Breitling Introduces Superocean Heritage Dive Watch Capsule Paying Tribute to 1957 Reference

Tright here weren’t any watches of observe being worn in Bruce Brown’s seminal surf opus Infinite Summer season from 1966, however had there been, a Breitling Superocean of that period actually looks as if it wouldn’t have been misplaced, gallivanting around the globe in pursuit of the proper wave. New for 2020, Breitling has launched a brand new capsule assortment carefully resurrecting the aesthetic of its inaugural Superocean from 1957 — a unusual however succesful sports activities watch whose dial was characterised by a segmented hour hand and a quartet of faceted “wedge” markers pushed by means of round indices. The long-overdue arrival of this specific reference has very a lot been the topic of an entire lot of hypothesis, although it’s value noting that the ’57 version may not be the Breitling that classic dive watch purists have been craving — but.

Below the care of CEO Georges Kern, Breitling has spent the higher a part of the final three years utilizing distinctive ambassador occasions and informal boutique build-outs to specific its values as a laid-back coastal life-style model, however it hasn’t actually had a bodily watch that really mirrored that messaging as carefully as this new Superocean capsule does. Till now, the standard-issue 44mm Superocean diver has remained a pure expression of Breitling’s trendy device watch functionality, whereas the Superocean Heritage spin-off has owned a extra refined and splendid “costume diver” aesthetic. Moreover, each of those core references and their many variants have opted for the large polished instances and bolder design language that has kind of outlined the final 20 years of the Breitling “Schneider period.” All that adjustments with the ’57 version, which wholly embraces the funky mid-century appeal of its supply materials, when the most effective sports activities watches of that period weren’t very massive or flashy and positively didn’t must dive very deep.

Measuring solely 42mm by 9mm thick and carrying a water resistance of 100 meters, the brand new ’57 Version Superocean Heritage watches are in all probability greatest characterised as “skindivers” — sports activities watches that don’t bear the normal hallmarks of a “true” ISO 6425-rated dive watch (a completely listed timing bezel, luminous operating seconds counter, a minimum of 200 meters of water resistance, and so on.) — however the place they lack in purpose-built functionality, they greater than make up for it in appeal and island-vacation readiness.

Adhering to the method we’ve seen with Breitling’s über-successful classic pilot watch re-issues just like the latest Ref. 765 or “High Time” editions (each of which have been rebooted below the watchful tutelage of classic Breitling skilled Fred Mandelbaum), the ’57 version marks the primary time that Breitling below Kern has dug into its classic dive watch archive, although it’s extraordinarily unlikely to be the final. Not like the aforementioned, although, this capsule is kind of thought of a line extension, not not like the Business Airways Navitimer collection (TWA, Swiss, Pan Am) launched final yr, which joined the core Navitimer assortment in common manufacturing.

Superocean Heritage ’57 Restricted Version with a black vintage-inspired leather-based strap

That mentioned, one of many references within the ’57 Version capsule will probably be restricted to 250 items and retailed solely at Breitling boutiques. Not surprisingly, it’s the wildest of the quartet — reference A103701A1B1A “Restricted Version,” whose dial markers have been rendered in a “rainbow” gradient of multi-colored Tremendous-LumiNova. Given the present reputation of high-jewel rainbow items, it’s a enjoyable and colourful, but tasteful and markedly much more economical method to faucet right into a barely extra flamboyant fashion that ought to slot in properly for that weeklong Ibiza vacation you’ve acquired deliberate after we’re all performed sheltering in place. Aside from the dial, the whole lot else concerning the reference is identical as the opposite three watches, from the case measurement to the motion itself.

11_Superocean Heritage ’57 Restricted Version with a black vintage-inspired leather-based strap

Inside every of the 4 watches beats Breitling’s B-10, a Chronometer-certified automated motion that makes use of the basic ETA 2892 as its base calibre, so its 4Hz beat price and roughly 42 hours of energy reserve ought to really feel fairly acquainted. These references, specifically, have been rendered and not using a date, which ought to come as welcome information for Superocean Heritage followers who’ve by no means gotten the “no-date” therapy because the at the moment obtainable 42mm Superocean Heritage is constructed with a B-20 Manufacture motion and fitted with a date.

The unique Superocean from 1957 subsequent to the trendy Superocean Heritage with the B-20 Manufacture motion

Not like Breitling’s limited-edition Heritage watches, which have practically been shot-for-shot re-issues of their classic counterparts (just like the spectacular Ref. 806 re-issue which used a brand new handwound motion like the unique), the ’57 Version watches have been upsized barely and fitted with bi-directional (not a giant deal, contemplating they’re absent of any particular timekeeping demarcations) sloped ceramic bezel inserts, which could come as a slight disappointment to the purists when the originals have been crafted out of Bakelite, but when Breitling’s latest launch sample has been any indicator, there appears to be a excessive chance that a extra devoted Superocean Heritage may also be on the best way later this summer time. Time will definitely inform, however for now, that is nonetheless an entire hell of lots higher than a comfort prize. The value of the brand new Superocean Heritage Computerized 1957 Version begins at $four,380 on a leather-based strap ($4835 on milanese bracelet), and jumps to $5,225 for the two-tone black and gold reference on leather-based strap. The Restricted-Version boutique-exclusive begins at $four,520 on strap and jumps to $5,025 on bracelet. Be taught extra at breitling.com.

Classic Breitling commercial with an inventory for the 1957 Superocean Chronograph and Transocean watches