What made you choose the Ford Thunderbird as the next inspiration for the Top Time collection?
With the Mustang, the Shelby and the Corvette, we explored the muscle car and racing sides of the American car culture, but we felt that one flavour was still missing. The Thunderbird is a different proposal – it has a more relaxed stance and is a fun cruiser. Slightly less flashy and more subtle, it reflects the recipe we tried to capture in the watch as well.
In the existing models – Mustang, Shelby and Corvette – what are the major changes that the pieces have received?
The movement and the case design have been updated. The watches are equipped with latest iteration of the Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01, which is found in the new Premier chronograph. It was redesigned in 2022 and features a trimmer profile and more compact oscillating weight, which is visible through the sapphire-crystal caseback. The differences are purely aesthetic and have no impact on performance. While you’ll find a more refined Côtes de Genève finish on the Navitimer, Premier and Chronomat pieces, underscoring their elegance, the Top Time features a more rugged satin-brushed finish that matches their muscular DNA. The movement comes with a five-year warranty and provides an approximate 70-hour power reserve.
The case design is also entirely new. Unlike the previous two-part case, the new generation has a more modern three-part case with a removable bezel. This allows us to have an even better finishing on the case and to alternate polished and brushed surfaces. Another key improvement is a screwed-down open caseback, which adds to increased water resistance.
Since Breitling is known more for its aviation inspired watches, how has the car inspired range been received by buyers/collectors?
Breitling has always been known for making highly technical, precise and reliable watches. This recipe established our name in the field of aviation, but petrol heads – a term I use with great affection – are also very sensitive to these characteristics, which explains why we have received a fantastic reception with this new collection, both from collectors and from our partners.
Which of the four pieces in the Top Time collection is your personal favourite?
My pick would the Shelby, both because it is my favourite car of the group, and because blue is my favourite colour. And the second choice is the Corvette. Its red dial is very special and I encourage all Top Time enthusiasts to go to one of our boutiques to see one on their own wrists.
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