September 24, 2026
Breitling's Top Time Tribute to Aston Martin DB5, Dedicated to an Iconic Car
BREITLING TOP TIME TRIBUTE TO ASTON MARTIN DB5
Breitling has unveiled the new chronograph "Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5," in homage to the iconic DB5, famously favored by James Bond in the "007" films. Three limited editions are available.
Text by KOSAKU WASEDA
Where Two Icons Intersect
The Aston Martin DB5, introduced in 1963, is renowned as one of the most emblematic automobiles to grace the silver screen. It stands as a testament to British culture, design, and innovation, playing a pivotal role in establishing Aston Martin as a premier luxury brand.
Now, Breitling and Aston Martin have collaborated on a model that encapsulates their shared legacy.
Launched in the 1960s, the Top Time was Breitling’s iconic chronograph designed for a new generation with a passion for speed. In the 1965 film "Thunderball," Sean Connery, as James Bond, wore the Top Time ref. 2002 alongside the Aston Martin DB5, marking a definitive moment in design history where two era-defining icons converged. This was the first modified watch supplied to Bond by "Q," playing a significant role in enhancing the film's excitement.
The new model reimagines that iconic moment through its materials and form. Details like the wooden inlay, the hand-dyed gradient leather strap, and the refined dial finish evoke the interior of the DB5. The result is a timepiece that conjures the sensation of gripping the steering wheel of a classic grand tourer.
The design fuses two legacies. The cushion-shaped case, fluted case corners, and mushroom-shaped pushers echo the silhouette characteristic of 1960s chronographs.
Meanwhile, the "squircle"-shaped subdials, blending squares and circles, recall the instrument panels of classic cars. The wooden inner ring is inspired by the DB5's steering wheel, and the hand-dyed gradient leather strap draws from the deep hues and textures of luxury car interior leather.
Breitling's Head of Product Design, Mr. Paulod Widmer, stated: "This chronograph merges beautiful design with true functionality. Like the DB5, its beauty lies in the details of its form, materials, and finish."
The collection comprises three editions. The stainless steel model with a silver dial (limited to 1,022 pieces) is a balanced timepiece that strongly inherits the spirit of the original Top Time ref. 2002.
The steel & platinum model with a black lacquer dial (limited to 315 pieces) features a platinum bezel that adds a sense of depth to the high-gloss black dial.
The 18K red gold model (limited to 250 pieces) is the most distinguished in the collection, featuring a unique serial number for each watch and Breitling's first-ever natural onyx dial.
The movement is Breitling’s Manufacture Caliber 01, offering smooth and precise operation with its column-wheel construction and vertical clutch, and a 70-hour power reserve. The sapphire crystal case back allows for viewing the movement, while the dedicated rotor, engraved with the Aston Martin logo, features a different finish for each version, in rhodium plating or 18K red gold.
Mr. Georges Kern, CEO of House of Brands (Universal Genève, Breitling, and Gallet), commented: "The DB5 is a design that never fades, retaining its presence and allure just as it did in the 1960s. With this Top Time, we've expressed that timeless style." Mr. Marek Reichman, Aston Martin's Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, added: "This is a special creation born from the shared values of both brands: timeless design, craftsmanship, and innovation. It embodies a perfect balance of beauty, precision, and performance, resulting in a watch that feels fresh for today yet possesses a universal appeal that transcends generations."
The "Top Time Tribute to Aston Martin DB5" revives a historic moment where the philosophies of Aston Martin, pursuing performance and beautiful proportions, and Breitling, refining precision and form, converged. As a symbol of enduring icons, it will continue to radiate its presence.
TOP TIME B01 CHRONOGRAPH 41 TRIBUTE TO ASTON MARTIN DB5
Case size: Diameter 41mm, Thickness 13.3mm
Case materials: Stainless steel / Stainless steel & platinum / 18K red gold
Movement: Caliber 01 (Self-winding)
Power reserve: 70 hours
Water resistance: 10 bar
Price:
[Stainless Steel] ¥1,628,000 (incl. tax)
[Stainless Steel & Platinum] ¥2,541,000 (incl. tax)
[18K Red Gold] ¥6,468,000 (incl. tax)
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Frequently Asked Questions about Breitling Watches
Q. What is the relationship between Breitling and Aston Martin?
The two brands established a formal partnership in 2026 when Breitling became the Official Watch Partner of Aston Martin and the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team. This collaboration is rooted in a shared pursuit of speed; Aston Martin has earned renown for perfecting speed, while Breitling has gained recognition for accurately measuring it. The connection between the two brands dates back further, to around 1907 when Breitling introduced the "Vitesse," a chronograph capable of measuring speeds up to 250 mph, during the nascent stages of the automotive industry. Furthermore, in the 1960s, the Breitling Top Time appeared as James Bond's first gadget watch in the film "Thunderball," which also featured the Aston Martin DB5, marking an intersection of the two entities. The "Top Time Tribute to Aston Martin DB5" is a model born from this historical connection and partnership between the two brands.
Q. What kind of watch is the Breitling "Top Time Tribute to Aston Martin DB5"?
It is a chronograph unveiled by Breitling and Aston Martin as a tribute to the iconic Aston Martin DB5, which debuted in 1963. Inspired by the historic moment in the 1965 film "Thunderball" when Sean Connery, as James Bond, wore the Top Time ref. 2002, it encapsulates the shared legacy of both brands. The watch is powered by the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, offering a 70-hour power reserve and 10 bar water resistance.
Q. What are the design features of this model?
It adopts the silhouette characteristic of 1960s chronographs, including the cushion-shaped case, fluted case corners, and mushroom-shaped pushers. Additionally, the "squircle"-shaped subdials, blending squares and circles, evoke the instrument panels of classic cars, while the wooden inner ring is inspired by the DB5's steering wheel, and the hand-dyed gradient leather strap reflects the texture of luxury car interior leather. The sapphire crystal case back allows viewing of the movement, and the dedicated rotor engraved with the Aston Martin logo can also be seen.