New Grey Tones for the Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 Auto 42 Watches

The new Breitling dive watches from the Superocean Heritage collection keep the vintage charm of this popular sub-series alive with a new grey dial colour and a Milanese bracelet option.

When Breitling becomes a topic of conversation, our minds instantly jump to the brand’s superior chronographs and cockpit tools. Is it any wonder, when models like the Chronomat and Navitimer became such icons, shaping the industry in such a prominent and influential way? But what we often don’t give Breitling enough credit for is its success in maritime sports and the diving sector. During the 1940s and 1950s, a surge in demand for tools to assist with underwater pursuits and scuba diving led Breitling to produce a time-only diver, as well as a chronograph version.  Each model targeted a different type of consumer – one was geared towards the relaxed beach-goer and the other the seasoned diver. Both were equipped with 200-meter water-resistant capability, though. The Breitling Superocean was one of the most capable dive tools on the market at the time. It even featured oversized triangular hour markers and a rotating bezel – both of which gave the Superocean its distinctive design.

Despite its compact and highly functional design, by the time the 1960s came along, Breitling was already evolving the Superocean watch with the “Slow Motion” model. This time, more focus was put on the model’s reading capability and featured a minute recorder that made one revolution around the dial per hour, replacing the chronograph seconds hand. Because the hand was moving much slower than what a second hand would do, it wasn’t always possible to see if the function was activated or not. To overcome this, Breitling came up with an indicator at 6 o’clock. When the minute timer was engaged, the indicator would show yellow. When not activated, it would appear black. The model was well received amongst divers in 1964, despite being a much larger 43mm in size.

Other advancements to the Superocean watch came when Breitling equipped its ref. 2105 with the emblematic Chrono-Matic calibre 11 – one of the world’s first automatic chronograph movements. It was named the Chrono-Matic Superocean and boasted a bold, bright and experimental design. Following that came the Superocean Deep Sea, capable of reaching underwater depths of 1000 meters in 1983. Its capability was made possible thanks to a helium escape valve.

Today, the Breitling Superocean collection offers many colour combinations and continues to tell the remarkable story of the brand’s famous diving watch with new releases like the Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 Auto 42 watches. The latest models remain faithful to the vintage-esque design associated with the Heritage sub-line – a series dedicated to paying tribute to the brand’s earlier scuba dive watches. They achieve the retro style of the Heritage with minimal markings on the bezel and a crown built with accompanying crown guards. Large sword hands and a Milanese bracelet are other defining features of models from this collection.

The New Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 Auto 42 Watches

The first thing to note about the new Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 Auto 42 watch is that it’s a UK exclusive, meaning that genuine stockists of Breitling watches like us here at Jura Watches are among those to be able to offer this new eye-catching addition. Just 200 pieces have been made available on the rubber band, while another 200 pieces are available with the more vintage-inspired Milanese bracelet. Either way, both models balance functionality with a sleek new grey colour showcased in the dial, complete with baton markers that have been given a generous dose of Super-LumiNova to enhance readability. The same goes for the hands, both of which are perfectly carved, with the minute hand, almost cathedral in shape, tapering to a fine point and the hour hand executed with the recognisable arrow-shaped profile. The 6 o’clock location holds a date window, dressed against a white background to enable it to stand out, while on the opposite end of the dial, the 12 o’clock location holds the famous Breitling logo and name, etched in golden yellow and white.

Surrounding the dial is a polished black ceramic inlay on the bezel, which enables the markers of the 60-minute track to stand out. The bezel is unidirectionally rotating, which means you can never accidentally extend dive time whilst you’re in the water. This safety feature proves invaluable to divers when used in conjunction with modern dive computers and serves as an essential backup tool. The case of the new Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 Auto 42 watch is crafted from robust stainless steel and is integrated with a water-resistant capability of 200 meters. The caseback is screwed in, as is the crown, complete with two gaskets and engraved with the famous Breitling B logo, helping to uphold the watch’s water resistance.

With a 42mm diameter, the new Superocean Heritage watches by Breitling are certainly going to garner some attention, especially those fitted with the steel bracelet. The Milanese bracelet has always been a popular option for those with a soft spot for retro dive watches. In this design, the steel bracelet secures with a Breitling-engraved folding clasp, while the black rubber band gives you a little more flexibility to enjoy wearing the watch to less formal occasions and at the weekend with sports attire.

Inside the robust steel case of the new Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 watch is, as its name would suggest, the B20 automatic calibre. This is a movement based on the TUDOR Calibre MT5612 and beats at a rhythm of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It also promises a power reserve of 70 hours and comprises 26 jewels for a smooth performance.

If you’d like more information on the new Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 Auto 42 watches, call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team on 01335 453453 or email us on help@jurawatches.co.uk.