Yesterday, as part of the brand’s first digital webcast, Breitling CEO Georges Kern presented three new collections to retailers, consumers, press, and anyone who wanted to watch.
You can still watch the 18-minute film-quality production right here on Breitling’s website.
Of the three new model lines, the most unusual is the Superocean Heritage ’57 Capsule collection. Based on Breitling’s 1957 Superocean diving watch, the modern retro timepiece is available in a 42 mm x 9.99 mm stainless steel case or two-tone stainless steel with an 18K gold bezel and hands.
The Superocean Heritage Automatic 42 1957 Editions are available with a black or a blue dial, and there’s also a 250-piece limited boutique edition with a black dial punctuated by funkadelic rainbow-colored markers and hands.
Most notably, there’s a bidirectional concave stainless steel bezel with a black or blue ceramic bezel insert. Stylistically, watch bezels usually are not concave, but that’s presumably part of the throwback’s appeal.
The original design did have a similar bezel and aesthetic, and the purpose appears to have been to offer something accessibly-priced and fun, as opposed to a serious dive watch. To that end, the water-resistance rating is 100 meters, the bezel rotates bidirectionally, the does not have numeric markings (although there are count up markings on the dial that coordinate with the bezel), and the crown is of the push-in variety (with dual gaskets). None of these elements preclude the watch from being a dive watch, per se, but this watch is more about the water living than diving.
Breitling makes the intent of the watch clear with this statement “Each watch in the collection is a modern retro interpretation of a classic sea watch that embodies the laid-back lifestyle associated with surfers and Beachcomber.”
In addition to the bezel, the dial features distinctive, prominent hour markers and hands. A domed sapphire crystal protects the dial. The hours, minutes, and central seconds are powered by an outsourced 4Hz automatic Swiss caliber with 42-hours of power reserve and a COSC chronometer certification.
A steel mesh bracelet or a variety of straps are available and the retail price starts at $4,380 on a vintage leather strap. The Superocean Heritage Automatic 42 Boutique “Rainbow” Limited Edition starts at $4,520 on a strap and is marked One of 250 as opposed to being individually numbered. Learn more or pre-order at Breitling.
