The Breitling SuperOcean Heritage lineup gets its first refresh since 2017
Zach BlassThe Breitling SuperOcean has been a dive watch icon since 1957, and the SuperOcean Chronograph ref. 807, according to Breitling, was the world’s first-ever dedicated diver’s chronograph. Clearly, it’s a significant watch collection. But do enduring icons ever need a refresh? Of course, the answer is yes, but the question is what needs to change? What needs to be refined? And how much change is too much change, where it no longer resembles what made it such an established design in the first place? Well, the SuperOcean Heritage range has now received its first refresh since 2017, and I suspect many of you will like this next generation.
The range is quite expansive, with SuperOcean Heritage Automatics in new 36mm and 40mm sizes, along with 42mm and 44mm sizes as well, so every wrist is really catered to. The SuperOcean Chronograph, however, is strictly in a new 42mm size, which is notably down from 44mm. All of these cases have been refined to be thinner than their predecessors, along with more ergonomic proportions, and we have new calibres entering the mix as well. There are a total of 30 new configurations across the new Breitling SuperOcean Heritage range, including a limited edition designed in collaboration with surfing GOAT and longstanding member of the B Squad, Kelly Slater. But I want to hone in on the three examples we were able to get hands-on with: a blue sunburst dial configuration of the SuperOcean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42, a green sunburst dial variant of the SuperOcean Heritage B31 Automatic 40, and a light green reference within the SuperOcean Heritage Automatic 36 range.
Breitling SuperOcean Heritage B31 Automatic 40
All of the SuperOcean Heritage B31 Automatics, spanning from 40mm to 44mm, feature the new manufacture-exclusive B31 calibre that debuted in March with the Top Time. The B31 not only increases the power reserve from 70 hours to 78 hours, but also allows for a thinner case. So, just how much have the dimensions really changed?
Using the 42mm size as an example, the thickness is down from 14.35mm to a svelte 12.03mm. The lug-to-lug has also come down considerably, dropping from a sizeable 51.58mm to a more approachable 49.55mm. The SuperOcean Heritage B31 Automatic 40 we have in hand measures 40mm in diameter, just 11.73mm thick, and 48.2mm lug-to-lug. I cannot imagine anybody would take issue with these refined measurements, especially when the cases remain a screw-down crown-secured 200 metres water-resistant and now feature an exhibition caseback we did not have previously.
The SuperOcean Heritage B31 Automatics all have ceramic inserts that colour match their respective black, blue, or green sunburst dials for their unidirectional bezels. It is worth noting, however, that the 40mm range is only available in blue and green for now. By my estimation, it appears we have a slightly tweaked style for the applied indexes, but, naturally, Breitling has kept the signature spear hours hand and sword minutes hand. All of the hour indices, and the three central hands, incorporate Super-LumiNova for visibility in darkness, and, lastly, we still have a symmetrically-positioned date window at the 6 o’clock position.
Moving towards the strap options, we also have a refined mesh bracelet, said to be thinner to match the new case proportions and now integrated to sit perfectly flush against the case. Breitling phrases this as “water-tight integration”. You also once again have dial-matching rubber straps with a textured pattern that mimics the mesh bracelet, but there is also no longer a gap between the case and strap; instead, just like the bracelet, it now sits flush to the case. These straps are all secured to the wrist via steel folding clasps.
| Brand | Breitling |
| Model | SuperOcean Heritage B31 Automatic 40 |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm (D) x 11.73mm (T) x 48.2mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Green, sunburst finish (as tested) |
| Strap | Green textured rubber strap, steel folding clasp |
| Movement | B31, manufacture-exclusive, automatic, COSC-certified |
| Power Reserve | 78 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, unidirectional timing bezel |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$6,200 |
Breitling SuperOcean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42
Next up, the Breitling SuperOcean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42, as its name suggests, is now presented in a different size and uses a different automatic calibre than the prior Heritage Chronograph 44. Instead of the ETA 7750-based Calibre 13, the Chronograph 42 utilises the Breitling manufacture B01 calibre, which boasts 28 more hours of power reserve with its 70-hour stamina.
This B01 not only affords the ability to have a slimmer case that measures 14.55mm thick instead of the 44’s 15.65mm thickness, it also results in a completely different dial layout with a new sense of balance and symmetry we often see from B01-driven chronograph watches. And just cross all the T’s and dot all the I’s, the stainless steel 200 metre water-resistant cases measure 42mm in diameter, 14.55mm thick, and 49.56mm lug-to-lug.
Instead of 12 o’clock, 9 o’clock, and 6 o’clock-positioned counters and a day and date complication at the 3 o’clock position, the dial – whether green, black, or blue sunburst like we have here – has now been distilled down to a small seconds counter at the 9 o’clock position and a elapsed minutes counter at the 3 o’clock position, with a date window placed symmetrically between them at the 6 o’clock position. Like the automatics, you have the option to purchase the Chronograph 42 on either a mesh bracelet or a rubber strap that both sit flush to the case.
| Brand | Breitling |
| Model | SuperOcean Heritage B01 Automatic 42 |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 14.55mm (T) x 49.56mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Blue, sunburst finish (as tested) |
| Strap | Stainless steel “Ocean Classic” mesh bracelet, butterfly folding clasp |
| Movement | B01, manufacture calibre, automatic, COSC-certified |
| Power Reserve | 70 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph, unidirectional timing bezel |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$9,200 |
Breitling SuperOcean Heritage Automatic 36
Lastly, while we have seen 36mm SuperOceans, we have not had 36mm SuperOcean Heritage models. The stainless steel SuperOcean Heritage Automatic 36mm, available in either blue or light green, measures 36mm in diameter, 10.42mm thick, and 42.84mm lug-to-lug, and despite its smaller size it remains equally robust with a 200-metre depth rating that is secured by a screw-down crown and equally accurate with a COSC-certified calibre just like the rest.
It is also paired with the same flush-to-case “Ocean Classic” mesh strap or dial-matching rubber strap. However, the 36 does not use the B31 manufacture-exclusive movement and instead uses the 42-hour automatic Breitling Calibre 10, which is the brand’s adaptation of an ETA 2892-A2.
| Brand | Breitling |
| Model | SuperOcean Heritage Automatic 36 |
| Case Dimensions | 36mm (D) x 10.42mm (T) x 42.84mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Light green, sunburst finish (as tested) |
| Strap | Light green textured rubber strap, steel folding clasp |
| Movement | Breitling calibre 10, ETA 2892-base, automatic, COSC-certified |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, unidirectional timing bezel |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$5,250 |
The verdict
Overall, I think we can agree that all of the refinements, improvements, and new sizing are welcome evolutions. When sports watches are thinner and sit better on the wrist, they feel much more elevated and luxurious. So, on those grounds, I have to give Breitling a tip of the hat; a job well done. With the B31, I appreciate the increased calibre stamina and the new exhibition of the calibre.
My one note, not even a criticism necessarily, is that the B31 does not have a full balance bridge that would presumably better resist against shocks. However, considering Breitling has built its name on robustness, I suspect we don’t really have anything to worry about on that front. The Chronograph at 42mm is a more democratic size, and its dial layout (thanks to the transition to the B01) definitely nets a more balanced visage.
The Breitling SuperOcean Heritage Automatic 36 broadens the demographic of who can enjoy a SuperOcean that much more. Though some will consider the calibre drop off a potential Achilles heel, I suspect the segment will have the advantage of bolder colour exploration, like the currently size-exclusive light green colourway we have here.