In the realm of precision chronographs, Breitling has been a stalwart since the 1940s, continuously enhancing its timepieces with high complications. Adding a new chapter to this legacy, the Top Time Classic Cars Collection now incorporates a tourbillon. This special series pays homage to automotive legends like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, and Shelby Cobra. Enter the Top Time B21 Classic Cars Chronograph Tourbillon – a symbol of speed and a testament to Breitling’s pioneering status in the luxury sport chronograph genre.
The timepiece features the Breitling Caliber B21, making its debut in the Premier Tourbillon the previous year. Collaborating closely with Manufacture La Joux-Perret, Breitling engineered this movement, uniquely combining a tourbillon with a chronograph, a distinctive hallmark of Breitling’s craftsmanship. Notably, it’s the first instance of a tourbillon being introduced in the Top Time Collection. The collection showcases a blend of unconventional materials, including bronze, ceramic, and titanium for the cases, and walnut burl on one of the dials.
Breitling’s CEO, Georges Kern, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to introduce a tourbillon to the Top Time Classic Cars series. There is no better expression of Breitling’s expertise in making precision tool watches that combine functionality with sophistication and style. Like the cars it represents, the Top Time B21 Classic Cars Chronograph Tourbillon is all about its design and its engine.”
The Top Time Collection, originating in the 1960s, aimed to cater to individuals with active lifestyles, departing from Breitling’s traditional tool watches. The Top Time, conceived by third-generation founder Willy Breitling, was designed to be style-driven and synonymous with enjoyment. Over time, the collection evolved into collaborations with classic sports car makers like Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, and Shelby Cobra, capturing the spirit of the 1960s.
The design of the Top Time B21 Classic Cars Chronograph Tourbillon is modern retro, featuring mushroom chronograph pushers, an up/down dial design with the tourbillon at 12 o’clock, and vintage dashboard-inspired elements like the “squircle” chronograph minute counter at 6 o’clock. A tachymeter scale circles the outer dial.
Each model in the Classic Cars Collection pays homage to its automotive counterpart. The Top Time B21 Ford Mustang, with its 43-mm bronze case and green dial, echoes the first-generation Ford Mustang. The Top Time B21 Shelby Cobra, in a 44-mm black ceramic case with a blue dial, honors the iconic car created by Carroll Shelby in 1962. The Top Time B21 Chevrolet Corvette, boasting a 44-mm black ceramic case and a walnut burl dial, pays tribute to the legendary 1960s “Sting Ray” Chevy Corvette.
The movement, Breitling Caliber B21, operates at a frequency of 28,800 a/h, with a power reserve of 55 hours. It is a COSC-certified chronometer with a column-wheel-controlled design and a horizontal clutch. The tourbillon, a fascinating addition, enhances accuracy by counteracting the effects of gravity. Water-resistant to 100 meters, the Top Time B21 Classic Cars Chronograph Tourbillon comes with Breitling’s 5-year warranty, delivering the style, power, and performance expected from a classic timepiece. Breitling Watch Collections
