THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: BREITLING
MODEL: 2002
YEAR: 1965
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 36mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: MANUAL WIND

The 1960s and 70s were a golden era for sports chronographs, seeing some of the most iconic models, such as the Rolex Daytona, Omega Speedmaster, Heuer Carrera, and Universal Genève Compax. Amidst these legendary names, chronographs from another top manufacturer, Breitling, often fall under the radar and still represent great value on the market today.

Breitling introduced the "Top Time" line in 1964, aiming to attract young, active professionals. This marked a departure from the brand’s more technical models, such as the Navitimer and Chronomat. The Top Time came in both two-register and three-register forms. The current example, ref. 2002, features a two-register "reverse panda" dial. This exact configuration was famously worn by James Bond in the 1965 movie, "Thunderball", which understandably became its nickname. In fact, the exact watch that Sean Connery wore in the movie was sold in a car boot sale years later for a slender £25, and subsequently in an auction for over £100,000. 

The watch itself is in fantastic condition. The 36mm diameter unpolished steel case wears fantastically on the wrist, giving a modern, bold, yet elegant look, despite being born in 1965. The original dial ("SWISS MADE T" marking at 6 o'clock) is perfect except for a few light marks on the subdials. All of the lume plots are still intact, as well as the original hands. 

The movement was serviced a year ago and is still running well at -5 s/d, 270 amps with a beat error of 0.2 ms.

A fantastic 1960s chronograph that looks great on a leather or a metal band, like the Forstner bead of rice bracelet we have paired it with.