Watch out: The Breitling Superocean Heritage Chronoworks

Everything you need to know about one of the most exciting and innovative Breitlings of recent years...

A surprise unveiling at Baselworld last year, the Breitling Superocean Héritage Chronoworks is a boundary-pushing re-imagining of the 1957 Superocean watch. It’s the first watch to come out of Chronoworks, Breathing’s relatively new R&D department that is at once a ‘think tank and a test bench for tomorrow’s technologies’. It is, for all purposes, the horological equivalent of what a performance tuning garage is to the automotive world.

Like the 1957 Superocean, the Chronoworks model has a distinct marine-inspired aesthetic, its gunmetal-grey hands bringing to mind the paint of a battleship. Near-monochrome, it’s a meticulous yet understated timepiece; with its black ceramic case, ‘volcano black’ dial and black rubber aero strap, it’s functional, spartan and supremely elegant. Set off against this background, the dial and bezel markings are all the more luminous, making it an excellent choice for shallow diving or, indeed, for any gentleman whose activities take him off the beaten track after dusk.

The watch houses a Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, which has undergone five major changes to significantly improve energy efficiency. Silicon has replaced more traditional materials like brass in several key parts – particularly those involved in ‘restarting’ the mechanism of the watch, an area where energy is often lost. This isn’t simply engineering for engineering’s sake, however. The practical benefits are visible for the expert and uninitiated alike: as well as improving the accuracy and longevity of the movement, the Calibre 01’s energy reserve has increased from 70 to 100 hours, meaning the watch can be off the wrist for four days without needing to be rewound.

Strictly limited to 100 pieces, the watch is priced at £30,410. A bold and beautiful initial release from the Chronoworks department, this is one of the most exciting Breitling timepieces of recent years.

For more information on the Superocean Héritage Chronoworks, click here.

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