Breitling’s latest release is a watch that winds back the years, as collaborate with British motorcycle brand Triumph to bring us the Breitling X Triumph. Based on Breitling’s Top Time model, the history of this timepiece goes back to the 1960s. During the mid-1960s, auto-racing was all the talk. A subculture is known as “Cafe racers” was born during this time, when stylish motorcycles would transport their riders from one hip café to another.
Willy Breitling saw this as an opportunity to create something special with Breitling, a timepiece that would capture the essence and joy of this sub-culture. The resulting watch was the Breitling Top Time, an unconventional chronograph model that was designed very much so for the “active and young professional”.
Now, Breitling is bringing back what inspired the very first Top Time model to create a special piece in collaboration with a motorcycle brand filled with history. 120 years of history, in fact, Triumph has been using their traditional craftsmanship methods along with contemporary design to create a modern version of their classic motorcycles. A process of creation that Breitling can proudly stand behind.
Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling, proudly celebrates this collaboration with Triumph by stating that “Triumph’s heritage and modern-retro aesthetic are just two of the many things we have in common. Their blending of tradition with technology is completely in sync with what we do.”
Design:
For the debut collaboration between the two brands, Breitling will release a Top Time Triumph model which has a brushed finish in the “Zorro dial” design that Top Time models are iconically known for. Triumph at the same time will release 270 co=branded motorcycles named “the Speed Twin Breitling Limited Edition”. The buyers of this limited-edition motorcycle will have the unique opportunity to buy a special owner’s version of the Top Time Triumph released by Breitling. The owner’s version of the Top Time Triumph will come with a sun-ray dial and feature the individual number of the bike purchased engraved on the case back. For this to be valid, however, orders for the owner’s version of the Top Time Triumph must be placed before August 22, 2022.
The Breitling X Triumph Top Time standard edition comes in a 41mm stainless steel case. The beauty of the model lies in the dial where a stunning ice blue with a special brush finish technique has been done. The icy blue colour for the dial comes from two major references, firstly a blue Triumph Thunderbird 6T from 1951 and a very rare blue-dialed Breitling Top Time Ref. 815 models from the 1970s.
The dial features both brand’s logos, with Breitlings sitting at 12 o’clock and Triumph’s at 6 o’clock. The Zorro Dial is created using two black sub-counters at 3 o’clock (30-minute) and 9 o’clock (1/4th of a second). Against the icy blue dial, this provides a great contrasting effect, which is further enhanced by the black hour indices on the dial.
Movement:
The movement used for this standard and special owners only limited edition model is the Breitling Caliber 23. The Breitling Caliber 23 movement operates at a frequency of 28, 800 VpH (4hz) and can give out a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. The case back of this timepiece is closed, however, on the back, we get a beautiful detailed etched sketch of the Triumph’s parallel-twin engine.
Triumph’s CEO Nick Bloor loves this latest collaboration too, as he states “this collaboration is born out of a shared philosophy of bold and original design. The Top Time Triumph brings that uncompromising style and craftsmanship together.”Suitable for both females and males, this new collaboration timepiece between Breitling and Triumph is a mush have for either fan of the brand. Celebrating the long history of both brands, the Top Time Triumph is a sporty piece with a timeless design and a proven modern movement.
