Following the Navitimer 1 Airline Editions and the Aviator 8 Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Breitling has now introduced its next limited-production capsule collection, the Superocean Heritage ’57. Modelled on the brand’s first dive watch, the SuperOcean ref. 1004, the new range also includes a lively rainbow limited edition with multi-coloured hour markers.

As scuba diving and other aquatic sports became popular in the early 1950s, dive watches being a thing, with the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, Rolex Submariner and Omega Seamaster 300 all making their debut that decade. Breitling’s entry into the dive watch stakes as the SuperOcean.

While the watch is now less known than its contemporaries, the SuperOcean had a strikingly bold and unusual design despite being some six decades old.

It was characterised by a wide bezel with a concave surface intended to protect the domed acrylic crystal, and a dial featuring dagger-shaped indices with additional oversized spheres at the quarters. The quirky, retro style has been reintroduced in full with the Superocean Heritage ’57.

Superocean Heritage ’57 Capsule Collection

The capsule collection consists of three iterations: in stainless steel with a blue or black dial, and a steel case with a rose-gold bezel paired with a black dial. All are powered by the COSC-certified Breitling Caliber 10, which is an ETA 2892-A2.

Entirely polished, the case measures 42 mm wide and 9.99 mm high, making it 4 mm thinner than the standard Superocean Heritage 42. And the case is shaped differently, with the lugs in particular being faceted and narrower.

Unusually, the Superocean Heritage ’57 is depth rated to 100 m, instead of 200 m as the original was – which is inconsequential and perfectly sufficient for recreational diving.

Naturally, one of the most outstanding features is the wide, concave bezel that rotates bi-directionally just like the original. But it now has a scratch-resistant ceramic insert with a luminous marker at 12 o’clock.

The dial also hews close to the original with some streamlining. For one, the markers are shorter with flat tips, while the quarter markers are flat rather than faceted. But as with the vintage SuperOcean, the quarter-hour markers are combined with large discs, a key part of the design’s distinctive and quirky character.

Superocean Heritage ’57 Limited Edition

More striking than the watches in the capsule collection is the psychedelic, boutique-exclusive Superocean Heritage ’57 with a striking rainbow-marker dial. The case and bezel are identical to the standard model, but the dial has hour markers and hands filled with Super-Luminova in a graduation of colours, going from yellow to purple.

Aside from the usual strap or bracelet options, the Superocean limited edition is also available with a matching NATO-style strap made from Econyl, a material made from recycled fishing nets and waste nylon by surfing apparel label Outerknown. The Econyl strap can be purchased separately, and is offered six different colour combinations to match the colours on the dial.

The Superocean limited edition on an Outerknown Econyl strap

Key facts and price

Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 Capsule Collection
Ref. A10370121B1A1 (steel with black dial) and others

Diameter: 42 mm
Height: 9.99 mm
Material: Steel
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: Caliber 10
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds; elapsed time
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 48 hours

Strap: Leather strap or steel bracelet

Availability: To be updated
Price: From US$4,380 in steel on strap, to US$5,225 in steel-and-gold on strap

Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 Limited Edition
Ref. A103701A1B1A (strap with pin buckle)

Diameter: 42 mm
Height: 9.99 mm
Material: Steel
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: Caliber 10
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds; elapsed time
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 48 hours

Strap: Leather strap or steel bracelet

Limited edition: 250 pieces
Availability: To be updated
Price: US$4,520 on strap with pin buckle, US$5,025 on bracelet

For more, visit Breitling.com.