Breitling has just rolled out their latest collection of timepieces which pays homage to very iconic releases back in 1960. Firstly, the watches themselves are a reference to Breitling’s 1960’s Top Time models, with these latest watches being a modern update. Secondly, the three watches being released are also a nod to some of the most iconic classic cars released; the Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang, and the Shelby Cobra.
The Top Time models that were released back in the 1960s were designed for “young and active professionals”. Some 61 years later and these latest models still live up to this statement, with the models being fun, colourful, and precise chronographs with trusted movements at the same time.
Breitling CEO Georges Kern tells us how the watches and cars can so easily go well together by stating “It’s about the journey, not the tempo. And that’s true whether you’re tinkering under the hood or hitting the road for a Sunday ride celebrating these beautiful machines.”
Top Time Chevrolet Corvette
The first of the three Top Time models dedicated to the 1960’s classic car icons is the Chevrolet Corvette in red and black. The colours for this model were designed after the Corvette C2 from the mid-1960s, with this Corvette model often being referred to as the “Sting Ray”. The Top Time Corvette features a 42mm stainless steel case with a water resistance of 100m (10 bar). The dial design is colour coordinated quite well, with the dial background being red with the three sub-dials being black. The tachymeter scale on the outer part of the dial is also black, which really adds to the colour variation on the dial. The hour indices, as well as the hands, are finished in contrasting and matching colour to the case.
The movement used inside the Top Time Chevrolet Corvette is Breitling’s in-house Caliber 25 movement. This Caliber 25 movement has a frequency of 28, 800 VpH (4hz) and has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. The movement powers the chronograph functions and subdials which are the constant second at 3 o’clock, 6-hour at 6 o’clock, and the 15 minute counter at 9 o’clock. The hands on the 15-minute counter and 6-hour counter are coloured in red and yellow respectively.
The case back for these watches are closed, however for good reason as each comes with its own logo engraved. The Top Time Chevrolet Corvette has the brand’s logo of the two flags neatly engraved.
The final detail to this piece is the black racing-themed calfskin leather strap, which certainly helps to accentuate the black colours in the dial.
Top Time Ford Mustang
The second model in this Top Time Classic cars collection is the Ford Mustang. Donned in green, brown and black, the 42mm stainless steel case Top Time Ford Mustang edition was inspired by a car that was developed in record time back in 1964, which ultimately sparked the new generation of compact sports cars at affordable prices. the Ford Mustang quickly gained fame when it was driven around by rock stars and Hollywood actors, and also by its time on the silver screen.
Breitling’s design of this watch follows a similar theme to the Top Time Chevrolet Corvette. The dial background is green, with the same sub-dials as the Corvette and the tachymeter scale being black. The green dial certainly does give this timepiece a more luxurious feel, whether you’re a fan of the Ford Mustang or not.
The movement inside the Top Time Ford Mustang is the same as the one used for the Corvette, as is the sub-dial layout. The engraving on the case back is the Mustang logo, the famous and iconic running horse. Unlike the Corvette model, however, the Top Time Ford Mustang comes standard with a brown racing-themed calfskin leather strap, which in our opinion makes it look like a proper racing watch.
Top Time Shelby Cobra
The last model in this collection is the Top Time dedicated to one of the most iconic classic cars and in our opinion one of the best looking; the Shelby Cobra. Breitling explains that the design behind this particular piece was that “Our mood board for this watch revolved around the formidable machine created by the iconic American race-car driver and manufacturer Carroll Shelby for 1960s competitions, which mixed classic British chassis design with American racing ingenuity and engineering. The watch hints at one of its distinctive paint jobs: blue with white racing stripes.”
Unlike the other two variants in this latest Top Time collection, the Top Time Shelby Cobra features a slightly smaller 40mm stainless steel case. This smaller case size also means a re-arranged design layout and different movement.
The dial is a beautiful blue with now two sub-dial counters in contrasting white. The tachymeter scale on the outer part of the dial is done in white as well to match the counters. The Shelby Cobra brand’s logo has been moved to the 6 o’clock position, unlike the other models where it was based at 12 o’clock due to the larger case size. The sub-dial hands are done in red and blue for the 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock and constant seconds counter at 3 o’clock.
As previously mentioned, due to the difference in case size, a different movement is being used by Breitling for this model. The movement is the brand’s in-house Caliber 41 movement. This self-winding movement has a frequency of 28, 800 VpH (4hz) and a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. The case back of the Top Time Shelby Cobra features the car brand’s iconic logo engraved in clear refined detail. Like the Ford Mustang, the Top Time Shelby Cobra features a brown racing theme leather calf strap.
Three modern watches with ties to not only Breitling’s past but also three iconic classic cars of the 1960s. Who doesn’t love a crossover when it’s something as beautiful as this?
