Swiss watchmaker Breitling has introduced a new watch to the classic car-themed Top Time collection, with the iconic Ford Thunderbird being the latest model to be honored by the luxury horologist.
The Top Time B01 Ford Thunderbird comes with a tasteful red strap that's been paired with an elegant white dial. Beneath the Breitling logo sits the winged Thunderbird badging finished in teal. Red chronograph hands tie in nicely with the calfskin leather strap, although a stainless steel metal bracelet is also available.
Breitling says the new addition weighs 142.5 grams (5 oz) and features a stainless steel case with a fixed bezel and cambered crystal sapphire. The self-winding watch has a power reserve of approximately 70 hours.
The rest of the Top Time range, which includes timepieces inspired by the Chevrolet Corvette, Shelby Cobra, and Ford Mustang, also benefits from a substantial upgrade.
That 70-hour power reserve comes from the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01 movement, which can be seen through the crystal caseback. The company says it is one of the "most highly-regarded chronograph movements in the industry, designed for maximum precision, reliability, and functionality."
To house the new caliber, the case of Top Time watches has been revised and is now water resistant up to 100 meters (328 ft).
If the Thunderbird isn't your favorite classic car, perhaps the other watches on offer will be more to your liking. The Corvette-inspired piece features a dark red face, a black strap, and the American sportscar's iconic emblem. As for the Shelby Cobra B01, you'll find a vivid blue face paired with a brown strap. Interestingly, this example does with just two "squircles," with two subdials on the face.
Lastly, there's the B01 Ford Mustang, which boasts an elegant dark green face and a brown strap. Here, the subdials are black.
Like the Thunderbird-inspired timepiece, customers can replace the leather strap with a more prominent stainless steel bracelet. This does increase the price by $450, however. All four watches, with the standard strap, are priced at $8,000. That's a lot of money for most of us, but it's reasonable next to other Breitling products, which can sell for up to $40,000.
When luxury watchmakers look for an automotive partner, it's often a high-end brand like Bentley or Aston Martin. TAG Heuer, for example, recently introduced the Carrera x Porsche RS 2.7, which sells for as much as $23,550. That's nothing compared to the Ferrari-inspired Richard Mille UP-01, which costs an eye-watering $1,888,000.
For those with more modest budgets - and a penchant for American muscle - perhaps the $399 1-of-500 Zinvo Dodge Challenger watch will be more to your liking.