When I first saw the Breitling Top Time Limited Edition (ref. A23310121G1X1), I wanted it immediately. It didn't look like other Breitlings. It had a retro 1960s thing going on, which makes sense since the original Top Time was marketed to younger buyers rather than the pilots and divers Breitling usually targets. This reissue keeps that casual, less-serious energy.
By the time I got into watch collecting, the Top Time was already sold out everywhere. I had to hunt the secondary market for months before finding an unworn piece. When it arrived, it looked even better than the photos.
Case and wearability
The stainless steel case is 41mm across and about 14mm thick. Fully polished, which gives it a bright vintage look but also means fingerprints show up constantly. The lugs are angular, and the pushers are rounded and mushroom-shaped in that mid-century style.
On my 7-inch wrist, it wears comfortably despite the thickness. It can catch on tight shirt cuffs, but that's about the only issue.
The original brown nubuck strap was fine but bland, and too short for comfortable wear. The previous owner swapped it for a custom Aaron Bespoke strap, which is a big upgrade. Better leather, richer color, and it makes the whole watch look more expensive.
One downside: 30 meters of water resistance. No swimming, no showers. It's a fair-weather watch only. Given its casual nature, I can live with that.
Dial
The dial is the reason to buy this watch. The "Zorro" pattern, a bold black shape against silver-white, looks unlike anything else out there. It's not subtle and it's not trying to be.
The red hands add contrast. There's also a decimal scale around the edge that I've never used, but other watch people always ask about it. No date window, which keeps the dial clean.
Legibility is good despite the busy design. The lume is adequate, nothing special. The whole aesthetic is too loud for formal settings, but that's fine. This is a weekend watch.
Movement
The Breitling Caliber 23 is based on the ETA/Valjoux 7753. COSC certified, and mine runs within a couple seconds per day. The pushers have a solid click, though not as smooth as a column-wheel chronograph. For a workhorse movement, it does the job.
I wish there was an exhibition caseback. The solid back just says "ONE OF 2000," and you can't see the movement. Feels like a missed opportunity for a limited edition.
Breitling included a blockchain-based digital passport with the watch. I haven't used it much, but it could be useful for resale down the line.
Final thoughts
The Top Time is one of the more fun watches I own. It doesn't take itself seriously, which is refreshing in a collection full of tool watches.
The downsides are real: it's thick, barely water resistant, and uses an ETA-based movement at a premium price point. The bold styling won't work for everyone. But if you want something that looks different from everything else, the Top Time delivers.
