Chances are if you’re on this website, you already quite like motorbikes. A fair chunk of us also like watches (me included), so the news that Breitling and Triumph have worked together on this project is very welcome.
Breitling Top Time Triumph
The bike
Is limited to just 270 factory modified versions of the already very good Speed Twin. Updated in 2021 with Marzocchi forks and Ohlins piggy back shocks, along with Brembo M50 radial mount brakes and tweaks to fuelling and rider modes.
The Speed Twin was (in my opinion) a bit of a game changer in the retro bike category. There’s genuine performance, the kind of heritage that most manufacturers could only dream of and it’s a properly pretty thing. In an age of retro bike waterboarding, the first Speed Twin tasted amazingly refreshing to me.
Watch my review below, then picture a bike that has answered the questions I asked of it. That’s how good this new version is.
Now imagine that bike finished with bespoke touches that link it to Breitling. The stitching in the seat, the hand finished paint, the machined cases on the motor, the Breitling detail in the clocks and the lovely letter you’ll get from Nick Bloor and Georges Kern (CEOs of Triumph and Breitling). Do you want one as much as I do? I doubt it. Look at it.
Breitling Top Time Triumph
The watch
Is a COSC certified Top Time and will be available in two versions. The first is the one you really want, as you can only have it if you order the bike to match before August 22nd 2022.
Breitling Top Time Triumph
If you don’t want the hassle of buying the bike, you’ll be able to just buy the core-collection version of the watch which features an opalescent, vertically brushed dial. The owners-only version has a sunray-finished dial. Speed Twin owners will have the opportunity to obtain this made-to-order watch engraved with the number of their bike, of which Triumph are only producing 270 worldwide.
The Breitling Top Time Triumph is a serious nod at the 1964 original and it’s possible that you’ve seen that original Top Time already without even realising it. Remember in Thunderball when Q issues Bond (Sean Connery) with a watch that doubles up as a handy geiger counter? That was the first gen Top Time. The Top Time was the watch that Breitling hoped would make a chronograph more appealing to a younger audience. With two round (as opposed to squircles on the new one you’re looking at here) sub dials at the three and nine o’clock positions, it had genuine functionality but wasn’t seen as a stuffy watch that only your dad would wear, that attitude has been retained to this day.
Breitling Top Time Triumph
It’s powered by a Breitling Calibre 23 movement, essentially their version of the ETA/Valjoux 7753 cam operated automatic chronograph movement. It sits in a 41mm case and wears a racing style calfskin strap. The two different shades of blue are a nod to the 1961 Triumph Thunderbird and a rare blue dialled Top Time from the mid 70’s. Both versions feature the Triumph logo in the six o’clock position. The caseback is engraved with a design sketch of a Triumph parallel twin and one of my kidney’s is for sale if you’ve read this far and haven’t realised I like watches a lot.
Breitling Top Time Triumph
The price
The Speed Twin Breitling Limited Edition will cost between £16000.
If you’re in the market for the watch and don’t want to buy the bike, the core-collection version will cost £4500. I’d like to think if you’ve bought the bike to match you might get the watch for the same price or possibly a touch less.
Speak to your nearest Triumph or Breitling dealer for more details and to place a deposit.
Words: John Hogan Images: Triumph