BASELWORLD 2018 REVISITED

Expanding the Ocean: Breitling Superocean Héritage II Adds Chronographs, New Cases


Released in 2017 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Breitling‘s first Superocean dive watch, the Breitling Superocean Héritage II has become, according to new CEO Georges Kern, one of the top-selling stars in the company’s largely aviation-inspired lineup. Thus it should come as no surprise that among Breitling’s Baselworld 2018 offerings were a host of new Superocean Héritage II models in new 44-mm cases. Here we take a closer look at the new three-hand automatic and two new automatic chronograph series debuting this year.

Breitling Superocean Heritage II B01 Chronograph 44 - blue dial - reclining
Breitling Superocean Héritage II B01 Chronograph 44 with blue dial and Ocean Classic bracelet (Ref. AB0162161C1A1)

First up, the model that Breitling calls the “flagship” of the Superocean Héritage II collection, the Superocean Héritage II B01 Chronograph 44, which is powered by the Breitling in-house Caliber B01, a COSC chronometer-certified chronograph movement with a 70-hour power reserve. Three versions are available, all in stainless steel cases, one with a black dial and a black “Aero Classic” rubber strap (which calls to mind a Milanese-style bracelet); another with a blue dial and an Ocean Classic steel bracelet (which is essentially a type of Milanese bracelet); and a “Panda” dial, silver with black subdials, also on a rubber Aero Classic strap. As per Kern’s new design edict for Breitling chronographs, the dial has a tricompax arrangement with subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, and a date window at 4:30, and the movement is visible through a sapphire caseback.

Breitling Superocean Heritage II B01 Chronograph 44 - black dial
Breitling Superocean Héritage II B01 Chronograph 44 with black dial on Aero Classic strap (Ref. AB0162121B1S1)

 

Breitling Superocean Heritage II B01 Chronograph 44 - silver dial
Breitling Superocean Héritage II B01 Chronograph 44 with silver dial (Ref. AB0162121G1S1)

In subtle contrast to the B01 models, the Superocean Héritage II Chronograph 44 feature a 12-9-6 subdial configuration and a 3 o’clock date window. These contain the self-winding Breitling Caliber 13, built on an outsourced ETA 7750 base movement and hence, again as per the new design policy, ensconced behind a solid steel caseback rather than on display through a clear window. Caliber 13 is no slouch in the reliability and robustness areas either, however, with a COSC chronometer certification, an integrated chronograph function, and a 42-hour power reserve. Two stainless-steel-cased versions of this chronograph are available — one with a black dial and steel bracelet, the other with a blue dial and a rubber strap — along with one two-tone steel-and-rose gold model, with a black dial and bracelet.

Breitling Superocean Heritage II Chronograph 44 - black dial
Breitling Superocean Héritage II Chronograph 44 with black dial and Ocean Classic bracelet (Ref. A13313121B1A1)
Breitling Superocean Heritage II Chronograph 44 - black dial - steel-gold
Breitling Superocean Héritage II Chronograph 44 with black dial in steel and 18k rose gold (Ref. U13313121B1A1)
Breitling Superocean Heritage II Chronograph 44 - blue dial
Breitling Superocean Héritage II Chronograph 44 with blue dial and blue Aero Classic strap (Ref. A13313161C1S1)

Finally, for those seeking a simpler, classical dive-watch look, Breitling is offering the Superocean Héritage II B20 Automatic 44, a three-handed timekeeper with a date window at 6 o’clock. Here also available in two stainless steel references and one in steel-and-gold, the watches are powered by Breitling’s Caliber B20, which is based on the Tudor Caliber MT5612 (itself based on the Breitling B01; yes, I know it’s a bit confusing), which it developed in partnership with the Rolex-owned Tudor brand. This automatic, COSC certified movement offers a 70-hour power reserve and ticks away under a solid steel caseback. The all-steel models have either a black dial with rubber strap or blue dial with steel bracelet, while the two-tone model pairs the black dial with the bracelet. Breitling also revealed that the latter model will also be offered in a 42-mm case size.

Breitling Superocean Heritage II B20 Automatic 44 - black dial
Breitling Superocean Héritage II B20 Automatic 44 with black dial and Aero Classic strap (Ref. AB2030121B1S1)
Breitling Superocean Heritage II B20 Automatic 44 - blue dial
Breitling Superocean Héritage II B20 Automatic 44 with blue dial and Ocean Classic bracelet (Ref. AB2030161C1A1)
Breitling Superocean Heritage II B20 Automatic 44 - steel-gold
Breitling Superocean Héritage II B20 Automatic 44 in steel-and-gold (Ref. UB2030121B1S1)

For those fans of the Superocean Héritage to whom the existing 42-mm models are too small and the 46-mm versions too large, these new timepieces may just hit the sweet spot. Like their predecessors, they feature screw-locked crowns ensuring a water-resistance up to 200 meters; Super-LumiNova on the distinctively shaped hands; and a ceramic bezel ring in the smoothly rotating, 120-toothed unidirectional diving bezel. Prices are as follows: $7,665 to $7,990 for the B01 chronographs; $5,915 to $6,240 for the Caliber 13 chronographs in steel, $7,620 in steel and gold; $4,560 to $4,885 for the B20 Automatics in steel, and $5,935 for the B20 Automatic in steel and gold.

 

Save

No Responses to “Expanding the Ocean: Breitling Superocean Héritage II Adds Chronographs, New Cases”

Show all responses
  1. Joseph Braccia

    The Super Ocean IS a classic. What Breitling has done is create a great dive watch that also works as a dress watch. The lineup needs to grow in a smart way (and for the most part, Kern is doing that), keeping its history in mind, while trimming some other models.

    Reply
  2. Randy Rogers

    George Kern, will take the Brand to new heights, a freethinker from his days at TAG-Heuer, not a prisoner of Group-think he escaped Richemont after building IWC to a King-Brand. The Superocean Heritage II expands the reach in a Classic design, tailored and functional and unlike so many who miss the little things, components are part of the identity of a Brand, and creating the synergy where the Rubber Strap matches the Milanese Mesh Bracelet in pattern identifies the Brand and Collection and keeps continuity of design. Well executed from beginning to end.

    Reply
  3. Luke Fellows

    Whilst this is a great article, I’ve had enough of this from Breitling. Clinging on to some idea that the the Súper Ocean is a classic is wearing a bit thin. Don’t piss in my pocket and tell me it is raining. Focus on the Navitimer and the avenger

    Reply
    • A J Hughes

      I respect everyone’s opinions and, even more, their right to have and to publish them. However, the previous comment seemed to be very crass and narrow minded. I proudly own and wear my blue SuperOcean in tribute to my deceased Grandfather who was so enamored with his original version. I respectfully suggest that this forum is more appropriate for respect than for vulgarity.

      Reply
Leave a Reply to Joseph Braccia

Click here to cancel reply.