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Breitling celebrates the Aston Martin DB5 with an elegant new watch

• The Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5 is presented in three limited editions. • Stainless steel with a silver dial is limited to 1,022 pieces. • Stainless steel and platinum with a black lacquered dial is limited to 315 pieces. • 18K red gold with an onyx dial is limited to 250 individually numbered pieces. • Each version is powered by the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, a column wheel chronograph movement with a vertical clutch.

What is the new Breitling Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5?

It pays tribute to the Aston Martin DB5, among the most beautiful and iconic Grand Tourer’s (GT) of all time. Introduced in 1963, the DB5 “became synonymous with British culture, design, and innovation, firmly establishing Aston Martin as one of Britain’s most desirable luxury brands.”

Its cinematic credentials include appearances as James Bond’s or 007’s vehicle in the famous series. They include Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), Casino Royale (2006), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015) and No Time To Die (2021). In Thunderball, Sean Connery wore a Breitling Top Time Ref. 2002, making it the first Q-modified watch in the series “and a chapter where speed and style found a common language.”

Breitling and Asto Martin forged a new partnership in early 2026. Aston Martin DB5 in this image. Breitling Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5.
Left: The Aston Martin DB5, the namesake of the new watch. Middle: Aston Martin’s AMR26, its new 2026 Formula 1 car under the covers. Right: Aston Martin’s Valhalla, the brand’s V8 Twin Turbo Hybrid supercar. Aston Martin and Breitling signed a new partnership earlier this year.

The three limited editions of the new Breitling Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5 captures the spirit of this legendary GT. They belong to the brand’s Top Time collection.

 Also Read: Aston Martin announces a new partnership with Breitling

What are their dial features?

Breitling Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5.
Image: Stainless steel and platinum version. The fixed bezel is made from platinum. The header image is the 18K red gold version. The subdials on all three versions feature a concentric textured finish surrounded by thin polished rhodium-coated rings (stainless steel and stainless steel and platinum version) and golden rings (18K red gold version). “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.” Georges Kern, CEO of House of Brands (Universal Genève, Breitling, and Gallet).

Stainless steel version: Sunburst silver-coloured dial with a brushed finish. Black-coloured subdials. Wooden rehaut or inner ring. Hour and minute hands and applied hour-markers are coated with Super-LumiNova.

Breitling Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5.
Image: Stainless steel version. The wooden inner ring is inspired by the DB5’s steering wheel.

Stainless steel and platinum version: Sunburst black-lacquered dial with a brushed finish. Black subdials. Wooden rehaut or inner ring. Hour and minute hands and applied hour-markers are coated with Super-LumiNova.

18K red gold version: Black onyx dial. Black onyx subdials. Wooden rehaut or inner ring. Hour and minute hands and applied hour-markers are coated with Super-LumiNova.

Also Read: Breitling unveils the enticing new Chronomat collection

What are their case features?

Breitling Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5.
From left: Stainless steel version, 18K red gold version, and stainless steel and platinum version. The “hand-coloured gradient leather strap” on each version is inspired by the “depth and tone” of the DB5’s handcrafted upholstery (as pictured). The folding clasp buckle is made from stainless steel in the stainless steel and stainless steel and platinum versions, and from 18K red gold in the 18K red gold version.

Cushion-shaped case made from stainless steel, stainless steel with a platinum bezel, or 18K 5N gold case depending on version. They measure 41 mm (diameter) * 13.8 mm (thickness). Lug-to-lug distance: 47.9 mm. Dial side features a cambered sapphire crystal that is glare-proofed on both sides. The screwed-in caseback features a sapphire crystal. Water resistant up to 10 bar or (approximately) 100 metres.

Each version comes with a brown-coloured calfskin leather strap fitted to a folding clasp buckle.

Is the movement COSC certified?

Breitling Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5.
Image: The skeletonised automatic winding rotor in the 18K red gold version (pictured) and stainless steel and platinum version is made from 18K full gold, whereas in the stainless steel version is rhodium plated. Notice the Aston Martin logo and “Tribute to DB5” engraved on the rotor. The 18K red gold version is individually numbered. The movement is a COSC certified chronometer.

Yes. The three versions are powered by Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, an automatic chronograph movement with a column wheel and vertical clutch. It drives the central hours and minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock, chronograph functions: central 1/4th seconds and 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. It measures 30 mm (diameter) * 7.2 mm (thickness), comprises 284 parts and 34 jewels, beats at a modern frequency of 4 Hz or 28,800 vph and delivers a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. The movement is COSC certified.

What do we think?

Breitling Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5.
Image: Stainless steel version. The “squircle” subdials evoke the dashboard instrument gauges of classic cars. A versatile luxury watch, one that will delight its owner. A compelling watch to own if you happen to be both a watch and a car guy or girl.

The Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5 is a beautiful and elegant watch, one that evokes the spirit and imagination of its namesake car and appearances in the James Bond series. In my opinion, it is one of the more tasteful watches to come out of an automotive collaboration. It is a compelling addition to a watch collection, with the stainless steel and stainless steel and platinum versions rather accessible.

Breitling Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5.
Image: The Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5 is a masterclass in a watch brand and automotive collaboration. It captures the essence of the DB5 without being loud. Rather, it whispers the details of the DB5. A watch that will age as gracefully as the iconic GT.

Breitling has undergone a renaissance under the leadership of CEO Georges Kern, who with his dynamic leadership and team have grouped Breitling, the newly revived Universal Genèva and the soon-to-be launched Gallet into House of Brands. In addition, House of Brands will exhibit at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2027, rather than at a renown hotel as was the case. The brand is a founding member of Geneva Watch Days, the seventh edition of which is just around the corner.

Also Read: Universal Genève is back in the right hands. The hard part starts now

Additional Details

Name: Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5

Reference: AB0178121G1X1 (Stainless steel with a silver dial)

Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 9,950 (inclusive of VAT)

Limited to 1,022 pieces.

Name: Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5

Reference: PB0178121B1X1 (Steel and platinum with a black lacquered dial)

Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 15,500 (inclusive of VAT)

Limited to 315 pieces.

Name: Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5

Reference: RB0178131B1X1 (18K red gold with an onyx dial)

Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 39,500 (inclusive of VAT)

Limited to 250 individually numbered pieces.

Warranty: 5 years. Extendable up to an additional 3 years (since the model features a Breitling Manufacture movement).

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