Breitling and Aston Martin launch Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to DB5 in three limited editions
Breitling and Aston Martin have unveiled the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5, a three-edition limited watch collection inspired by the iconic 1960s grand tourer.
- 1,022
- 315
- 250
- 70 hours
What Happened
Aston Martin and Breitling have unveiled the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5, the first timepiece from their partnership announced at the beginning of 2026. The DB5, introduced in 1963, is synonymous with British culture, design, and innovation, and the collection also draws on the 1960s Breitling Top Time, a chronograph created for a youthful, speed-driven audience. Three limited-edition models were presented at Gaydon and will be available from July 2026.
Aston Martin DB5 introduced.
A Breitling Top Time ref. 2002 appears on Sean Connery's wrist in Thunderball alongside the DB5, the first Q-modified watch in the James Bond series.
Breitling and Aston Martin announce their partnership.
Top Time Tribute to DB5 becomes available.
- Stainless steel with a silver dial, limited to 1,022 pieces, closest in spirit to the original Top Time ref. 2002.
- Steel and platinum with a black lacquered dial, limited to 315 pieces, adding contrast and depth with a platinum bezel.
- 18k red gold with an onyx dial, limited to 250 individually numbered pieces; the first use of natural onyx by Breitling.
Design details translate the DB5's interior craftsmanship into the watch: a wooden inner ring draws on the DB5's steering wheel, hand-colored gradient leather straps reflect fine automotive upholstery, and a cushion-shaped case, grooved corners, mushroom pushers and "squircle" subdials recall the 1960s chronograph and classic car dashboard gauges. The watch captures the feel of being behind the wheel of Aston Martin's classic grand tourer. Powering it is the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, a COSC-certified chronograph movement with a column-wheel architecture, vertical clutch and a 70-hour power reserve. The open sapphire-crystal caseback reveals an Aston Martin–engraved rotor, rhodium-plated or 18k red gold depending on the edition.
“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.”
“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 desig”
“This chronograph blends form with true function. As with the Aston Martin DB5, its beauty lies in its lines, materials, and finishings.”
Why this matters
This is the first product from the Breitling–Aston Martin partnership announced at the beginning of 2026, and the three limited-edition chronographs will be available from July 2026. The collection translates the DB5's interior craftsmanship and the 1960s Top Time design into a modern watch, with each edition produced in limited numbers. It gives buyers a new way to connect with the DB5's legacy through a wearable object.
Terms in This Story
- chronograph
- A type of watch that functions as both a timepiece and a stopwatch.
- COSC-certified
- Officially certified as a precision chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute.
- power reserve
- The amount of time a mechanical watch will continue running without being wound.
- column-wheel
- A component in a mechanical chronograph that controls the start, stop, and reset functions smoothly.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.