If you like diving watches you surely are a fan of the Breitling Superocean line. While the new Breitling Superocean Héritage II with ceramic bezel is no Rolex Submariner or Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, this watch has everything to become your favorite companion on land and sea. Originally launched in 1957 during the boom of diving watches, the Breitling Superocean was rapidly adopted by the first enthusiasts of leisure diving and today, it has received a facelift. While this facelift wasn't really that necessary, the watch is now bigger and better. Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, Breitling has redesigned the Superocean Héritage line and now the watches are fitted with ceramic bezel and two different case sizes at 46 mm and 42 mm. Staying true to its heritage, just as its name, the Superocean Héritage II doesn't look that much different to the first Breitling Superocean from 1957. With a few tweaks here and there and a more modern look on its bezel and dial, the Breitling Superocean Héritage II is today a well respected diving watch just like it was 60 years ago.
Things You Need to Know
The main change took the form of a new steel bezel with an ultra-hard high-tech ceramic ring that is scratchproof and extremely shock-resistant. Available in black, blue or bronze —brownish—, the bezel now does not have the polished metal ring surrounding the crystal and is now also equipped with a luminescent pearl dot at 12 o'clock. With this redesign, the bezel appears to form a seamless whole with the dial. Additionally, the dial now features a date aperture at 6 o'clock instead of 3 o'clock that balances the overall design much better.
Two other major changes between the new Superocean Héritage II and its predecessor, include a dial that now features a date aperture at 6 o'clock instead of 3 o'clock and a slightly smaller applied 'B' above the logo. Overall, the design of this new dial is much more balanced and way nicer.
The bezel features machined cutout minute markers like those on the Rolex cerachrom bezels. The bezel is semi-glossy but appears almost matte in low light conditions.
While the hour and minute hands maintained their unusual shape, a slight redesign also took place. Now, the base of the arrow tip on the hour hand is now rounded and the arrow itself is divided in two by a hash. Additionally, the minute hand is now lozenge-shaped rather than baton-shaped. Along with the slightly cone-shaped hour-markers —just like on the previous Superocean Héritage—, the new Breitling Superocean Héritage II with Ceramic Bezel reinforces its ties with the 1957 model.
The new Breitling Superocean Héritage II is now available in two watch sizes —42 and 46 mm— and in 46 mm as a chronograph. The blue and bronze versions are available with an exclusive brand-new rubber-leather strap in the same color and enhanced by contrasting stitching and in addition to the leather strap, crocodile or rubber straps, all the models may be fitted with a Milanese steel mesh bracelet echoing the legendary 1957 version.
The Movement
In terms of performance, the new Breitling 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 is powered by the in-house manufacture Caliber B20. This automatic movement is COSC-certified and endowed with an impressive 70-hour power reserve. This calibre is the result of the recent mutual collaboration between Breitling and Tudor and is derived from the Tudor Calibre MT5612. The movement is protected by a solid screwed-in case back that is mirror polished.
On the Wrist & Price
On the wrist, both the 42 mm and the 46 mm new Breitling Superocean Héritage II wear true to their size; however, we like the look of the 46 mm much more considering our 7.5" wrist. This facelift has made the Superocean Héritage way more appealing without compromising its reliability and wrist presence. While the watch is perfectly suited for diving, it doesn't look out of place when paired with a suit or in an office environment where something like a Seiko Baby Tuna or a Fifty Fathoms would look like you left your wet suit at the door. For the price, you are getting a lot of watch and a stunner on your wrist. Price is the same whether you go with the 42 mm or the 46 mm.
Sticker Price $4,700 USD on bracelet, $4,500 USD on leather strap and $4,075 USD on rubber strap. For more info on Breitling click here.
