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A New Model Inspired By The Ford Thunderbird Joins The Breitling Top Time Classic Cars Line

Leave it to Breitling to interpret legendary American sports cars into equally attractive watches. Building on its bestselling Top Time collection— unveiled in the 1960s and featuring automotive-themed chronographs—the 2023 modern reissues have been fitted with an in-house chronograph movement, Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01. Additionally, the line also announces a new model inspired by the Ford Thunderbird.

The 1960s was a period of experimentation, fun, freedom, and energy. Third-generation founder, Willy Breitling, wanted to capture the spirit of the era by designing an unconventional chronograph, which ultimately came to be called “Top Time.”

Bold and timeless, the Top Time was all about action, and it quickly became a fast favourite among motor enthusiasts and the fashion set. The Top Time particularly rose to fame when

James Bond wore an iteration of it in the 1965 movie, “Thunderball”.

“The Top Time represented a break from traditional watch design for a generation that was breaking with convention in every way,” says

By Anastasia Winayanti Wibowo

Breitling CEO, Georges Kern. “We are going after that sense of freedom and fun with the 1960s-inspired Top Time Classic Cars collection, and are thrilled to once again partner with Ford to introduce the new Thunderbird model, along with updated versions of the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, and Shelby Cobra chronographs.”

The most recent releases of Top Time Classic Cars were a hit back in 2021, and this success prompted Breitling to bring the line back, albeit with updated designs and movement. The 2023 versions represent four prominent classic cars—the Chevrolet Corvette (red), the Shelby

The new Thunderbird, as well as the other existing models in the Top Time Classic Cars collection, now feature even more muscle under the hood with the addition of the Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01. Truly a representation of Breitling's quality watchmaking, the in-house Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01 automatic chronograph movement has a 30 mm diameter measurement and is equipped with a power reserve of 70 hours. Furthermore, the self-winding mechanical mechanism is bidirectional with ball bearing and ticks at 4 Hz or 28,800 vph.

This exceptional manufacture movement has refined mechanics that are visible through the open sapphire crystal case back. Covered by a five-year warranty, the widely regarded Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01 was first released in 2009, and is considered as one of the best chronograph movements in the industry with a design that allows for maximum precision, reliability, and functionality. The movement has passed various testing and process, including the gruelling series of in-house shock, winding and pusher tests as well as gaining the rigorous COSC certification. To house the calibre, the Top Time case has been enhanced and now provides an increased water resistance of 10 bar or 100 metres.

The updated Classic Cars collection now includes the Ford Thunderbird model with a red strap and clean white dial that draws the eye to the teal Thunderbird logo and red chronograph hands. The white dial features tone-ontone chronograph counters paired with SuperLumiNova® luminescent hour markers, hour and minute hands.

Highlights of the design include the perforated red calfskin leather racing strap with a folding buckle (20/18 mm) or stainless steel mesh bracelet with a butterfly clasp, as well as the speed-measuring tachymeter scale, and contrasting “squircle”—a blend of square and circle—subdials that are evocative of vintage dashboard gauges.

Apart from classic cars, Breitling has also collaborated with some of the top brands in wheels to create its Top Time designs, such as Deus Ex Machina and Triumph Motorcycles for bikes.

Full, round and fleshy—the shape of the coffee bean is a true source of inspiration for Cartier, synonymous with its vision of nature: rebellious, free and sophisticated. Cartier lets its imagination soar, resulting in adorable, oneof-a-kind, original pieces of jewellery. This is the origin of the Grain de Café Collection: a blossoming of jewellery creations, artfully and beautifully designed as living, moving, opulent and joyful constructions.

Since its introduction, Grain de Café has become one of Cartier's most iconic and soughtafter jewellery lines. This year, Cartier presents a collection of three rings, two necklaces and a bracelet—all of them featuring the distinctive grain de café pattern.

The coffee bean motif was first introduced in 1938, during the era of Creative Director Jeanne Toussaint. Over the decades, it has gained popularity, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s. Despite its miniature dimensions, this enhanced bean represents the unison of two creative registers dear to Cartier: flora recreated in yellow gold and the ordinary made precious by the jeweller’s eye.

Cartier’s design aesthetic and craftsmanship are evident in each Grain de Café piece. The links are meticulously crafted and polished to ensure a smooth and seamless finish. The savoir-faire of the atelier craftspeople is focused on a single goal: to bring this flora to life by linking research, movement, mastery of volumes and gold work.

Cascading clusters of beans, golden architectures and subtle rattling—the Grain de Café collection electrifies the style and independent