Breitling revives the World’s first dive chronograph, and I think it’s seriously desirable

Breitling has launched a new watch that reaches back to one of the most important moments in dive watch history.

The Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42 Reverse Panda is a modern take on the original SuperOcean ref. 807, released in 1957. That watch made history as the world’s first dive chronograph – and this new model is its most direct descendant yet.

The original ref. 807 was born at an exciting moment. Jacques Cousteau’s undersea documentaries were capturing imaginations worldwide, and recreational scuba diving was taking off. Willy Breitling, who saw chronographs as his company’s defining expertise, wanted in.

Building a waterproof chronograph was no small feat. The pushers (the buttons that control the stopwatch function) are natural weak points where water can sneak through. Breitling partnered with specialist casemaker Huguenin Frères to solve the problem. The result was a sealed, robust case that had never been done before in a dive watch.

The ref. 807 also introduced the “reverse panda” dial — white text and subdials on a black background. It was striking and highly legible underwater. No other watch had done it.

For years, it remained the only dive chronograph in existence.

The new Heritage B01 42 honours all of this. Its black satin-soleil dial with contrasting silver subdials is a direct callback to that original layout.

A matching black ceramic bezel insert adds scratch resistance without sacrificing the period-correct look. The result is genuinely handsome in my opinion, and one of the better-looking sport chronographs on the market right now. I love the monochromatic look, which is a design trend I’ve been a fan of from Tudor and Omega in recent years.

CEO Georges Kern describes it as “a modern expression of the dive watch that changed dive watches forever.”

Inside sits Breitling’s Manufacture Calibre 01 — the brand’s flagship in-house movement. It runs at 4Hz, offers around 70 hours of power reserve, and carries COSC chronometer certification. A transparent caseback lets you appreciate it directly.

Practical details are solid throughout. The stainless steel case measures 42mm across and 14.55mm thick, with water resistance to 200 metres.

The signature arrow hour hand and spear minute hand echo the midcentury original, while modern Super-LumiNova on the hands and indexes ensures readability in low light.

Two strap options are available: a black mesh-rubber strap or a stainless steel Ocean Classic bracelet, both with folding clasps.

The Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42 is available now. It’s priced at US$9300 / £7300 on the rubber strap or US$9600 / £7500 on the metal bracelet.

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