Breitling’s Superocean Heritage Returns with a Bold Hawaiian Refresh and Movement Updates
Just in time for surf season, Breitling introduces its first update to the Superocean Heritage line since 2017—a bold refresh that sharpens the silhouette, upgrades the movement, and deepens its ties to surf culture. In a nod to its evolving identity, the brand now refers to this sleek new release as a "sea watch" rather than a traditional "diver's watch," signaling a broader, more lifestyle-oriented approach to ocean exploration. Well, with a water-resistance rating of 200 meters, unidirectional bezels, and luminescent dials, the new line up certainly ticks the box for both. From the precision of its manufacture movements to the laid-back elegance of its design language, the collection is as comfortable under the waves as it is on the boardwalk.
Completing the summer-ready ensemble is a new capsule collection of sunglasses co-designed with British eyewear house Cutler and Gross. Drawing visual cues from the Superocean Heritage timepieces–such as arrow-shaped temple tips and Milanese-style engraving–the eyewear fuses technical sophistication with vintage charm. Available in four styles and multiple lens options, each of the 500-frame editions includes Zeiss LightPro technology and a red-gold metalwork.
A classic revisited
But now, back to the world of watches. The 1950s were a defining decade for diver’s watches, driven by the rise of recreational scuba diving and military needs. This era saw the debut of iconic models like the Rolex Submariner and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms—both introduced in 1953—which set the standard for water resistance, rotating bezels, and luminous dials.
Breitling joined the scene in 1957, with the time-only Ref. 1004 and the pioneering dive chronograph Ref. 807, both water-resistant to 200 meters. The design was distinguished by a spear-and-arrow handset, minimalist dial, and tapered bezel which was later revived Superocean Heritage collection that combines vintage design cues with modern craftsmanship.
Today, that ethos carries forward in a new generation of Superocean Heritage watches, now sleeker and more technically refined. “The Superocean Heritage is our most elegant sea watch, and this update is all about refinement,” says Georges Kern, Breitling CEO. “Every detail has been perfected, but the spirit stays the same. It’s about style at sea.”
Like the previous line-up and the original from 1957, the new Superocean Heritage collection comprises of a chronograph and three-hand models. The latter are available in various case sizes: 44mm and 42mm as well as the new 40mm and 36mm versions. The Superocean Heritage Automatic 36 includes a light green dial as a less subdued colorway. Otherwise, the collection’s color palette has been refined to a sleek trio of black, dark blue, and dark green, complemented by a matching ceramic-inlaid bezel that offers enhanced scratch resistance. Not to be missed are the distinct hands–an arrow for hours, a spear for minutes–and pointed indexes that were hallmarks of the first Superocean.
The updated design also features slimmer, more integrated mesh-metal bracelets and mesh-style rubber straps—both equipped with folding clasps to ensure a secure, watertight fit against the case and bicolor styles with an 18k red gold bezel.
A new manufacture movement for the Automatic variants
At the mechanical core of the refresh is the introduction of the B31 manufacture movement, Breitling’s first three-hand automatic caliber produced entirely in-house. This self-winding caliber, paced at 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz, with a power reserve of 78 hours premiered in the Top Time B31 in April 2025. It powers the 40mm, 42mm, and 44mm executions. Here too, the Superocean Heritage Automatic 36 takes a distinctive approach, powered by Breitling's Caliber 10 movement, which is based on the reliable ETA platform. However, like all Breitling movements it is COSC-certified.
Superocean Heritage Chronograph 42
The technical flagship remains the Superocean Heritage Chronograph, which now dives in with a case reduced by two millimeters to a more compact 42 millimeters. Interestingly, the dial now features a two-counter layout and omits the weekday and date display formerly positioned at 3 o'clock. Instead, the date is now positioned at 6 o’clock.
Inside, it still houses the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, a workhorse automatic chronograph movement featuring a column wheel, vertical clutch, and a power reserve of 72 hours. Breitling first introduced this movement in 2009.
Kelly Slater Limited Edition
Anchoring the launch is a limited edition created in collaboration with surfing icon Kelly Slater. The Superocean Heritage B31 Automatic 40 Kelly Slater is a tribute to the 11-time world champion as he transitions out of professional competition. It’s also a personal homage to Hawaii, Slater’s adopted home and a place deeply intertwined with his journey.
The watch features a blue dial embossed with a subtle tropical foliage pattern–evoking the dappled light of a Hawaiian canopy–and comes on a choice of stainless-steel mesh or blue rubber strap. The exhibition case back reveals the B31 caliber, framed by an engraved ring that reads “One of 500” and “Kelly Slater Limited Edition.” The presentation box, adorned with Hawaiian motifs, includes a signed message from Slater.
