Breitling Gold Plated Stainless Steel Top Time Driver Chronograph Wristwatch

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Breitling Gold Plated Stainless Steel Top Time Driver Chronograph Wristwatch

About the Item

One of the lesser-known models produced by Breitling, the Top Time was introduced in the 1960’s and was available in a wide variety of styles and many different dial and case combinations. It was Breitling's answer to the newly introduced Rolex Daytona and was advertised as the chronograph for young men with active pursuits (be it sporting or technological) and therefore was available with either a water-resistant or non-water-resistant case - cased in stainless steel, gold plating (with a stainless steel back), or 18k gold. Several dial combinations were available, including all silvered, black with silvered subdials, and silvered with black subdials. The customer could also specify which type of fixed bezel they would like – tachometer, pulsometer, or decimal. The Top Time was also produced with both a two-register chronograph and a three-register chronograph, some with 24-hour dial. The Top Time model has an important place in pop culture, being the only other model of watch that Sean Connery wears as James Bond besides the Rolex Submariner. The Top Time was also the model of choice for car racer Jim Clark, who during his career won 25 Grand Prix races and two world championships. The Top Time was well-received at the time, in part for all of the dial and case options available, and also for using respected and reliable Valjoux movements. Production lasted through the 1970’s, with many of Breitling’s more well-known models taking the center stage. Although often seen as an entry-level Breitling, they are preferred by many for the variety of styles, which allows them to cross between dress and sport. Breitling. A Gold-Plated and Stainless Steel Chronograph Model: Top Time Reference: 2003-33 No: 1120xxx Circa: 1965 Case. Two-body, polished, lapidated lugs. Gold plated case with some visible marking and patina Stainless steel snap back caseback with some markings. Dial. Bi-color, gold and black with applied faceted steel baton indexes and luminous dots, silver guilloche subsidiary dials for the seconds and the 45-minute register, outer 1/5th seconds divisions, outermost tachometer scale to 1000 UPH. Luminous steel baton hands. Dial is flawless with no stains or visible marks. Movement. Cal. 188, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating blued balance spring, index regulator. Case, dial and movement are signed Diameter: 36mm Thickness: 11mm

Creator:
Breitling
Case Dimensions:
Width: 1.42 in (36 mm)
Place of Origin:
Switzerland
Period:
1960-1969
Date of Manufacture:
1960's
Condition:
Seller Location:
New York, NY
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU33421844463

Shop All Breitling

Breitling

For pilots and others in love with flight, no brand is more closely associated with the world of aviation than Breitling. From the beginning, watchmaker Léon Breitling, who opened his shop in the Swiss Jura Mountains in 1884, was focused on chronographs and their uses in the burgeoning fields of sports, science and industry.

After Léon’s death, in 1914, his son Gaston continued along his father’s trajectory. An early fan of aeronautics, Gaston introduced one of the first wrist-worn chronographs, a welcome upgrade for pilots used to executing complex maneuvers while juggling a pocket watch.

In 1934, Gaston’s son Willy made another leap in the chronograph’s evolution, patenting the first wristwatch with two pushers — one to start and stop elapsed time and one to reset — a feature now taken for granted.

But perhaps the most significant development under Willy’s leadership was the Chronomat watch. Introduced in 1942, it featured a patented rotating slide-rule bezel for making calculations on the fly. This innovation led to the 1952 creation of the brand’s signature timepiece: the Breitling Navitimer.

Designed in partnership with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, it was adopted as the official watch of the AOPA in 1959 and remains the world’s most iconic pilot’s watch. Not content to rule just the air, Breitling developed dive watches as well, including the Superocean, released in 1957, and the Transocean, which followed in 1958. The house also took its show on the road, producing dashboard clocks and then watches in partnership with luxury automaker Bentley.

The Navitimer, however, still reigns supreme among pilots everywhere. Given the stature earned by Top Gun since its release — as well as the excitement around Top Gun: Maverick — it's never too late to pick up a vintage Breitling Top Gun Navitimer, displaying the official logo of the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School, for yourself or your favorite wingman.

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