Breitling Top Time Chronograph

When it comes to vintage chronographs, Breitling can be somewhat polarizing. While best known for their Navitimer line of aviation computer watches, some collectors find their dials too busy and difficult to read for daily wear. As a result, these chronographs don’t always get the same appreciation as some of their contemporary counterparts.

We'd like to change that, and this watch, the Top Time, is the best way we know how.

In the 1960s, a few years after the Navitimer Reference 806 ‘Cosmonaute’ orbited the planet on the wrist of Scott Carpenter, Breitling launched a line of simpler, more subdued chronographs called ‘Top Time.’ Unlike the Navitimer, the Top Time was meant for more basic tasks than timing an orbital burn. Therefore, its design was less complex than that of the Navitimer, but no less appealing.

Its clean lines and splashes of color (and lower price tag) were meant to attract the eye of its intended audience: the youth. As Willy Breitling said upon the Top Time’s release in 1964, “Our special models [like the Top Time] are particularly suited to the needs of young and active professionals…”

Unlike most twin-register Top Time References, which featured a 36mm case, this Reference 810 comes in at a slightly larger and more versatile 38mm. It features a sought after stainless steel case, rather than the more commonly seen chrome-plated variation, housing a sunburst silver Tritium dial with a 'Panda' triple-register chronograph layout, a matching handset, and a signed crown.

Breitling meant for the Top Time to break the brand into a new era, and high sales ensured its popularity. In aesthetics, it’s a visual snapshot of the 1960s, but remains fresh and clean. With sharp looks and an appealing style, the Top Time has become a classic, and it's not hard to see why.

Breitling, one of the most illustrious names in the annals of the “tool watch,” was founded by Léon Breitling in 1892. And though the firm is no longer operated by its namesake family, it still produces some of the world’s best pilot’s watches, many of which now feature in-house movements.

The company first started manufacturing wrist chronographs as early as the 1930s. In 1936 they became an official supplier to military forces of the United Kingdom and Canada. While perhaps best known for the Navitimer and Chronomat lines — which were used heavily by pilots of many nations — Breitling also produced scores of other chronograph models that merit consideration, such as the more affordable Top Time and Premier. Dive watches, such as the Super Ocean, are also part of the company’s offerings.

The late 1970s was a turbulent time for the Swiss watch industry, and many storied houses were swept away by the Quartz Crisis. By 1978, Breitling was in trouble due to the illness of its leader, Willy Breitling, and the steep decline in sales that had cut through the entire industry. Unable to keep operations going, the company was liquidated, and parts, toolings and naming rights were sold off.
Between 1979 and 2017, Breitling continued under the ownership of the Schneider family. In 2017 an 80% stake in the firm was sold to a British private equity firm, with the remaining 20% sold in 2018. In 2019, the company released the caliber B01, an in-house, automatic chronograph movement that’s since found its way into the Chronomat and Navitimer collections, bringing the tale of this famed manufacturer full circle.

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Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.