Life’s A Beach
Breitling refreshes its classic SuperOcean collection with pretty pastel models ready for the summer.
For the longest time, Breitling was recognised as more of a masculine brand but when Georges Kern was recruited to step into the role of chief executive officer in 2018, he began to introduce classic signature models in smaller sizes as a way to attract more women to the brand. It started with the Navitimer in 38 mm, and over the years was swiftly followed by the Superocean and Chronomat in sizes and colours better suited for slender wrists and a more fashion-savvy clientele (a most welcome development for a watch brand known for timepieces normally measuring between 42 mm to a whopping 48 mm). The truth is though, Breitling actually has a history of designing watches for women dating all the way back to the 1940s, from standouts the likes of the ladies’ Transocean launched in 1957, the Lady J of the 1990s and then the Galactic in 2010. Still, for the most part then, the women’s collection had always taken a backseat to their gentlemen’s watches.
Fortunately, we are now in a completely new era for Breitling, where women’s watches play as integral a role to the brand as their male counterparts. To prove the point, this season welcomes the brand’s most vibrant women’s collection yet.
And it’s all about the colours! Breathing a refreshing new life to one of the manufacture’s flagship models, the SuperOcean Heritage ’57 Pastel Paradise Capsule Collection is set to be the watch of the summer. “This modern-retro tribute to the original SuperOcean is an exciting addition to the Breitling family of ladies’ watches,” says Breitling CEO Georges Kern. “Of course it’ll look great at work, but its fun-in-the-sun vibe might make you want to spend a weekend at the beach.”
The SuperOcean was originally designed as a response to the rising popularity of seaside leisure in the 1950s and ’60s, and the colour story of this new collection perfectly captures the spirit and nostalgia of that era. Five models make up the Pastel Paradise collection, including four monochromatic models with tone-on-tone dials, bezels, and straps in aptly named Summer White, Aquamarine, Mint Green, and Iced Latte. Though each is irresistible in its own way, the undeniable hero of the collection is the Rainbow Tangerine version. Reminiscent of last year’s sold-out Superocean Heritage 57 Rainbow, this colourful model boasts bold hour markers and hands coated in Super-LumiNova in hues that traverse across the colour spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Better still, this particular model also allows for some versatility in expression as it comes with alternative straps in Lemon or Raspberry Sorbet, all in luxe Saffiano calfskin leather fitted with Breitling’s user-friendly quick-exchange system.
Ultimately a diving watch, the signature feature of the SuperOcean is naturally its wide bidirectional rotating bezel that functions as a guide for measuring diving durations. Aesthetically, the ceramic bezel adds a visual pop to the 38 mm stainless steel case. True to form, the watch is powered by a COSC-certified Breitling Caliber 10 with a power reserve of about 42 hours, and is water resistant up to 100 metres. That said, these colourful designs are gorgeous enough to complement your summer style regardless, even away from ocean-based pursuits.
In fact, Breitling has teamed up with popular mobile game Drest to better showcase the versatility of the Paradise Pastel collection. Interestingly, Breitling is the first luxury watch brand to partner with the game too. Billed as the world’s first interactive luxury fashion mobile game—created by our very own Lucy Yeomans, former editor-in-chief of Harper’s BAZAAR UK—Drest is a highly immersive game that allows for players to choose virtual models and style them according to daily challenges in clothing and accessories from over 200 real world brands and designers (think Prada, Gucci, Valentino and Burberry, among them). What’s cool about Drest is that each item featured can also be purchased through the app, the new SuperOcean Heritage ’57 Pastel Paradise Capsule Collection included.
With their finger on the pulse of the zeitgeist, be it with their commitment to producing outstanding watches for women or their embrace of the virtual fashion space, Breitling is serious about shedding its old image as a defiantly masculine brand to one that is more inclusive, innovative and exciting.