Breitling Top Time B01 "Fausto Coppi" automatic white dial leather strap 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 Fausto Coppi pays tribute to the legendary Italian cyclist, a symbol of elegance, performance and resilience. Its white dial is enlivened by two turquoise squircle-shaped counters (between circle and square), inspired by the colors of his iconic bicycle. The central seconds hand in the shape of an orange lightning bolt energizes the whole, recalling the passion and speed of the “Campionissimo”.

Around the dial, the tachymeter scale proudly bears the inscription “Il Campionissimo”, while his signature is affixed at 6 o'clock, giving a personal and historical touch to the model. The 41 mm stainless steel case, water-resistant to 100 meters, has a harmonious profile with a domed sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective treatment. The transparent back reveals the mechanism and the ring engraved “Fausto Coppi Tribute - One of 750”.

Available with a perforated turquoise calfskin strap or a steel Milanese mesh bracelet, this watch embodies both nostalgia for the races of yesteryear and contemporary technical innovation.

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. Entirely designed and assembled in-house by Breitling, this caliber attests to the technical expertise of the Maison. It is equipped with a column wheel and a vertical coupling-clutch, two elements characteristic of high-end chronographs, ensuring a fluid, accurate and smooth triggering of the chronograph functions.

This caliber, measuring 30 mm in diameter and 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 that meets 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.

A symbolic limited edition

Limited to 750 pieces worldwide, the Top Time B01 Fausto Coppi is much more than a watch: it is a vibrant tribute to a man whose career and spirit continue to inspire generations. It is aimed at watchmaking enthusiasts and cycling fans alike, united by a taste for excellence and freedom.