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Breitling unveils the updated Superocean Heritage

Breitling’s stylish sea watch gets a sun-soaked refresh—its first since 2017—with refined new proportions, ocean-ready elegance, and a salute to Hawaiian surf culture.

The Superocean Heritage is back—sharper, sleeker, and ready for a season of sun and surf. Breitling’s most elegant sea watch has been refined in all the right ways, balancing vintage style with breezy modern sophistication. Every detail has been fine-tuned, from the size assortment to the addition of the new B31 manufacture movement. With this refreshed design, Breitling is also rolling out a limited edition co-designed by surfing G.O.A.T. Kelly Slater and a sunglasses collaboration with Cutler and Gross, all of it made to move effortlessly between the waves and the waterfront.

The Superocean Heritage is no ordinary sea watch—it never was. When Breitling first launched it in 1957, it took a different tack from other dive watches of the era. The Ref. 1004 (a sleek time-only piece) and Ref. 807 (the world’s first dedicated dive chronograph) weren’t just about exploring the underwater world—they were about looking good doing it. The spear-and-arrow hands, anodized rotating bezel, and naturally sleek proportions made it a favourite of stylish adventurers who lived for the sea and the scene. Today, that philosophy is still at the core of the Superocean Heritage. It has the soul of the 1950s, but it’s designed for today.

Breitling CEO Georges Kern sums it up: “The Superocean Heritage is our most elegant sea watch, and this update is all about refinement. Every detail has been perfected—but the spirit stays the same. It’s about style at sea.”

This refresh takes everything that made the Superocean Heritage distinctive and makes it even sharper. The collection includes a 42 mm chronograph, powered by the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, the brand’s industry-leading timekeeping movement. The automatic models, in 44 mm, 42 mm, and 40 mm introduce the B31 movement, Breitling’s first exclusive three-hand manufacture caliber, newly launched in March. A further 36 mm houses the Caliber 10 automatic movement.

The collection’s color palette has been streamlined to a core of black, blue, and green, paired with a matching ceramic-inlayed bezel for next-level scratch resistance that will keep the watch looking new long into the future. Thinner, more integrated mesh-metal and mesh-rubber bracelets ensure a watertight fit against the case, complete with folding clasps for a seamless finish.

Other refinements enhance symmetry and proportion. Tone-on-tone subdials and a subtle date aperture at six o’clock create a balanced composition, while distinct hands—an arrow for hours, a spear for minutes—and pointed indexes maintain the at-a-glance readability that made the mid-century original essential for divers.

Select models introduce responsibly sourced 18k red-gold to the outer bezels, adding luster while preserving the collection’s sleek aesthetic. The versatile lineup also includes new 36 and 40 mm sizes, designed for those who prefer a trimmer diameter suited to a wide variety of wrists.

The launch campaign brings the spirit of the new Superocean Heritage to life in full color—drawing on the sights, sounds, and surf culture of Hawaii. With its modern-retro flair, it channels the lush foliage, saturated tones, and sunlit energy that define the Aloha State.

Kelly Slater Limited Edition: A tribute to surfing’s G.O.A.T.

For Kelly Slater, Hawaii used to be the dream. Now it’s home. With 11 world titles, 56 event wins, and three decades spent redefining the sport, Kelly Slater has gone beyond being a champion—he’s a force of nature. As he steps away from professional competition, Breitling is celebrating his extraordinary career with the Superocean Heritage B31 Automatic 40 Kelly Slater, a limited-edition watch infused with the Hawaiian surf culture that shaped him.

“From as early as I can remember, I dreamt of travelling to and living in Hawaii,” says Slater. “It was this far-off land of amazing waves, perfect weather, and the ultimate surfing lifestyle. After living here, I realized it’s much bigger than that. The people, the community, the nature, all so intertwined. The respect Hawaiians have for their land, people, and culture runs deep. It makes Hawaii even more special than what I dreamt of when I was a kid. And now I call it home.”

The dial features a foliage pattern, inspired by the light and shadows of a tropical canopy. The caseback is open, revealing the B31 movement, and its outer ring is engraved with “One of 500” and “Kelly Slater Limited Edition.” Available on a blue rubber mesh strap or stainless-steel mesh bracelet, the watch comes in a special presentation box, featuring the same Hawaiian floral motif, and includes a personal note from Slater himself.

“Breitling has been with me for years,” says Slater. “This watch reflects everything I love—the ocean, nature, and the easygoing style I’ve always connected with.”

Breitling Eyewear by Cutler and Gross

No summer look is complete without the perfect sunglasses, and Breitling has teamed up with Cutler and Gross, the independent British eyewear authority, to create a sunglass collection dedicated to the Superocean Heritage. The exclusive capsule—Breitling Eyewear by Cutler and Gross—incorporates the most striking features of the timepieces into their design.

The luminous lacquer-filled temple tips mirror the watch’s arrow hour hand, while the Milanese-engraved core wire and rivets echo the mesh bracelet. Breitling’s signature “Script B” appears on the hinge, with lenses in smoky shades of grey, blue, grey-pink, and green. Wearers can choose among four handcrafted styles, including clean-lined metal frames, sculpted eco-conscious cellulose acetate, and a sophisticated combination of both. Each model is also available in an edition featuring high-performance ZEISS LightPro® Technology and 18k red-gold-plated metalwork—a play on the red-gold hardware found on select models in the new Superocean Heritage assortment. The four styles are limited to an exclusive production of 500 frames each.

“This collaboration is about blending heritage with modern craftsmanship,” says Cutler and Gross CEO Jack Dooley. “The result is a collection that feels timeless and fresh at the same time.”

Breitling CEO Georges Kern adds, “The Superocean Heritage now has the ideal companion—sleek Cutler and Gross sunglasses to match.”

The eyewear collection will be available from June exclusively at select Breitling Boutiques and through Breitling.com online channels in Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and USA. From August, find them at Cutler and Gross Flagship locations and cutlerandgross.com, alongside global wholesale stockists.

A classic, honed for today

The Superocean Heritage refresh is a tribute to laid-back elegance, coastal cool, and the rhythm of the waves. It’s built for days that start with the sunrise and end with salt on your skin.

Extending that beach-bound spirit beyond the wrist, Breitling has teamed up with Havaianas—the beloved Brazilian footwear brand and creator of the modern flip-flop—on a set of special-edition sandals. Featuring a Hawaiian floral design and packaged in a custom gift bag, these seaside essentials put laid-back summer style in every step. They’re available at Breitling Equipment, dedicated spaces inside Breitling boutiques offering books, apparel, and accessories, with 17 locations worldwide.

“With its refined new proportions, the introduction of the B31 movement, and these exciting collaborations, the Superocean Heritage remains one of the most stylish watches in—and out of—the water,” says Kern.

Sun’s out. Surf’s up. Time to dive in.

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