Breitling Top Time B01 "Gino Bartali" automatic blue dial steel bracelet mesh 41 mm

The Top Time collection

Launched in the 1960s by Willy Breitling, the Top Time collection stands out for its bold aesthetics and unconventional spirit. Designed to reflect a love of speed and freedom, it quickly won over a generation of men and women with a passion for sport, style, and adventure. Today, Breitling is reviving this icon with two special editions dedicated to the Italian cycling legends Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali.

Much more than mere champions, Coppi and Bartali united an entire nation through their legendary rivalry and sincere friendship, marked by an unforgettable moment: the exchange of a bottle of water during a final sprint. In the 1940s and 1950s, they dominated the European circuit while embodying the values of sport: respect, surpassing oneself and solidarity. Both Breitling ambassadors at a time when the House was timing the greatest cycling races, they remain today emblematic figures of a bygone era that is still an inspiration.

The Top Time watches dedicated to them celebrate this memory through a vibrant and meaningful design, inspired by the colors of their legendary bikes and jerseys. “They pushed each other to the top,” says Breitling CEO Georges Kern. “These watches revive one of the most beautiful pages in the history of sport.”

The watch

The Top Time B01 Gino Bartali stands out with its deep blue dial punctuated by two white squircle-shaped counters with a brushed texture reminiscent of two wheels in motion side by side. Yellow accents recall the details of his legendary jersey, while the tachymeter scale proudly displays the nickname “L'Intramontabile”. His signature is discreetly affixed at 6 o'clock, sealing the link between the watch and the legend.

The 41 mm stainless steel case, water-resistant to 100 meters, has harmonious lines, with a domed sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective treatment. The transparent back provides a glimpse of the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01 and a circular “Gino Bartali Tribute - One of 750” engraving.

Two straps are available: a perforated blue calfskin for a sporty vintage look, or a Milanese mesh steel bracelet for a more contemporary urban look.

The movement

The watch is equipped with the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, one of the most recognized automatic chronograph movements in the Swiss watch industry. Designed and assembled entirely in-house by Breitling, this caliber is a testament to the company's technical expertise. It is equipped with a column wheel and a vertical coupling-clutch, two elements characteristic of top-of-the-range chronographs, ensuring the smooth, accurate and judder-free triggering of the chronograph functions.

This 30 mm diameter caliber, comprising 284 components, beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz). It offers a power reserve of approximately 70 hours, guaranteeing excellent autonomy even when not worn for long periods. The B01 caliber is also a COSC-certified chronometer, guaranteeing exceptional precision meeting the highest Swiss standards. Its meticulous finishing, adorned with Côtes de Genève visible through the sapphire crystal case back, reflects Breitling's aesthetic and mechanical standards.

An edition full of meaning

More than a timepiece, the Top Time B01 Gino Bartali is a sincere tribute to one of the great names in cycling. Through its inspired design and exceptional movement, it links the glorious past to today's modern watchmaking. A collector's item for enthusiasts of watches, sport and powerful human stories.