The Top 10 Best Breitling Dive Watches

Dive watches are considered popular and versatile timepieces in the watch collecting world. Even if you’re chained to your desk instead of tethered to a deep sea oxygen hose, a quality dive watch can still be your daily driver and take you to a happy tropical place in your head.

When people think of dive watches, iconic models such as the Rolex Submariner, Omega Seamaster, Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, and Seiko SKX are among the first to come to mind. Swimming below the sonar, so to speak, is Breitling, a storied luxury brand primarily known for its historic roots in aviation and the development of the chronograph.

Since the launch of the Superocean in 1957, Breitling has produced an innovative fleet of dive watches whose quality and features rival those of any other brand in the world—and often at a lower price point.

I will be reviewing ten of Breitling’s top dive watches in this story and demonstrating that their name belongs in the pantheon of watches that have aided mankind in exploring both the sky above and the oceans below.

About Breitling Dive Watches

Breitling was founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling in Saint-Imier, Switzerland. The brand was initially heavily involved with aviation, producing cockpit clocks for planes and wristwatches for pilots, most notably the first aviator chronograph in 1936. That forerunner gave birth to the Chronomat in 1941 and the iconic Navitimer in 1952, which featured a slide rule to assist pilots with calculations and maneuvers.

Breitling entered the dive watch market in 1957 during a decade of increased interest in aquatic sports, diving, and ocean exploration. Their dive watches are known for legibility, durability and the ability to withstand ocean depths from 200 meters up to 3000 meters, making them a good choice for “desk divers”, casual snorkelers, and professional divers alike. Also, a wide variety of case diameters, materials, case colors, strap/bracelet options, and price points add to their broad appeal.

History of Breitling Dive Watches

Following the success of the Chronomat and Navitimer, Breitling introduced two dive models simultaneously in 1957 to compete in a market that already included the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and Rolex Submariner: the Superocean ref. 1004 time-only diver and the Superocean chronograph ref. 807, both 39mm in diameter. Each had 200m of water resistance, but the time-only diver was more refined and targeted toward both casual and dress wear, while the chronograph was intended for serious aquatic sports and diving. Both featured intentional details such as oversized circular and triangular hour markers for increased legibility and a rotating bi-directional bezel with a distinctive concave design.

Breitling soon built on those early successes with the 43mm Superocean “Slow-Motion Chronograph (ref. 2005) in the mid-1960s. That model converted the conventional timing seconds hand to a timing minutes that revolves one an hour to improve understanding of diving duration. Also, a unique disc indicator at 6 o’clock informed the diver that the chronograph was still running, necessary since the timing hand was moving slower than a traditional timing seconds hand.

After many years and releases of models designed for even great depths, the circle was completed in 2007 with the release of a Superocean Heritage model and a Superocean Heritage II in 2017 that harkened back to the original references.

Which Breitling Dive Watch is Best for You?

The answer to that question depends on your wants and needs. There are dressier but still water capable heritage models available, as well as rugged, oversized ones you could wear in a deep sea submersible. After we go through the 10 models and you see the diverse lineup of Breitling dive watches, I bet you’ll have a better  idea of which is best for you.

The Modern Breitling Dive Watch Lineup

Breitling SuperOcean Automatic 42 (ref. A17375211B1S1)

The stainless steel Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 preserves the look and vibe of the mid-century references while adding modern design cues that offer a clean, fresh look and better legibility. The transition from black ceramic bezel to thick, white chapter ring, then back to a black dial with a prominent handset and broad, raised  Super-LumiNova® indices lends both eye-pleasing depth and a “panda-like” aesthetic.

A sapphire crystal with a double-sided anti-reflective coating caps the 42mm diameter case that has a lug-to-lug distance of 47.7mm and a svelte 12.0mm thickness that enables it to slide under a cuff easily.

The Superocean Automatic 42 is paired with a black rubber strap with pebbled edges and a smooth center section secured with a stainless steel, twin trigger deployant clasp. The Breitling 17 is a COSC-certified automatic movement that has a power reserve of 38 hours and a beat rate of 28,800 vph. With a water resistance of 300m/1000ft, it will withstand both serious diving and an accidental splash from the office bathroom sink.  Retail: $5,200 USD.

Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 44 (ref. AB2030161C1A1)

If you’re seeking a Breitling dive watch with a more refined look, then this model should be on your short list. This reference combines modern interpretation of the original Superocean models with a larger 44mm diameter, somewhat chunky (14.5 mm thickness) stainless steel case topped with a coin edge, unidirectional bezel and blue ceramic insert with 5-minute interval hash marks instead of Arabic numerals.

