Breitling Top Time Coppi & Bartali: a tribute to cycling

Breitling has recently launched two references that seek to pay tribute to and remember two historic ambassadors of the brand: Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali.

The references are part of the Breitling Top Time collection, one of the most representative and renowned of the prestigious Swiss brand, famous for its links with the world of sport, especially aviation and motor racing.

The two cyclists are known not only for their victories in the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia and other international competitions, but also for their intense rivalry, which eventually developed into a great friendship. Breitling thus pays tribute to these two cycling icons in a series of exclusive timepieces celebrating their sporting achievements and their legacy in world cycling.

Breitling Top Time B01 Fausto Coppi

The Breitling Top Time B01 Fausto Coppi is a tribute to the cyclist known as ‘Il Campionissimo’ (The Champion of Champions). Fausto Coppi is remembered for his dominance in road cycling during the 1940s and 1950s as well as for his bravery and riding style. His name is associated with some of the most iconic victories in cycling history, and his legacy lives on in the memories of fans.

This watch features a 41 mm stainless steel case, with a vintage design evoking the golden years of cycling. The white dial is inspired by the colour of his Bianchi bicycle, an emblem of Italian cycling, while the turquoise subdials evoke Coppi’s freshness and dynamism. The orange lightning seconds hand refers to his speed and energy in the peloton. The tachymeter scale on the outer edge of the dial is a traditional feature of Breitling chronographs, and in this case is inscribed with Coppi’s nickname: ‘Il Campionissimo’ (champion of champions).

In terms of technical characteristics, the timepiece is powered by the B01 calibre, a Breitling in-house automatic movement with a power reserve of 70 hours. This calibre is renowned for its precision and reliability, and has been certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute). In addition, the timepiece is water-resistant to 100 metres, which makes it a functional everyday watch, beyond being a collector’s item.

The strap of this model is made of turquoise perforated leather, a detail reminiscent of Coppi’s bicycles, which gives the watch a sporty and elegant look. For those who prefer a more metallic option, a version with a steel mesh bracelet is also available. The edition is limited to 750 pieces. You can check the availability of the reference here.

Breitling Top Time B01 Gino Bartali

The Breitling Top Time B01 Gino Bartali pays tribute to the ‘unbeatable’ Gino Bartali, another giant of Italian cycling. Bartali was a resilient and strategic cyclist, who achieved great victories, including multiple Tour de France and Tours d’Italia. His story is marked by his steadfastness in cycling, but also by his heroism outside of competition, saving lives during World War II. Known for his humility and strong character, Bartali is an admired figure both inside and outside the sport.

The watch dedicated to Bartali features a 41 mm stainless steel case, similar to Coppi’s model, but with a deep blue dial, a tribute to the colours of his Bartali-Ursus team. White subdials and yellow details in the dial design represent his unique energy and style. On this model, the nickname ‘L’Intramontabile’, meaning ‘The Unbreakable’, is inscribed on the tachymeter scale, evoking Bartali’s endurance and longevity in competitions.

Like the Coppi model, the Top Time B01 Gino Bartali is powered by the B01 calibre, a high-performance automatic movement, and boasts a water resistance of 100 metres. This model also has a power reserve of 70 hours, ensuring that the watch can continue to run accurately even after several days without being worn. The perforated leather strap in blue highlights the sporty character of the watch, while a steel mesh bracelet option is also available for those who prefer a more classic style.

Like its counterpart, the Top Time B01 Gino Bartali is limited to 750 pieces and presents itself as a unique timepiece that combines history, style and precision. Breitling has managed to capture the essence of Bartali’s legacy with this timepiece, which is not only a tribute to a champion, but also a horological work of art. Check the availability of the watch here.

The Breitling Top Time Coppi & Bartali watches are a celebration of cycling history and a tribute to two of the greatest champions of all time. Each model captures the essence of these iconic cyclists, with a design that reflects their competitive spirit and timeless legacy.

On a technical level, both models offer impeccable precision, thanks to Breitling’s B01 calibre, renowned for its reliability and performance. In addition, the limited edition of only 750 pieces per model increases their exclusivity, making them coveted pieces for collectors and cycling enthusiasts.

Ideal Joyeros is an official distributor of Breitling. We invite you to consult the Breitling catalogue on our website or to visit our Breitling boutique.