Swiss watchmaker Breitling, known for its chronograph collections including the Navitimer and Chronomat, has launched the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5 in partnership with British carmaker Aston Martin. This new collection comes in three limited editions and is designed inspired by the Aston Martin DB5 model that debuted in 1963.
The Aston Martin DB5 first appeared in 1963 and soon became one of the most recognised cars ever shown on screen. Over the years, it turned into a symbol of British design and style, and helped make Aston Martin one of the country’s most desirable luxury brands.
Breitling’s Top Time has established a significance in the timeline. In the 1960s, it was created as an unconventional chronograph that would appeal to a younger, speed-loving crowd. When Sean Connery wore a Top Time ref. 2002 in Thunderball in 1965, alongside a DB5, it became a defining moment for both brands. The watch also holds a special place in Bond history, as this model was the first watch modified by Q
The collection uses wood-inlayed details, hand-coloured gradient leather straps, and dial finishes drawn from the design of the DB5’s interior. As the brands describe it, the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute is a watch that captures the feeling of sitting behind the wheel of Aston Martin’s classic grand tourer.
Georges Kern, CEO of House of Brands, said, “The Aston Martin DB5 is one of those rare designs that never fades. It still feels as relevant today as it did in the 1960s. With this Top Time, we capture that sense of timeless style.” House of Brands is a new group formed to house Breitling, Universal Geneve, and Gallet within it.
Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer at Aston Martin, said, “These editions represent something truly distinct from anything we’ve created before. The collaboration with Breitling brought together two brands with a shared appreciation for timeless design, craftsmanship, and innovation, allowing us to exchange ideas in a way that felt both natural and ambitious. Inspired by the enduring elegance of the Aston Martin DB5 and our shared heritage of iconic design, the watch captures a balance of beauty, precision, and performance. Every detail has been carefully considered to reflect the character and authenticity synonymous with both brands. The result is a watch that feels contemporary today, yet timeless for generations to come.”
The cushion-shaped case, grooved corners, and mushroom pushers echo the look of the original 1960s Top Time, while the squircle-shaped subdials are made to resemble classic car dashboard gauges.
A wooden inner ring inside the case is inspired by the DB5’s steering wheel, and the hand-coloured gradient leather strap is designed to match the tone and depth of fine automotive upholstery.
Pablo Widmer, Breitling’s Head of Product Design, said, “This chronograph blends form with true function,” he said. “As with the Aston Martin DB5, its beauty lies in its lines, materials, and finishings.”
The stainless steel version, with a silver dial, is limited to 1,022 pieces and stays closest to the original Top Time ref. 2002. The steel and platinum edition comes with a black lacquered dial and is limited to 315 pieces, with the platinum bezel adding extra weight against the glossy black surface.
The most exclusive version is made from 18k red gold with an onyx dial, limited to 250 individually numbered pieces. This is the first time Breitling has used onyx for a dial, and the stone gives the watch a distinct depth and shine.
All three editions are powered by the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, a COSC-certified chronograph movement. It uses a column-wheel design and a vertical clutch for smooth performance, along with a 70-hour power reserve.
The movement is visible through an open sapphire caseback and finished with an Aston Martin-engraved rotor, produced in rhodium plating or 18k red gold depending on the edition.
Breitling’s Top Time started out in the 1960s as an affordable chronograph for young, style-conscious buyers, but production stopped by the late 1970s during the Quartz Crisis. The line stayed out of Breitling’s catalogue for decades before returning in 2020 under CEO Georges Kern, later becoming a platform for collaborations with car and motorcycle brands such as Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, Shelby Cobra, and Triumph Motorcycles. The Aston Martin DB5 tribute is part of this ongoing series of collaborations.
