Breitling Top Time B31 | INTRODUCING

Jamie Weiss

• Breitling introduces the Caliber B31 – the primary three-hand manufacture motion designed and developed by the model – with a brand new High Time mannequin.
• Measuring 38mm in diameter and boasting chronometer certification, the High Time B31 forgoes a chronograph operate however retains a motorsports-inspired aesthetic.
• To introduce this new motion and mannequin, the Swiss model has tapped American actor Austin Butler to hitch their “Breitling Squad”.

First launched in 1964 and famously showing on James Bond’s wrist in Thunderball (1965), the Breitling High Time has at all times been a chronograph. Nevertheless, in a lot the identical method that the fashionable Breitling Chronomat and Navitimer ranges now embody non-chronograph fashions, Breitling has expanded the High Time vary with a brand new three-hander mannequin, which serves because the debut for the model’s Calibre B31: the primary three-hand manufacture motion designed and developed by the model. And so they’ve obtained Austin Butler, made well-known by his starring position in Elvis (2022) and look in Dune: Half Two (2024), to debut the watch as well, becoming a member of a star-studded model ambassador roster that features names like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Erling Haaland and Charlize Theron.

Butler is a cool dude, however we’re admittedly much less centered on Breitling’s new model ambassador and extra within the watch they’ve obtained on his wrist. In some ways, the Breitling High Time B31 makes extra ‘sense’ than the three-handed Navitimers and Chronomats in Breitling’s catalogue: since its inception, the High Time was a fashion-forward watch; a youthful, fashionable counterpart to Breitling’s extra aviator-focused chronographs and power watches. If there was a Breitling chronograph to show right into a three-hander, the High Time is the pure candidate.

Aesthetically, the three launch fashions of the High Time B31 nonetheless retain clear design DNA from the chronographs they owe their genesis to, particularly that includes a two-tone aesthetic with chapter rings in a contrasting color. There’s a blue dial mannequin with a white chapter ring, a white dial mannequin with a sky blue chapter ring, and a inexperienced dial mannequin with a black chapter ring. All three characteristic racy orange seconds palms and may be had on both a rally-style perforated leather-based strap or an angled-link metal bracelet. Measuring 38mm in diameter and 10.3mm thick, the High Time B31 presents very approachable proportions in addition to a swim-ready 100-metre water resistance ranking.

Below the hood is the place issues get extra attention-grabbing for us watch nerds. The Calibre B31 is a COSC-certified chronometer, has a free-sprung stability wheel, date operate and spectacular 78-hour energy reserve. However notice the “manufacture motion” terminology, which is totally different to “in-house”: Breitling explains that “for the manufacturing of parts, the Breitling Chronometrie depends on its community of trusted suppliers, whereas motion meeting shall be shared by Breitling and on a devoted line with AMT in La Chaux-de-Fonds”.

AMT, for individuals who don’t know, is motion powerhouse Sellita’s technical arm, which produces bespoke actions for quite a few manufacturers within the Swiss watch business, notably TAG Heuer. What does this all imply? It signifies that the Calibre B31 just isn’t an in-house motion, strictly talking, but it surely’s a motion that’s unique to Breitling. Extra importantly for the tip shopper, it has greater than first rate specs and is consultant of recent Breitling’s transfer away from off-the-shelf actions in the direction of extra in-house capabilities.

Breitling High Time B31 pricing and availability

The Breitling High Time B31 is on the market now from Breitling retailers. Worth: US$5,600/A$8,190/£4,550 (leather-based), US$5,900/A$8,590/£4,850 (bracelet)