SerpApi.Org
Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
James Bond has driven plenty of memorable cars over the decades, but none comes close to the legendary Aston Martin DB5. First appearing in 1964's Goldfinger, the silver grand tourer became almost as famous as 007 himself thanks to its machine guns, ejector seat, rotating license plates, and countless unforgettable chase scenes. Now Breitling is paying tribute to cinema's most iconic spy car with three limited-edition Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 watches inspired by the DB5—and they also happen to honor one of the few Breitling timepieces ever worn by Sean Connery's Bond.
Wait...what, a Breitling? Wasn’t OG Bond a Rolex guy? And an Omega aficionado for the last nine films? True, but Bond was never the poster boy for monogamy, wrist watch or otherwise. Sean Connery actually wore a Top Time ref. 2002, outfitted with a geiger counter, on his hunt for some loose nukes during his performance as the British super spy in Thunderball (1965). So this tribute is less out of left field than it may seem to the non-James-Bond-watch obsessed or some likely fuming Swiss watchmakers in Bienne.
All three of the new tribute watches feature a 41mm cushion-shaped case with grooved corners, and mushroom pushers that give the chronograph a retro, mid-century aesthetic, while the “squircle” subdials evoke vintage car dashboard gauges. Each member of the trio, one in stainless steel, another in stainless steel and platinum, and one in 18k red gold, is accented with a wooden inner ring, inspired by the sports car’s steering wheel, and decorated with a tachymeter scale along with the Aston Martin DB5’s name.
While the DB5 had a four liter straight six cylinder under the hood, the watch maker chose its own Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01 to serve as the watches’ engines. The COSC-certified chronograph movement uses column-wheel architecture and a vertical clutch ensures seamless timing. The calibre offers a 70-hour power reserve and is accurate to -2 to +4 seconds a day.
Via an open sapphire-crystal case back, the wearer can admire the movement’s finishing as well as the Aston Martin–engraved rotor in either rhodium-plated (for the steel cased versions) or 18k red gold. Each piece comes on a hand-colored gradient leather strap outfitted with a folding, deployment clasp in either case-matching stainless steel or 18k red-gold.
The stainless-steel edition is limited to 1,022 pieces and offers a silver-toned dial, an homage to the film car’s iconic paint job. Limited to 315 pieces, the steel and platinum bezel is set with a deep black lacquered dial and high-contrast accents as a call back to the DB5’s instrumentation. The 18k red-gold case variant is individually numbered and limited to 250 pieces. The rosy-hued metal is paired with an onyx dial selected as a reference to the sports car’s dash.
The Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Aston Martin DB5 collection is available now at breitling.com. The Tribute in steel retails for $11,400, the steel and platinum version for $18,600, while the 18k red-gold case piece costs $41,500.
