Breitling model

Breitling Superocean: history, Heritage lines and official videos

The Breitling Superocean is the brand's dive watch line, first launched in 1957 and reissued as the Superocean Heritage from 2007. This page explains the generations, the movements and what drives the value of a Superocean today, and shows the official Breitling videos.

Introduced: 1957 (Refs. 1004 and 807)
Original water resistance: 200 m
Heritage line: since 2007
Current Superocean: since 2022: 36, 42, 44 mm, 300 m

Breitling | Wheels & Waves | Superocean Heritage collection – official video by Breitling on YouTube

Where the Superocean comes from

Breitling launched the first Superocean in 1957, the year it marked Willy Breitling's 25 years at the head of the company. It came as a three-hand diver, Reference 1004, and as a chronograph, Reference 807, both in steel and both rated to 200 meters of water resistance. In 1964 Reference 2005, nicknamed "Slow Motion", followed with a large central minutes hand and a dot at 6 o'clock showing whether the chronograph was running. The name has stayed with Breitling's dive watches ever since, although the watches behind it have changed a lot.

The main Superocean generations

Several quite different watches carry the Superocean name. The table shows the lines owners meet most often.

Series	Years	References	Case	Movement
Original	1957 – 1960s	1004 (three hands), 807 (chronograph), 2005 "Slow Motion" (1964)	38 mm (1004), 39 mm (807), steel, 200 m	Movements sourced from outside suppliers
Superocean Heritage	from 2007	Heritage 38, Heritage 46, later a chronograph	Two sizes at first, steel	Automatic; chronograph version added later
Heritage II	from about 2017	More sizes, chronograph versions	200 m	Automatic and chronograph calibres
Heritage '57	from 2020	Heritage '57	38 and 42 mm, 100 m, non-screw-down crown	Calibre 10, based on the ETA 2892
Superocean Automatic	since 2022	Superocean Automatic	36, 42 and 44 mm, 300 m, ceramic bezel	Calibre 17, based on the ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW200-1

Do not confuse the Superocean with related Breitling divers such as the Colt Super Ocean of the 1990s or the Seawolf, which are separate model names. The details of the Heritage lines also differ by size and movement, so always check the reference number on the case before comparing prices.

Heritage and the current Superocean

The Superocean Heritage appeared in 2007 for the 50th anniversary of the line and borrowed its looks from the vintage divers. It was offered in two sizes first, and the larger one later also came as a chronograph. Around 2017 a second generation added more case sizes and kept 200 meters of water resistance. The Heritage '57 of 2020 is a style piece: 38 mm or 42 mm, 100 meters, and a crown that does not screw down.

The Heritage B20 Automatic uses the in-house Breitling B20 movement, a COSC-certified calibre with a 70-hour power reserve, based on the Tudor MT5612. The Heritage B01 Chronograph 44 uses the in-house column-wheel calibre B01. The core Superocean was redesigned in 2022 along the lines of the 1960s "Slow Motion" watches, with a ceramic bezel insert, 300 meters of water resistance and sizes of 36, 42 and 44 mm.

What is a Breitling Superocean worth?

Value depends first on which Superocean you own: a vintage 1960s reference, a 2007-era Heritage, a recent Heritage '57 or a 2022 model are entirely different markets. Then come the movement (in-house B20 or B01 against a base calibre), the size, limited editions such as the Kelly Slater or Outerknown versions, and the condition. The original bracelet or strap, the box and the papers help, and so does proof of service. Heavily polished cases and replaced parts weigh on the price. We found no documented auction results we can quote reliably, so we give no price figures here.

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Official Breitling Superocean videos

All videos come from the official Breitling YouTube channel. They cover the Superocean Heritage collection, the '57 editions and the 2022 Superocean line, including the Kelly Slater edition.

More Breitling videos, sorted by model: all official Breitling playlists.

Sources (5)

SwissWatchExperts is not affiliated with Breitling. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners; the videos are embedded from the official Breitling YouTube channel.

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Frequently asked questions

When was the Breitling Superocean introduced?

Breitling launched the first Superocean in 1957, as a three-hand diver (Reference 1004) and a chronograph (Reference 807), both with 200 meters of water resistance.

What is the Superocean Heritage?

A line that appeared in 2007 for the 50th anniversary of the Superocean. It takes its looks from the vintage divers and has grown into several sizes, with time-only and chronograph versions.

How big is a Breitling Superocean?

It depends on the line. The Heritage '57 comes in 38 and 42 mm, the Heritage B20 in 42, 44 and 46 mm, and the Superocean Automatic in 36, 42 and 44 mm.

Which movement is inside a Superocean?

It varies. The Superocean Automatic uses Calibre 17, based on an ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW200-1. The Heritage B20 has the in-house B20 and the Heritage B01 Chronograph the in-house B01.

What drives the value of a Superocean?

Mainly the line and reference, the movement, the size, limited editions, condition, and whether the box, papers and service records are present.

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