GOAT Kelly Slater Receives Yet Another Honour. His Very Own Signature Breitling Watch

The Superocean Heritage B31 Automatic 40 Kelly Slater pairs vintage diver aesthetics with a cutting-edge new movement, offering 500 collectors a rare chance to own a watch that’s as technically serious as it is effortlessly cool and a little bit GOATy.

I’ve just handed the all-new Breitling Superocean Heritage B31 Automatic 40 Kelly Slater (reference AB31101A1C1A1) back to the Sydney boutique after wearing it on my wrist all week.

There’s something disarming about it. It’s compact at 40mm, lightweight on the wrist, but packs a modern mechanical punch that few would expect from a heritage diver. Especially one named after the most decorated surfer in history.

But that’s exactly what this watch is: performance-focussed, water-loving, and undeniably cool without trying too hard. It’s also rare. Just 500 pieces worldwide. And unlike most “limited” watches, this one isn’t destined for a safe. It’s built to be worn.

The Superocean Heritage line has always carried Breitling’s lesser-known aquatic DNA. Of course, the Swiss luxury brand has built its reputation on impressive collections built for the air, but this stunning divers release brings Breitling back in the drink.

A deep blue dial with tropical floral patterns gives it texture and movement without becoming shouty. Paired with a navy ceramic bezel and polished steel case, the Kelly Slater edition is unmistakably nautical, but still refined enough to wear everyday.

At 40mm, the case size is ideal for those who don’t want the bulk of a 44mm diver. It wears flatter, cleaner, and more proportioned on smaller wrists, without compromising on its tool-watch identity. Water resistance clocks in at 200 metres, as you’d expect, and the open caseback gives a glimpse of something far more interesting than you’d usually find in a three-hander diver.

Here’s where things get interesting. This isn’t just a pretty face — the Kelly Slater edition carried the brand’s Breitling’s Manufacture Calibre B31, a COSC-certified automatic movement developed specifically for modern three-hand watches.

Breitling leans on AMT (Sellita’s high-end technical division) for part of the B31’s production line, while assembly is split between AMT and Breitling’s Chronométrie HQ in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

With a 78-hour power reserve, a free-sprung balance wheel, and chronometer certification, the B31 is the next evolution of the Swiss luxury brand’s movements. Smooth winding, accurate timekeeping, and robust finishing. It feels like a deliberate move away from ETA and Sellita clones of old. It’s a statement that Breitling is investing in its own horological future, without pretending to be something it’s not.

The Superocean Heritage B31 Kelly Slater comes on either a mesh rubber strap or a full stainless steel Milanese bracelet. Both are solid options, and both suit different types of wearers. Personally, I kept coming back to the Milanese. It’s sleek, incredibly breathable, and adds a retro touch that still feels fresh in 2025.

If you’re planning to spend more time in the ocean than the office, the rubber strap is tough to beat. It’s thicker than most, built for the elements, and keeps the watch comfortably secured no matter how much sand or saltwater you throw at it.

But this watch’s versatility isn’t just limited to its specs; what impressed me the most was how easy it was to switch between strap options: rubber for the day, hiking, swimming and going to the gym. Then, add the Milanese option for an instant hit of luxury.

The Breitling Superocean Heritage B31 Automatic 40 Kelly Slater is a modern, water-ready Swiss watch with real mechanical substance. It’s also a subtle nod to the legacy of surfings greatest ever heroes.

For collectors, it’s a sleeper hit. A rare limited edition powered by a debut movement. For first-time Swiss watch buyers, the latest Superocean Heritage represents a deeply wearable, beautifully finished diver that doesn’t try to imitate anything else.

After a week of surf, sweat and late-nights, I can safely say the Superocean Heritage B31 Kelly Slater lives up to its name: a serious piece of kit disguised as a fun, stylish daily driver. And that’s a balance few brands get right.

With prices starting at $9,890 AUD (AB31101A1C1A1) it’s a strong value proposition; not just for what it is today, but for what the B31 movement represents for Breitling’s future. If you want a luxury dive watch that matches the Australian lifestyle, and doesn’t try to look like every other Submariner copy on the beach, this one’s worth chasing down at your nearest Breitling boutique.