After the sell-out success of the Breitling Top Time Classic Cars collection of 2021, the Swiss watch maker is returning with an updates series which includes a new model dedicated to the Ford Thunderbird and the Breitling B01 movement. The 2023 Breitling Top Time Classic Cars watch collection boasts four watches in total, the Top Time B01 Ford Mustang, Shelby Cobra, Chevrolet Corvette and the Ford Thunderbird, each dressed in the colours and emblems of their 1950 and 60’s sports car counterparts.
Two years ago, Breitling set out to celebrate the 1960’s, the era when the original Breitling Top Time watch was launched, with a range of retro, unconventional chronographs inspired by different sports cars from the era. The original Breitling Top Time Classic Cars collection featured three references, each adorned in colourful dials evoking the paintwork of their vehicle counterpart. There was the red-dialled Top Time Chevrolet Corvette and the green-dialled Top Time Ford Mustang, both 42mm in size with a tri-compax display powered by the COSC-certified Breitling Calibre 25 movement. Then there was the blue-dialled Top Time Shelby Cobra with a bi-compax layout and a 40mm case to house the Breitling Calibre 41 movement. These watches were part of a capsule collection and so were only around for a limited time, quickly proving their popularity by selling out in just a matter of months.
Now as we head into the one of the busiest times of the year for the luxury watch world, with the highly ancitipated Watches & Wonders event just around the corner, Breitling has just revealed a brand new, updated collection of 2023 Breitling Top Time Classic Cars watches. This time, the series features four designs, all measuring to 41mm and all powered by the coveted in-house Breitling B01 automatic winding movement. Alongside the familiar Top Time B01 Chevrolet Corvette, Top Time B01 Ford Mustang and Top Time B01 Shelby Cobra, Breitling introduces a new Top Time B01 Ford Thunderbird watch inspired by the sports car of the same name.
Let’s start with the new member of the family, the Breitling Top Time B01 Ford Thunderbird watch. It boasts a brand-new, clean white dial which contrasts brilliantly to the sporty red chronograph hands, teal-coloured Thunderbird logo at 12 o’clock and teal-coloured small seconds hand. The 41mm stainless steel case remains faithful to the previous generation but secures to the wrist by a red, racing-themed calfskin leather strap. It also, like the other three models, features some subtle changes to the chronograph counters and tachymeter scale compared to the 2021 collection. Thanks to the Breitling B01 chronograph movement, the sunken, rounded-square counters present the small seconds at 3 o’clock, 12 hours at 6 o’clock and 30 minutes at 3 o’clock.
The Breitling Top Time B01 Chevrolet Corvette watch is much of the same in appearance to its predecessor, electing a deep red dial, black chronograph counters, and a black calfskin leather strap as is the Breitling Top Time B01 Ford Mustang with its dark green dial, black counters and dark brown leather strap. The Breitling Top Time B01 Shelby Cobra watch remains the only design in the entire 2023 Breitling Top Time Classic Cars collection with a blue, bi-compax display with the vintage Cobra logo replacing the chronograph counter at 6 o’clock. Each of the Breitling Top Time B01 Classic Cars watches can also be ordered on a Milanese-style stainless steel bracelet.
The rest of the specifications for the new 2023 Breitling Top Time Classic Cars watches are the same across all four designs. Each elects a 41mm stainless steel case with polished surfaces, angled lugs, a smooth fixed bezel and sapphire crystal glass. There’s also a flat knurled crown at 3 o’clock, piston-styled chronograph pushers and a 100 metre water resistant rating. All of the 2023 Breitling Top Time Classic Cars watches are powered by the in-house Breitling B01 self-winding movement which is proudly displayed through an exhibition case back. The movement provides a 70 hour power reserve, 41 jewels and runs at a frequency of 28,800vph.
If the new 2023 Breitling Top Time Classic Cars watch collection is going to be anything like that from two years ago, these designs are not going to stick around for long. You can secure one for yourself by heading to the Jura Watches website here or calling the team on 01335 453453. Alternatively, send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 41mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Breitling B01 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, central chronograph seconds, 12 hours, 30 minutes
- Power Reserve: 70 hours
- Jewels: 41
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: White, red, green or blue with tachymeter scale, sunken chronograph counters, Superluminova hands and markers, classic car logo
- Strap: Calfskin leather or Milanese bracelet
- Buckle: Folding
- RRP: £6,300 (Leather), £6,600 (Bracelet)
- Limited: No
- Release Date: March 2023
