Written by Menswear Style in New Collections on the 26th March 2020

When the original Breitling Top Time was launched in the 1960s, it was a watch with a clear mission. Willy Breitling announced that his brand’s new watches were “particularly suited to the needs of the young and active professionals. We are designing a superb range of ultramodern chronographs, led by a completely new model, the Top Time.” The sports watch appealed to that demographic but also attracted young women, who were drawn to its bold new lines and its undeniable elegance. And now, Breitling is reintroducing the Top Time, a collectors’ favourite with one of the most recognisable dials in all of watchmaking.

More than half a century after introducing its Top Time watch, Breitling is launching an updated and upgraded model. Like the 1960s model that inspired it, the new Breitling Top Time has an unconventional design that makes a bold style statement. A first glance at the dial, which has long been known to collectors as the Zorro dial, makes it clear that this is a watch that doesn’t take itself too seriously. But that playful face doesn’t disguise the superb chronograph performance, which is pure Breitling.

Inside the Top Time’s 41-millimeter stainless-steel case is a Breitling Caliber 23 chronograph movement with a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. Its accuracy is confirmed by its status as a COSC-certified chronometer. The red hour and minute hands as well as the dot markers for each hour are coated with Super-LumiNova, a luminescent material that ensures legibility in all lighting conditions. Along with the central hour, minute, and chronograph second hands, the dial also features a decimal scale and two subdials – a small second counter at the 9 o’clock position and a 30-minute counter with unique red accents at 3 o’clock. The new Breitling Top Time’s modern retro look is perfectly complemented by its brown nubuck leather strap. This striking watch is limited to 2000 pieces, and its caseback is engraved with “ONE OF 2000.”

One of the few features this new chronograph doesn’t have is a Geiger counter, unlike the Top Time handed to James Bond by Q in the 1965 Thunderball film. The world’s favourite spy used the watch to avert a nuclear catastrophe by locating stolen missiles that had been hidden under water. With 007, of course, style is always essential, and owners of the new Breitling Top Time will have it in abundance. The Breitling Top Time Limited Edition will be the brand’s first watch offered with a blockchain-based digital passport, which confirms the authenticity and ownership of the watch with a single click. Owners can access the watch’s digital passport at any time and transfer ownership – if they choose to do so – with a simple blockchain transaction. Offered in cooperation with Arianee, the digital passport will also complement Breitling’s innovative digital warranty program by offering the absolute security that can only be provided by a blockchain system. This cutting-edge technology, which makes it possible for customers to engage with the brand anonymously, allows Breitling to add new online services ranging from advanced clienteling to a revolutionary care program.

Breitling makes a major step forward to accelerate blockchain based innovations. The brand elevates client services within the industry through its innovative release of a limited-edition watch, featuring a blockchain-based digital passport powered by Arianee to prove authenticity and ownership. Breitling is the first watchmaker worldwide to propose a warranty program enabled by blockchain. Breitling’s participation within the Arianee Consortium and the strong involvement of Antonio Carriero as a new member of the Advisory Committee underline the engagement of the brand for the development and adoption of this key technology for the industry and for luxury goods owners. 

£4100 at breitling.com

With a digital passport powered by Arianee and from a watch collection once see in James Bond Thunderball, Breitling Launch Top Time Limited Edition with Blockchain Technology.