the spirit of the original 1957 Breitling Superocean and turned the contemporary Superocean Héritage collection into one of the brand’s foundational pillars, thanks to its unique and timeless look combined with cutting-edge technology.

For its 60th birthday, Breitling had reinvigorated the iconic design of the Superocean diving watch while maintaining the unique retro characteristics of the legendary diver. 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.

Aesthetically, the new Breitling Superocean Heritage differs from its famed predecessor with a few design updates including the removal of the metal ring surrounding the minute circle which means that the new Superocean Heritage has a bezel which appears to meld seamlessly with the dial, yet retaining a respectful homage 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.

Breitling’s Superocean Héritage II is interpreted in two 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.

60 years on, a Legendary Heritage extended into a Breitling Chronograph line

The Superocean Héritage II Chronographe 46 extends the legacy of the Breitling diver’s watch into an in-house chronometer certified chronograph calibre made in cooperation with Tudor. The Manufacture Caliber B20 powering the Superocean Héritage II 42 and 46 models, shares architecture with the Tudor Caliber MT5612 found in Tudor’s recent Heritage Black Bay chronograph. Here, Breitlling’s own Superocean Héritage II Chronographe in 42 and 46mm features exclusive finishing and slight technical modifications which differentiate the B20 from the MT5612.

The sturdy steel case of theSuperocean Héritage II Chronographe with its screw-locked crown is water-resistant to 200 m. The fluted unidirectional rotating bezel turns on a 120-tooth system, enabling accurate adjustment and smooth rotation for timing measurements.