Breitling Honors Cycling Legends Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi with Two Striking Top Time Models
Right in time for the cycling season, Breitling launches two special editions of the Top Time chronograph. They pay tribute to the Italian cycling icons Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi whose rivalries in sports history were legendary. Their fierce but fair competition in the 1940s and ’50s helped define an era of European cycling. Now, Breitling honors these two giants of the sport with a pair of limited-edition chronographs that celebrate not just their achievements, but also the enduring spirit of racing and camaraderie.
The brand has chosen its Top Time collection—originally introduced in the 1960s by Willy Breitling—to capture the adrenaline, style, and speed of that golden age. Known for its bold retro motorsport-inspired design, the Top Time line is the perfect canvas for this tribute. Each of the two new watches is limited to 750 pieces and distinguished by colorful aesthetics drawn directly from the jerseys and bicycles of the two cyclists.
They are housed in a stainless steel case with a diameter of 41mm and a height of 13,3mm. Water-resistant to 100 meters, both iterations carry a COSC chronometer certificate for proven precision. At their heart ticks Breitling's B01 self-winding chronograph movement which offers a power reserve of 72 hours and can be admired through the sapphire case back.
Top Time B01 Fausto Coppi
The Top Time B01 Fausto Coppi features a crisp white dial with striking turquoise sub dials, echoing the livery of Coppi’s race bike. A lightning-bolt orange central seconds hand adds a jolt of energy and references one of the most distinctive colors in Coppi’s kit. At 6 o’clock, his signature sits proudly on the dial. Around the tachymeter scale, you’ll find his nickname: “Il Campionissimo” (Champion of Champions).
Top Time B01 Gino Bartali
The Top Time B01 Gino Bartali edition sports a rich blue dial with yellow and orange accents, inspired by the jersey of the two-time Tour de France winner. Like the Coppi model, Bartali’s signature graces the dial at 6 o’clock, and his nickname, “L’Intramontabile” (The Timeless One), encircles the tachymeter.
Each watch comes with the choice of a perforated calfskin strap ($7,700) or a stainless-steel mesh bracelet ($8,100 USD).
To learn more, visit Breitling, here.
