Sign of the (Top) Times
- The latest Breitling timepieces from the Top Time collection are out!
When Willy Breitling launched the first Top Time watch in 1964, he had the Baby Boomer generation in mind. He said: “Young people won’t buy the kind of watch dad wears. They want a watch that will “impress the boys”. Does that still work in 2025, with the brand new Top Time collection?
He (Stephan) says: I am just a happy man. I never ever bought a watch to impress the boys. Well maybe to impress the girls… But I have to admit, watches were my first love, long before women got into my life. Watches were my childhood dreams. My first Eloga Flipper watch, my first Casio LCD watch, I could continue all day.
She (Beatrice) says: Men came into my life before watches for sure. And then I wanted more and more! Watches, of course.
He says: When I first saw the new Top Time from Breitling, it was love at first sight. It was actually the one you are wearing right now. Then I saw that it is „only“ a size 38mm diameter. I love big watches, I mean huge. They cannot be big enough. My personal Super Ocean Heritage is a 46mm. But now I hear that the trend goes to smaller diameters even for the big boys. What is your thought on that, Beatrice?
She says: Like fashion, watches have become wonderfully diverse—right now, everything is allowed, for both men and women. Gone are the days of rigid rules or stereotypes dictating what size a watch “should” be. Now, it’s about occasion and style rather than outdated norms.
That being said, smaller watches are definitely making a comeback for everyday elegance. A refined, understated piece works beautifully for a formal setting or just daily wear. Meanwhile, bigger watches still reign in the world of activity and adventure—they bring boldness, practicality, and, let’s be honest, a certain rugged appeal.
The only exception? Smartwatches. Those fall into a universal category of “ugly but functional.” (Let’s just call them “performance-driven designs” to be polite.) But hey, they are useful…to read information and signs.
He says: I always believed in signs. Signs of the times. Just a few weeks after the Top Time premiere, Breitling took a look at its cycling heritage. Yes you read it right. No watches for pilots or seamen, watches for cyclists. They launched a limited edition dedicated to the two cycling legends Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali. While Bartali was never on my radar, Coppi was. A myth, a legend! And guess what, today 72 years ago, Coppi, one of the first Breitling ambassadors ever won his 5th giro d Italia. And guess on what bike?
She says: Your beloved Bianchi?
He says: Exactly. And thats why my watch is so pretty in turquoise. Or as Bianchi would call the colour celeste. You know, right after my first love for watches came my second love for bikes and there was only one bike I wanted; a Bianchi. Why? Because it was celeste and Jelmoli in Zürich sold them in their seperate bike shop called Jelo. I walked by there a million times and adored these beautiful bikes. I bought my first Bianchi bike, of course in celeste, at the sweet age of 12. The rest is history.
She says: Regarding history: Coppi and Bartali were fierce rivals, but they went viral by sharing a (celeste, I think) water bottle mid-race—iconic. And let’s not forget Bartali’s incredible bravery off the bike, hiding a Jewish family and saving lives during WWII. Talk about true sportsmanship and class. Real gentlemen, real legends, real beauty—just like the stunning watches inspired by them. And the Bianchi bike? Only grew more beautiful with age. Just like me. (Though I require a little more maintenance these days…)
But Stephan, is it true that you know the origin of this bright colour?
He says: It’s really something you won’t find in the internet, because I heard it from an old Italian who worked for the brand all his life. The oldest bike brand in the world chose the colour celeste because it matched the eyes of the Italian queen Margherita. She must have been a very impressive person, because the Pizza Margherita was also dedicated to her in 1889.
She says: Another classic. Like my Top Time.
He says:What do you like in it?
She says: The sleek look with a vintage touch. The colour, again: the blue dial with dynamic finish, that shifts subtly depending on the light. The brushed texture that creates different shades. It’s one of those details that makes the watch feel alive, like it has its own personality. Perfect for catching someone’s eye when you casually check the time (or pretend to, just to show it off).
He says:
I have to admit, your watch is a timeless beauty. Just a modern classic. The blue dial which shimmers in different shades of blue depending on the light, the classic stainless steel strap. But would it be big enough for my wrist? Want to switch watches Beatrice? The signs of the times say that it is totally ok in 2025 for men and women to wear any kind and any size of watch. Agree?
She says: As long as I keep both watches and you just photograph them, that’s fine !