The dial is also blue with a broad arrow hours hand and sword-shaped minutes hand and a date complication at 6 o’clock. The B20 44 also comes in black and black/gilt colorways. It’s paired with an elegant stainless steel mesh bracelet, but there are also black or blue “mesh-like” rubber straps available.

It has a Breitling 20 automatic movement which is a COSC-certified chronometer based on the Tudor MT5612 featuring a 70 hour power reserve. Although not as deep a diver as the Automatic 42, its 200m/660ft rating will more than cover the average person’s needs. Retail: $5,750 USD.

Breitling Superocean Automatic 36 (ref. A17316D81C1S1)

For a Superocean with an eye-catching pop of color reminiscent of the ocean itself, check out this Automatic 36 reference. Like the name says, it’s a 36mm stainless steel case that some would call a ladies watch, but it actually fits in nicely with the current trends of  “unisex” wear and smaller, more traditional diameters. Speaking of trends, it also has the popular light, “Tiffany blue” dial with a unidirectional dive bezel matched with a darker blue stainless steel insert.

The hands and indices are lumed and framed in dark blue.  There are Arabic numeral indices at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock and a date window at 3. It has a lug width of 18mm and comes with a dark blue, Breitling-branded rubber strap with large lettering. The Breitling Caliber 17 provides 38 hours of power reserve and 200m/660ft of water resistance. It’s packed full of performance specs but also an eye magnet that will draw admiring glances and comments. Retail: $3,800 USD

Breitling Superocean Heritage Chronograph 44 (ref. A13313121L1A1)

This Heritage reference is basically the Heritage B20 44 upgraded to a chronograph powered by the Breitling 13 caliber automatic movement which is also COSC-certified. It has a smaller power reserve (48 hours) than its non-chronograph sibling, but the wearer gains a ¼ seconds timing hand, and 12 hour, 30 minutes, and running seconds subdials.

Not only does the watch have a prominent wrist presence dimensionally (44mm thick, 15.7mm thick), but the combination of a polished black ceramic bezel, deep, forest green dial, and striking stainless steel mesh bracelet also grabs attention and doesn’t let go.

The dial is a little busy between 2 and 4 o’clock as the Breitling logo and branding, as well as a day-date window, occupy that space. The Heritage Chronograph is available in alternative materials such as 18K red gold and a variety of color ways for bezels, dials, and straps. It has a more than adequate 200m/660ft of water resistance. Retail $6,900 USD

Breitling Superocean II 42 (ref. A17365C91B1A1)

The Breitling Superocean II 42 has both the sporty look and performance specs of a serious dive watch. The rubber-molded bezel has aggressive fluting, making it easier to turn with diving gloves, and a lumed pip embedded in a triangle at 12 o’clock. The hour indices are bold, well-lumed Arabic numerals which maximize legibility underwater.

There is a date window at 3 o’clock. The Breitling logo is the less common “B” superimposed over wings and an anchor which highlights its water cred. This reference comes in a black bezel and dial with a matching black strap with bold “Breitling” branding.

There are also  Superocean II 42s that are all blue (including strap) as well as references with a 3-link stainless steel bracelet. The movement is the caliber Breitling 17 with 38 hours of power reserve. The most impressive dive cred spec is its 500m/1650ft of water resistance. This is a perfect watch for tooling around in your submersible and going deep. Retail: $4,790 USD

Breitling Superocean Automatic 46 Black Steel (ref. M173681A1L1S1)

If the 500m/1650ft of water resistance of the previous model won’t do you for some insane reason, then the Superocean 46 Black Steel’s 2000m/6600ft rating provided by its black DLC-coated 46mm diameter beast of a case just might scratch your itch. Seriously, with that type of durability, one can rest assured this Superocean Automatic 46 will get you through most any type of activity both in the ocean and  terra firma.

The bezel is also black DLC-coated stainless steel. The dial, however, is a rich shade of green complemented with lighter green lumed hour indices and handset. The watch has a black rubber strap a black DLC-coated stainless steel clasp that matches the case. This piece is powered by the COSC-certified Breitling 17 automatic movement that serves as the mainstay of much of the Superocean collection. This reference is a limited edition of 200 pieces, but it can still be found through some dealers online and in the secondary market. Retail: $6,250 USD

Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 (ref. U10370121B1X1)

Wearing the Superocean Heritage ’57 is the next best thing to hopping in a time machine and experiencing the vibe of the “OG”. This model family share two hallmarks hearkening back to 1957: 1) a concave, bidirectional ceramic bezel with 5-minute interval markers, and 2) supersized indices on the dial that will improve legibility both underwater and in other conditions. This no-date reference has a 42mm stainless steel case combined with an 18K red gold bezel with black ceramic insert.

