There was a time when drivers used to choose their cars and actors their watches. While that era has long since passed with the advent of product placement, as well as more broadly that of licensing and merchandising, back in those glorious 1960s, it’s amusing to note that a certain Sean Connery – when playing Britain’s most illustrious secret agent – didn’t hesitate to team his Breitling Top Time with his Aston Martin DB5 in Thunderball (1965). For those unfamiliar with the subject, the DB5 was the legendary gray Aston from 007’s early days and for which Daniel Craig would also develop a deep affection five decades later.
Breitling has now decided to pay tribute to this rare pairing that is little-known even among experts. The La Chaux-de-Fonds-based brand is unveiling three limited-edition variations with a self-explanatory name: “Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to the Aston Martin DB5.” While it doesn’t get much clearer than that, one must nonetheless delve into the details to appreciate its nuances.
Iconic case
The first eye-catching element is the unusual cushion-shaped case, which is not simply a circle within a square, but a more subtle composition. This design is reflected in the counters: the famous “squircles” representing a delightfully retro portmanteau of “square” and “circle.” The sides of the case are generously curved to endow the watch with a striking presence on the wrist, yet these Top Time models have a perfectly reasonable 41mm “diameter”. The four “ears’ marking the case corners are grooved, for no particular reason other than the fact that it’s beautiful, unusual, unconventional – and imbues the watch with a strong character and the kind of free-spirited 1960s vibe that we all too rarely allow ourselves today.
Rare materials
The signature characteristic is however the combination of materials, reflecting a natural choice within the automotive world: leather upholstery, a carbon-fiber dashboard and aluminum pushers are just a few of the classic specs of any self-respecting sports car. Although the idea was already there in 1965, the materials were obviously not the same. It is this aesthetic legacy that Breitling has chosen to honor by offering its three Top Time models an unusual variety of materials. Alongside an initial 100% steel version (1,022 units), the Manufacture has designed a steel and platinum edition with a black lacquered dial (315 units) and a third version in 18K red gold with an onyx dial issued in a numbered 250-piece limited edition.
Finally, a sports car demands a dedicated engine and the 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder, 287 Hp version powering the DBS is reimagined here as the COSC-certified Manufacture Caliber B01 with 70 hours of autonomy. Arguably one of the industry’s most reliable and precise watch movements, it has been in production in La-Chaux-de-Fonds since 2009. Visible through the open sapphire crystal caseback, the movement is adorned with a rotor engraved with the Aston Martin logo, plated in rhodium or 18-carat red gold depending on the version.
