Introducing Breitling Unveils the Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42

Panda displays have long been a staple of the chronograph wristwatch archetype, using the high contrast of a white dial and black subdials to ensure that the added complexity of a stopwatch display with multiple counters remains easy to read, particularly in a motorsport context. However, the first reverse panda, featuring a black dial with white subdials, was not a racing chronograph at all. It appeared on the Breitling Superocean Chronograph Ref. 807 from 1957, the world’s first dive watch chronograph. Today, Breitling pays tribute to that legacy with the Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42 in reverse panda colours.

The new Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42 takes inspiration from the classic SuperOcean Ref. 807, introducing a reverse panda dial to the revamped Superocean Heritage lineup that debuted last year. Prior to this release, Breitling had introduced steel models with all-blue and all-green dials, as well as a black-dial steel and rose gold variant.

The stainless steel watch measures 42mm in diameter, 14.55mm in thickness, and 49.56mm lug-to-lug, with a water resistance rating of 200 metres. The case features a screw-down crown and pump-style pushers that preserve the classic Superocean aesthetic. The stainless steel bezel is fitted with a black ceramic insert marked at five-minute intervals.

The sunray-brushed black dial of the Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42 is contrasted by silver accents across the subdials and hour markers. It also uses the same spear-and-arrow handset found on the original 1950s model. The signature marker at 12 o’clock and the date window at 6 o’clock add subtle visual balance. The dial is completed by a large arrow-shaped hour hand, a sword-style minute hand, and a lollipop central chronograph seconds hand. The 30-minute counter is positioned at 3 o’clock, while the small seconds is located at 9 o’clock.

Powering the watch is Breitling’s in-house Calibre B01, a COSC-certified automatic chronometer introduced in 2009. This column-wheel chronograph operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and offers a robust 70-hour power reserve. The movement features a rotor decorated with Côtes de Genève.

Completing the design is a mesh bracelet with a push-button butterfly clasp that perfectly complements the watch’s vintage-inspired aesthetic. Alternatively, Breitling also offers the watch on a black textured rubber strap with a stainless steel folding clasp.

The Breitling Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42 is priced at EUR 9,100 (approximately AED 38,160) on the rubber strap, and EUR 9,400 (approximately AED 39,400) on the stainless steel mesh bracelet.

For more information, visit the official website of Breitling.