After WWII the British economy was in disarray, jobs were scarce and cars were beyond the reach of many young people. Motorcycles grew in popularity as a relatively affordable means of transportation and independence. Riders started stripping them down, tuning them up and using the modified motorbikes for street racing and socializing – it was not uncommon to see rows of bikes parked outside cafés. By the mid-1960s the café racer was a thing, and most of these bikes were made by British brands like Norton, BSA and Triumph. Inspired by this moto subculture, Willy Breitling – grandson of founder Léon Breitling – created the Top Time, a chronograph designed for ‘young and active professionals.’
Breitling’s new Top Time Triumph brings back that freewheeling 60s café-racer spirit. Part of the watchmakers first collaboration with motorcycle maker Triumph, the chronograph’s distinctive ice-blue dial has a bi-compax sub-dial configuration nicknamed the “Zorro” by collectors because of its similarity to the fictional swordsman’s mask. This unique color has two references: a blue Triumph Thunderbird 6T from 1951, and a rare, blue-dialed Breitling Top Time Ref. 815 from the 1970s. Both logos appear on the dial, along with a high-contrast tachymeter scale and SuperLumiNova-coated hands and markers. The 41-mm stainless steel case is the same size as the original and fitted to a moto-style perforated black leather strap. As a finishing touch, the case back is etched with a detailed design sketch of Triumph’s parallel twin engine.
Breitling Top Time Triumph ($5,500.00) – breitling.com
In conjunction with the watch release, Triumph launched the Speed Twin Breitling Limited Edition motorcycle. Limited to only 270 bikes worldwide, buyers will have the opportunity to purchase a special owner’s version of the Top Time Triumph, this one with a sunray dial and engraved caseback featuring the individual number of the bike (owner’s version orders must be placed with Triumph by August 22, 2022).
