Breitling Now Brings The Top Time Classic Cars Tourbillon
The Breitling Top Time Classic Cars collection is back and this time it brings three new models that now add a tourbillon to the chronograph complication.
A collection that has its ancestors way back in the 60s when it first appeared to respond to lovers of speed, since then the collection has undergone updates, counting in recent years with the partnership of three car brands, being they are the already known Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette and Shelby Cobra.
The big news already revealed is the tourbillon displayed on the dial, driven by the Caliber B21 developed in partnership with Manufacture LaJoux-Perret that debuted last year, but also the diversity of materials used, on the outside and the dial.
As for the different variants, the Ford Mustang comes in a 43mm bronze case whose material also extends to the crown and the two pushers, a titanium case back and folding clasp and a green dial with gilt accents and a brown leather strap. The Shelby Cobra comes with a 44mm ceramic case, titanium case back, crown, pushers and folding clasp, and a blue leather strap matching the tone of the dial. Finally, the Chevrolet Corvette comes in a 44mm titanium case whose material also extends to the crown, pushers, case back and folding clasp, a walnut root wood dial and brown leather strap.
The three chronographs, despite differences in materials, share the same layout on the dial, featuring an inner tachymeter black bezel, tourbillon at noon with a horizontal bridge and rotating cage, squircle 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock, applied hour markers and white minute track matching with inscriptions of the brand’s lettering at 3 o’clock and ‘Chronograph’ followed by the name of the collection at 9 o’clock.
Inside runs the automatic movement B21 with a column wheel which is COSC certified, operating at 28,800 Vph and offering up to 55 hours of power reserve. This can be observed in operation through the open rear case whose main highlight is the skeletonized oscillating mass.
The watches, which come attached to a rally-style perforated leather strap, can now be purchased at the brand’s official boutiques and authorized retailers for a price of €45,000.
Our Opinion
For chronograph lovers, the inclusion of a tourbillon may not be well understood, as it reduces the chronograph function to a single counter, however, it may delight those who like speed and complications, being a kind of two-in-one.
We who are more traditionalists think that, as here says, ‘every monkey has its branch’ and therefore it continues to cause some confusion for us to mix these two complications, however, this launch is not a surprise for us since Caliber B21 called for new ventures and the market too.
The diversity of materials used seems interesting and thus serves different targets, while the price of close to €50,000 seems challenging to us compared to so many alternatives on the market.
Read more here.
General Specifications:
Brand: Breitling
Model: Top Time B21 Chevrolet Corvette, Top Time B21 Shelby Cobra, Top Time B21 Ford Mustang
Reference: SB21252A1Q1X1 (Chevrolet Corvette), SB21251A1C1X1 (Shelby Cobra), NB21251A1L1X1 (Ford Mustang)
Dial: Green, blue, wood
Lume: Super-LumiNova
Case Material: Bronze, ceramic, titanium
Case Dimensions: 43 / 44 mm diameter
Crystal: Sapphire Glass
Case Back: Sapphire Glass
Water Resistance: 100 Meters
Strap: Perforated leather strap with titanium butterfly clasp
Caliber: Breitling B21
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, tourbillon
Winding: Automatic
Jewels: 25
Frequency: 28,800 Vph
Power Reserve: 55 Hours
Chronometer Certified: COSC-certified
Price: € 45,000
Availability: Now
