Return to Classics from Breitling

A Recap of the Top Time Classic Cars 

The 1960s was a decade of experimentation, fun, freedom and energy. Whether cruising on a motorcycle or revving up a sports car, living life at full speed was the order of the day. Third-generation founder Willy Breitling sensed this change of pace and set out to create an unconventional chronograph that captured the spirit of the era. He called it the Top Time.  

Speed ahead to today. Breitling has partnered with some of the coolest names in wheels to create the Top Time designs. The Top Time Classic Cars watches feature the colors and emblems of their sports car influences from the 1950s and '60s – and all now come with a bragging new engine under the hood: the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01.

Meet the cars behind the collection.

 
CHEVROLET CORVETTE

The second generation Chevrolet Corvette, from model years 1963 to 1967, is the most sought-after version of the American legend. The Sting Ray, as it was known, was inspired by a 1959 racing prototype. For 60 years, it has captured the imagination of car enthusiasts around the world with the perfect combination of a low-slung body and a powerful engine that delivers performance on the road and on the track. It's still a classic today.

 
SHELBY COBRA

In the early 1960s, Le Mans winner Carroll Shelby envisioned a car that combined British design with American race engineering. He created the Shelby Cobra, a sports car that ingeniously paired a small, lightweight chassis with a powerful, reliable small-block engine. Introduced in 1962, the Cobra was an instant success, becoming the only American sports car to win the European FIA World Manufacturers' Championship. The original Shelby Cobra remains blisteringly fast and highly prized by collectors.

FORD MUSTANG

The first-generation Ford Mustang, produced from 1964 to 1974, was compact and sleek. With some models suitable for families and others ideal for speed-loving sportsters, it became the car of choice for hip 1960s America. It also appeared in some of the most popular movies of the era. This living legend is still in production, but car buffs know that the coolest of all were the very first models that captured the freewheeling spirit of the Sixties.

FORD THUNDERBIRD

The Ford Thunderbird was unveiled in 1954 at the first post-war Detroit Motor Show. It was touted as a fun-to-drive cabriolet that made its presence felt with its luxurious design, solid construction and dramatic tailfin. The Thunderbird wasn't so much about living life in the fast lane as it was about cruising in comfort and style. The first two generations remain the most collectible models, nicknamed "Classic Bird" (1955-57) for the early two-seaters and "Square Bird" (1958-60) for the later four-seaters.