Limited to just 50 pieces, this particular version of the Breitling Superocean Heritage II watch was designed in collaboration with Breitling’s boutique retail partners in Los Angeles and honors the opening of the still-new Breitling boutique in Beverly Hills located on Via Rodeo off the famed Rodeo Drive shopping avenue. The watch is officially known as the Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 Automatic 44 Beverly Hills Limited Edition (reference UB20303A1B1S1), co-created with Westime, the retail partner Breitling has worked so long with in Los Angeles and which runs the new Breitling boutique store.
The Breitling Superocean Heritage II 44 Beverly Hill Limited Edition begins with the larger 44mm-wide Superocean Heritage II case and coats the base steel with gunmetal gray DLC (highly scratch-resistant diamond-like carbon). 18k red gold trim is used for the bezel, and matching red gold tone is used for the watch hands and hour markers. The watch is matched to a black rubber strap that has a mesh pattern similar to the mesh metal (Milanese) bracelets available. Today, the Superocean Heritage remains the absolute best-selling timepiece collection sold by Breitling. You can reead my full review on the Breitling Superocean Heritage II B20 42 watch here.
Breitling is going for maximum global appeal with its watches, which is why many of them come in various sizes. Perhaps no company next to Breitling has spent so much time experimenting with producing various sizes of the same watch models (sold at the same time). The strategy might make the current collection appear confusing to consumers, but in reality, it helps Breitling market the same watches around the world but with the ability to cater to more particular consumer preferences such as case size. As such, this 44mm-wide version of the Breitling Superocean Heritage II is more or less the exact same watch as the 42mm-wide version, just a bit larger. The diver-style watch is also water-resistant to 200 meters and has a domed sapphire crystal over the dial. The unidirectional rotating timing bezel has a black ceramic insert with gold-tone markers etched in.
Style-wise, the mostly sober black tones of the watch are elegantly warmed by the 18k red gold, which takes what would otherwise be a serious sport watch into luxury style territory. In a lot of ways, this Beverly Hills Limited-Edition version of the Superocean Heritage II 44 is a very “L.A. watch” given its focus on masculine looks and size, but with some undeniable flashiness to it. Those with a penchant for black and rose/red gold will certainly find that this Breitling watch can fit their style — and it makes for a solid daily wear, to boot. I’d say that a host of additional strap choices might help further change this watch’s personality.
While the black rubber strap is of high quality (and it is paired with one of Breitling’s very good black-colored metal deployant clasps), I think it’s natural to envision this watch on a matching two-tone black and 18k red gold bracelet. Black and gold watches were in for a while but are still quite niche by today’s standards. I look forward to the look making a comeback.
At its core, the Superocean Heritage collection is Breitling’s retro-revival take on its famed diving watch collection from 1957. Today, Breitling produces standard Superocean watches, with the Superocean Heritage line being a bit more elegant and stylish, as opposed to modern and activity-themed. Those seeking casual-luxury sports watches find much of what they are seeking in one of the many Breitling Superocean Heritage models that have been a major success for Breitling for well over a decade.
Inside the watch is a movement produced by Swiss Tudor — an entirely different watch brand that is part of the Rolex watch family. The movement inside the watch is called the Breitling caliber B20 but is actually the Tudor-produced MT5612 automatic movement, which operates at 4Hz with 70 hours of power reserve and has a COSC chronometer certificate. Tudor, in turn, makes use of the Breitling-made Caliber B01 automatic chronograph movement for some of its chronograph watches. I have called this situation the “Swiss movement exchange program,” playfully, since the choice for these two brands to swap movements is novel and interesting to timepiece enthusiasts.
There is no shortage of attractive Breitling Superocean Heritage watches to enjoy out there. This Beverly Hills Limited Edition is just one more — and it’s nice that this piece reflects some of Breitling’s longstanding relationship with Los Angeles and its retail partners there. The watch is available for purchase via the Breitling website, as well as at the Breitling Boutique in Beverly Hills. Price for the Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 Automatic 44 Beverly Hills Limited Edition reference UB20303A1B1S1 watch is $7,395 USD. Learn more or order via the Breitling website here.
