It’s highly likely that car enthusiasts, watch nuts, and James Bond fans often run into each other at events. Many car aficionados are into timepieces because of their mechanical nature and craftsmanship. A lot of people who are into 007 are also into cars and/or watches because they’ve been so integral to the film franchise for decades (I bought my Omega Seamaster 300M because I’m such a James Bond nerd). As part of its collaboration with Aston Martin, Breitling may have come up with just the watch to satisfy all three types of fans: the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5.
On the silver screen, James Bond first drove an Aston Martin DB5 in 1964’s “Goldfinger,” but he didn’t use that gadget-laden car and a Breitling until the following year’s “Thunderball.” At the beginning of the movie, 007 murders an enemy that faked his death, then jetpacks to his waiting DB5, which has a pop-up bulletproof screen and water jets behind the taillights to ward off his late foe’s henchmen. Later in the film, Bond uses the Geiger counter (courtesy of Q Branch) built into his Breitling Top Time (ref. 2002) to detect the presence of nuclear missiles on SPECTRE villain Emilio Largo’s yacht, the Disco Volante.
The Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5 is available in three variations, but they all have the same basic characteristics. The 41mm cushion-shaped case has fluted corners, and “mushroom” pushers for starting/stopping and resetting the stopwatch. A sapphire crystal covers the dial, which is surrounded by a wood inlay — a nod to the rim of the DB5’s steering wheel. The dial features “squircle”-shaped subdials: The one on the left serves as the second hand for the main time and the one on the right counts minutes for the stopwatch (while the large second hand in the middle of the dial helps the stopwatch track that unit of time). A hand-colored brown calfskin leather strap, designed to reflect “the depth and tone of fine automotive upholstery,” fills the space between the lugs and fastens with a folding clasp.
The transparent caseback shows off the in-house Manufacture Caliber 01 movement. A special Aston Martin–engraved rotor, plated with rhodium or 18k red gold depending on the model, helps wind the watch and build up its 70-hour power reserve. Water resistance is rated at 100 meters (330 feet).
According to Breitling, the stainless steel model with the silver dial is the closest in spirit to the Top Time ref. 2002 (no nuke detector included). It will also have the highest production run (1,022 units) as well as the lowest retail price ($11,400).
The next level up also has a stainless steel case but a platinum bezel that highlights the glossy black lacquer dial. Breitling will produce much fewer (315) of these pieces, each at a price of $18,600.
At the top of the range is the 18k red gold model with a black onyx dial — Breitling’s first use of the material. Each one of the 250 watches will be individually numbered and come with a $41,500 price tag. If only we could all wear fancy, employer-issued Swiss watches …
