Breitling Honors the Aston Martin DB5 With Three Limited Edition Top Time Watches

Breitling and Aston Martin have introduced three limited edition Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 watches inspired by the DB5, the British sports car closely associated with classic James Bond films.

The collection combines details from the DB5’s cabin and dashboard with Breitling’s distinctive Top Time chronograph design. All three watches use a 41mm case, a mechanical chronograph movement and a brown perforated leather strap influenced by the car’s upholstery.

Production numbers and materials vary across the range. The most accessible stainless steel model is limited to 1,022 pieces, while the steel model with a platinum bezel is limited to 315 pieces. The most exclusive version uses an 18 carat red gold case and is limited to 250 pieces.

Design details connect the watches to the Aston Martin DB5

One of the collection’s most distinctive features is the wooden inner ring surrounding the dial. Its appearance refers to the wooden steering wheel and interior trim found in the original DB5.

The chronograph subdials use rounded square shapes that resemble instruments from a classic car dashboard. Mushroom shaped pushers continue the 1960s influence, while the brown calfskin strap includes perforations similar to those seen in vintage automotive interiors.

The stainless steel version has a silver sunray dial with black subdials and silver coloured markers. Its restrained combination closely matches the appearance of classic mid century sports watches.

The second version combines a stainless steel case with a fixed platinum bezel and black lacquered dial. A gold winding rotor is visible through the transparent caseback, adding a precious metal detail without moving to a fully gold case.

At the top of the collection is the red gold model. It introduces a polished dial made from natural black onyx, accompanied by red gold subdial rings, gold indexes and a solid gold rotor. Breitling says this is the first time it has used a natural onyx dial in this form within the Top Time family.

Breitling’s B01 movement provides a 70 hour reserve

All three watches use the Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01, commonly known as the B01. This automatic mechanical movement has a column wheel chronograph mechanism, a vertical clutch and a power reserve of approximately 70 hours.

The movement has received chronometer certification for accuracy. Owners can view it through a sapphire crystal caseback, where the rotor carries Aston Martin branding.

Each model measures 41mm across and approximately 47.9mm from one end of the case to the other. The watches are also water resistant to 100 metres, despite using traditional chronograph pushers rather than prominent screw down controls.

Breitling has paired each version with a folding clasp made from a material appropriate to the case. The watches are available through company boutiques and authorised retailers, although availability will depend on the limited production assigned to each model.

The DB5 connection also reflects the shared history of the two brands in popular culture. A Breitling Top Time appeared with Sean Connery in the 1965 film Thunderball, where a modified version of the watch was used as part of Bond’s equipment. The new collection draws from that period without copying the original screen watch directly.

Prices range from $11,400 for the steel edition to $41,500 for the red gold model.