New chronograph marks a collaboration with iconic British bike brand Triumph
Breitling has successfully teamed up with carmakers for automotive themed watches, with marques and models that range from Bentley to the Shelby Cobra and Ford Mustang. Now, it’s Breitling’s turn to go for a ride on one of the most iconic motorcycle brands: Triumph.
The new Breitling Top Time Triumph features a 41mm steel case, ice-blue dial, and the watch’s trademark two-register chronograph layout. The original Breitling Top Time gained fame, as several watches did, on the wrist of a certain MI6 agent called Bond…James Bond. In the 1965 movie “Thunderball,” Bond wore a Breitling Top Time chronograph that incorporated a Geiger counter.
Breitling revived the Top Time in a thoroughly modern edition in 2020. Now, Breitling has collaborated with British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph for the Top Time Triumph. The Top Time Triumph has a dial finished in the model’s trademark bow-tie motif, nicknamed the “Zorro Dial” by Top Time collectors. A special model will be produced for buyers of the Triumph Speed Twin Breitling Limited Edition. This one will feature a sunray dial inspired by the Triumph in the classic 1953 biker movie “The Wild One.” The caseback will be engraved with the individual number of the bike. With only 270 of the motorcycle available for order until 22 August 2022, both motorcycle and watch will be extremely rare.
Both watches will feature ice-blue dials. The color is based on a blue 1951 Triumph Thunderbird 6T, and a rare 1970s blue-dialed Breitling Top Time Reference 815. On the dial are the Breitling logo rendered in a classic font at 12 o’clock, and the Triumph triangular shield at 6 o’clock. The trademark Top Time dual registers are squared off and displayed in contrasting black for a design that instantly pops on the wrist.
The 41mm stainless steel case has oversized mushroom pushers for easy actuation of the chronograph’s start-stop and reset functions; and a high-contrast tachymeter scale. Hour markers, and hour and minute hands are coated in Super LumiNova for easy reading during a nighttime ride. A racing-themed calfskin leather strap completes the classic look.
Powering the Top Time Triumph is the Breitling Caliber 23. It’s an automatic chronograph movement with a 4 hertz frequency and 48-hour power reserve. The movement is COSC-certified.
“Triumph’s heritage and modern-retro aesthetic are just two of the many things we have in common,” said Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling. “Their blending of tradition with technology is completely in sync with what we do.”
