Classic Muscle Cars Inspire Latest Breitling Tourbillon Trio

New Breitling Top Time B21 Classic Cars Chronograph Tourbillon series sees heavy inspiration drawn from classic American muscle cars.

Swiss luxury watchmakers Breitling just released its latest Top Time B21 Classic Cars Chronograph Tourbillon series and, as its name aptly suggest, this trio of exquisite timepieces sees their design and aesthetics draw heavy inspiration from classic American Muscle Cars.

More specifically, Breitling notes that the trio were inspired by icons like the original Ford Mustang, the Shelby Cobra, and the Chevrolet Corvette. A quick check through Breitling’s official Malaysian retail site also shows each timepiece commanding a hefty price tag of RM210,000.

L-R: The cars that inspired each are the Shelby Cobra, Chevrolet Corvette, and the Ford Mustang - each are icons in their own rights too.

This latest series builds upon Breitling’s Top Time Collection of chronographs, with said movement type designed for highly accurate timekeeping – i.e. racing or trackday laptime logging. However, this collection takes an unusual and unique step of combining a tourbillon movement as well.

For the uninitiated, a tourbillon mechanism mounts the escapement and the balance wheel in a rotating cage. It’s designed to mitigate the effects of gravity, which can affect a timepiece’s accuracy, when it is held in different positions. In other words, the added tourbillon adds to accuracy too.

The Ford Mustang-inspired version of the Breitling Top Time B21 features a 43 MM bronze case, dial painted in a green hue as seen in the classic Mustang, and dark leather straps.

Each of these watches are easily distinguished through their distinct aesthetics. For starters, the Top Time B21 Ford Mustang has a 43 MM bronze case that houses a dial painted in a green hue inspired by those dressed on the first-gen Ford Mustang.

It also features a titanium case back, as well as a ‘squircle’-shaped – squared circle – chronometer display, a la retro rectangular-shaped speedos seen in classic muscle cars. Things are finished off here with an exquisite dark brown leather strap.

Both the Shelby Cobra- (left) Chevrolet Corvette-inspired (right) versions share similar 44 MM black ceramic cases, but differing dial colours inspired by their respective cars.

Moving to the Top Time B21 Shelby Cobra, it features a slightly larger 44 MM black ceramic case matched with titanium case back, crown, pushers, and buckle. Its dial is painted in a shade of blue reminiscent of that donned on the late Carroll Shelby’s famed Anglo-American road racer.

Similarly, the Top Time B21 Chevrolet Corvette adopts a similar combination of a 44 MM black ceramic case with titanium case back, crown, pushers, and buckle. Instead, this model’s dial is made of walnut burl and matched with perforated leather racing straps, both paying homage to the steering wheel and dashboard inlays of the Corvette.

All three timepieces are now available at RM210,000 each.

“Like the cars it represents, the Top Time B21 Classic Cars Chronograph Tourbillon is all about its design and its engine,” expressed Breitling CEO Georges Kern with the introduction of the Breitling Top Time B21 trio.

So, which is your favourite then? Could either be on your Wishlist this Christmas?