The Breitling Superocean and Superocean Heritage share a name and a starting point, the Superocean of 1957, and have grown into two different watches. The Superocean is the modern sports diver: bright colors, a broad minute hand, 300 meters of water resistance. The Superocean Heritage is the dressier one: a slim bezel, a vintage dial, 200 meters of water resistance and, in the newest generation, a Breitling manufacture movement. Choose the Superocean for the beach and the Heritage for a watch that also works with a jacket.
We have 103 Superocean watches in stock, from $1,755, and 105 Superocean Heritage watches, from $2,815.
Superocean vs Superocean Heritage at a glance
| Superocean | Superocean Heritage | |
|---|---|---|
| Character | Modern sports diver | Vintage-styled, dressier diver |
| Current sizes | 36, 42, 44, 46 mm | 36, 40, 42, 44 mm |
| Water resistance | 300 meters | 200 meters |
| Movement, current models | Breitling 17, about 38 hours | Caliber B31, about 78 hours, in 40 to 44 mm |
| Bezel | Ceramic insert | Ceramic insert, slimmer |
| Typical bracelet | Three-row steel, or rubber | Steel mesh, or rubber |
A shared origin
Breitling launched the first Superocean in 1957, when recreational diving was taking off. It had a clean dial, a narrow rotating bezel and unusual hands, and it was unlike the busy pilot's chronographs the brand was known for. Both of today's lines look back to it, in different ways: the Heritage borrows its elegance, and the modern Superocean borrows the bold hands of a later Superocean from the 1960s and 1970s.
The Superocean
The current Superocean was redesigned in 2022. Its signature is the square-tipped minute hand and the simple, high-contrast dial, in a range of strong colors: turquoise, orange, yellow, green and blue as well as black and white.
What you get:
- Four sizes: 36, 42, 44 and 46 mm.
- 300 meters of water resistance and a ceramic bezel insert.
- The Breitling 17 automatic movement, a chronometer-certified caliber built on a widely used Swiss base, with a power reserve of about 38 hours.
- Cases in steel, in steel with red gold, and in bronze, on a steel bracelet or a rubber strap with a folding clasp that adjusts in small steps.
The 46 mm model has a bezel that locks. The line also includes more specialized watches for deep diving.
It suits you if you want a watch for the water and for weekends, like color, and value the higher depth rating. It is also the less expensive of the two families.
The Superocean Heritage
The Heritage, first introduced in 2007 for the fiftieth anniversary of the original, is the refined member of the family. Its bezel is narrow, its hour markers are slim, and its hands are a pointed sword and arrow, as in 1957. On Breitling's steel mesh bracelet it is one of the more elegant dive watches you can buy.
The line was renewed in 2025, and it helps to know the generations, because all three appear pre-owned:
- Current generation, from 2025. The 40, 42 and 44 mm models use the caliber B31, a Breitling manufacture movement with a power reserve of about 78 hours and chronometer certification, which also allowed a slimmer case. Their references begin AB31. A 36 mm model uses a smaller automatic movement.
- Previous generation. The Superocean Heritage B20 Automatic, in 42 and 44 mm, uses the caliber B20, which has a power reserve of about 70 hours. Its references begin AB20.
- Earlier models, with references beginning A17, use a movement based on a standard Swiss caliber, with a shorter power reserve.
There are also Heritage chronographs, with the in-house B01 movement or the Breitling 13.
All are water resistant to 200 meters, with a screw-down crown.
It suits you if you want one watch for work and the weekend, prefer a vintage look, and value the longer power reserve of the B31 and B20 calibers.
How they compare
On the wrist. The Heritage has a slimmer bezel and so a larger dial for its size, which makes it look a little bigger than a Superocean of the same diameter. The newest Heritage cases are the thinner of the two.
Water resistance. 300 meters against 200. Both are more than enough for swimming and recreational diving; the difference matters only if you want the reassurance of the higher figure.
Movement. This is the largest practical difference. About 38 hours of power reserve means a Superocean left on the table on Friday night will have stopped by Monday. A Heritage with the B31 or B20 will still be running.
Style. The Superocean is plainly a sports watch. The Heritage passes for a dress watch from a short distance, especially on the mesh bracelet.
Price. The Superocean costs less. Heritage models with manufacture movements cost more, and the chronographs more again.
Reading the references
The start of a Breitling reference tells you the metal and the movement, which is the quickest way to place a watch in the right generation:
- A17…: steel, Breitling 17 automatic.
- AB20…: steel, caliber B20.
- AB31…: steel, caliber B31.
- U…: steel with red gold.
Our guide to Breitling reference numbers explains the rest of the code, including the letters for dial color and for bracelet or strap.
What to check before you buy
- The generation, from the reference and the Caliber line of the specifications.
- The size. Both lines run from 36 mm to 44 mm or more. Our guide to choosing your watch size will help.
- Bracelet or strap. The mesh bracelet on the Heritage is sized differently from a link bracelet; ask us what wrist size a watch fits.
- The bezel. It should turn one way only, with firm clicks.
- Box and papers. The listing states what is included.
For the rest of the brand, see our Breitling buying guide, and for alternatives, our guide to the best dive watches. You can browse the Superocean and Superocean Heritage watches we have in stock.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Breitling Superocean and Superocean Heritage?
The Superocean is a modern, colorful sports diver rated to 300 meters. The Superocean Heritage is a vintage-styled, dressier diver rated to 200 meters, with longer power reserve in its recent generations.
Which is more water resistant?
The Superocean, at 300 meters. The Superocean Heritage is rated to 200 meters.
Does the Superocean Heritage have an in-house movement?
The current 40, 42 and 44 mm models use the Breitling manufacture caliber B31, with about 78 hours of power reserve.
What is the power reserve of the Breitling Superocean?
About 38 hours for the current Superocean Automatic with the Breitling 17 movement.
Can I swim with a Superocean Heritage?
Yes. It is water resistant to 200 meters and has a screw-down crown.
Is Watchflix NYC an official Breitling retailer?
No. We are an independent retailer and are not affiliated with Breitling. Every watch is checked by our specialist before it ships.
