BY HARLAN CHAPMAN-GREEN
If you’re reading this from the UK you may have noticed over the last few years that Breilting boutiques have been popping up all over the place, alongside other brands like TAG Heuer and even Bremont. Indeed, most middle-upper shopping malls seem to have a Breitling boutique in them, festooned with new/old aeroplane memorabilia and plenty of shiny watches. Like nearly all boutiques, these retailers are franchises operated by Watches of Switzerland, and they must be doing well, considering it’s rare to see so many single-branded dealerships located outside of cities like London, Edinburgh and Manchester.
Perhaps the popularity I mentioned above is why Breitling is releasing a UK & Ireland-only limited edition version of the Superocean Heritage. I have no idea how long the Superocean Heritage has been around in its current form (Breitling nerds check-in, please), but Breitling has been making diving watches for decades.
The Superocean Heritage is one of the best-looking watches they make currently in my humble opinion. This version sports a monochromatic look with a black ceramic unidirectional diving bezel and an anthracite grey dial. Thankfully, the watch doesn’t use the handset seen on the regular Superocean, I think they’re too clumsy-looking. It also doesn’t share the rounded markers at 3, 6, 9 & 12 O’clock as seen on the Superocean Heritage ’57 watches. Nope, a straight and true Superocean Heritage. I perhaps would’ve liked a little more pizazz, but it’s not an unpleasant-looking watch at all.
The watch features a 42mm x 14.35mm stainless steel case complete with Breitling’s Milanese loop bracelet, a rubber strap is also available. The watch’s water resistance is 200m which is more than enough for scuba diving. Inside the case is Breitling’s B20 movement which began life as Tudor’s MT5612. Alongside the date function, the calibre has a silicone balance spring with its escapement strung from a full bridge for extra durability compared to a balance cock. The movement also has 70 hours of power reserve and a 4Hz beat rate with automatic winding and a COSC chronometer certificate. All of this is covered by a closed caseback with an engraving marking that this is a special edition watch.
Breitling is only making 400 of these watches only and, as I’ve said, they’re only available in the UK and Ireland. Prices start at £4,450 (including VAT) for the rubber strap version and rise to £4,650 (VAT included) for the version on the bracelet.
