Breitling Launch Top Time B01 Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali Limited Editions

One of the surprise hits amid the craziness of Watches & Wonders has been Breitling’s Top Time dashboard collection (watch this space for a hands-on review of that collection). And only a couple of weeks later, the Top Time is back in the spotlight yet again with the launch of the Breitling Top Time B01 Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali Limited Editions. Both watches are dedicated to famous Italian cyclists so they’re more aimed at the Italian market than here in the UK, but the watches are still worth looking at.

Coppi and Bartali were two champion cyclists who competed against each other in the 1940s and 50s. During that time they both won the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France on multiple occasions, becoming legendary rivals as they traded titles between each other. However, in the spirit of true sporting rivalry, they never let competition get in the way of being genuine people. Something most encapsulated by an iconic photograph of them sharing a bottle of water before the final leg of a race. Rivals helping each other to push their limits, wanting to win because they were the better competitor, not because of peripheral conditions surrounding the race.

In wristwatch form, that translates itself into the Top Time B01 Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali. The Coppi edition is turquoise with a white dial and orange chronograph seconds hand, inspired by the colours of his bike. Bartali’s watch is then dark blue with white accents and a yellow hand, based on his memorable racing jersey. They each feature the racers’ signatures beneath the bicompax chronograph display, adding an extra sentimental touch to the design.

On a mechanical level, they both measure 41mm in steel with a round design featuring classic pump chronograph pushers and an oversize crown. For a cycling special edition I would actually have preferred a smaller crown because cycling is an activity that requires you the have your wrists bent, so a smaller crown is less likely to dig into the back of your hand. A small thematic touch that would have been appreciated but is ultimately not essential.

Inside the Breitling Top Time B01 Fusto Coppi & Gino Bartali limited editions is the Breitling manufacture calibre B01, an automatic movement with 70-hour power reserve and COSC chronometer certification. It’s one of Breitling go to chronograph movements and its use here makes complete sense. It’s visible through the exhibition caseback where you can see the rotor is engraved with an inscription denoting it as a chronometer.

As for price, on leather racing strap they are £5,950 and on mesh steel bracelet they are £6,300. Each is a limited edition of 750 pieces. While we might not have such a direct attachment to the Italian stars of cycling from yesteryear, if there’s one thing Brits love it’s a story of determination and sporting rivalry. Seb Coe and Steve Ovett, Lewis Hamilton and virtually every other British F1 driver on the grid. So I can get behind the story of two cyclists embroiled in a legendary duel. Especially if it results in cool timepieces like these.

More details at Breitling.

​Oracle Time 

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