Unveiling the Breitling Top Time Deus B01 Watch
Wednesday - 21 June 2023
The new Breitling Top Time B01 Deus watch is a celebratory model that marks the band’s relationship with the classic chronograph and its association with Australian surf and motorcycle outfitter Deus Ex Machina.
The Breitling Top Time Time grows
During the 1960s and onwards, Breitling’s Top Time chronograph watches were an affordable option compared to its more expensive Navitimer and Chronomat models. They were designed for young men but were useful for racers and professional pilots. The entry-level watches were first launched in 1964 and were characterised by a bold yet elegant dial layout. Sean Connery, who played Agent 007 in the James Bond films was seen with a modified version of the Top Time watch on his wrist during the filming of “Thunderball”, whilst comedian Sid James also sported the Top Time watch in the 1973 “Carry on Girls” film. These are just a couple of examples of how celebrities from the entertainment and sports industry shaped the success of the Breitling Top Time watch over the years, etching its name into a long list of memorable luxury watches that have become a part of pop culture.
Ever since Willy Breitling, grandson of company founder Leon Breitling, developed the aircraft chronograph, the company has been enjoying a strong relationship with aviation and began supplying to the Royal Air Force not long after. Years after the introduction of the automatic chronograph, Breitling continued to make Top Time watches due to their high demand and unquestionable popularity. The production run for the watch finally ended in the 1970s until Breitling recently breathed new life into the model. The entire range is named after classic sportscars like the Chevrolet Corvette or the famous Mustang and the Thunderbird. Now, the series expands further to accommodate two more releases for 2023 – the Breitling Top Time B01 Deus and the Breitling Top Time B01 Triumph. They both feature some key characteristics that include a clear and legible dial layout – either in the bi-compax or tri-compax arrangement with contrasting sub-dials, a co-branded dial that can be referenced on the display, vibrant contrasting dial layouts, and a choice between a leather band or stainless steel bracelet option. They also feature a case with alternating brushed and polished finishes applied to its surface and an open caseback crafted from sapphire crystal glass that affords a clear view of the automatic movement beating behind it.
The new Breitling Top Time B01 Deus watch
The design of the new Breitling Top Time B01 Deus watch perfectly captures the experimental and fun period of design encountered by Breitling during the 1960s. It fed the culture of its era, marked by cruising on motorcycles and revving sportscars. During this time, when living life at high speed was the order of the day, Breitling had released a befitting watch that defied the rules of the conventional chronograph. The Top Time watch has been designed in collaboration with Australian surf and motorcycle outfitter, Deus Ex Machina and not for the first time either. Its design will appeal to surfers, bikers, boarders and backpackers with its innovative black, white and red design that conveys Deus Ex Machina’s key colours. Encouraging the wearer to embrace the freedom to explore, it is fitted with a tricompax arrangement of chronograph counters – each one filled with a silver colour and set against a classic black background. The Deus emblem can be seen below the Breitling name at the top of the dial, whilst striking red and orange tachymetric details (a colour combination that has been used before) compliment the bright red hue of the watch’s central chronograph second hand. The sub-dials are “squircle” in shape (neither square nor circle) and pair nicely with the aforementioned lightning bolt-inspired chronograph hand. Together, these elements all create a look reminiscent of a vintage dashboard gauge.
Under the dial of this new Breitling Top Time B01 Deus watch and displayed behind a sapphire crystal glass exhibition feature is the in-house developed Breitling Manufacture 01 Calibre, which provides a power reserve of 70 hours and beats at a total of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It controls the central hours, the minutes and the small seconds of the watch (displayed at 9 o’clock), along with the chronograph seconds, the 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and the 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock. As mentioned, the watch is equipped with a tachymeter scale around the edge of the silver and black design, perfect for measuring speed based on distance.
To complete its sporty look, the new Breitling Top Time B01 Deus watch is fitted on a perforated sporty leather band with white contrast stitching running down the sides and a stainless steel folding clasp engraved with the Breitling logo. Alternatively, you can purchase the watch on a vintage-inspired Milanese-style stainless steel bracelet that secures firmly and comfortably with a butterfly clasp.
If you’d like more information on the new Breitling Top Time B01 Deus watch, or indeed, the new Triumph model, you can check these out here or call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team on 01335 453453.
