First launched in 1957, the Superocean professional diving 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 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 – whether it comes to checking a dive time or marking off various time measurements, notably in aviation. The new spirit of discovery.