Breitling is laying it on thick and heavy with their heritage inspirations this year, first with their Top Time re-issue, then with the whole Chronomat collection. Now they’re entering more colourful waters with a surfing-inspired take on their Superocean in the ’57 Heritage capsule collection.
A more charming, retro take on the classic Superocean format, the limited production (rather than limited edition) trio of watches are defined by their big, concave, bi-directional bezel and the odd indexes as 12, 3, 6 and 9 that combine a lume-filled circle with a pointed index.
The trio of pieces comes in steel and black, steel and blue or two-tone (steel and rose gold) and black. It’s a minimal, digestible collection that nicely suits the laid-back, sporty lifestyle Breitling are emulating. Sure, I can’t really imagine many of the surfer dudes on the 50s and 60s going for one, but then they were probably late for everything anyway. But then there’s the limited edition version.
This is by far the standout of the ’57 Heritage collection and it’s not hard to appreciate why. While most retro watches keep to the usual steel and solid blacks and blues of waterside sports watches, the limited edition embraces the funky side of sports watches with more than a flash of colour.
The black dial is just a backdrop for the rainbow of coloured indexes that works from yellow at 12 o’clock to indigo at 6 then back again. It’s less ostentatious than a rainbow bezel and a lot more fun, turning an otherwise nice but standard heritage piece into something entirely different, one actually in line with the stated surfing inspirations of the collection.
It goes even further too, as the ’57 Heritage limited edition is available on one of Breitling’s collaborative Outerknown straps made from recycled materials. There are plenty of choices, but the orange has to be the one.
All four pieces in the collection are housed in 42mm cases, larger than most vintage-inspired pieces but perfect for a casual sports watch. They’re powered by the COSC-certified Breitling 10 calibre automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve. These pieces aren’t numbered but will only be produced for a limited time; except, of course, for the colourful star of the show, which is limited to 250 pieces.
Price & Specs:
Brand: Breitling
Model Name: Superocean Heritage ’57
Ref: A10370121B1A1 (Steel – Black)
A10370161C1X1 (Steel – Blue)
U10370121B1X1 (Steel & 18k red gold – Black)
A103701A1B1A1 (Superocean Heritage ’57 Limited Edition Steel – Black)
Case/Dial: 42mm diameter x 9.99mm height, stainless steel
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Breitling Caliber 10, self-winding mechanical, COSC-certified
Functions: Hour, minute, second
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 42h
Strap: Leather with pin or folding buckle or integrated Ocean Classic stainless-steel bracelet with butterfly clasp, NATO for the rainbow-coloured limited edition
Price: £3,400 – £4,150, the Superocean Heritage ’57 Limited Edition is limited to 250 pieces
Pre-order now at Breitling’s website.
