Breitling unveils two vibrant limited-edition chronographs dedicated to Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali, Italian cyclists’ honouring their legacy of resilience and achievement.
Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali weren’t just champions – they were symbols of sportsmanship. In the 1940s and 1950s, their legendary rivalry was matched only by their respect for each other, famously captured in a moment of shared endurance: passing a water bottle just before the final push. Both were Breitling ambassadors at a time when the brand was the official timekeeper for cycling’s greatest races. Competing fiercely yet united by their love of the sport, they dominated the European circuit, defined an era, and inspired millions.
Breitling honours their legacy with a pair of limited-edition Top Time watches that celebrate Coppi and Bartali’s lasting impact on sports and society. Featuring striking colours inspired by their bikes and jerseys, these timeless modern chronographs bring their story to life.
“Coppi and Bartali had one of the greatest rivalries in sports. They pushed each other to new heights. An incredibly inspiring story that these watches bring to life.”
Georges Kern, CEO, Breitling
The Top Time was introduced in the transformative 1960s as Willy Breitling’s bold and unconventional line of racing chronographs, designed to capture the era’s penchant for speed and style.
The Top Time B01 Fausto Coppi features turquoise subdials on a white dial (above), with an orange lightning-shaped seconds hand echoing the colors of Coppi’s bike. The Top Time B01 Gino Bartali (below) comes in a blue dial with yellow accents, inspired by his memorable jersey.
Both 750-piece limited editions feature their nicknames on the tachymeter scale: “Il Campionissimo” (Champion of Champions) for Coppi and “L’Intramontabile” (The Timeless) for Bartali. Their signatures at six o’clock make the connection even more personal. Look closely, and you’ll see another subtle tribute: brushed lines running through the subdials, symbolising the two champions riding side by side.
Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali in action on the bike
Each watch comes with the choice of a perforated calfskin strap or a stainless-steel mesh bracelet to complete the modern-retro look. The 41 mm chronograph runs on Breitling’s Manufacture Caliber 01, offering COSC-certified precision and an approximate 70-hour power reserve. The ‘squircle’ subdials at 9 and 3 o’clock capture the running seconds and chronograph minutes, while the mushroom pushers enable smooth control of the chronograph functions. A transparent caseback reveals the inner workings of the movement, its outer ring engraved with either ‘Fausto Coppi Tribute’ or ‘Gino Bartali Tribute’ and ‘One of 750’.
Unforgettable in their time, reimagined for ours, the Top Time B01 Coppi & Bartali honours the resilience and friendships forged even in the fiercest competition.
Technical Specifications:
TOP TIME B01 FAUSTO COPPI LIMITED EDITION
Reference: AB01768A1A1A1, AB01768A1A1X1
WATCH MOVEMENT
Caliber: Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Thickness: 7.2 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, bidirectional with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 70 hours
Number of components: 284
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch, 1/4th second and 30 minute
Display: hour, minute, second
Certification: COSC-certified
CASE
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 41 millimeters
Thickness: 13.30 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip
to lower lug tip): 50.4 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: cambered sapphire, glare-proofed on both side
Caseback: screwed steel, sapphire crystal
Crown: non screw-locked, two gaskets
Bezel: fixed
DIAL/HANDS
White and turquoise chronograph counters
Super-LumiNova® luminescent hour and minute hand
STRAP
Turquoise racing-themed calfskin leather strap (20/18 mm) with folding clasp or stainless-steel mesh bracelet with butterfly clasp
PRICE (RRP)
Leather strap: £5,950.00
Mesh bracelet: £6,300.00
TOP TIME B01 GINO BARTALI LIMITED EDITION
Reference: AB01767A1C1A1, AB01767A1C1X1
WATCH MOVEMENT
Caliber: Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Thickness: 7.2 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, bidirectional with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 70 hours
Number of components: 284
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch, 1/4th second and 30-minute
Display: hour, minute, second
Certification: COSC-certified
CASE
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 41 millimeters
Thickness: 13.30 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip
to lower lug tip): 50.4 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: cambered sapphire, glare-proofed on both side
Caseback: screwed steel, sapphire crystal
Crown: non screw-locked, two gaskets
Bezel: fixed
DIAL/HANDS
Blue and white chronograph counters
Super-LumiNova® luminescent hour markers, hour and minute hands
STRAP
Blue racing-themed calfskin leather strap (20/18 mm) with folding clasp or stainless-steel mesh bracelet with butterfly clasp
PRICE (RRP)
Leather strap: £5,950.00
Mesh bracelet: £6,300.00
For more information please visit Breitling