Watch of the Week: Breitling's Top Time B01 Chronograph

There are few objects that have occupied the imagination of young boys quite like the Aston Martin DB5. Long before many of us knew what a chronograph was or could distinguish a V12 from a straight-six, we knew the DB5. It was the car that fired across the silver screen in the hands of Sean Connery's James Bond, complete with ejector seat, machine guns and enough effortless cool to make every other sports car seem ordinary.

For many, it wasn't simply a car. It was the first luxury object we ever coveted. It represented adventure, craftsmanship, British engineering and, perhaps above all else, the promise that one day you might own something truly extraordinary (or be James Bond).

It's fitting, then, that Breitling has chosen this icon as the inspiration for the new Top Time B01 Chronograph 41. The watch is a tribute to the Aston Martin DB5 and this isn't just another automotive collaboration; it's the reunion of two design icons that first crossed paths more than sixty years ago.

When Thunderball arrived in cinemas in 1965, Sean Connery wore a Breitling Top Time alongside the Aston Martin DB5. It was the first gadget watch to appear in the Bond franchise, years before exploding pens and laser-equipped Omegas became synonymous with Britain's most famous spy. While the DB5 went on to become one of cinema's greatest automotive stars, that Breitling quietly became part of Bond folklore. This latest release revisits that moment, and in doing so marks what feels like a genuinely big moment for Breitling.

Ever since the Top Time returned to the catalogue, I've felt it represents something of a renaissance for the brand. It reminded collectors that Breitling could do more than oversized pilot's watches and highly technical tool pieces. Here was a chronograph with elegance, charm and beautifully judged proportions, a watch that looked just as comfortable beneath the cuff of a navy blazer as it did gripping the wooden steering wheel of a classic grand tourer.

Like Aston Martin's most celebrated creation, the Top Time doesn't rely on excess to make an impression. Both emerged during a golden age of design, when restraint mattered more than spectacle and beautiful proportions were every bit as important as performance. Rather than simply adding an Aston Martin logo to an existing watch, Breitling has translated the character of the DB5 into something that feels genuinely considered.

“As Amazon MGM Studios prepares to shape the next chapter of James Bond, could Breitling once again become 007's watch of choice?”

The warm wooden chapter ring is inspired by the DB5's iconic timber steering wheel, while the beautifully graduated leather straps mirror the rich upholstery found inside the cabin. The softly squared sub-dials subtly reference the car's dashboard instruments, and the cushion-shaped case with its vintage mushroom pushers captures the spirit of the original 1960s Top Time without feeling overly nostalgic.

Three versions are available, each offering a different interpretation of the theme. The stainless-steel edition, limited to 1,022 pieces, is perhaps the purest expression and closest in spirit to the original Top Time. A striking steel-and-platinum model, restricted to just 315 examples, introduces a glossy black lacquer dial and platinum bezel for a more contemporary feel. Sitting at the top of the collection is a beautifully executed 18-carat red gold edition, limited to only 250 pieces, featuring Breitling's first ever dial cut from natural black onyx.

Underneath sits Breitling's superb Manufacture Calibre 01, a COSC-certified chronograph movement complete with a column wheel, vertical clutch and an impressive 70-hour power reserve. Turn the watch over and the sapphire caseback reveals a specially engraved Aston Martin rotor.

What I admire most about this watch is its confidence. In an era where so many collaborations scream for attention, this one whispers. It understands that the DB5 doesn't need overstatement, because its reputation was secured decades ago.

It also raises an intriguing question. As Amazon MGM Studios prepares to shape the next chapter of James Bond, could Breitling once again become 007's watch of choice? There has been no indication that such a partnership is on the horizon, but the history is already there. The connection feels authentic. And if Bond is to enter a new era, it wouldn't be the worst time for him to reunite with the watch that first appeared on his wrist alongside the world's most famous Aston Martin.

Whether that happens or not, one thing is certain. The Aston Martin DB5 remains every bit the dream machine it was in 1963. Breitling's Top Time has simply found a way to bottle a little of that magic and wear it on the wrist. We approve.

The Details

Brand: Breitling
Model: Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5
Case Size: 41mm
Movement: Manufacture Calibre 01, COSC-certified chronograph
Complications: Column wheel, vertical clutch
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Limited Editions: Stainless steel (1,022 pieces), Steel & platinum with black lacquer dial (315 pieces), 18ct red gold with black onyx dial (250 pieces)
Price: From £6,950

The Breitling Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5 is available now in three limited editions, with prices starting from £6,950 at breitling.com.