Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 Capsule Collection Review
Thursday - 23 April 2020
Exactly a week ago today, Breitling held their first Breitling Summit 2020 Webcast in which we caught glimpse of their newest releases. In the mix was the Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57, a vintage inspired capsule collection taking its design from the brand’s original Superocean launched in 1957. The distinctive concave bezel, large divers hands and vintage Superluminova indexes embody the cool, laid back lifestyle of surfers from the 1950’s and 60’s, instantly giving us an earworm from the likes of the Beach Boys, the Ventures and Jan and Dean.
Breitling has shown up with a truly strong line up for this year, particularly when it comes to their ‘historic’ inspired pieces. The Breitling Top Time has already proved popular as it commemorates a model from the 1960’s while the Breitling Chronomat B01 42 (also announced during the Breitling 2020 Summit) brings back to life one of the most iconic Breitling Chronomats from 1984. The new Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 watches have their own story to tell as a modern retro interpretation of a classic divers instrument. As part of a capsule collection, these watches will be produced for a limited time and in a limited volume, however the watches are not numbered and so not technically classed as ‘limited editions’.
According to Breitling CEO Georges Kern, “The Capsule Collections let us tell some of our brand’s most inspiring stories while we produce some remarkably unique watches for a limited amount of time. With the Superocean Heritage ’57 Capsule Collection, we’ve focused on the relaxed Southern California fun-in-the-sun culture that defined an era. The surfing itself in the 1950s and 1960s is at the heart of our storytelling here, but those times offered so much more: the great music, the amazing cars, and the almost spiritual connection to freedom found on endless sandy beaches and in the search for the perfect wave.”
One of the most distinctive design features of the Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 watch is its bidirectional concave bezel. It’s bowl-shaped oversized profile, which echoes the similarly shaped sapphire crystal glass, instantly recalls the late 1950’s model. It’s design also proves once again how well Breitling is able to effortlessly combine vintage styling with modern mechanics and materials. The bezel remains true to its historic form but is engineered from high-tech ceramic renowned for its robustness and scratch resistance.
Each watch in the new Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 Capsule collection measures to 42mm in size and boasts a case engineered from polished stainless steel. Housed within is the Breitling Calibre 10 movement, which based on the Sellita SW 300-1, provides a power reserve of 42 hours and central hands for hours, minutes and seconds. As always, the movement is COSC certified to be accurate to -4 seconds to +6 seconds per day. Unfortunately, we don’t get to see the automatic movement through the case back but instead we are greeted to a unique Superocean Heritage 57 decoration.
The Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 is available in two dial options. The first is a classic black dial available on a black leather strap with a pin or deployment buckle or a mesh steel bracelet. The second is a blue dial presented on a brown leather strap with a pin or deployment buckle or a mesh steel bracelet. You can also find a stunning two-toned model featuring the concave bi-directional bezel in 18 carat rose gold with a black ceramic ring. This version comes with a black dial with a golden-brown leather strap or a mesh stainless steel bracelet and butterfly clasp.
As part of the Capsule collection, Breitling have also announced Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 Limited Edition of 250 pieces. It’s case, bezel, movement, and functionality follow in the same footsteps as the rest of the collection but instead its dramatic dial makes a world of difference. Designed to be an embodiment of pure Bohemian chic, the colourful dial is decorated with hour markers and hands coated with rainbow Superluminova of yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, red, and orange. The bright colouring makes the dial super easy to read in all light conditions while also becoming the ultimate conversation piece. The Breitling Superocean Heritage’57 Limited Edition has also been designed to pair up with the brand’s vibrant range of Outerknown ECONYL yarn NATO straps available to purchase separately in one of six colour combinations.
Breitling CEO Georges Kern comments: “We designed the Superocean Heritage ’57 Limited Edition as a watch for people who want something a little out of the ordinary – for people who want both a great watch and a little festival of colour on their wrists.”
Whether you’re into the classic Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 or you intend to stand out from the crown with the limited edition, we have the entire Capsule collection available to order on the Jura Watches website. Get in touch with our team of luxury watch specialists today on 01335 453453 or at help@jurawatches.co.uk for more information on these incredible Breitling 2020 watch releases.
Specifications: Breitling Superocean Heritage 57’ Watches
- Case Size: 42mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Glass: Cambered sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Bezel: Concave, bi-directional, ceramic with 18 carat rose gold option
- Case Back: Screw in
- Crown: Non-screw locked
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Breitling 10 automatic winding
- COSC: Yes
- Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Jewels: 25
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Black or blue
- Hands and Indexes: Superluminova with limited edition in Rainbow lume
- Strap: Leather or mesh style bracelet
- RRP: £3,400 - £4,500
- Limited Edition: Rainbow dial only, 250 pieces
