Breitling have been under new ownership and management for a good few years now, with ex-IWC CEO, Georges Kern at the helm. This is indeed a new era for Breitling and they’ve made no hesitations in being quick off the mark. As noted before during a meeting a few years ago, it was clear to see that the task facing them was identity. Something they also needed to get to grips with sharpish was reducing the size of the current catalogue of watches. The best way? Introduce new pieces and discontinue outdated models.
The Top Time model of wristwatches was introduced by Breitling in 1964 to appeal to a younger audience. They were robust timepieces able to withstand active lifestyles and priced at a much lower point than Breitling’s other chronographs. Over time, they became an icon also thanks to the many celebrities who donned them. Most notably, a Top Time (ref. 2002) is one of only two watches worn by Sean Connery/James Bond (the other being of course the Rolex Submariner) and the first Q-modified timepiece to ever appear in the movie series (specifically, in Thunderbird). This latest release has been created as part of Breitling’s new partnership announcement with Australian lifestyle brand Deus Ex Machina
The Top Time Deus Limited Edition is one the first brand partnership of Breitling’s new chapter. This new Top Time Deus chronograph limited edition has been co-designed with Deus Ex Machina and is a nod to Breitling’s original 1960s edition. The aim of the first Top Time was clear – suiting the needs of “young and active professionals” with a range of “ultra-modern” chronographs. This new limited edition has a vintage feel but comes in a welcomed modern package.
The Top Time Deus Limited Edition features yellow hour and minute hands as well as stick markers, with Super-LumiNova dots for each hour to ensures legibility in all lighting conditions, against an off-white back drop with the Deus logo positioned below the centre pinion at 6 o’clock. The dial features contrasting black rounded-square registers, inspired by the reference 2211 Top Time, with contrasting orange and yellow hands. The black outer ring of the dial features a white tach-o-meter scale, with a Deus logo and its adage “In benzin veritas”. Perhaps the standout feature of the dial is the orange central chronograph hand in the shape of a lightning bolt.
Furthermore, the stainless-steel case measures precisely 41mm, some 2mm larger than its inspiration. While 41mm does sound a little on the large side, let’s not forget this is quite a reasonable size and is within the region of the Speedmaster. The Breitling Top Time Re-Edition comes fixed on a brown nubuck racing-themed calfskin leather strap with a pin buckle. The back of its 41-millimeter stainless-steel case features the iconic Deus artwork of a retro-looking motorcyclist in full flight designed by Deus creative director Carby Tuckwell.
Inside the Top Time Deus Limited Edition is the Calibre 23 self-winding chronograph movement, which is based on a heavily modified Valjoux calibre 7753, which offers 48-hours of power reserve. As part of this exciting new partnership, Breitling is now also the official timekeeper of the Deus Swank Rally – the epic motorcycle championship celebrating vintage bikes in diverse locations around the world, including Italy, France, Australia, and Bali. But the Top Time Deus Limited Edition isn’t just for bikers, as Breitling CEO Georges Kern points out.
The new Breitling Top-Time Deus Limited Edition is priced at £4,100 and is limited to just 1500 pieces worldwide. For more information the new Top-Time Deus Limited Edition, visit the Breitling website.
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