Breitling Pays Lasting Tribute To The World’s First Dive Chronograph

Breitling has expanded its Superocean Heritage line with a new chronograph inspired by the historic 1957 Breitling SuperOcean ref. 807.

The latest Breitling Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42 continues the collection’s refined design language while paying tribute to its pioneering underwater origins.

The Superocean Heritage has never been an ordinary dive watch. When Breitling introduced the original SuperOcean in 1957, it distinguished itself from other dive watches of the era by combining professional capability with striking design. Inspired in part by the underwater explorations popularised by Jacques Cousteau and the rapid rise of recreational scuba diving, the SuperOcean ref. 807 made watchmaking history as the world’s first dive chronograph. It also introduced a bold white-on-black “reverse panda” subdial configuration that would later become a design classic.

“This latest addition to our Superocean Heritage assortment goes back to where it all started, a modern expression of the dive watch that changed dive watches forever.”
Georges Kern, CEO, Breitling

Developing a chronograph capable of underwater use was a significant technical challenge in the 1950s. Chronograph pushers were natural weak points for water resistance, creating potential entry points into the case. Determined to extend Breitling’s reputation as a chronograph innovator into the emerging dive watch segment, Willy Breitling collaborated with renowned casemaker Huguenin Frères to engineer a water-resistant solution.

The result was the world’s first dive chronograph and, for several years, the only watch of its kind. Its robust case construction and dual-sealed pushers reflected Willy Breitling’s drive to push technical boundaries while exploring new markets.

While designed for underwater exploration, the watch also embraced the spirit of mid-century style. Spear-and-arrow hands, an anodised rotating bezel, and streamlined proportions appealed to the jet-set adventurers of the era who divided their time between the sea and the social scene. That philosophy remains central to the Superocean Heritage collection today, carrying the design spirit of the 1950s into contemporary watchmaking.

The new Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42 builds on these defining elements. Its black satin-soleil reverse-panda dial features contrasting silver subdials and is paired with a ceramic-inlay bezel for enhanced scratch resistance. The colour scheme directly references the original SuperOcean ref. 807, whose high-contrast dial ensured clear legibility underwater.

The watch is offered on either an integrated mesh metal bracelet or a black mesh rubber strap, both secured with folding clasps for a seamless and secure fit. A transparent caseback reveals Breitling’s flagship chronograph movement, the Manufacture Calibre 01. A discreet date window at six o’clock maintains dial symmetry, while the signature arrow hour hand, spear minute hand and pointed indexes preserve the clear, at-a-glance legibility of the mid-century original.

As an homage to the world’s first dive chronograph, the Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42 captures Breitling’s longstanding approach to performance with style. Blending modern engineering with vintage inspiration, it remains one of the brand’s most enduring icons.

Technical Specifications:

SUPEROCEAN HERITAGE B01 CHRONOGRAPH 42

Reference: AB0156241B1S1 or AB0156241B1A1

Caliber: Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 7.2 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, bidirectional with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 70 hours
Number of components: 312
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch, ¼-second, 30-minute
Display: hour, minute, second, date
Certification: COSC-certified

CASE

Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 42 millimeters
Thickness: 14.55 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip): 49.56 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 20 bar (200 meters)
Glass: cambered sapphire, glareproofed on both sides
Caseback: steel, screwed in, sapphire crystal
Crown: steel, screw-locked, two gaskets
Bezel: stainless steel featuring a black ceramic bezel insert that matches the dial color, unidirectional, ratcheted