Breitling: New brand ambassador and new manufacture calibre

Breitling: New brand ambassador and new manufacture calibre

Austin Butler is the new face of "Top Time B31" as brand ambassador. The Oscar-nominated actor is regarded as a great acting talent of his generation, which he has already proven in films such as Elvis, Dune: Part Two and Bikeriders.

He says about Breitling: "For me, Breitling stands for adventure and pushing boundaries. For me, the 'Top Time' epitomises the lifestyle of being free and ready for anything. I am proud to be part of the Breitling Squad."

Breitling CEO Georges Kern is impressed: "I spent time with Austin on set for the campaign shoot and was overwhelmed by his dedication and attention to detail. He always strives for perfection - a quality that we at Breitling greatly appreciate."

The Swiss brand has therefore assigned him the "Top Time" collection, which has stood for unconventional design and modernity since the 1960s. It became a favourite of motorsport fans, fashion icons and even secret agents - James Bond famously wore a "Top Time" modified by Q in the film Fireball (1965).

The youngest member of the family now houses a brand new calibre. The B31 is the first manufacture movement designed and developed by Breitling with three hands. Technically, it builds on the technical expertise that Breitling acquired with the Manufacture Calibre 01 introduced in 2009.

After four years of development, the calibre B31 offers improved precision thanks to the freely oscillating balance. The skeletonised bidirectional oscillating weight ensures sufficient energy with a 78-hour power reserve. This and decorations such as Côtes de Genève and perlage can be seen through the sapphire crystal case back.

Breitling Chronométrie relies on its network of trusted suppliers to manufacture the components, while the movements are produced by Breitling and Sellitas Manufacture AMT in La Chaux-de-Fonds on a dedicated line.

Like all Breitling manufacture movements, the calibre B31 is a COSC-certified chronometer that has to prove its reliability in specific tests. These correspond to 16 years of use: 100,000 crown windings, 3,456,000 weight rotations and 60,000 shocks at 500 G, as well as other extreme challenges.

Three "Top Time B31" models serve as the first workplace. As pure three-hand watches, the collection temporarily breaks away from its chronographic heritage and focuses on casual retro charm with a trendy 38-millimetre stainless steel case that is water-resistant to ten bar.

"This is the art of watchmaking reduced to the essentials - pure timekeeping, effortless wearability and an unmistakable character," emphasises Georges Kern.

Applied indexes, an enlarged date window and a bright red second hand set accents on various backgrounds: White on blue, black on green and sky blue on white.

Inspired by the well-known "Top Time" design, in which the chronograph featured a striking tachymeter scale, the three-hand version with minutes and seconds has a contrasting deerskin.

Tapered lugs ensure wearing comfort and provide a reliable grip on the wrist with either the perforated leather strap with contrasting stitching or the three-link stainless steel bracelet. (UVO 5,500 or 5,800 €)