Breitling has unveiled the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5, a three-watch limited-edition collection inspired by the British grand tourer introduced in 1963. This is the historical side of the new Breitling–Aston Martin partnership, and it is a far more literal meeting of the two brands than the Formula 1-themed Navitimer that opened the collaboration.

Time and speed, reunited

The connection is not manufactured from a marketing spreadsheet. Breitling launched the youthful, speed-focused Top Time during the 1960s, and Sean Connery wore a modified Top Time reference 2002 in Thunderball in 1965 while driving the Aston Martin DB5. Now Breitling has translated the car’s silver bodywork, dark instrumentation, timber trim and hand-finished leather into three versions of its modern cushion-cased chronograph.

All three measure 41mm in diameter and 13.3mm thick, use domed sapphire crystals, offer 100 metres of water resistance and arrive on brown calfskin straps with folding clasps. A wooden inner bezel is the defining DB5 detail: it recalls the car’s steering wheel and dashboard without putting a miniature vehicle on the dial.

The silver-dial steel edition echoes the DB5’s bodywork and handcrafted interior. Image: Breitling.

Steel: the closest match to the classic DB5

Reference AB0178121G1X1 is the most direct interpretation. Its stainless-steel case surrounds a silver-toned dial, brown wooden tachymeter scale and a hand-coloured gradient leather strap. Limited to 1,022 pieces, it is priced at $11,400 in the United States, €10,500 in Europe and £8,650 in the United Kingdom.

Reference AB0178121G1X1 is limited to 1,022 pieces. Image: Breitling.

The silver version is also the one I would choose. It communicates “DB5” immediately, but the warm wood and leather stop the watch looking like a cold monochrome exercise.

The steel model combines a silver dial, wooden inner bezel and gradient leather. Image: Breitling.

Steel and platinum: black lacquer and extra rarity

The black-lacquered steel-and-platinum edition behind the wheel. Image: Breitling.

Reference PB0178121B1X1 keeps a stainless-steel case but adds a platinum bezel, a deep black lacquered dial and the same wood-inlaid inner scale. Production falls to 315 pieces, with prices of $18,600, €16,500 and £14,400. The black dial gives it the clearest instrument-panel character of the trio and the strongest contrast.

Reference PB0178121B1X1 adds a platinum bezel and is limited to 315 pieces. Image: Breitling.
The platinum bezel frames a deep black lacquered dial and wood-inlaid scale. Image: Breitling.

Red gold: natural onyx at the top of the range

The 18k red-gold and natural-onyx Top Time DB5 edition on the wrist. Image: Breitling.

The flagship reference RB0178131B1X1 pairs an 18k red-gold case with a dial cut from natural black onyx. Gold details frame the twin subdials, while the wooden inner bezel links the precious-metal watch back to the DB5 cabin. It is individually numbered, limited to 250 pieces and costs $41,500, €40,500 or £35,100, depending on market.

Reference RB0178131B1X1 uses an onyx dial and is limited to 250 pieces. Image: Breitling.
The flagship combines an 18k red-gold case with natural black onyx. Image: Breitling.

One proven engine for all three

Every version uses the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, an automatic integrated chronograph with a column wheel, vertical clutch and approximately 70 hours of power reserve. It is visible through the sapphire caseback beneath an Aston Martin-engraved rotor. The steel model receives a steel-coloured rotor; Breitling uses 18k red gold for the steel-and-platinum and gold editions.

The COSC-certified Caliber B01 and Aston Martin-engraved 18k red-gold rotor. Image: Breitling.

I approach this collection with a useful reference point. My own Top Time Zorro uses Breitling Caliber 23, while my Avenger Hurricane 45 Cobra Yellow has the B01—and that movement has been fantastic, consistently staying within five seconds per day. The B01 therefore feels entirely appropriate here: charismatic on the outside, serious engineering underneath.

The 41mm steel Top Time DB5 on its brown calfskin strap. Image: Breitling.

For me, the steel model is the winner and the most convincing DB5 tribute. The two precious-metal editions are beautifully executed, but the entry model already buys the complete story, the same movement and the strongest visual link to the famous Silver Birch car. This is exactly the Top Time the partnership was always destined to produce.

The red-gold Top Time DB5 returns to the car that inspired it. Image: Breitling.

Down below a cool wrist shot of my Breitling Top Time