Swiss watchmaker Breitling delivers it’s third Top Time Deus watch created in partnership with Australian lifestyle brand Deus Ex Machina. For the first time, the resolutely retro timepiece delivers a tri-compax, reverse-panda display powered by their in-house B01 automatic winding movement. Let’s take a look at the new Breitling Top Time B01 Dues watch for 2023…
The original Breitling Top Time watch debuted in 1964, settings its sights on young and active professionals just getting into the luxury watch world. It quickly gained popularity by offering youthful and sophisticated aesthetics at a more entry-level price point compared to their flagship Navitimer and Chronomat ranges. The Breitling Top Time also became well-known in pop culture, famously worn by Sean Connery as James Bond in the 1965 film Thunderball. The design ceased production in 1970’s but was later relaunched in 2020 as the Breitling Premier Top Time “Zorro” watch. Shortly after, Breitling then collaborated with Deus Ex Machina who with their own culture of creativity and passion for machines, launched the inaugural Breitling Premier Top Time Deus Limited Edition. The watch boasted a reverse-panda, bi-compax display powered by the Breitling Calibre 23 movement. This was later joined by a second limited edition with all the same spec but with sky blue on the dial. For their third collaborative release, Breitling and Deus Ex Machina go back to the monochromatic colours of their first watch but instead swap out the Breitling Calibre 23 with the Breitling Calibre 01 with a longer power reserve and a tri-compax display.
The case of the new Breitling Top Time B01 Deus watch recalls all the familiar characteristics of previous Breitling Top Time watches, nominating a 41mm stainless steel case with a fixed, narrow bezel, straight lugs and piston-style chronograph pushers. The large knurled crown at 3 o’clock is non-screw locked so offers only a 30 metre water resistant rating and pairs with convex sapphire crystal treated with double anti-reflective coating for protection of the dial. Unlike previous Breitling Top Time Deus watches, the new 2023 edition celebrates the inclusion of Breitling’s in-house B01 calibre by swapping out the snapped engraved case back with one of sapphire crystal.
The dial of the Breitling Top Time B01 Deus watch is another familiar sight dressed in black and set with contrasting white “squircle” chronograph counters ” (not quite square and not quite circle). For the first time however, the watch comes with a tri-compax display, bonding the small seconds at 9 o’clock and 30 minutes chronograph counter at 3 o’clock with a 12 hour counter at 6 o’clock. The counters are slightly recessed with the chronograph subsidiary dials set with sporty red hands to match with the lightning bolt-shaped central chronograph seconds hand and markings on the tachymeter scale. The white tachymeter scale is also detailed with the words “In benzin veritas” translating to “In petrol we trust”, a slogan associated with Deus Ex Machina. The dial of the Breitling Top Time B01 Deus watch is completed by thin Superluminova inserts on the hands and hour markers.
The main novelty of the new Breitling Top Time B01 Deus watch is the automatic winding movement within. Anyone familiar with Breitling will know that their in-house Calibre B01 is one of their most powerful mechanical movements, offering 47 jewels, a frequency of 28,800vph and a weekend-proof 70 hour power reserve. This is a nice upgrade from the Breitling Calibre 23 which offered a power reserve of 48 hours. The Breitling Calibre B01 is also chronometer certified and can be admired through the Deus logo-adorned exhibition case back. Finally, the Breitling Top Time B01 Deus watch can be ordered on a racing-themed black perforated calfskin leather strap or a mesh-style stainless steel bracelet.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Breitling Top Time B01 Deus watch and shop the model for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 41mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Convex sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating
- Crown: Non screw-locked
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 30 metres
- Movement: Breitling B01 Calibre, automatic winding
- COSC: Yes
- Functions: Hours, minutes, chronograph seconds, small seconds, 30 minutes counter, 12 hours counter
- Power Reserve: 70 hours
- Jewels: 47
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Black with white “squircle” counters, Superluminova hands and markers
- Strap: Black racing-themed calfskin leather or mesh stainless steel bracelet
- RRP: £6,250 (Leather), £6,600 (Bracelet)
- Limited: No
