Breitling reimagines the Aston Martin DB5 as a watch
Breitling teams up with Aston Martin on three car-inspired limited edition watches
QUICK SUMMARY
Breitling has collaborated with Aston Martin to create the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41.
Crafted as a tribute to the Aston Martin DB5, the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 is available in three limited edition versions, and has elements inspired by the car’s interiors.
Breitling has teamed up with Aston Martin on the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41, a stunning, intricate watch that pays tribute to the iconic Aston Martin DB5 car. Available in three versions, the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 is inspired by the interior of the Aston Martin DB5, including its upholstery and steering wheel.
The Aston Martin DB5 was first introduced in 1963. It’s known as one of the most iconic on-screen cars, as it was featured in not one, not two but eight James Bond films. Aston Martin and Breitling have that in common, as Breitling’s Top Time ref. 2002 was worn by Sean Connery’s Bond in Thunderball in 1965.
To celebrate this history, Breitling and Aston Martin have collaborated on the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 which looks like the Aston Martin DB5 in watch form. The watch is available in three limited edition versions, including stainless steel with a silver dial, steel and platinum with a black lacquered dial, and a 18K red gold with onyx dial.
Measuring 41mm, the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 features a cushion-shaped case with a round, fixed bezel. The corners of the watch have a grooved pattern which matches the outer ring of the crown. The crown is flanked by two mushroom chronograph pushers that hark back to Breitling’s original 1960s chronograph watch.
The Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 has many wooden details as inspired by the interior accents of the Aston Martin. This is most prominent on the wooden inner rehaut ring which is a nod to the DB5’s steering wheel.
While the dials differ in colour and material, the features are the same, including a main sunray brushed dial, and chronograph subdials at three and nine o’clock. The subdials are 1/4th second and 30-minute counters, and have a ‘squircle’ shape – squares with rounded corners – that are meant to look like the dashboard gauges on classic cars.
The dial has an external minute track, hours, minutes and seconds hands, and bar-like hour markers. The hands have Super-LumiNova to enhance the visibility in low light conditions.
Powered by the Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01 movement, the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 has a 70 hour power reserve. The movement, including a vertical clutch and column-wheel, can be seen via the open caseback. It beautifully displays the Aston Martin-engraved rotor which comes in rhodium or 18K red gold, depending on the version you pick.
The Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 is finished with a brown calf-skin leather strap, another nod to the DB5’s upholstery. My personal favourite is the steel, platinum and black lacquered dial as I like the contrast between black dial, wooden rehaut and steel case. This version is limited to 315 pieces and costs £14,400, so it’ll be slightly harder to get your hands on but not impossible.
The stainless steel and silver dial is limited to 1,022 pieces and priced at £8,650, while the 18K red gold version is limited to just 250 pieces and costs £35,100. Pricing can be found on the Breitling website.
