Breitling Superocean Watches

About Breitling Superocean Watches

When people think of the Breitling brand, they immediately recall their pilot’s watches, like the Chronomat or the iconic Navitimer. However, Breitling also produces a line of superior of dive watches.

The period following the Second World War was an important time for the dive watch. In the 1950’s, the sport of diving was growing in popularity and people were becoming increasingly fascinated with sea exploration. In response, a surge of dive watches entered the market throughout this decade, and one of them was the Breitling Superocean.

The Superocean made its initial debut in 1957 and was Breitling’s first venture into the world of dive watches. The original Superocean boasted water resistance up to 200 meters, which, at the time, was more than many of its competitors. It also showcased a distinctive braided stainless steel bracelet and a uniquely styled dial. This specialized dial layout and color scheme is known as the first reverse panda dial chronograph, meaning a black dial with white subdials as opposed to a white dial with black subdials.

Upon its initial release, the Superocean commanded a strong presence among its counterparts and quickly became a success. To this day, it continues to be Breitling’s top dive watch model. Since its debut, the aesthetic of the Superocean has remained largely unchanged aside from additional color and size options. However, the model has undergone a number of technical updates. More recent iterations feature increased water resistance, ranging from an impressive 1500 to 2000 meters. They also come equipped with a helium escape valve (HEV) that allows divers to release gases that build up in the watch at greater depths for prolonged periods of time.

2007 marked the 50th anniversary of the Superocean. To celebrate, the brand unveiled an all-new line called the Superocean Heritage collection. Still, the classic Superocean remains in production and continues to be a favorite dive watch among collectors and divers alike.