Breitling Revisits the Original Dive Chronograph with the Superocean Heritage B01 42

When it comes to dive watches, few brands carry the historical weight of Breitling. And fewer still can point to a design that genuinely changed the category. The new Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42 is the brand’s latest reminder of exactly that.

The watch takes direct inspiration from the 1957 Superocean ref. 807—the world’s first dive chronograph. At a time when most underwater watches focused purely on timekeeping, the original Superocean introduced chronograph functionality to the depths, overcoming the technical challenges of making pushers watertight. The result was a pioneering piece of engineering that set a new benchmark for professional dive watches.

That legacy now informs the latest addition to the Breitling Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42 collection.

Visually, the connection to the original is clear. The watch features a black satin-soleil reverse panda dial, with silver subdials that echo the distinctive white-on-black layout first seen on the 1957 reference. High contrast was originally chosen for legibility underwater, but today it doubles as one of watchmaking’s most recognisable dial configurations.

The bezel has been updated with a ceramic inlay, improving scratch resistance while maintaining the clean aesthetic that defines the Superocean Heritage line. The familiar spear-and-arrow handset remains, alongside pointed indexes designed for quick reading in low-visibility conditions.

Under the surface sits the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, visible through a transparent caseback. The movement is the brand’s flagship chronograph calibre, bringing modern reliability to a watch rooted firmly in mid-century design language.

On the wrist, buyers can choose between two strap options: an integrated mesh-metal bracelet or a black mesh-rubber strap. Both are secured with folding clasps designed for a streamlined fit and dependable water resistance.

The result is a watch that respects its origins without leaning too heavily on nostalgia. It retains the spirit of the original Superocean—a piece designed as much for the jet-set lifestyle of the late 1950s as it was for the emerging world of recreational diving.

The Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42 is available now, priced at £7,300 on the rubber strap and £7,500 on the metal bracelet.