In the 1950s, developments in technology saw a boom in deep-sea diving and scientific exploration of the seas, with these intrepid explorers requiring a timepiece that could help them safely navigate these treacherous depths. This coincided with a rise in popularity of aquatic sports, as the general public took the waters in droves to enjoy their leisure time.

In 1957, Breitling would launch two ground-breaking watches that would meet both these needs; a stylish and functional time-only watch, and a chronograph, targeted at the more serious diver. Both named the Superocean, they were water resistant to an impressive 200m and designed for optimal performance underwater. In the decades since, the Superocean has undergone many different enhancements and iterations, and today remains one of the most enduring watch designs in horological history.

This year, Breitling is revisiting these very first models for the Superocean Heritage ’57 Capsule Collection, harking back to the laid-back Californian surfing culture of the era. The retro pieces come in two dial options, black and blue, presented on a choice of stainless-steel bracelet or vintage-looking leather strap. And just like the original Superocean, these new watches also deliver on performance, incorporating essential diving watch details such as a bidirectional rotating bezel, constructed from ultra-hard ceramic and featuring a luminescent dot at 12 o’clock, allowing the user to easily track the time underwater. Further bolstering its reliability is the precise COSC-certified Breitling Calibre 10, offering a power reserve of around 42 hours.

Launched alongside the capsule collection is the Superocean Heritage ’57 Limited Edition, which makes an even bolder style statement with its daring dial featuring hour markers in rainbow-hued Super-Luminova. To dial up the colour further, pair with Breitling’s Econyl yarn Nato straps, made from sustainable fabric, which come available in a selection of bright and playful options.

breitling.com