Breitling has been a mainstay in the luxury watch world for as long as watches have been on the wrists of explorers around the world. After their success with the iconic Navitimer, Breitling looked for a new way to make a splash, and boy, did they find a great one in the early sixties. When they dropped the Breitling Top Time, it was a revolution, the kind that showed up on the wrist of one of the most famous people in the world. When James Bond wears a watch, it becomes an icon, a legend. Now, the Top Time didn’t have the Geiger counter on it that Sean Connery’s did in 1965’s Thunderball, but it was a pillar for the next decade. Following the discontinuation in the 1970s and the relaunch in 2020, Breitling has dropped a new version honoring one of the greatest cyclists to ever pedal.
Eddy Merckx is the greatest cyclist of all time. His record speaks for itself. These watches capture that drive, that constant push to go further, faster, and push limits. – Jean-Marc Pontroué, CEO, Breitling
Built on time
During the time of the Top Time’s first reign in the sixties and seventies, one name stood at the top of the list in the cycling world: Eddy Merckx. His accumulation of 525 victories, including 11 Grand Tours, 19 Monument classics, and three World Championships, remains the gold standard of cycling excellence. Given that and the time of his dominance, he is the perfect subject for the new Top Time.
Georges Kern, House of Brands CEO, says, “Few athletes have defined their sport the way Eddy Merckx did. His relentless drive, ambition, and competitive spirit perfectly reflect the character of the Top Time collection.”
Breitling’s Manufacture Caliber 01 is the spirit behind this piece, along with a 70-hour power reserve for all of you looking for a good, long ride. The bright yellow dial featuring the legend’s signature at the 6 pm mark and a caseback numbering the limited edition makes this the next in a long line of Top Time masterpieces.
