Breitling built its reputation on serious chronographs, but the Top Time showed that a chronograph could also have style. Introduced in 1964 under Willy Breitling, the line was deliberately younger and more fashion-conscious than the traditional watches that had come before it. Breitling itself describes the cushion-cased Top Time as an effort to turn the mechanical chronograph into a fashionable object, and period examples were advertised in magazines including Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.

The Top Time also holds a particularly memorable place in James Bond history. In the 1965 film Thunderball, Sean Connery's Bond wore a Breitling Top Time ref. 2002 that had been specially modified by the film's art department into a Geiger counter for locating the stolen nuclear weapons. It became the first watch in the Bond series to be modified by Q Branch. The Thunderball watch belonged to the same Top Time family and helped cement the model's place in 1960s popular culture - that cultural connection was entirely in keeping with what Breitling intended the Top Time to be.

Remarkably, the actual film watch later resurfaced after being purchased for just £25 at a car boot sale and sold at Christie's in 2013 for £103,875.

Today's offering showcases this classic ref. 2008 Breitling "Top Time" chronograph. It has a great distinctive late '60's to early 70's retro look that is distinctive yet elegant.

It is an especially charismatic expression of that Top Time idea. Its large cushion-shaped case is covered with deeply engraved radiating lines that turn the entire gold surface into part of the design.

Powering the watch is its original Breitling finished Valjoux 7730 movement with 45-minute timing system for recording of events.

At 37mm in diameter, its full size gold-filled and steel case fills out the wrist very nicely. And its gold-filled top with strong bark texturing and steel back "tropical" design give it the look of a solid gold Breitling for a fraction of the cost.

It presents distinctively on the wrist and has all original parts except for the winding crown.

Its case is in fair to good condition with gold wear through and previous signs of being polishing. Its dial was restored in vintage times.

One of our Master Watchmakers has fully serviced this chronograph which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $995 value).

Photos of the inside available upon request. It is keeping very accurate time, and the chronograph resets strongly and precisely to 12.

For the finishing touch, we have equipped it with a brand new Nomos Glashutte strap and meticulously detailed it making it ready for immediate enjoyment. It would also look great on a colored band or multi-colored NATO strap if you would like a more fashion forward style.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.

The history of the Top Time can be found on Breitling's official site here.

Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.

Breitling:

"There has never been anyone in a plane's cockpit without a Breitling ... on his wrist -- or who would at least wished to have one." - Musings of an aviation journalist

Since its founding in 1884, the Breitling firm has been known for working tirelessly to define what the perfect watch should be. Embraced by pilots since the dawning of aeronautics, Breitling watches are the only ones that grace the wrists of the world's elite aerobatic groups, namely the Blue Angels, the Thunderbirds, The British Red Arrows, and the Russian Knights.

Vintage examples of Breitling's chronographs are sought after by collector's, aviation enthusiasts, Hollywood celebrities and anyone who desires to wear a fine timepiece.

Manufacturer: Breitling
Country of origin: Switzerland
Serial no.: 1,136,747 - note we recently sold another ref. 2008 serial no. 1,136,696, only 51 units apart
Year built: 1967
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Chronograph Timing, Subsidiary Seconds
Model: Top Time, Ref. 2008
Designed for: Men 
Dimensions: 37mm wide (excluding crown), 38mm long lug tip-to-tip
Case material: 14K gold filled & stainless steel
Case markings (outside): Breitling, stainless steel back, 2008
Case markings (inside): Breitling Watch LTD, Swiss
Case condition: Fair to good condition with gold wear through, previous signs of being polishing, and a slight depressing in the center of the back
Dial: White, signed Breitling Geneve, tachometer scale, gold baton indexes, silver 45 minute and seconds registers, restored in vintage times
Hands: Original, luminous gold batons, "lozenge" recorder hand
Movement markings: Breitling Watch Ltd., SWISS, Seventeen Jewels, Unadjusted, 7730
Jewels: 17 rubies
Band: Nomos Glashutte, high quality, shell cordovan, fully stitched, remobrde, brand new and unworn. We also stock lizard and a variety of other straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested. It would also look great on a colored band or multi-colored NATO strap if you would like a more fashion forward style.
Width between lugs: 20mm
Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition
Servicing: One of our Master Watchmakers has fully serviced this chronograph which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $995 value).
Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is keeping very accurate time, and the chronograph resets strongly and precisely to 12.
Warranty: 1-year C.O.T. international warranty. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; Timing certificate
Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide

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