The renowned Swiss watchmaker Breitling continues its tradition of partnering with Hollywood stars by welcoming Austin Butler to its roster of ambassadors. He is the face of the newly launched Top Time B31 collection.
Breitling CEO Georges Kern praised Austin Butler, calling him a talented, kind and cool individual who perfectly matches the brand’s image. He believes Butler is a natural fit for Breitling’s adventurous and stylish identity.
“I spent time with Austin on the campaign set and was blown away by his dedication and attention to detail,” Kern shared. “He cares about getting everything just right – something we relate to at Breitling.”
The Top Time has been a symbol of freedom and personal style since the 1960s. Willy Breitling created the watch as a way to break away from conventional design and let people express their individuality.
The Top Time quickly became popular with racing fans and fashionistas. Even James Bond wore one in the 1965 film “Thunderball.” Its eye-catching design worked for both men and women, making it a true standout.
Today’s Top Time B31 retains the free spirit but drops the stopwatch function. At 38 mm, it fits most wrists well, combining old-school size with modern looks. Inside is the new Caliber B31, Breitling’s first in-house three-hand movement. Designed for precision, it upholds the brand’s high standards while focusing on simplicity. It builds on the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, the industry benchmark for chronograph movements, introduced in 2009.
“This is watchmaking distilled to its essentials – pure timekeeping, easy wearability, and distinct character,” explained Georges Kern.
The dial maintains the bold style of the Top Time, with clear markers and an enlarged date window. A bright orange seconds hand adds a sporty touch, available in three color options: white on blue, black on green, and sky blue on white. The outer edge holds the minutes and seconds in a contrasting color. The slim case sits comfortably on the wrist, with tapered lugs and a curved crystal for a sleek look.
The B31 sits comfortably on the wrist thanks to its tapered lugs and two-stage curved crystal. You can choose between a perforated leather strap (a nod to racing history) or a triple-row steel bracelet with Breitling’s special middle link.
After four years of development, the new B31 movement is only 28 mm × 4.8 mm thick, but extremely reliable. It incorporates Breitling’s special balance wheel for greater accuracy and a transparent weight that drives the automatic movement. These parts are visible through the transparent case-back, which is decorated with decorative stripes and dotted patterns.
Breitling works with trusted partners to manufacture the components, while final assembly takes place at Breitling and AMT in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Each B31 movement is rigorously tested by the COSC and undergoes extreme tests equivalent to 16 years of use, including 100,000 crown windings and 60,000 strong shocks. It runs for approximately 78 hours when unworn and comes with a five-year warranty.
“Breitling, for me, is about adventure and pushing the limits of what’s possible,” said Butler. “The Top Time speaks to the way I’ve always wanted to live my life: free and ready to rock ‘n’ roll. It’s a thrill to be part of the squad.”
Butler joins an impressive list of Breitling ambassadors, including Brad Pitt, Adam Driver and Charlize Theron.
