Meet Breitling's New Top Time Classic Cars Capsule Collection

Breitling has released a red and black Chevrolet Corvette-inspired wristwatch, a green and black Ford Mustang watch, and a blue and silver Shelby Cobra watch as part of its Top Time range. The trio belongs to Breitling’s innovative Classic Cars Capsule Collection and offer something for both racing-focussed sportsters and classic chronograph watch collectors.

Minus the expletives, it was once said by Carroll Shelby, that if it ain’t worth it, people won’t buy it and that “it don’t matter how much you spend on the ads!”. And it’s true. If a brand can’t back up the hype of a new product, it’s not worth shelling out the pennies for. Luckily for Breitling, the new Classic Cars Capsule Collection has unveiled a trio of classic-looking chronographs that are worth the investment. Bursting into the Top Time collection in vivid colours and providing plenty of wrist candy is the new red and black Chevrolet watch, the green and black Ford Mustang watch, and the blue and silver Shelby Cobra watch. The models come in wearable sizes that span from 40mm to 42mm and each one is crafted from robust stainless steel, integrated with 100-meter water resistance.

First – the differences. Apart from the obvious differences in colour, one model from this new set-of-three Top Time classic-car inspired wristwatches stands out for other reasons. The Cobra Shelby model measures a smaller 40mm size compared to its two larger 42mm siblings. It also features a bicompax chronograph dial layout and is powered by a different movement. All said and done, however, the watches share some undeniable characteristics. The vivid dials with contrasting chronograph sub-counters are framed by a legible tachymeter scale, protected by a strong sapphire crystal glass front, and come fitted on a racing-inspired calfskin leather strap. Also, they’re all inspired by American muscle cars from the past. These classic cars have influenced the history of American motorsport and are still hugely sought-after icons today. Let’s take a look at each of the three new Breitling Top Time watches from the Classic Cars Capsule Collection.

The Breitling Top Time Chevrolet Corvette watch

The Chevrolet Corvette had clearly established itself as an American sports car by the year 1960 and as the original model evolved, it gave way to the second generation, distributed between the years 1963 to 1967. The Chevrolet Corvette C2 “Sting Ray” car took inspiration from a racing-focussed prototype that was made earlier in 1959. Evoking the same passion for high speed and adrenaline, the new 42mm stainless steel Chevrolet Corvette watch is 100-meter water-resistant and bears the car manufacturer’s insignia on the back of a snapped caseback, concealing the Calibre 25 behind it. This same self-winding engine is shared with the striking green and black Ford Mustang model and produces an impressive 42-hour power reserve once fully wound. The functions of the Breitling Top Time Chevrolet Corvette watch include; 1/8th of a second chronograph hand, a 30 second, 15-minute, 6-hour totaliser, and a central hour and minute hand. The hands and stick markers against the Corvette-red-coloured dial are treated with Super-LumiNova and are surrounded by a black tachymeter scale, penetrated by vivid orange and yellow accents.

Technical specifications of the new Breitling Top Time Chevrolet Corvette watch

• Case: 42mm - stainless steel – 100-meter water-resistant – snapped caseback engraved with an image of the Chevrolet Corvette logo – anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – screw-locked crown with two gaskets
• Dial: Red – black filled chronograph counters at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock – Super-LumiNova-coated stick hour markers and hands –orange and yellow accents - black tachymeter scale 
• Movement: Breitling Calibre 25 – self-winding – COSC-certified – 28,800 v. P. H – 42-hour power reserve – 1/8th of a second – 30 seconds – 15 minutes – 6 hours functions
• Strap: Black racing-themed perforated leather strap – stainless steel folding clasp – engraved with the Breitling logo
• Reference: A25310241K1X1
• Price: £4,360

The Breitling Top Time Ford Mustang watch

Just as the red Chevrolet Corvette chronograph watch boasts the car manufacturer’s insignia on the surface of the dial, the free-roaming wild horse symbolising the Mustang brand is showcased against a rich green dial in a galloping stance – a motif that is also repeated on the surface of the model’s steel snapped caseback. The rich green dial has the ability to appear almost black when caught under some lights, just as the classic car featured on the wrist of Steve McQueen in “Bullitt” movie did. The 42mm stainless steel model, once again, features bright orange and yellow accents in the hands of the 15-minute and 6-hour totalisers, as well as the black tachymeter scale. The watch, as mentioned, is powered by the Breitling 25 movement and is fitted on a brown calfskin leather strap which adds a nostalgic flair to what is already a beautiful vintage-inspired chronograph styling. The first generation of Ford Mustang watches developed between the years of 1964 and 1972 featured a cockpit pushed far back into the chassis, giving the Ford Mustang a longer bonnet and a shortened rear deck. It was the ultimate bedroom wall pinup for cars.

Technical Specifications of the Breitling Top Time Ford Mustang watch

• Case: 42mm - stainless steel – 100-meter water-resistant – snapped caseback engraved with an image of the Mustang horse logo – anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – non screw-locked crown with two gaskets
• Dial: Green – black filled chronograph counters at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock – Super-LumiNova-coated stick hour markers and hands –orange and yellow accents - black tachymeter scale 
• Movement: Breitling Calibre 25 – self-winding – COSC-certified – 28,800 v. P. H – 42-hour power reserve – 1/8th of a second – 30 seconds – 15 minutes – 6 hours functions
• Strap: Brown racing-themed perforated leather strap – stainless steel folding clasp – engraved with the Breitling logo
• Reference: A253101A1L1X1
• Price: £4,360

The Breitling Top Time Shelby Cobra watch

Last but not least and rounding off the collection nicely is the Shelby Cobra iteration of this new Top Time Classic Cars Capsule Collection by Breitling. It features silver-filled chronograph counters as opposed to black and these are positioned in a bicompax layout. The watch measures a smaller-sized 40mm diameter and is powered by the Calibre 41. This self-winding automatic chronograph movement produces the same power reserve as the Calibre 25 but features 30-minute and 1/8th of a chronograph second functions instead. These are presented in a red coloured central hand and a small second-sub dial at 9 o’clock, balanced by the small second sub-scale at 3 o’clock. It is clear to see that the American muscle car-inspired aesthetic is present within this design too. The COSC-certified movement guarantees around-the-clock precision, whilst its racing-inspired brown calfskin leather strap with sandwich-effect perforations and a robust steel folding clasp promises comfort on the wrist day and night. The original Ford Shelby Cobra was a continuation of Ford's effort to bring back the retro sports cars that had been successful in the 1960s, including the Ford GT40 and the fifth generation Ford Mustang. The extreme sports car combined British chassis with American racing engineering and is still a hugely sought-after car today.

Technical Specifications of the Breitling Top Time Shelby Cobra watch

• Case: 40mm - stainless steel – 100-meter water-resistant – snapped caseback engraved with an image of the Cobra snake logo – anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – non screw-locked crown with two gaskets
• Dial: Blue – silver-filled chronograph counters at 6 and 9 o’clock – Super-LumiNova-coated stick hour markers and hands –red accents - silver tachymeter scale – Cobra logo at 6 o’clock – 30-minute and small seconds counters - 1/14th of a second central chronograph hand
• Movement: Breitling Calibre 41 – self-winding – COSC-certified – 28,800 v. P. H – 42-hour power reserve – 1/4th of a second – 30-minute functions
• Strap: Brown racing-themed perforated leather strap – stainless steel folding clasp – engraved with the Breitling logo
• Reference: A41315A71C1X2
• Price: £4,360

For more information on the Top Time Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang or Shelby Cobra watches from Breitling’s new Classic Cars Capsule Collection, you can call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team today on 01335 453453