Top Time
The unconventional original
Originally launched in the 1960s, the Top Time had a clear mission: to meet the needs of young, active professionals with a range of ultra-modern chro...
The Breitling Top Time is a family of vintage-inspired watches originally launched as chronographs in 1964. Designed for the young, speed-obsessed generation of its era, the Top Time stood out with its bold two-register layout, round case, and sporty personality. Today, Breitling has revived the Top Time with a series of modern reissues that honour the original's spirit while incorporating in-house movements and contemporary craftsmanship. The collection is particularly celebrated for its collaborations with iconic motor and moto brands such as Ford Mustang, Triumph Motorcycles, Deus Ex Machina, and Shelby Cobra.
The Top Time collection is equipped with two distinct in-house Breitling calibers. The B31 is a self-winding automatic movement featuring a 78-hour power reserve and COSC chronometer certification. The Manufacture Caliber 01 is Breitling's flagship in-house chronograph caliber, backed by approximately 70 hours of power reserve, COSC-certified, and features a column-wheel mechanism and a vertical clutch for a smooth and instantaneous chronograph activation. Both movements are visible through a display caseback.
The Breitling Top Time was first introduced in 1964 as a youthful, sporty chronograph aimed at the motoring and pop-culture generation. It became legendary when a modified version, with a hidden Geiger counter, appeared on the wrist of Sean Connery as James Bond in Thunderball (1965). The watch's clean two-register dial, round 38mm case, and cultural flair made it a cult object among collectors. The modern reissues are faithful to the original aesthetic while utilizing contemporary specifications, materials, and in-house calibers.


















