Career Precision
While comfortably meeting the performance criteria of a modern diver, Breitling’s Superocean Héritage II also has the hallmarks of a professional climber
When Breitling launched its first serious diving watch 60 years ago, it set a standard for performance that still holds firm. Even by today’s standards, the Superocean’s 200m water-resistance would be seen as noteworthy. But as all watch-lovers know, Swiss horologists never sleep, so it should come as no surprise that its descendent, the Superocean Héritage II, has upped the ante once more.
Most fascinating of these updates – to aficionados, at least – is the addition of a new movement, the result of a partnership with watch brand Tudor. A kind of ‘you scratch our back, we’ll scratch yours’ arrangement, it enables Breitling to use Tudor’s threehand automatic movement in the Héritage II, while Tudor uses a Breitling movement to power its Black Bay chrono. What does this mean for you? Most notably, a watch with a healthy 70-hour power reserve.
However, it’s the subtle aesthetic changes that have caught our own attention. For instance, less steel and more ceramic not only makes the watch hardier, it also enables more colour-matching across the dial and bezel, thereby creating a more refined look. In fact, we consider the Superocean Héritage II one of the smartest looking diving watches this side of the Mariana Trench – which is why we’re suggesting you wear it for, um, work.
“Minimalist styles were among the big trends at this year’s Basel watch fair,” says Emma-jayne Hamilton, buyer at The Watch Gallery. “And while the Heritage was originally conceived as a diver, its vintage styling makes it appropriate for smart everyday wear without looking too ostentatious.”
Allow us to proffer a couple of suggestions: opt for the 46mm case, which will work better with a cuffed shirt. Then buy two interchangeable straps: a steel mesh bracelet to complete your ‘I mean business’ attire, plus a rubber version for when you down tools and the sea calls. That way, you have a watch that can take you to new depths as well as helping your career scale new heights.