Breitling’s First Major Superocean Heritage Update In 8 Years Finally Gets The Sizing Right

There’s something uniquely frustrating about falling for a watch that isn’t the right size for your wrist. For the better part of two decades, the Superocean Heritage has been that watch for a lot of people. It’s gorgeous from across the room, impeccably finished up close, but simply oversized when it came time to actually wear the thing.

The first in eight years, Breitling’s 2025 refresh finally fixes that problem, and it’s about time. The Swiss brand has taken their most elegant dive watch and made it work for people who don’t have massive wrists, all while sharpening the design in ways that make the entire collection feel more cohesive as a whole.

A Heritage Worth Honoring

Unlike Breitling’s aviation-focused models, the Superocean Heritage draws from the company’s 1957 dive watch legacy, launched at a time when Breitling wasn’t just trying to keep up with Rolex’s Submariner but was actively pushing the boundaries of what a diver could be. The original Superocean offered 200m of water resistance when the Sub was still at 100, and it did so with a distinctly elegant approach that balanced both form and function.

That philosophy remains intact today, but now after decades of learning what works and what doesn’t. The new collection (featuring the B01 Chronograph 42, the Automatic 36, the B31 Automatic 40, 42, and 44, and a B31 Automatic 40 Kelly Slater Edition) maintains those signature design cues like the the minimalist ceramic bezel and the distinctive arrow-and-spear hands, the elegant proportions while addressing the practical concerns that have kept this watch from reaching its full potential.

Size Matters (And Movement Innovation)

Previously only available from 42mm to 46mm, the most significant change is the introduction of 40mm and 36mm case sizes, finally giving this collection the versatility it deserved. The 40mm variant, in particular, strikes that perfect sweet spot as an everyday desk diver. At 11.73mm thick (down from 14.35mm at its smallest) with a 48.2mm lug-to-lug measurement (51.8mm before), it’s now wearable for a broader range of wrists.

This downsizing was made possible by Breitling’s new B31 automatic movement, their first exclusive three-hand manufacture caliber. Delivering a substantial 78-hour power reserve while maintaining COSC chronometer certification, the movement now comes in a package thin enough to allow for these more wearable case proportions. The movement itself is beautifully finished, visible through the new sapphire display caseback.

On the lower end, the 36mm models use Breitling’s Caliber 10 (essentially a modified Sellita SW300), which might not be crafted in-house but still delivers chronometer performance with a respectable 42-hour power reserve. If anything, it keeps costs reasonable while maintaining quality standards.

Refined Design Language

Instead of trying to go all out in the aesthetics department, Breitling has kept the cosmetic changes minimal. The dial updates are particularly well-executed with sunburst finishes that add depth and the new triangular applied indices that add a bit to the watch’s legibility. These are available in blue, green, or black for the 42mm, 44mm, and Chronograph models, or just green and black for the 40mm. The 36mm comes in blue or light green.

Borrowed from the original 1957 Superocean, the watches now feature a “skewered circle” marker at 12 o’clock that brings idiosyncratic appeal to the dial. The hands have been reshaped with broader silhouettes and now a lumed dot on the second hand, addressing one of the long-standing complaints about legibility in low-light conditions.

While 46mm was the largest Superocean Heritage before, the new top dog is a 44mm model, maxing out at a nice 12.17mm thickness and 52.17mm lug-to-lug. The navy blue version of this model also gets an option with an 18k red gold bezel and crown with matching indices and hands for an extra luxurious look.

Material Improvements

The move from aluminum to ceramic bezel inserts across the entire collection is a welcome upgrade that ups the durability and cleans up the aesthetic just a bit, matching the dial colors for a cohesive look. Lastly, the straps have been updated as well, with new mesh-like textured rubber straps and a redesigned mesh bracelet featuring integrated end links.

The Kelly Slater Factor

Along with the slew of new variants, the Superocean Heritage also comes in a limited-edition collab with surfing icon Kelly Slater. Limited to just 500 pieces, it takes the 40mm model in navy blue and adds a tropical foliage pattern on the dial that looks way more subtle than it sounds.

Chronograph Refinement

Last in the lineup is the updated Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph, representing perhaps the most significant evolution in the collection. Breitling has made the smart decision to downsize from the previous 44mm case to a more manageable 42mm, bringing the lug-to-lug measurement down to 49.56mm and shaving nearly 1mm off the thickness, landing at 14.55mm. There’s both a stainless steel version or a two-tone steel and red gold version like the 44mm B31 version above.

Available in black or dark blue (all steel only), the dial gets simplified as well, removing one of the chronograph registers entirely so now it just has two: a running seconds register and a 30-minute totalizer, emphasizing the dive function of the watch. Under the hood, the B01 movement is still there, with its 70-hour power reserve, column-wheel construction, and vertical clutch, all visible through the sapphire caseback.

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability

The new Superocean Heritage collection is available now through authorized dealers, with pricing starting at $5,250 for the 36mm models on rubber straps and extending up to $10,200 for the two-tone chronograph on the steel bracelet. With just 500 pieces made, the Kelly Slater limited edition is priced at $6,450 on rubber or $6,750 on the mesh bracelet.

Recap

Breitling Superocean Heritage Collection 2025

Breitling no longer limits its vintage-inspired dive watch to 42mm cases and higher. Now, the Superocean Heritage gets small 36mm versions and caps out at 44mm. The watchmaker has also revised the dial design and eliminated a subdial on the chronograph model.

Learn More: Breitling