Breitling re-releases Top Time Classic Cars collection with new movement

Now the summer’s here and it's t-shirt weather, we’re eyeing handsome watches with a desperate fervour. Breitling’s Top Time Classic Cars collection grabbed our attention as it’s been re-released for 2023 with improved mechanisms.

Originally launched in 2021, the capsule collection is now underpinned by Breitling’s Manufacture Caliber 01 engineering. Seen from the transparent sapphire crystal back, there are six self-winding, colour-coordinated options to choose from.

A racing green dial with calfskin brown leather strap denotes the Ford Mustang, a red face with black leather strap pays homage to the Chevrolet Corvette, a dark blue dial with a black strap champions the Shelby Cobra, and the Ford Thunderbird - white with a red strap - are the four that make up the original collection.

The Top Time Triumph and Top Time Deus – inspired by two-wheeled machines, including the stunning 1951 Triumph Thunderbird 6T – have been added in July 2023.

The Ford Thunderbird with a metallic strap variation is due out in September, but can be pre-ordered from any Breitling branch across the UK, or online. 

Straps are, as usual, interchangeable and the faces feature subdials that Breitling reckons give the feel of vintage dashboard gauges. Bizarrely defined as ‘squircles’ – ‘not quite square, not quite round’ Breitling reckons – we’re overlooking the clunky product descriptions in favour of the pretty pictures.

Though the warranty is also being extended from five to eight years, we're also ignoring the flippant references to ‘novelty’ watches, since these time keepers cost a novel six grand a piece plus change. One for the birthday list.