{"product_id":"1967-breitling-top-time-vintage-large-pilots-chronograph-14k-gold-filled-stainless-steel","title":"1967 Breitling Top Time Vintage Large Pilots Chronograph - 14K Gold Filled \u0026 Stainless Steel","description":"\u003cp\u003eBreitling 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRemarkably, 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eToday'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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePowering the watch is its original Breitling finished Valjoux 7730 movement with 45-minute timing system for recording of events.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt presents distinctively on the wrist and has all original parts except for the winding crown.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts case is in fair to good condition with gold wear through and previous signs of being polishing. Its dial was restored in vintage times. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne 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).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePhotos of the inside available upon request. It is keeping very accurate time, and the chronograph resets strongly and precisely to 12. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIncluded 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe history of the Top Time can be found on \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.breitling.com\/cw-en\/about\/icons\/top-time\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eBreitling's official site here\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYour 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eBreitling:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSince 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVintage examples of Breitling's chronographs are sought after by collector's, aviation enthusiasts, Hollywood celebrities and anyone who desires to wear a fine timepiece. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/b\u003e Breitling \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCountry of origin:\u003c\/b\u003e Switzerland\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSerial no.:\u003c\/b\u003e 1,136,747 - note we recently sold another ref. 2008 serial no. 1,136,696, only 51 units apart\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear built:\u003c\/b\u003e 1967\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/b\u003e Hours, Minutes, Chronograph Timing, Subsidiary Seconds\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eModel:\u003c\/b\u003e Top Time, Ref. 2008\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDesigned for:\u003c\/b\u003e Men \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e 37mm wide (excluding crown), 38mm long lug tip-to-tip\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase material:\u003c\/b\u003e 14K gold filled \u0026amp; stainless steel\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase markings (outside):\u003c\/b\u003e Breitling, stainless steel back, 2008\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase markings (inside):\u003c\/b\u003e Breitling Watch LTD, Swiss \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase condition:\u003c\/b\u003e Fair to good condition with gold wear through, previous signs of being polishing, and a slight depressing in the center of the back\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDial:\u003c\/b\u003e White, signed Breitling Geneve, tachometer scale, gold baton indexes, silver 45 minute and seconds registers, restored in vintage times\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHands:\u003c\/b\u003e Original, luminous gold batons, \"lozenge\" recorder hand\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMovement markings:\u003c\/b\u003e Breitling Watch Ltd., SWISS, Seventeen Jewels, Unadjusted, 7730\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJewels:\u003c\/b\u003e 17 rubies\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBand:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWidth between lugs:\u003c\/b\u003e 20mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCrystal type:\u003c\/b\u003e Acrylic, excellent condition\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eServicing:\u003c\/b\u003e 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). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTiming:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWarranty:\u003c\/b\u003e 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBox\/Papers:\u003c\/b\u003e BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; Timing certificate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReturns:\u003c\/b\u003e 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Breitling","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47401770647641,"sku":"10566","price":2295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1219\/5194\/files\/1181331447_o.jpg?v=1791472813","url":"https:\/\/shop.connoisseuroftime.com\/products\/1967-breitling-top-time-vintage-large-pilots-chronograph-14k-gold-filled-stainless-steel","provider":"Connoisseur of Time","version":"1.0","type":"link"}