At the annual Wheels & Waves festival, a custom motorcycle, surf, skate and culture extravaganza set in picturesque Biarritz at la Cité de l’Océan, Swiss watchmaking giant Breitling unveiled its latest Top Time novelties.

First released in 1964, the Top Time is Breitling’s entry-level chronograph line, widely known among watch fans for its lack of external bezel and slide rules. Now two new Top Times arrive, powered by the latest manufacture calibre 01.

“These co-branded Top Time watches are for those who are as into the mechanics of their watch as they are the mechanics of their motorcycle,” says Breitling CEO Georges Kern, on the appeal of this latest drop. “The Breitling calibre 01 is a finely tuned engine, created with all the precision and attention to detail that goes into building the perfect bike.”

For the third edition of the Top Time Deus, Breitling has once again collaborated with Australia’s Deus Ex Machina on a new monochrome timepiece, set to enter the luxury watchmaker’s core collection. Here, a black dial offers a delightful contrast to white triple-register subdials and tachymeter scale. Meanwhile, flashes of colour come via pops of hot red on the outer dial and lightning-bolt-shaped centre chrono hand. Finished with an open sapphire-crystal caseback, the new Top Time Deus is available with a mesh metal bracelet or a calfskin leather strap for a final luxurious feel.

Now to the Top Time Triumph – the second novelty to feature the new manufacture calibre 01. For this year’s edition, the Swiss watchmaker has teamed up with British heritage motorcycle manufacturer Triumph, a partnership which first began in 2022 with the Breitling Speed Twin limited-edition bike and a duo of Top Time Triumph watches.

For 2023, the model is awash with an icy-blue hue, adorning its classic “Zorro” dial – a banded motif that first appeared on Top Time in the 1960s and nicknamed after the signature mask worn by American writer Johnston McCulley’s infamous swashbuckler.

Using a metal brushing technique only visible under certain lights, the “Zorro” signature has been subtly integrated on the dial alongside a twin-register display and speed-measuring tachymeter scale, rounding out this extraordinary attention grabber brimming with retro nods and updated design codes.

Top Time Deus from £6,250; Top Time Triumph from £6,250; breitling.com