Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling and British ultra-luxury sports car manufacturer Aston Martin have collaborated to pay tribute to the Aston Martin DB5 with the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41.
Introduced in 1963, one of the world’s most iconic on-screen cars, the Aston Martin DB5, became synonymous with British culture, design and innovation, firmly establishing Aston Martin as one of Britain’s most desirable luxury brands. Today, Breitling and Aston Martin proudly bring that shared legacy to the wrist with the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5, presented in three distinct limited-edition watches.
In the 1960s, the Top Time was Breitling’s unconventional chronograph, created for a new, youthful, speed-driven audience. When a Top Time ref. 2002 appeared on Sean Connery’s wrist in Thunderball (1965), worn alongside the Aston Martin DB5, two icons of the era shared a defining moment in design history. It marked the first Q-modified watch in the James Bond series and a chapter where speed and style found a common language.
That moment is reinterpreted here through material and form. Wood-inlayed details, hand-coloured gradient leather straps and refined dial executions echo the interiors of the Aston Martin DB5. The result is a watch that captures the feel of being behind the wheel of Aston Martin’s classic grand tourer.
“The Aston Martin DB5 is one of those rare designs that never fades,” said Georges Kern, CEO of House of Brands (Universal Genève, Breitling and Gallet).
“It still feels as relevant today as it did in the 1960s. With this Top Time, we capture that sense of timeless style.”
Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer at Aston Martin, added: “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.”
Every detail of the Top Time Tribute to Aston Martin DB5 brings together two design legacies: the tactile richness of Aston Martin interiors and the modern-retro codes of the Top Time. The cushion-shaped case, grooved corners, and mushroom pushers recall the distinctive profile of the 1960s chronograph, while the ‘squircle’ subdials capture the look of classic car dashboard gauges.
A wooden inner ring draws on the DB5’s steering wheel and the hand-coloured gradient leather strap reflects the depth and tone of fine automotive upholstery. Together, these elements create a watch shaped with the same attention to detail.
“This chronograph blends form with true function,” said Breitling’s Head of Product Design Pablo Widmer.
“As with the Aston Martin DB5, its beauty lies in its lines, materials and finishings.”
The collection is offered in three editions:
- Stainless steel with a silver dial, limited to 1,022 pieces, offers a balanced take that’s closest in spirit to the original Top Time ref. 2002.
- Steel and platinum with a black lacquered dial, limited to 315 pieces, introduces contrast and depth, with the platinum bezel adding weight and presence against the high-gloss black surface.
- 18-carat red gold with onyx dial, limited to 250 individually numbered pieces, brings an even more elevated expression. The dial is cut from natural onyx, the first use of the stone by Breitling, revealing a unique depth and lustre.
Across all three, the design details translate the Aston Martin DB5’s interior craftsmanship into a contemporary chronograph.
Manufacture Performance
The engine of the watch is the Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01, a COSC-certified chronograph movement designed for precision and reliability. Its column-wheel architecture and vertical clutch ensure smooth, accurate operation, while a 70-hour power reserve supports extended wear.
Visible through the open sapphire-crystal caseback, the movement is finished with a dedicated Aston Martin-engraved rotor – rhodium-plated or 18-carat red gold, depending on the version. Each edition pairs this performance with a design language rooted in one of the most recognisable cars ever made.
The Breitling Top Time Tribute to Aston Martin DB5 revisits a moment when two distinct approaches to design aligned. One shaped in performance and proportion, the other in precision and form. Together, they continue to be markers of style that stand the test of time.
For more information, please visit www.breitling.com or www.astonmartin.com.