Breitling Reissues James Bond's Thunderball Watch
The Breitling Top Time James Bond watch is the modern reissue of the chronograph Sean Connery wore as 007 in the 1965 film Thunderball. Limited to 2,000 pieces and priced at $4,990, this Top Time Limited Edition revives one of the most overlooked Bond watches, swapping the spy's usual Rolex and Omega for vintage Breitling style.
While James Bond is mostly recognized for wearing Rolexes and Omegas, the secret agent would occasionally dabble in other watches, and one of the most iconic from that group is Breitling's Top Time. This reissue brings the Thunderball-era chronograph back to life for collectors who want the 007 connection on their wrist.
What is the Breitling Top Time Thunderball watch?
The original Top Time came out in the 1960s and was relatively modern for its era, with a clean design and features suited to everyday use. The reissue measures 41mm in diameter and is fitted with a convex sapphire crystal, a single gasket crown, and plunger-style chronograph pushers. Most of the dial is black and white, with a splash of red on the hands and on a sector of one of the subdials, the signature "Zorro" dial layout. The dot hour markers are coated in Super-LumiNova for visibility in the dark, and the vintage look is finished with a brown nubuck leather strap. You can read the full release details at WatchTime.
What movement powers the Breitling James Bond watch?
The case is water-resistant to 30 meters and houses a self-winding chronograph movement, Breitling Caliber 23, based on the ETA 7753, with a 48-hour power reserve. As per the Swiss tradition of chronographs, the "Chronometer" label comes thanks to certification of the movement by COSC. The Top Time Limited Edition was also the first-ever Breitling watch offered with a blockchain-based digital passport.
How much is the Breitling 007 watch, and can you still buy it?
The watch was limited to 2,000 pieces, priced at $4,990, and offered for purchase online, where it quickly sold out to savvy collectors. Today it trades on the secondary market, and the wider story of the Thunderball Top Time and Bond's watch history is well documented at the Bond Lifestyle archive.
Find collectible watches at TheArsenale
If the Bond connection and limited-edition appeal of the Top Time speak to you, TheArsenale curates its own selection of rare and exotic timepieces. Explore the full watches collection, including the design-led Anicorn x TheArsenale designer watch and the space-inspired Moon Time NASA watch. Keep your collection in pristine condition with the Ferrari engine block watch winder.
Ready to add a piece of cinema and horology history to your wrist? Browse the full TheArsenale watches collection today.