The dial design includes a gilted handset and non-lumed gilted indices superimposed on large round lumed indices at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock . The case is a very slender 9.9mm and has a lug width of 20mm. The movement is a COSC-certified Breitling Caliber 10 with a 42 hours of power reserve.

This reference is paired with a brown, calfskin strap and tang buckle, but other models have mesh stainless steel bracelets. With “only” 100M/330ft of water resistance, it’s not designed with serious divers in mind, but it’s perfect for those wanting  a vintage-themed dive watch with modern performance updates. Retail: $5,800 USD

Breitling Endurance Pro (ref. X82310E51B1S)

The quartz Breitling Endurance Pro is not technically a dive watch like those in the Superocean family, but it is designed to handle almost anything you throw at it, including depths to 100m/330ft. Both the black, bidirectional compass bezel and the 44mm case are made of a lightweight proprietary composite material called Breitlight®.

Three subdials showing timing minutes, 1/10^th seconds, and running seconds are located at 10, 2, and 6 o’clock, respectively. There are lumed Arabic numeral indices with extra-large ones at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, and the Breitling logo and stamp are at 12. There is a date window at 4:30 o’clock, and pushers are located at 2 and 10.

The timing seconds hand, start pusher, timing minutes, and 1/10^th seconds hands are all “color-coded” in yellow amid a busy dial that also includes a pulsometer scale in the rehaut. The watch is paired with a 22mm width rubber strap, making it ideal for swap outs. The movement is a highly accurate Breitling 82 “Thermocompensated SuperQuartz™. A tank of a watch for all occasions—except perhaps formal events and black tie dinners. Retail: $3,400 USD

Breitling Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 44 (ref. AB0162121G1S1)

Another stylish and high performance Superocean chronograph is the B01, a 44mm diameter, 15.5mm thick stainless steel model with a black ceramic bezel, silver dial, and black subdials that evoke not only mid-century aesthetic vibes but also the  “panda-like” spirit of another certain brand’s almost impossible to obtain model.

Other dial/subdial colorways in the family include green/black, blue/silver, and blue/black. Timing minutes, timing hours, and running seconds subdials are located at 3,6, and 9 o’clock, and the handset consists of a lumed broad arrow hours hand and a sword-shaped minute hand.

There is a date complication at 4:30 o’clock. The pushers are prominent and extend several millimeters  from the case. The chronograph runs on the Breitling 01 automatic movement which provides a 70 hour power reserve, and its intricate workings are showcased by the sapphire display caseback. This reference has a mesh-like rubber strap and a push button folding clasp, but the B01 is also available in a stainless steel mesh bracelet in other references. Retail: $8,600 USD

Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 Pastel Paradise (ref. A10340361L1X1)

We now arrive at our final destination, the more playful Superocean 38mm diameter stainless steel Heritage ’57 Pastel Paradise. Although assumptions can be dangerous in these “unisex” style days, the Pastel Paradise does seem to be aimed straight at the ladies. The 1957 design cues are there—bidirectional concave bezel and prominent indices—but basic black has bloomed into tone-on-tone dials, ceramic bezels and Saffiano leather straps, including mint green (our reference), white, aquamarine, and iced latte.

This one has a short lug-to-lug distance of 42mm, lug width of 18mm, and a thickness of only 9.3mm, making for a slender silhouette on the wrist and a pleasurable, lightweight wearing experience. Still plenty water resistant at 100m/330ft, it is also highly accurate with its Caliber 10 COSC-certified movement and 42 hour power reserve. The straps have a quick-change system for painless swap outs. The Pastel Paradise is all Superocean, but with  a cheeky attitude. And dudes, if you dig them too, then by all means go for it! Retail: $5,100 USD

Closing Out

I hope I’ve made the case that the Breitling Superocean line is worthy of consideration alongside more famous “big brand” dive watches. Whether you fly high in the clouds or dive the ocean depths, Breitling is standing by waiting to assist. Wearing a Breitling is like owning a piece of history and gaining a trustworthy companion and compass to guide you in charting your own trail to new adventures.