Breitling Top Time B01 Triumph Watch

41 mm steel case, self-winding movement, leather strap

The 1960s were a decade of experimentation, fun, freedom and energy. Whether it was cruising the roads on a motorcycle or in a sports car, living life at full speed was the order of the day. Willy Breitling sensed this change of pace and set out to create an unconventional chronograph that reflected the spirit of the times. He named it the Top Time. This spirited tradition continues today as Breitling teams up with some of the biggest names in motoring to create its Top Time models. Created in collaboration with the long-established British motorcycle brand Triumph, this watch is most notable for its ice blue dial. This particular shade was specially matched to the blue 1951 Triumph Thunderbird 6T and the Breitling Top Time Ref. 815 with its blue dial, a rare model launched in the 1970s. Collectors will easily notice several other references to vintage Breitling watches, including the retro logo, mushroom pushers, and the “Zorro” dial design. First seen on a Top Time in the 1960s (and affectionately nicknamed after the famous masked vigilante), this bow-tie motif has been subtly incorporated using a metal-brushing technique, creating a fascinating play of light and texture. The design includes a Triumph emblem at 6 o’clock, a tachymeter to measure speed, and contrasting “squircle” subdials (half-round, half-square) that evoke the gauges on vintage dashboards. This watch also has a worthy engine under the hood: the exceptional Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01.