Earlier in April this year, Breitling released a timepiece that gained a massive amount of attention from the public. The Superocean heritage ’57 Limited Edition garnered a lot of positive reactions, primarily due to its colourful design. The timepiece was released during the COVID-19 Pandemic and was unveiled by the brand during the Breitling Summit Webcast. The international audience saw the bright colours (shown on the hour indexes and hands) as a favourable reference to the rainbows that have quickly become a reference for hope and support for frontline health-care professionals.
With the overwhelming reaction and Breitling’s dedication to the health-care professionals, the brand has decided to create the Superocean Heritage ’57 Limited Edition II. The watch features a similar design from the first Superocean Heritage ’57 Limited Edition, with the main noticeable change being the blue dial. The rainbow colour effect is kept the same and with due reason, as this is what made the first model so famous.
The Superocean heritage ’57 Limited Edition models come as part of Breitling’s capsule collection, which pays tribute to the original 1957 Superocean models, along with the very much laid back surfer lifestyle of the 1960’s. The Superocean heritage ’57 Limited Edition II model comes with a 42mm stainless steel case along with a bidirectional rotating bezel. The bezel has an ultra-hard blue ceramic ring, to match the blue of the dial nicely.
The highlight of this watch is, of course, the use of colour throughout the dial. Circular colour markers are used for the 12, 3, 6, 9-hour markers. These markers act as colour graduations between the other hour markers, as the colours slowly “fade” into the colour of the next circular hour marker.
The Superocean heritage ’57 Limited Edition II comes equipped with the Breitling Calibre 10 self-winding mechanical movement. Based on the ETA 2892-A2, the Breitling Calibre 10 movement can provide up to approximately 42 hours of power reserve. The watch also comes with a water resistance of 10 bar (100m). Strap options for this model include a gold-brown vintage-inspired leather strap with pin/folding buckle or Breitling’s iconic Ocean Classic stainless-steel bracelet with the butterfly clasp.
Breitling wanted to make a meaningful gesture and show support to the health-care workers with the release of the Superocean heritage ’57 Limited Edition models. This is why part of the proceeds from the new watch will go towards charities in countries that hit hardest with the Pandemic, with donations being made with the immediate announcement of the watch. The brand will also go a step further and donate CHF 1000 to these charities for the first 100 Superocean heritage ’57 Limited Edition II models sold via the brands latest online platform: www.breitling.com. The total donation by the prestigious Swiss brand will amount to CHF 500,000! These donations will be spread across six charities.
The six charities active against the global struggle of the COVID-19 pandemic is spread out over six countries as outlined below:
- France (Foundation de France): Proceeds going to Fondation de France, which is leading philanthropic network in France. A charity that helps healthcare workers finance research projects and supports local social workers and charities that work with the most vulnerable.
- Italy (Humanitas): Support will be shown to the Humanitas hospital group. The Humanitas group in Milan is the first Italian hospital to be quality-certified as an Academic Hospital by the Joint Commission International. The Humanitas hospital group has been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and has been taking care of people that are effected by the pandemic.
- Japan (NCGM): Donation will be made to the National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM). This is a National Research and Development Agency which provides medical treatment while also researching the COVID-19 disease. NCGM has already started the research and development of possible medical solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Spain (Ministry of Health): A share of the proceeds made from the sale of Superocean Heritage ’57 will be donated to the Ministry of Health. The donations made will be help the ministry in focusing on financing protection for health-care workers such as getting masks and other protective clothing and materials. This is also alongside getting essential testing done.
- UK (NHS Charities Together): Proceeds will go towards supporting NHS Charities Together. The charities that are part of NHS Charities Together will support NHS staff and COVID-19 patients. The Superocean heritage ’57 Limited Edition models will hold a special place as rainbows in support of NHS workers are a familiar sight throughout UK. An incredible feat from the NHS Charities Together is that they have raised a staggering amount of over GBP 100 million to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
- USA (Direct Relief): Breitling will be making a donation to Direct Relief. This is a humanitarian aid organisation which aims to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty and emergencies. The Direct Relief organisation will also make sure that the health workers in the front lines will have support and be honoured, as well as making sure that the people most at risk from the pandemic is looked after.
